Are you planning a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World? We’ve got you covered!
Did you know that the world’s largest Hershey store is in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
But Hershey’s Chocolate World is more than just any store!
One of the best things to do at Hershey’s Chocolate World is the chocolate factory tour ride, which is FREE! And there are even more fun things to do at Chocolate World.
We make sure to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World every time we visit Hersheypark because of the fun activities, large food court, and character meets. It sure is a sweet place to stop!
The guide below shares everything you need to know about Hershey’s Chocolate World, including parking, things to do, and the FREE Chocolate Factory Tour ride. So, let’s dive in!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Where is Hershey’s Chocolate World?
Hershey’s Chocolate World, located in Hershey, PA, is right next to Hersheypark amusement park and Chocolatetown.
If you are spending the day at Hersheypark, the parking lot tram will drop you off right by the Chocolate World entrance. This makes it easy to pick up a sweet treat or souvenir after you leave the park.
Of course, you can visit Hershey’s Chocolate World year-round! It’s one of our favorite things to do in Hershey during the winter.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Parking
Hershey’s Chocolate World has a dedicated parking lot that is FREE to park at for the first 3 hours of your stay. To get there, follow the signs.
If you’re staying longer than 3 hours, it will cost $25 to park at Chocolate World. However, you can get FREE parking for the whole day if you book an Adventure 1 Bundle.
If you’re also visiting Hersheypark, you’ll want to park in the main parking lot and take the tram to the entrance.
During the off-season (when Hersheypark is closed), Hershey’s Chocolate World parking is FREE.
Visitor Tip: Hershey’s Chocolate World parking lot has dedicated electric car charging stations.
9 Fun Things to Do at Hershey’s Chocolate World
1. Hershey’s Chocolate Tour Ride
Our favorite thing to do at Hershey’s Chocolate World is the Chocolate Factory Tour ride! The Hershey’s Characters guide you through the chocolate-making process during the tour.
At the end of the chocolate tour, you get a sweet treat!
The chocolate factory tour ride is FREE and runs continuously throughout the day. Allow 30 minutes, minimum, to complete the Chocolate Tour ride.
2. Great Candy Expedition
Chocolate World’s newest attraction is the Great Candy Expedition, where visitors can travel by train to different candy lands and have a 4D interactive experience.
The cost to ride this “train” is $19.95 for everyone 3 years and older.
3. Create Your Own Candy Bar
If you’ve ever dreamed up the perfect candy bar combination, this is your time to shine! Guests can design and then enjoy their own candy bar in this fun activity.
The cost to make your own candy bar is $29.95 for everyone 3 years and older.
4. Hershey’s Unwrapped
This live show shows off the science of candy-making and encourages guests to use all five senses.
The cost to experience Hershey’s Unwrapped is $18.95 for everyone 3 years and older.
5. Reese’s Stuff Your Cup
What do you think will make the tastiest Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? Put your favorite ingredients in a large Reese’s to find out!
The Reese’s Stuff Your Cup costs $19.95 per cup.
6. Hershey’s Trolley Works
One of the best things to do in Hershey is ride the Hershey’s Trolley Works! This trolley gives you a tour around Hershey, PA, and leaves from Chocolate World.
Tickets start at $22.95 for everyone 3 years and older.
Visitor’s Tip: Save money on multiple attractions by purchasing a bundled ticket.
7. Interact With Your Favorite Character
You never know who you are going to see at Hershey’s Chocolate World. But keep your eyes open! You might run into a “sweet” friend or two. Hershey’s characters like Hershey’s, Kisses, and Reese’s are usually floating around. It’s one of the fun activities toddlers enjoy at Hershey.
8. Shopping at Chocolate World
In addition to the attractions, Hershey’s Chocolate World is also home to the largest Hershey’s Store in the world! The store offers merchandise of all kinds, including clothing, housewares, and toys. You can even purchase the world’s largest Hershey Bar!
9. Grab a Bite to Eat
Spending the day at Hershey’s Chocolate World? You won’t have to leave the premises to eat. Chocolate World has plenty of options in its food hall.
The standard fare is included, like pizza, soup, and sandwiches. For a sweet treat, stop by the bakery or get a Hershey’s Ice Cream milkshake. It’s one of the best places to grab a bite to eat in Hershey!
5 Tips for Visiting Chocolate World at Hershey
Before you visit Hershey’s Chocolate World, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Book activities ahead of time.
Depending on what time of year you are visiting Chocolate World, it can be VERY busy.
While Hersheypark is open, Chocolate World can be bustling and crowded, leading to activities selling out in advance.
We recommend booking your Create a Candy Bar and Hershey’s Unwrapped ahead of your visit to ensure you will have a spot.
2. Buy An Adventure Bundle to Save Money
If you are planning on doing more than one of the paid activities at Chocolate World, consider buying an Adventure Bundle. Hershey offers three different bundles, and they are $5 cheaper if you purchase them online ahead of time.
- Adventure Bundle 1 includes Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition, Create Your Own Candy Bar, Hershey’s Unwrapped, and Hershey Trolley Works. It also includes FREE all-day parking.
- Adventure Bundle 2 includes Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition, Create Your Own Candy Bar, and Hershey’s Unwrapped.
- Adventure Bundle 3 includes Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition and Create Your Own Candy Bar.
3. Visit during the off-season.
During the winter months, when Hersheypark is closed, Chocolate World is not as busy.
Visiting Chocolate World is one of the things we love to do when we visit Hershey over a winter weekend.
There are often special-themed weekends and other fun activities, like a dance party with all of the Hershey’s Characters!
Of course, it’s also fun to visit during special events, like Candylane Christmas at Hershey.
4. Work your visit into the Hersheypark Preview Plan.
Many people do not know that Hersheypark allows you to enter the park at the end of the day with your next day’s ticket. They call it the Preview Plan!
For example, if you are planning on visiting Hersheypark on a Saturday, you can show up a few hours before the park closes on Friday night and use your ticket to get in and still be able to use the ticket for a full day on Saturday.
If your plan is to stay overnight in Hershey but are only going to the park for one day, we highly recommend using this FREE feature.
And before you enter the park for the evening, stop at Chocolate World to do one or many of the activities available! It’s a great way to maximize your stay at Hershey.
5. Utilize Discounts
Hershey offers select discounts on their attractions at Chocolate World. If you are a Hersheypark Season Pass holder, you’ll receive a 15% discount on chocolate, retail, food, and photo purchases.
Active-duty military, reserves, retired military personnel, and members of the National Guard can receive a 10% discount on all full-price merchandise, food, and individual attractions.
If you’re traveling with a group of 20 people or more, you can save up to 20%. Visit their Groups & Parties page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hershey’s Chocolate World
Can you go to Hershey Chocolate World for free?
Yes, you can visit Hershey’s Chocolate World for FREE! FREE parking is available for up to three hours of your visit, and it doesn’t cost anything to visit Chocolate World or do the Chocolate Factory Tour. The other activities cost money.
Is Hershey Chocolate World different from Hersheypark?
Hershey’s Chocolate World is right next to Hersheypark. They are two different attractions in Hershey, PA, but you can visit both on the same day.
How long does it take to go through Hershey Chocolate World?
How long it takes to go through Hershey’s Chocolate depends on many factors, including when you are visiting and what activities you want to do. You can get in and out of Hershey’s Chocolate World in less than an hour if you only want to do the factory tour ride.
However, you can spend all day at Hershey Chocolate World if you do the four paid activities, the factory ride, and shop around.
Can you tour the actual Hershey factory?
Unfortunately, Hershey stopped tours of the actual factory in 1973. They opened the factory tour ride at Chocolate World to replace the real factory tour.
Where to Stay For a Visit to Chocolate World at Hershey
If you are visiting the Hershey area for more than one day, we recommend staying at one of the Hershey-owned resort hotels.
When you stay at the hotels, you receive FREE transportation to and from Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World, as well as FREE admission to the Hershey Gardens and Hershey Museum.
The Hershey Lodge even has a small indoor water park at their hotel. We loved our stay at the Hershey Lodge.
We Love Hershey’s Chocolate World!
Every time we visit Hersheypark, we stop into the Chocolate World. Between the FREE Chocolate Factory Tour ride and the huge marketplace, we can’t get enough of the sweetness!
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