Hershey's Chocolate World
4.6(38K)google
3.9(1.1K)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyIndoorPhoto SpotFreeMust-SeeInteractiveHands-OnImmersiveCarnival
Overview
Hershey's Chocolate World, located directly next to Hersheypark, is the ultimate interactive paradise for chocolate lovers of all ages. This massive visitor complex features the famous free Hershey's Chocolate Tour ride, which takes guests through the sensory process of transforming cocoa beans into delicious candy bars, ending with a sweet free sample. Visitors can also pay to create their own custom chocolate bar, watch a 4D movie, participate in expert chocolate tasting, and browse the largest collection of Hershey's candies and souvenirs under one roof.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat–Sun9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimePerfect year-round due to fully climate-controlled galleries drenched in milk chocolate scents. Aim for weekday mornings right at 9:00 AM opening; early hours ensure zero wait times at the famous, completely free automated Chocolate Tour ride (where you receive free candy samples). This timing also lets you reserve coveted slots at the 'Create Your Own Candy Bar' interactive design labs without lines.
Getting TherePositioned directly adjacent to the amusement park main entrance at 101 Chocolate World Way. While sharing the same US-322 highway approach, note this crucial low-friction shortcut: if only visiting Chocolate World, pull into their dedicated guest lot lanes which offer completely free public vehicular parking for the first 3 hours, bypassing the premium amusement park fees.
Travel Tips
- While general admission to the complex and the signature Hershey's Chocolate Tour ride are 100% free, the attraction generates massive crowds between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekends; securing a free, digital Timed-Entry Pass via their web platform is mandatory to guarantee venue access during peak operational hours.
- Premium highly interactive experiences, such as 'Create Your Own Candy Bar' and the 4D Chocolate Movie, operate on completely separate paid ticketing structures with strict session capacities; purchasing online bundle passes 1-2 weeks in advance is highly advised to avoid same-day walk-up sellouts.
- The complex parking lot structure provides limited complimentary parking windows (typically the first 30 minutes free, with extended validations triggered by explicit retail spending thresholds or premium experience tickets); note that a valid standard Hersheypark daily parking pass seamlessly covers this lot, eliminating duplicate parking expenses.
Reviews
Positive
- The free Chocolate Tour ride is fantastic; you get to see the whole chocolate-making process and receive a free sample chocolate bar at the end!
- The interior is a massive chocolate mega-mart, offering exclusive limited-edition flavors and giant-sized Hershey products not found elsewhere.
- The interactive experiences are very fun, such as the 'Create Your Own Candy Bar' activity where you design your own wrapper and ingredients.
- Located right next to Hersheypark with a massive dedicated parking lot; it's fully air-conditioned and highly enjoyable even if you skip the amusement park.
Heads up
- It is highly commercialized; at its core, it is a giant Hershey flagship retail store and shopping mall heavily geared toward driving sales.
- Aside from the free tour ride, all other interactive attractions like the 4D movie or candy-bar building are individually and expensively priced.
- The main hall is packed and incredibly noisy on weekends/holidays, checkout lines are painfully long, and finding a quiet seat is impossible.
- The food court treats and chocolate-infused snacks are intensely sweet and sugary, which can be overwhelming for those sensitive to high sugar.