Hershey Chocolate World Factory: What to Do, Skip, and Savor at the Factory Experience

If your dream vacation involves chocolate on chocolate with a side of sugar-induced joy, welcome to Hershey’s Chocolate World. This place isn’t just a stop—it’s a full-blown sensory overload in the most delightful, sticky-fingered way!

Imagine a free ride that shows you how chocolate is made while literally feeding you samples. Now add in a “make your own candy bar” lab, a 4D chocolate mystery show, and milkshakes thick enough to double as dessert and arm workout.

Whether you’ve got kids in tow or you’re just here to relive your childhood fantasy of swimming in chocolate (same), it’s one of those places that manages to be both wholesome and wildly over-the-top.

Yes, the air smells like cocoa. Yes, your diet will not survive. And no, you’re not leaving without a bag full of souvenirs and a questionable amount of peanut butter cups. Let’s get into the good stuff.

Buy Your Hershey Chocolate World Tickets

Ready to build your own candy bar, hop on a chocolate-making ride, and sip a milkshake that probably counts as lunch? Snag your Hershey Chocolate World Factory tickets on Tripster for the lowest online prices—no coupon-hunting or checkout surprises.

You can book à la carte or bundle multiple attractions into one sweet package.

Want the full experience? Choose from curated “adventure” bundles that include Hershey’s Unwrapped, Create Your Own Candy Bar, Great Candy Expedition, and the must-do Trolley Works tour.

Why Travelers Love Booking with Tripster:

💥 Instant ticket confirmation

🚫 No promo code needed

💸 No surprise fees at checkout

📱 Mobile-friendly experience

🛎️ Bundle hotels + attractions

💼 Stress-free booking process

Oh, and did we mention you can pair your discounted Hershey Chocolate World ticket price with nearby hotels for extra savings? Some bundles even unlock free all-day parking, which is a total win.

Instant confirmation, flexible changes, and gift options make it easy to treat your whole crew (or just yourself) to a day that’s 99% chocolate and 100% fun!

Top Tips for Visiting Hershey Chocolate World

Visiting Hershey Chocolate Factory soon? Whether you’re a first-timer or just back for another hit of that sweet cocoa magic, we’ve got the inside scoop. From beating the crowds to scoring the best candy bar photo op, these tips will help you make the most of your chocolate-covered adventure—no sugar crash required!

Skip the Stampede (of People, Not Chocolate)

Arrive when doors open at 9 AM or swing by after Hersheypark closes for that sweet, low-key magic. Fewer crowds mean more time for candy selfies and less time dodging stroller traffic.

Book It Like a Pro

Buy your attraction tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or during peak candy mania. Want extra credit? Go for the Adventure Bundle and treat your budget to a win.

Free Chocolate? Say Less

Admission to the main building and the iconic Chocolate Tour ride are totally free. That’s right—you can roll in, sniff the cocoa in the air, and ride through Candyland without spending a dime.

Park Smart, Not Pricey

Use the short-term lot specifically for Hershey’s Chocolate World to score up to three hours of free parking. It’s perfect if you’re here for the highlights and not an all-day sugar marathon.

Close up of several different Hershey chocolate mascots standing in front of a sign for Hershey's Chocolate World near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Ride the Chocolate River Like a Local

The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour runs nonstop, so skip the mid-day madness and ride during the first or last two hours. That means more chocolate and less line-standing—everyone wins.

Do More Than Tour

The Chocolate Tour is iconic, but don’t sleep on the other goodies. Make your own candy bar, stuff a Reese’s cup like a boss, and hop aboard the Great Candy Expedition if you’re feeling adventurous.

Outsmart the Lunch Rush

If your group starts getting snacky, eat before noon or after 2 PM to avoid the longest lines. Your taste buds and your patience will thank you.

Hydration > Sugar Crash

Bring a refillable water bottle and fill up at the drink stations between bites of chocolate. Because nothing pairs better with cocoa than staying conscious.

Set a Candy Budget (Yes, Really)

Between the giant Kit Kats and DIY treats, it’s easy to go full sugar-happy. Set a budget with your group (especially kids) before walking into the retail section, or risk a meltdown that has nothing to do with chocolate.

Save Your Chocolate From Meltdown (Literally)

If it’s hot and you plan on going full candy haul, bring a cooler with an ice pack. Nothing says “rookie mistake” like a puddle of Reese’s in your backseat.

Download the App (or Screenshot Your Tickets)

WiFi is available, but cell service can get spotty in busy areas. Having your tickets ready to go (especially digital ones) saves time and panic at the check-in counter.

What’s New at Hershey’s Chocolate World in 2025?

Things are getting delightfully wild at Hersheys Chocolate World in 2025. For starters, Hersheypark is introducing Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the world’s tallest Screamin’ Swing. It’s bold, it’s red, it’s twisty—and absolutely not for the faint of heart.

But the thrills don’t stop at the gates. Back at Chocolate World attractions, things are sweeter (and stickier) than ever. You’ll find Twizzlers-themed treats like the over-the-top TWIZZLERS PULL ‘N’ PEEL Milkshake, bubble waffles, and even a cocktail—because grown-ups deserve candy fun too.

There’s also a new Character Bubble Wand experience, where favorite Hershey characters light up (literally) with sounds, colors, and personality-packed magic.

Of course, returning faves are still here to satisfy every chocolate adventure craving. Jump on the iconic chocolate tour ride (aka the Hershey Chocolate Tour) for your free Hershey sample and factory fantasy moment.

Build your dream chocolate bar at the Create Your Own Candy Bar station, or stuff a supersized peanut butter cup at REESE’S Stuff Your Cup.

Don’t miss the Amazing Candy Machine, the custom Personalized Candy Bar Wrapper, or a shopping spree in the world-famous candy store where you can stock up on Hershey s Kisses, Hershey s milk chocolate, and everything else the Hershey Company does best.

Need a real meal? Swing by The Chocolatier Restaurant, open year-round with chocolate-infused eats and cocktails that’ll ruin all other dinners forever.

It’s all part of the ever-evolving, always-sweet world of Hershey’s Chocolate World—and yes, it smells just as good as it sounds.

A family of four in hair nets watching chocolate be made at Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
photo credit: Hershey’s Chocolate World (Hershey PA) via Facebook

Hershey’s Chocolate World Reviews

Hershey’s Chocolate World reviews are in, and spoiler alert, it’s basically every sweet tooth’s dream come to life. Guests are obsessing over the DIY candy bar station, the creamy milkshakes, and the ride that literally smells like chocolate (yes, that’s a thing).

Some people show up for the free sample on the chocolate tour and end up elbow-deep in peanut butter at REESE’S Stuff Your Cup. Others come for a casual stroll and walk out with a suitcase full of Kisses and a customized candy bar wrapper for their dog.

It’s chaotic, it’s delicious, and it’s the kind of place that makes regular candy stores look like sad vending machines.

Spill Your Sweet Secrets

Got a go-to treat at Hershey Factory Tour or a can’t-miss tip for first-timers? Drop it in the comments and help fellow sweet tooths visiting Hershey Chocolate Factory level up their cocoa-covered adventure.

Hershey’s Chocolate World FAQs

Absolutely. Admission to the main building and the Chocolate Tour ride is totally free, and yes, it includes a sample.

Go early or late in the day to avoid long lines. Midday is usually a melted mashup of crowds and cranky toddlers.

Twizzlers Twisted Gravity, the tallest Screamin’ Swing in the world, just landed at Hersheypark and it’s giving full-throttle thrills. Chocolate World also added Twizzlers treats, a bubble wand character experience, and enough themed eats to fuel a candy coma.

Honestly, it’s great for all ages. Little ones love the rides and candy overload, teens love the customizable treats, and grown-ups love the nostalgia... and cocktails.

Oh absolutely. From boozy milkshakes to candy cocktails and surprisingly good food at The Chocolatier, there's plenty for adults to enjoy between all the cocoa chaos.

Yes! Look out for seasonal twists like Halloween-themed treats, holiday lights, and themed trolley tours. If you time it right, you’ll catch bonus magic with your chocolate.

Keep it casual and comfy—this is a sneakers and stretch-waistband kind of outing. Bonus points if your outfit has candy vibes (the photo ops are real).

Yes to both. The building is fully accessible, and there are stroller parking areas for rides that don’t allow them inside.

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