Hershey, Pennsylvania is justifiably famous for its amusement park — but if you’re spending more than a day in the Sweetest Place on Earth, you’ll quickly discover there’s a whole lot more to explore. Whether you’ve done Hersheypark before and want something different, or you’re traveling with a mix of ages that calls for some variety, Hershey has you covered.
Here are 15 of the best things to do in Hershey, PA beyond Hersheypark.
1. Hershey Gardens
What started in 1937 as Milton Hershey’s personal rose garden — begun at his request to “create a nice garden of roses” — has grown over more than 85 years into a stunning 23-acre botanical paradise. Set on a hill overlooking the town and Hersheypark itself, Hershey Gardens features themed garden areas, colorful seasonal displays, a stately arboretum of rare trees, and the beloved indoor Butterfly Atrium, where hundreds of tropical butterflies flutter freely year-round. The Children’s Garden is especially popular with younger visitors, with interactive plantings and surprises around every corner.
Hershey Gardens is open year-round and is one of the most consistently well-reviewed attractions in all of central Pennsylvania. Plan at least 90 minutes to two hours to do it justice.
2. The Hershey Story Museum
Located on Chocolate Avenue near Hersheypark, The Hershey Story Museum takes visitors through the remarkable life of Milton Hershey — his early failures, his eventual triumph building a chocolate empire, and his extraordinary philanthropic legacy. Interactive exhibits like the Chocolate Lab, international chocolate tastings, and programming specifically designed for children make this a genuinely engaging stop for all ages, not just chocolate fans. It’s a thoughtful complement to the candy-and-coasters experience right next door.
3. Hershey’s Chocolate World
More attraction than store, Hershey’s Chocolate World is a chocolate lover’s playground. The free chocolate tour ride gives you a playful overview of how Hershey’s chocolate is made. Beyond that, paid experiences include Create Your Own Candy Bar, a 4D Chocolate Mystery show, and a Trolley Tour of Hershey that’s both entertaining and educational. Plenty of chocolate-themed retail and dining round it out. Special seasonal events — including Halloween and Christmas programming — make it worth visiting in the shoulder seasons too.
4. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
ZooAmerica is an accredited, 11-acre walk-through zoo dedicated exclusively to animals native to North America. More than 200 animals representing over 75 species are organized across five habitat regions: Eastern Woodlands, the Northlands, Southern Swamps, Big Sky Country, and The Great Southwest. You’ll encounter black bears, mountain lions, river otters, bald eagles, alligators, wolves, and much more.
ZooAmerica is open year-round with its own separate ticketed entrance off Route 743. When Hersheypark is operating, zoo admission is also included with your Hersheypark ticket — but only when entering through the connecting bridge from inside the park. Behind-the-scenes tours (Early Bird, Photography, and After-Hours) offer an even deeper look at the animals and the zoo’s conservation work.
5. Adventure Sports in Hershey
When you need a bit more action than a botanical garden can provide, Adventure Sports in Hershey delivers. The complex offers go-kart racing, laser tag, batting cages, mini golf, and a full arcade. A candy-shoppe-themed escape room is a particularly fun option for groups and families who enjoy puzzles. It’s a solid rainy-day or evening choice when the rest of the town winds down.
6. Hershey Country Club & Golf
Hershey has a well-earned reputation as a golf destination. The Hershey Country Club features three championship courses, and for those looking for a more casual round, Spring Creek Golf Course offers a public nine-hole, par-33 layout. It’s a great way to spend a morning before heading to other attractions in the afternoon.
7. AACA Museum — America’s Transportation Experience
Car enthusiasts — and honestly, anyone with a curiosity about American history — will want to set aside a few hours for this one. The AACA Museum (now also branded as America’s Transportation Experience) is a 71,000-square-foot facility displaying more than 130 vehicles — cars, motorcycles, buses, and more — spanning the 1890s through the 1980s. Rather than lining vehicles up in rows, the museum places each one in richly detailed period dioramas: think 1950s drive-in theaters, vintage Route 66 gas stations, and Miami Beach in the 1930s.
The museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and houses the Cammack Tucker Collection — the world’s most extensive collection of Tucker automobiles. A separate floor is dedicated to buses and motorcycles, including the iconic bus from Forrest Gump (which you can actually board). One important clarification: despite the “AACA” name, the museum is an independent nonprofit and is not affiliated with the Antique Automobile Club of America.
8. Tröegs Independent Brewing
Chocolate is one of Hershey’s great pleasures. A well-crafted beer is another. Tröegs Independent Brewing — based right in Hershey — is one of Pennsylvania’s most celebrated craft breweries, known for inventive, high-quality beers across every style. Seasonal highlights include the beloved Mad Elf (a Belgian-style strong ale released each holiday season), the Troegenator double bock, and the Nitro Chocolate Stout. The taproom and craft beer hall is a fantastic evening destination, with brewery tours also available. If you’re looking for things to do in Hershey at night, this is the top pick.
9. Cullari Vineyards & Winery
Founded by Italian immigrants Salvatore and Kathi Cullari, Cullari Vineyards is Hershey’s original winery, offering more than 30 wine varieties to taste and purchase. A standout is the Coco Nostra chocolate wine — an only-in-Hershey combination that makes for a memorable souvenir. Wine and chocolate are a classic pairing, and Cullari makes it easy to enjoy both in the same afternoon.
10. Derry Township Historical Society
Milton Hershey’s story is central to this town, but it’s far from the only story. The Derry Township Historical Society preserves the broader history of the region through oral histories, artifacts, and archival materials — capturing the lives of everyday residents alongside the town’s famous founder. It’s a quieter, more reflective stop that gives Hershey’s history real depth and context.
11. Museum of Bus Transportation
Housed within the AACA Museum (see #7), the Museum of Bus Transportation is worth calling out specifically. It’s the largest collection of historic buses under one roof in the United States, tracing the evolution of public transit from early motorcoaches through mid-century Greyhound-era giants. It’s a fascinating and underappreciated slice of American transportation history, and it’s included with your AACA Museum admission.
12. Hershey Theatre
A premier performing arts venue in central Pennsylvania, Hershey Theatre has hosted a wide range of touring productions and concerts over the years — from Broadway touring shows to major musical acts. The theatre’s ornate interior is an attraction in its own right. Check the current schedule when planning your trip, as touring shows and concerts rotate throughout the year.
13. Hershey Trolley Works
One of the most enjoyable ways to get oriented in Hershey is to hop aboard the Hershey Trolley Works. The narrated trolley tours depart from Hershey’s Chocolate World and wind through the town’s most storied streets and landmarks, offering a lively historical overview of Milton Hershey and everything he built. Holiday-themed tours and chocolate tasting tours are also offered seasonally. It’s a great first activity when you arrive in town.
14. Founders Hall at Milton Hershey School
Founders Hall is a tribute to Milton and Catherine Hershey and their remarkable decision to dedicate their fortune to educating children in need — a legacy that continues today through the Milton Hershey School. The building itself is considered one of central Pennsylvania’s most architecturally distinctive structures, and the Founders Hall Visitors Center offers free public tours daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (except during school events and vacations). It’s one of those stops that tends to leave visitors genuinely moved.
15. GIANT Center
The GIANT Center is a 10,500-seat multipurpose arena located near Hersheypark. It’s home to the Hershey Bears — one of the most storied franchises in the American Hockey League, with 13 Calder Cup championships to their name — and hosts concerts, comedy shows, ice shows, and major events year-round. Past performers have included Taylor Swift, Elton John, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Miranda Lambert, the Goo Goo Dolls, and many more. If there’s a show in town during your visit, it’s well worth attending.
Final Thoughts
Hershey, Pennsylvania punches well above its weight as a travel destination. Between the chocolate history, botanical gardens, world-class craft beer, a Smithsonian-affiliated car museum, and a beloved AHL hockey team, there’s genuinely enough to fill several days — even for visitors who’ve already done Hersheypark. The town Milton Hershey built has a lot more to offer than its most famous attraction.
Have a favorite Hershey attraction that didn’t make this list? Drop it in the comments!
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