MAIN Recreation Theme Parks Hershey Park

Hershey Park, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania and billed as "the sweetest place on Earth" has for decades remained one of the US East Coast's most popular amusement parks for kids and families.

The park was originally envisioned by Milton Hershey in 1903. Four years later, in 1907, Hershey Park was officially opened as a leisure park for the many employees of Milton Hershey's company, the Hershey Chocolate Company.

In its infancy, the park included an athletics field, an amphitheatre for various performances, a merry go round, a carousel, several bowling alleys, and a tennis court. This served its original purpose well, as a getaway for Hershey Chocolate employees.

Over the years, the Hershey Park continued to add rides and venues. In 1923, the park got its first rollercoaster, in 1929, its first swimming pools, and in 1933, its first log ride. Eventually, the park was opened up to the general public, which greatly increased its popularity.

Today, Hershey Park encompasses some 110 fun-filled acres featuring more than 60 rides, from numerous kiddie attractions to a total of 11 thrill-ride rollercoasters.

In 2009, the park also continues to expand its famous Boardwalk to include a number of additional water features, such as a new wave pool and a new lazy river, along with a number of support facilities.

Also don't miss nearby ZooAmerica which can be accessed with a Hershey Park pass. The zoo was built in conjunction with the amusement park in 1907, and was the fruits of a partnership between Milton Hershey and Franz and Louise Zinner, who were German immigrants with a small personal collection of animals. The zoo received many more animals over the years, and got its first lion in 1914. By this time the zoo was growing so much that it became a noteworthy attraction in its own right.

Of course, no visit to Hershey Park would be complete without a stop at Hershey's visitor center, Hershey's Chocolate World which specializes in everything related to - what else? - Hershey's chocolate!

More about Hershey Park around the Web:

hershey park.com - The park's official site featuring a complete guide to rides & attractions, ticket information, opening hours, online resort booking, summer events, maps & directions.

Hershey Park - The complete guide to the amusement park and ZooAmerica, with more on nearby attractions including Dutch Wonderland, online hotel booking, suggested restaurants, chocolate recipes.

Hersheypark reviews - Visitor reviews of major rides and rollercoasters and onsite restaurant ratings, from Theme Park Insider.

also see -> Dollywood | 10 Best Kids Activities at Disney World

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