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Travel
Information
Hershey is a thriving resort town of approximately
20,000. It provides residents and visitors with the employment, cultural,
and recreational opportunities that is attractive to people of all ages
and walks of life.
What today is known as Hershey once was a
small settlement called Derry Church. After Milton Snavely Hershey founded
his chocolate factory and began building the community, the town was renamed
Hershey. The saga of Milton Hershey is one of failure, success and philanthropy.
He grew up a poor farm boy, became a millionaire from his caramel business
and subsequent chocolate empire, and devoted his personal fortune to the
welfare of needy children. His legacy
includes two corporations, a model community, and a school that cares
for more than 1,100 disadvantaged children.
Hershey is a suburban community in a metropolitan
area of 400,000 in one of the fastest growing regions in the state. It
is approximately twelve miles from Harrisburg, the state capital and largest
employer in the Commonwealth.
Central Pennsylvania's second largest industry,
Hershey Foods Corporation, is headquartered in Hershey. The fourth largest
is Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, whichprovides jobs for
more than 5,950 area residents.
Tourism is another major industry, and Hershey
Entertainment and Resort Company (HERCO) provides recreational and employment
opportunities at Hersheypark and ZooAmerica. Hersheypark is one of the
country's top theme parks featuring their newest ride, the Wildcat, Splashdown
ride, the Tidal Force, and much more. ZooAmerica, North American Wildlife
Park, is home to over 200 animals that represent more then 75 species.
Hersheypark Arena is the home of the Hershey Bears hockey team and is
host to the Ice Capades and many top-name entertainers.
 The Hershey Educational and Cultural Center
conducts various adult and children's classes, concerts, and other programs.
The Hershey Community Theatre with an interior design that is a direct
reflection of Milton Hershey's love of Venice, was cleverly designed to
simulate a Byzantine castle, complete with balconies on windowed towers.
This grand theater is the host of some of the best Broadway plays and
musical shows ever performed, such as, A Chorus Line, Cats, Carousel,
and Les Miserables.
Residents of Hershey have the opportunity
to enjoy the numerous daily attractions that draw hundreds of thousands
of visitors each year to Hersheypark and Arena, Hershey Museum and Theater,
Hershey Gardens and Arboretum, and ZooAmerica for a wide variety of professional
athletic, cultural, and entertainment exhibitions.
 In addition to the many attractions in the
Hershey community, the surrounding area is a wealth of historical and
family entertainment. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital, located
twelve miles away, is the location of the State Museum of Pennsylvania;
Senators baseball team at Riverside Stadium, City Island; State Library
of Pennsylvania; The Museum of Scientific Discovery; Pennsylvania State
Archives, and City Island, which host's year round attractions and extensive
special events for all ages.
Lancaster County has tours of authentic Amish
farm life, The Heritage Center of Lancaster County with unique artifacts
from the 18th and 19th century depicting the culture of the area, and
the historic walking tour with guides dressed in colonial attire.
Gettysburg, 49 miles from Hershey, is the
home of The Gettysburg National Military Park with monuments and cannons
along miles of winding roadway silently marking the site of this decisive
Civil War battle. The Eisenhower National Historic Site located near the
battlefield was once the presidential retreat and retirement farm of our
34th president.
Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania,
twelve miles east of Harrisburg, the state capital. The Milton S. Hershey
Medical Center is located on U.S. 322, accessible by car from routes I-78,
I-81, U.S. 22, U.S. 422, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exits 19 and 20).
 Other urban areas close to Hershey are:
Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, PA: Two
hours, 100 miles. I-78 west to I-81 south to exit 28. Route 743 south
to Hershey.
Baltimore, MD: Two hours, 100 miles. I-83
north to Route 322 at Harrisburg. Route 322 east to Hershey.
New York City, NY: Three and one-half hours.
175 miles. George Washington Bridge to I-80. I-80 to I-287. I-287 south
to I-78. I-78 west to I-81. I-81 south to exit 28. Route 743 south to
Hershey.
Pittsburgh, PA: Four hours, 225 miles. Pennsylvania
Turnpike (I-76) east to exit 19 at Harrisburg. I-283 north to Route 322.
Route 322 east to Hershey.
State College, PA: Two hours, 100 miles.
Route 322 south to I-81 at Harrisburg. I-81 north to exit 27. Route 39
east to Hershey.
Washington, DC: Three hours, 150 miles. I-95
north to I-695. I-695 north to I-83 at Baltimore. I-83 north to route
322 at Harrisburg. Route 322 east to Hershey.
Wilmington, DE: Two hours, 100 miles. Route
41 north to Route 30 at Gap. Route 30 west to Route 283 at Lancaster.
Route 283 west to Route 743 at Elizabethtown. Route 743 north to Hershey.
(Note: Directions could vary.)
American Airlines, Continental Express, Delta,
Northwest, United, and US Air Express serve the Harrisburg International
Airport in Middletown, eight miles from Hershey, with taxi service available
to the College of Medicine.
Bus service is provided by Trailways/Greyhound.
Amtrak train service connects Harrisburg
with most eastern cities (Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia) and major
western cities (Pittsburgh and Chicago).
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