Insider Tips to Enjoy a Rainy Day at Hersheypark

Date: May 20, 2026

If the forecast calls for inclement weather during a planned visit to Hersheypark amusement park, no worries! Hersheypark is open rain or shine - and there is plenty to do in sunny and rainy weather. 

Here are six ways to stay Hersheypark Happy even when the forecast is calling for rain in Central Pennsylvania.

Ride Under Cover

Hersheypark is home to more than 70 rides with thrills for everyone. Although the weather may force a small handful of rides to temporarily close during scheduled operating hours, many of our rides can safely operate in light rain. Plus, there are a few that always remain open, maintenance permitting, for guest enjoyment under cover. During heavy precipitation, guests can take a spin on Laff Trakk, the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States; become an agent and protect the factory on Reese's Cupfusion; bump family and friends out of the way on Fender Bender; and take a ride back in time on the Carrousel or Kissing Tower.

Tip: Parkgoers can stay up to date on ride availability and wait times with the Hersheypark app! The team will reopen rides as soon as safe to do so.

See A Show (starting May 29)

Sweet Land of Liberty: A Celebration of the American Songbook debuts May 29 inside Chevrolet Music Box Theatre.

Every great story has a soundtrack. Join us for an unforgettable live music show as we journey through the Rock, Pop, Country, and Soul anthems that shaped our history. These aren't just songs; they're the heartbeat of a nation. Rediscover some of the music you love and sing-along with the performers! Plus, stay for the encore; you never know which songs you will hear next!

Tip: Guests should check the Hersheypark app on the day of their visit for exact showtimes and further details. Character appearances are subject to change based on availability.

Play Arcade Games

Guests can play their way through an unexpected shower in the two arcades at Hersheypark. Play Dome Arcade, which is located in the Pioneer Frontier region, features video games, crane machines and redemption games. Across the Park is Overlook Arcade, the largest arcade located in the Kissing Tower Hill region. This arcade offers Skeeball in addition to the games found at Play Dome Arcade.

Tip: Guests will need to purchase a separate Games Card or Time Play pass, which they can load via cashless payment at an in-Park Gaming Card kiosk. All Season Pass Holders can get a bonus with purchase of certain denominations in a Game Card - activate your Game Card at Overlook Arcade or Play Dome Arcade to get your 15 percent off games all year.

Grab a Bite to Eat

What better time to rest and refuel at an amusement park than during a brief summer storm? Hersheypark offers a variety of covered and indoor eateries for guests to grab a snack and remain dry at the same time. We recommend stopping by The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio and Milton's Ice Cream Parlor, located at the front of the Park in Hershey's Chocolatetown. Guests can wait out the rain with some ice cream in hand. A win-win!

A fan favorite, Chick-fil-A serves up handcrafted lunch and dinner items Monday through Saturday in the Pioneer Frontier region. Guests in the Kissing Tower Hill region can swing on over to Overlook Food Court, which offers different concession locations featuring grilled burgers, made-to-order wraps, handcrafted salads, pizza and much more. Vegan vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also available.  View a full list of the more than 60 drink and dining locations throughout Hersheypark.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

There are more than 20 shops inside Hersheypark, many of which provide cover from the rain. Guests can visit Hersheypark Supply Co. to browse the largest collection of apparel, gifts, toys and more exclusive to Hersheypark. Another option is to head to HP Collections in Chocolatetown for premier brand apparel and collectibles, with the all-new HP Toys & Collectables right next door. New for 2026 is Coaster Collections for the ultimate thrill souvenir. 

Tip: All major credit cards, Hersheypark gift cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay are accepted. Guests who arrive at the Park with cash only can convert cash to prepaid debit cards at six Cash-To-Card kiosks throughout the Park at no fee. Prepaid cards can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

Visit the Zoo

Entrance to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo, is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark when accessing the Zoo through the bridge inside Hersheypark during public operating hours. The best part? Some of the animals are located inside, providing an option for visitors to stay dry. In the Desert and Southwest Swamps buildings, visitors can see spoonbills, various species of rattlesnakes, an ocelot and more.

Tip: The Zoovenirs gift shop is another convenient location to avoid the rain at ZooAmerica.

Great ticket offers are available on Hersheypark.com, with three experiences in one ticket!