Hersheypark
Hersheypark (known as Hershey Park until 1970) is a family theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, about fifteen miles (25 km) east of Harrisburg, and 95 miles (155 km) west of Philadelphia.
A theme park inside Derry Township
Check the season before you go
Most theme parks this far north close for the winter. Check the park’s calendar for opening days. When to go ↓
One of the most looked-up attractions in the U.S.
About 89K people a year read its Wikipedia article, more than for 96% of the 7,799 attractions we track.
73 rides and 14 roller coasters
Including 15 water rides, on 121 acres. Open since 1906. About ↓
You can stay in Derry Township
Hersheypark is inside Derry Township, which has 48 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Baltimore
Baltimore is about 68 miles south and Philadelphia is about 83 miles east (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Derry Township. Green months are the mild ones.
Hersheypark
Hersheypark (known as Hershey Park until 1970) is a family theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, about fifteen miles (25 km) east of Harrisburg, and 95 miles (155 km) west of Philadelphia. The park was founded in 1906 by Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. It is wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Hersheypark has won several awards, including the Applause Award.
- Type
- Theme park
- Rides
- 73 · 14 roller coasters · 15 water rides
- Area
- 121 acres
- Owner
- Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
- Established
- 1906
- Wikipedia readers
- 89K a year
Where to stay near Hersheypark
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Derry Township (48) and Swatara Township (25).
- 1Hersheypark Stadium
- 2Hershey's Chocolate World
- 3Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School
- 4Hersheypark Arena
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Hersheypark | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derry Township | in town | — | 48 36 hotels · 4 motels · 5 inns & B&Bs · 3 campgrounds | 25,179 | $390K | B |
| Swatara Township | 8 mi west | 10 min | 25 21 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground | 27,936 | $214K | C |
| East Hanover Township | 7 mi north | 10 min | 15 9 hotels · 3 motels · 3 inns & B&Bs | 6,100 | $317K | — |
| Lower Paxton Township | 8 mi west | 10 min | 15 14 hotels · 1 campground | 55,564 | $285K | — |
| West Hanover Township | 7 mi northwest | 10 min | 13 11 hotels · 1 motel · 1 lodge or cabins | 11,601 | $308K | — |
| Fairview Township | 14 mi southwest | 20 min | 22 15 hotels · 2 motels · 5 inns & B&Bs | 18,015 | $286K | A− |
| Susquehanna Township | 11 mi west | 15 min | 12 12 hotels | 28,434 | $227K | B− |
| Lower Swatara Township | 7 mi southwest | 10 min | 7 4 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins | 10,043 | $235K | A− |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near Hersheypark
Other well-known places within 70 miles. Numbered ones are on the map above.
Big draw56 mi LandmarkRaven Rock Mountain Complex
1in town Stadium & arenaHersheypark Stadium
2in town MuseumHershey's Chocolate World
328 mi National MonumentCarlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
4in town Stadium & arenaHersheypark Arena
Big draw70 mi Stadium & arenaM&T Bank Stadium
69 mi Stadium & arenaOriole Park at Camden Yards42 mi Theme parkKnoebels Amusement ResortPhoto credits
Raven Rock Mountain Complex: US Government, Public domain · Hersheypark Stadium: 45BearsFan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hershey's Chocolate World: Phillyfan0419, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain · Hersheypark Arena: Hersheyarena4ever at English Wikipedia, Public domain · M&T Bank Stadium: United States Department of Defense Cherie Cullen, Public domain · Oriole Park at Camden Yards: Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
Visiting Hersheypark
Is Hersheypark open in winter?
Most theme parks this far north close for the winter. Check the park’s calendar for opening days.
Is Hersheypark in Derry Township?
Yes. It’s inside Derry Township, PA.
When is the best time to visit Hersheypark?
April, May, June, August, September and October, with highs of 63–83°.
How many people visit Hersheypark each year?
3,000,000 in 2024, according to Wikidata.
How far is Hersheypark from Baltimore and Philadelphia?
About 68 miles south of Baltimore and about 83 miles east of Philadelphia, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Hersheypark?
Harrisburg (MDT), about 9 miles away. The nearest big hub is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), about 77 miles.
How many roller coasters does Hersheypark have?
14, among 73 rides (including 15 water rides).
Where should I stay near Hersheypark?
Derry Township (in town, 48 places to stay), Swatara Township (8 mi, 25 places to stay) and East Hanover Township (7 mi, 15 places to stay).
Tips from people in Derry Township
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Derry Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.