Hersheypark, Pennsylvania
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Sandwiched a few hours west of New York City, a few hours north of our Nation’s capital, and right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country is a place synonymous with all things sweet, fun, and family-friendly: Hersheypark. Located in its namesake town, Hershey, Pennsylvania – Hersheypark is a theme park perfect for adventure seekers and mild riders alike. Anyone who has rented an RV in Pennsylvania should have Hersheypark on their planned list of stops and attractions to visit.
Hersheypark was initially planned by Milton S. Hershey (founder of Hershey’s Chocolates) as a leisure ground for employees of Hershey’s Chocolate Factory. Today, the theme park boasts 71 attractions (including fourteen roller coasters), a waterpark, and access to a walkthrough zoo – all included in the price of admission.
Roller Coasters
The main reason most people visit theme parks is for, what else, the rides! Roller coasters are usually at the top of most people’s lists, and Hersheypark doesn’t disappoint. They have fourteen roller coasters – from the wooden coasters of yesterday to the steel giant looping coasters of today!
Family Rides
As much as Hersheypark offers aggressive thrill rides, it also provides mild kid-friendly attractions. Kiddos as young as two can enjoy more than two dozen attractions – including a favorite for the whole family – The Kissing Tower: an 80-foot observation tower that offers the 360º of the sweetest views in Hershey.
Sweet Treats
You’d expect a place with ‘Hershey’ in the name to have plenty of sweet treats and goodies. And, you’d be right. Hersheypark offers tons of sweet treats – from King-Sized Shakes and S’mores to funnel cakes, whoopie pies, and more! Your sweet tooth will thank you!
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark
We all need a little help now and then keeping our cool. What better place to do that than at a water park? The Boardwalk at Hersheypark (included in the price of admission) offers gallons of fun for the whole family with waterslides and racing tubes as well as a lazy boy river and wave pool! The Boardwalk offers lockers to rent and showers and changing rooms for the whole family too!
ZooAmerica
If you’re feeling the call of the wild during your stop at Hersheypark, no problem! Hersheypark is connected to an 11-acre walkthrough zoo – ZooAmerica. Featuring the wildlife of North America, this zoo is as fun as it is educational! Browse animals by region, pet a snake, and hoot it up with some of your new best friends!
Located just down the road from Hersheypark, Hersheypark Camping Resort offers partial and full hook-ups for RVers. Along with beautiful grounds to explore, Hersheypark Camping Resort also has recreational facilities, including two swimming pools and a kiddie pool; basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts; horseshoe pits; multiple playgrounds; an indoor game room; and more!
Harrisburg East Campground is a great option for RVers looking to wind down after a day of coaster rides and water slides at Hersheypark. Just 20 minutes from Hersheypark, Harrisburg East Campground offers full hook-up sites with water, sewer, and electric. They also have plenty of trees and shade as well as picnic tables and fire rings. You can also enjoy a playground and a convenience store with RV supplies.
Hershey RV & Camping Resort
Nearby Lebanon, Pennsylvania, offers an excellent spot for RV renters like you to park it after a day in the park! Hershey RV & Camping Resort is set on 200 acres of rolling farmland – offering picturesque views of Pennsylvania Dutch country. Amenities include a clubhouse, access to fishing, a swimming pool, WIFI, a convenience store (stocked with tons of Hershey’s products), and more!
Hershey Road Campground
Just down the road from Hersheypark is Hershey Road Campground – a family-owned campground perfect for the whole family. Hershey Road Campground offers a variety of back-in and pull-thru sites complete with gravel foundation, full hook up, grill, picnic table, and fire pit! They also offer great amenities, including an 18-hole miniature golf course!
Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA
After reaching for the stars at Hersheypark, stay at a campground with a five-star rating: Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA. They promise family-friendly camping with several amenities, including a pool, fishing, ice cream socials, a snack bar, and more. They even offer a courtesy bus to Hersheypark!
Dining Inside Hersheypark
What could be more convenient than grabbing a bite to eat between catching rides on coasters and thrill rides? The park offers everything you could imagine, including fast food staples like Chick-fil-a and Subway as well as pizza parlors, coffee shops, hot dog stands, and all the classic fair food you’d expect from the sweetest place on earth! You can check out a complete list of dining options at Hersheypark here.
Dining Outside Hersheypark
If you’re up for venturing outside Hersheypark for an evening meal or a breakfast before you hit the park, Hershey and the surrounding towns offer some truly delicious options. The Hershey Pantry offers a great selection of popular breakfast items, including stuffed French toast and omelets in a country-style space.
If you’re in the mood for pizza, Palermo’s Pizzeria in Hummelstown slices up all kinds of pizza pies. These include taco, chicken barbecue, and meat lovers, as well as old-world Sicilian pizza that will transport you to Italy with every bite.
Finally, Tröegs Independent Brewing offers a wide selection of IPAs, ales, pilsners, and more with many brewed on site. They also have a fantastic snack bar menu packed with perennial favorites like chili cheese fries, giant grilled cheese, and kids’ items, including chicken tenders, hot dogs, and the always classic pb&j.
There’s no question that with its roller coasters and attractions, waterpark, zoo, and delicious food options, you’ll head out in your RV packed with a bunch of sweet memories from your sweet time at Hersheypark!