Location: Hershey
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The 6 Best Museums in Hershey, Pennsylvania (PA)
Hershey, Pennsylvania, the home of the Hershey Chocolate Company, bills itself as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," and it's hard to imagine another city giving it a run for its money. The city was built on chocolate, as were the great majority of its attractions. Hershey's Chocolate World takes sweet tooths on a virtual tour of the Hershey factory, and Hersheypark allows kids and adults alike to frolic through a vast land of rollercoasters, waterslides and walking, life-sized chocolate bars.
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1. Art On Derry
2. The Hershey Story Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,735 reviews
Hershey starts here! How did Milton Hershey go from bankruptcy to brilliance, transforming chocolate from a luxury to an everyday treat? How did he invent a community? Why did he give away his fortune? That's the Hershey story. Enjoy a 45-minute, hands on class in the Chocolate Lab and sample warm drinking chocolate from around the world at Tastings. Grab a delicious treat from the Pantry Café and find a unique assortment of keepsakes and chocolate at Museum Shop.
Reviewed By 202kristyl
We started our day at The Hershey Story right when they opened. It's a smaller sized museum, but we really enjoyed all the information. One of my children did the apprentice program, which comes with a little workbook with questions about the exhibits, and earned Hershey souvenir coin. One of my other children used the QR code reader to do a scavenger hunt of items in the exhibits. Both were given a large wooden token to swipe that would activate screens that would share narratives about Hershey's life and business. We learned a lot about this great American entrepreneur and philanthropist and left with a great respect for what he did in and with Hershey, PA. It was the perfect foundation to understand a trolley tour we took later at Chocolate World that showed the factory, community buildings, and school all built by Hershey. We didn't have time to do any of the add-on activities at The Hershey Story. We were headed to Chocolate World next. We were able to get through the whole second floor (the bulk of the museum), but had to skip the Cuba exhibit to get to CW in time for our first timed ticket there. We did the second floor in an hour and 15 minutes, but I wish we'd had a little more time. If you're just seeing this one museum, I'd give it 2 hours (or more if you're trying to do the add-on experiences). Since we did both HS and CW, I can wholeheartedly say that both are worth a visit. HS is a museum with a museum like experience. CW is mostly like a mini Disney World type experience, with the exception of the historic trolley tour, which is a great second course of sightseeing history after the first course in the HS museum. They work really well together. If you have to choose between one or the other, I'd have a hard time telling you which one to pick. If you have kids, they'll probably like CW more (although there are kids friendly add-on experiences at HS that might make up for skipping CW). I felt like the CW attractions were slightly more interesting-sounding than the ones at HS, but it all depends on your budget, schedule, and interests, I'm just glad that we go to do both. It was a lot to try and jam into one day, but it can be done. At first I was afraid I'd wasted money getting tickets for both, but I'm really glad we did both things.
3. AACA Museum, Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 806 reviews
The AACA Museum Inc., a Smithsonian Affiliate, displays beautifully restored automobiles, buses, and motorcycles from the 1890s to the 1980s in unique life-like scenes on a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. This Museum, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is known to be one of the largest automotive museums. Special exhibits change several times a year always providing something new to view. Our interactive exhibits and model train display are fun for all ages. The AACA Museum, Inc. is home to the Cammack Tucker Collection; along with being the home of the Tucker Automobile Club of America. The Museum holds the World’s largest and most prestigious permanent collection of Tucker Automobiles and related artifacts. We’re proud to have been recently recognized by Road & Track as one of the top 12 automobile museums in the country. The Museum is in South Hanover Township, located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Reviewed By Oaktowngee - Columbia, United States
Had a great time at the AACA Museum on Saturday, Nov. 14th with my wife. The history, the cars and buses were amazing. I particularly enjoyed the muscle cars and the Turn of the Century cars (1900-1920). They had buses on the lower level and they were awesome! The exhibit on Road Maps was cool also because of the artwork and detail that is missed using modern day GPS. I recommend that you go to this museum if you are a car lover or history buff. I am considering an annual membership since we don't live far and they have new exhibits and cars semi-annually. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly and made our visit special.
4. Hershey Derry Township Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Visit our museum and experience the history of Hershey and Derry Township, PA that showcases artifacts from our earliest settlers, the town of Hershey, and a one of a kind sports exhibit, from B'ars to Bears, that celebrates American Hockey League's most storied and successful franchise, an interactive Hershey Transit trolley exhibit, and our popular, permanent collection, the Veterans Exhibit, that features the personal belongings of Major Dick Winters, and our children's discovery room.
Reviewed By ndragunat - Hartford, United States
Our family (including kids ages 9, 7 and 4) loved this museum! The building is quite nice - bright and clean with many old beams throughout. In talking with the nice woman who greeted us, the building was originally a barn which had been restored. There is a children's "discovery room" which was a lot of fun - it included a set-up of an old school room, a 'general store', a historic kitchen, dress up clothes, and train table. The museum was very well done with a lot of history of the area - many historical items, pictures, and displays - some of them interactive which our children liked. The gift shop was nice with a variety of books, some locally made clothing and various other items. Absolutely worth a visit!
5. Hershey's Chocolate World
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 339 reviews
Reviewed By waunderlust_forever - Houston, United States
Came during off season, so it was NOT packed at all!! Omg I loved every bit of it. The trolley ride was amazing, the 4D was so fun!! Loved making my own chocolate bar! When you buy a ticket, do it all. I’m so happy we did!!
6. Pennsylvania State Police Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 29 reviews
