The Streets Are Paved In Chocolate

By Brian M. Rafferty

Barely three hours west of Queens, deep in the dairy heartland of Pennsylvania, there is a wonderland of fun with a theme park, water rides, zoo, lush gardens, fine dining – and chocolate.

For a day trip or a not-too-expensive weekend getaway, Hershey, Penn., is a great option for parents looking for something to help flesh out their kids’ summer experience. The place, after all, is a kids’ dream come true – but the parents will not feel left out of the fun.

The Boardwalk area of Hershey Park mixes thrills and water for a great way to stay cool and have fun.

With tons of hotels to choose from, it would be worthwhile to check out one of the two run by Hershey – The grand Hotel Hershey or the Hershey Lodge. Both offer free transportation to all the major attractions – an absolute bonus when looking to let your hair down and let somebody else do the driving.

In addition to the accommodations, both hotels offer themed dining. The Hotel Hershey steps to the plate, with Harvest, offering a mixed menu that gives fresh takes on modern cuisine while keeping a strong foothold in the local community. Every menu item includes ingredients from local farms, helping preserve sustainable agriculture through partnerships with local co-ops.

The She-Crab Soup is a favorite, but don’t miss out on the Sharp Cheddar and Beer Cheese Dip, the Grilled Hanger Steak with scallion and bacon whipped potatoes, or the Chocolate-Teriyaki Glazed Wings with spicy ginger dipping sauce.

If you’re on more of a budget, stop in at Lebbie Lebkicher’s: the breakfast buffet, with fresh pancake and egg stations, is more than enough to fill you up without hurting your wallet – and it gets you ready for the day ahead.

From your hotel (or on your drive straight from Queens), head on over to where the action is. The entrances of Hersheypark and Chocolate World are a short walk apart from one another, and depending on your mood, the weather or just your love for chocolate, start at one and end up at the other.

Ride the Sidewinder for a wild trip both forward and in reverse.

Hersheypark is filled with some of the most exciting roller coasters on the East Coast, including Fahrenheit, the first drop of which is a 97-degree heart-stopper. Classics, such as Storm Runner and the Great Bear are dotted throughout the park, and on the edge of Boardwalk – Hershey’s water park inside the park – you can find the Comet and Lightning Racers, two old-school wooden rides.

The Boardwalk was recently expanded and now includes four stellar waterslides, a surfing area and a massive tidal pool, as well as a wrap-around lazy river feature for those wishing to enjoy the cool of the water without the effort the slides require.

Certainly, it is possible to do all of Hersheypark in one day, but don’t ignore Chocolate World, the home of the Create Your Own Candy Bar factory experience. Donning hairnets and aprons, visitors create a personalized bar, design the packaging and carry it home in a keepsake tin. Chocolate World is also home to the Chocolate Tasting Adventure, a 3-D show and a ride through the chocolate-making process pioneered by Milton Hershey.

Of course, you’d be remiss if you didn’t spend a little time in Marketplace Shops, enjoying a fresh-baked treat or the most decadent ice cream sundaes you could imagine, or just purchasing a t-shirt with the cute Hershey Kisses mascot on it.

The dessert sampler at Harvest at the Hershey Hotel is just a reminder that America’s favorite chocolate can be found throughout the town.

On the other side of town is also The Hershey Story, a museum dedicated to chocolate, Milton Hershey and the town itself.

The rides, the food, the fun and the chocolate… oh, the chocolate… make this trip to Central PA a must for the average Queens kid – and the kids in us all.

To learn more about Hershey, go to hersheypa.com.

Reach Editor Brian M. Rafferty at brafferty@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 122.