The Ultimate Hershey, PA Summer 2025 Guide

Date: June 20, 2025

Whether you are local to the area or visiting for the first time, Hershey is bustling with world-class attractions, luxury resorts and spas, live concerts, premier dining venues, shopping and endless chocolate to keep your entire family engaged and having fun. Come with us as we explore what's new for 2025 and show you just how fun a summer spent in The Sweetest Place On Earth can truly be.

Head to Hersheypark Amusement Park, Open Daily This Summer

Hersheypark, a world-class 121-acre amusement park in Hershey, Pa., is open daily for the summer season through Sept. 1, 2025. Summer tickets include three experiences in one with more than 70 rides, an 11-acre water park and access to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park when entering from within Hersheypark.

The summer ride lineup features 15 mild to wild coasters (the most in the Northeast), various family-friendly attractions and more than 20 kiddie rides spread throughout the Park. New for 2025, thrill seekers can experience multiple zero G moments on the tallest Screamin' Swing in the world, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, as they ascend 137 adrenaline-pumping feet and defy gravity at 68 MPH.

Continuing the Twizzlers celebration, guests can participate in a high-energy game of trivia featuring the Hershey Characters during the all-new Twizz's Twisted Trivia show inside Chevrolet Music Box Theatre. Other entertainment offerings that come with a ticket include daily Hershey Character meet and greets and Our Friends From The Sea shows featuring seals and sea lions. Details are listed in the Hersheypark app. 

Given the incredible value included with a Hersheypark ticket, guests often choose to spend multiple days at Hersheypark to ensure enough time to experience all of the summer fun. 

A Season Pass is the best value for people planning to spend more than three days at the Park. A Bite Size Season Pass is essentially a three-day ticket with 50 percent off parking, while Full Size and King Size Season Passes include free parking and additional perks like 1-hour early access during the summer season and discounts on food, beverage and retail.

Guests can save on Hersheypark tickets when purchasing them on Hersheypark.com with the current offers. Two-day tickets provide the best ticket value and do not need to be used on consecutive days. To provide flexibility for guests, One-Day Any Day Tickets purchased online are valid any day during the 2025 public operating season through Jan. 4, 2026. As a reminder, The Official Resorts of Hersheypark guests receive the best price on Hersheypark tickets.

Make a Splash at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark

Included with a Hersheypark ticket, Park-goers can beat the summer heat by cooling off at The Boardwalk, a water park inside Hersheypark with one million gallons of water among 16 water attractions. Guests can shoot through one of six water slides at Coastline Plunge, take a ride on Breakers Edge water coaster, float down a lazy river, catch a wave in the 378,000-gallon wave pool, play with 600 interactive water features in East Coast Waterworks or race friends on Whitecap Racer.

Families with young children can splash and play all day at three kiddie attractions in the water park. Sandcastle Cove features water slides, cannons, water curtains, jets and a pool that reaches depths of 18 inches. Shoreline Sprayground is a water playground with misters, bubblers, dancing fountains, spraying jets, water curtains and a drenching tipping bucket. Bayside Pier is a great attraction for the youngest guests, with a zero-depth entry ramp and splash area.

Visit North American Animals at ZooAmerica

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is an 11-acre, walk-through zoo that cares for more than 200 animals representing over 60 species from five regions of North America. Guests can see black bears, wolves, river otters, Canada lynx, elk,  an ocelot and many other animals native to this continent.

ZooAmerica is open daily this summer from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 1, 2025. Regular admission to ZooAmerica is $16.50 plus taxes and fees. Juniors ages 3-8 and seniors ages 62+ are $14.50 plus taxes and fees. Children 2 and under are free. Hersheypark tickets include ZooAmerica only when accessing the Zoo through the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. The Zoo is the perfect place for families visiting Hersheypark to take a quick break from the thrills.

Enjoy Live Entertainment

A sweet summer season of outdoor live entertainment is underway at Hersheypark Stadium with something for every music lover. Few places offer guests the opportunity to enjoy coasters all day and see shows outdoors at night under the Central Pennsylvania sky!

• Luke Bryan, July 12
• Summer Worship Nights, July 18
• Pantera, July 25
• Shania Twain, July 26
• Big Time Rush, August 1
• Chris Brown, August 5
• Outlaw Music Festival, August 9
• Jonas Brothers, August 17
• Hardy, September 6
• Falling in Reverse, September 7 
• Hozier, September 19
• Slayer, September 20

GIANT Center also welcomes one more summer show with Volbeat on August 16, followed by six shows in the fall.

Eat on the Patio at The Chocolatier

With fun indoor booth seating themed around Comet and Tilt-A-Whirl to an outdoor patio offering one-of-a-kind views of Candymonium, the iconic Kisses Fountain and our 106-year-old Carrousel, The Chocolatier is a visual experience like no other. An open kitchen serves up classic family fare with a fun Hershey twist. Diners can indulge in a Reese’s Take5 Chicken Sandwich, Heath Bar Crusted Salmon or Cocoa-Dusted Beef Short Ribs along with over-the-top Hershey's candy-inspired milkshakes, sundaes and desserts. One thing is for certain: a trip to The Chocolatier is sure to be as fun as it is delicious. 

Reservations are strongly encouraged but not available for outdoor patio dining. Guests interested in re-entering Hersheypark after enjoying the patio will need to get their hand stamped. 

Dine Al Fresco at Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar and Devon Steak + Seafood

Summer means outdoor dining in Hershey is in full swing. Visitors to Hershey can head downtown and enjoy the views of the Hershey’s Kisses-shaped street lights from the patios of Devon Seafood + Steak and Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar. With a wide array of menu items and signature drinks, a night under the Hershey’s Kisses lights will undoubtedly be a memorable experience. 

Relax At The Spa

Visitors can indulge in summer relaxation at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey resort spa and MeltSpa by Hershey day spa with signature chocolate treatments and seasonal treatment collections. Summer packages at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey include the Vacation For A Day Package, Citrus Sensation Package and Sweet Summer Sampler. MeltSpa by Hershey is excited to bring back a guest favorite, the Summer Strawberry Collection, featuring a Summer Strawberry Body Scrub, Immersion, Manicure, Pedicure and more. These seasonal summer packages and treatments are available through Aug. 31.

Looking to have a spa day the Hershey way? Guests can revel in one-of-a-kind chocolate spa treatments at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey with the Chocolate Fondue Wrap, Cocoa Massage and Whipped Cocoa Bath. Or, they can head to MeltSpa for their exclusive Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Treatments, infused with Hershey’s dark chocolate that will leave spa visitors feeling refreshed and smelling sweet. 

Where to Stay in Hershey

As you can see, there is so much to do during a visit to Hershey that many guests spend the night (or two, or three or more). Really, what could be better than spending the night in The Sweetest Place On Earth? Booking a sweet getaway at one of the three Official Resorts of Hersheypark is the perfect way to kick off the summer! Guests can save on a stay with popular summer packages, including the guest-favorite Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free Package at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge or the Hersheypark Summer Camping Package at Hersheypark Camping Resort. 

The sweetest part about choosing to stay at The Official Resorts of Hersheypark is the FREE Resort Benefits, including extra hours at Hersheypark with Sweet Start available through Sept. 7 and Preview Plan, and free front-gate shuttle service to the exclusive resort drop-off location at Hersheypark. 

The Hotel Hershey

Opened by chocolatier Milton S. Hershey in 1933, The Hotel Hershey is known for its refined elegance, signature service and abundant amenities and is a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond Award. The Hotel is right across the street from Hersheypark and situated high atop the town of Hershey. Guests at the hotel can enjoy delicious dining, sweet relaxation at the Chocolate Spa, and experience a variety of recreational activities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sports complex and miles of hiking trails. For more information about this beautiful and historic property, check out The Hotel Hershey summer guide.

The Villas At The Hotel Hershey

Those interested in the ultimate luxurious stay should consider The Villas at The Hotel Hershey. Twelve Villas feature 48 reimagined rooms with refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities, including an all-new exclusive concierge lounge with food, drinks and activities, daily Hersheypark tickets and One-Day Fast Track. Seven more Villas will open throughout the summer. This historic expansion will double the size of The Villas, offering even more luxury as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and the most premium Hersheypark experiences.

Take a look inside The Villas and explore the daily schedule of exclusive activities and offerings for guests.

Hershey Lodge

Warm, welcoming, and distinctly Hershey, Hershey Lodge provides convenience and comfort for families and guests of all ages with sweet hospitality and chocolate around every corner. A guest favorite, Hershey's Water Works indoor water complex features a Reese's Water Walk, Twizzlers Twists water slides and a zero-entry pool for unlimited family fun. Families will also enjoy recreational amenities and activities like miniature golf and chocolate bingo. To learn more about this kid-friendly property, check out our Hershey Lodge summer guide.

Hersheypark Camping Resort

Hershey is also home to Hersheypark Camping Resort for guests looking to stay in a log or deluxe cabin, park an RV at a partial or full hook-up site or pitch a tent along the creek. The campground offers more than 300 open and shaded sites situated among 55 acres of emerald hills, including two tiny homes - perfect for campers looking for a modern and trendy experience. During the summer, campers can enjoy splashes at two pools and a kiddie pool, as well as fun-filled activities like outdoor movies, crafts and animal encounters hosted by ZooAmerica. To learn more about camping in Hershey, check out the Hersheypark Camping Resort summer guide.

Explore Other Hershey Must-See Attractions

Hershey Gardens

Guests can embrace the summer season by visiting 23 acres of beautiful blooming plant life at Hershey Gardens. Open daily, Hershey Gardens is home to 11 themed gardens, seasonal displays, and an assortment of flowers, shrubs and trees for guests of all ages to enjoy. Kids can immerse themselves in the Children’s Garden and Butterfly Atrium or get up close and personal with crawling creatures inside the Conservatory’s Zoology Zone. 

Tickets to Hershey Gardens are included with a stay at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge and are discounted with a stay at Hersheypark Camping Resort. Visitors can also purchase general admission tickets.

The Hershey Story Museum

Visitors to The Hershey Story Museum can learn the story of our founder and chocolate pioneer, Milton S. Hershey, his wife Catherine, and the town of Hershey through exhibits, artifacts and interactive experiences. Guests can also make and decorate chocolate in the Chocolate Lab for an additional fee or sip chocolates from around the world during Chocolate Tastings. New this year, visitors can now learn the fascinating story of William E. “Bill” Dearden at a special exhibit called “From Hershey Industrial School to Hershey CEO: The Story of Bill Dearden.” 

Open daily, The Hershey Story tickets are included with a stay at The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge and are discounted with a stay at Hershey Camping Resort. Tickets may also be purchased at the Museum's main entrance.

HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD

Hershey’s Chocolate World is open daily this summer (view hours here). During a visit, families can experience HERSHEY'S Great Candy Expedition. This one-of-a-kind train-themed adventure will take passengers on a fantastical journey through colorful lands inspired by all the favorite Hershey candies. To sweeten the experience, guests get to help choose the train's path for a fun, interactive element! Visitors should not forget to make their candy dreams a reality at the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience or indulge in some of the delicious food and drink offerings Hershey's Chocolate World has to offer.

Join Our Team This Summer

There is still time to secure your sweet summer job in The Sweetest Place On Earth! Visit the Careers site to explore current opportunities to join our team. 

Remember to share all your summer fun with us on social media using #HersheyPA!