The Hershey Chocolate Factory

In Pennsylvania lies a small town that was once home to the first nationally distributed confection during the early 1900s, Hershey's Chocolates. Back then the small town was known as Derry Township. After Milton S. Hershey moved there, he got into big business using his milk chocolate formula, and really started to establish himself by building many of the town's buildings. Especially important to him and his wife Catherine, since they couldn't have children of their own, was The Hershey Industrial School for Orphan Boys. Today, it has almost 2,000 students—boys and girls—under its financially self-sustained educational wings, which are funded by the Hershey Trust Company. It is called the Milton Hershey School.

In a visit to Hershey, PA you have a platter of local historical buildings to visit:

The Cocoa House - Once home to the bank, a store, the Post Office, a lunchroom and boarding rooms, it was considered the towns center.

Highpoint Mansion - The Estate home for Milton and Catherine Hershey, which overlooked the Hershey Factory. Today it serves as the Hershey Country Club.

Hershey Sports Arena - Built during the Depression-Era to house the local hockey team.

But that's not all! I know, I know, it seems boring at this point, especially as a vacation stop. It most definitely seems boring when you have active children. You can't forget that there IS a chocolate factory to visit! So you must be waiting to read about the cool stuff to do, and hoping that there's more than some boring old buildings, right? To give you a clue to all that Hershey, PA has to offer, I will tell you right now that the spa in the hotel offers a chance to actually bathe in chocolate! Do I now have your attention? YUM! So, read on...

Hotel Hershey- During the Great Depression, when building materials were at their lowest, instead of conserving his monetary resources, Hershey decided to build his hotel. The construction helped employ the workers from town that were already on his payroll, thus ensuring them jobs. This extravagant hotel has the ability to accommodate groups from 5 - 500 and is popular for weddings, cocktail parties, and VIP receptions. There are meeting rooms, an outdoor pool, and the Golf Course shares the grounds. It has continuously grown over the years and besides a café, there are also gardens, tennis, skiing, hiking, an indoor pool, and The Spa at The Hotel Hershey! THIS is where you can get into a therapeutic chocolate bath while your a guest! Try really hard not to drink your bath water though... cuz ya know, you may decide you need a straw next time!

Hershey Lodge - Once called the Hershey Motor Lodge, the name was changed in 1981 with the addition of meeting rooms known as the 'Cocoa Suites'! I mean how perfect is that? It has been called 'The Great American Meeting Place' and hosted, at one time, over 200 House of Representatives members with their families! Not surprising since it's close to Washington DC, New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The Hershey Lodge has plenty of family perks, too!

The Water Works at Hershey Lodge is an indoor water complex with water slides, pools, and kids stay, play, and eat free! There's a shuttle service, free Hershey chocolates for guests, extra hours in the water park for guests of the lodge, and guests also enjoy admission to Hershey Gardens, and The Hershey Story Museum!

How's that for what you thought was another blog on a boring vacation spot in Hershey, Pennsylvania? Well, hold on to your laptop (or smartphone, or tablet, whatever you may be reading this on!) because there's one more...

Hersheypark Camping Resort - Here you can rent a cabin, bring your tents, or park your RV! One of the best things about summer is camping and relaxing to the sounds of nature at night! Of course, you get extra privileges for staying in Hersheypark, like discounts on tickets, access to their outdoor pool, golfing access, discounts for both Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum. You also get preferred pricing for ZooAmerica and the opportunity to rent one of Hersheypark's waterfront cabanas!

I plan on getting there next year! I was just wishful planning ahead and decided to write a blog! I had no idea that Hershey has come so far in becoming a vacation spot... WOW!

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