photo by neuber

The home of Hershey Foods Corporation, this company town of 7,400 residents has proclaimed itself “The Sweetest Place on Earth.” Located 14 miles east of Harrisburg in the picturesque Lebanon Valley, Hershey proudly touts its chocolate heritage, with streets named Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues.

Company founder Milton Hershey started out as an apprentice candymaker in Lancaster in 1872. After failed attempts to launch candy companies in various cities, he returned to Lancaster and founded Lancaster Caramel Company in 1886. In 1894 he established the Hershey Chocolate Company as a subsidiary, but in 1900 he decided to concentrate solely on chocolate and relocated to Derry Church, the rural Pennsylvania village where he was born. The town was renamed Hershey in 1906 and a community grew up around it. Hershey and his wife, Catherine, gave generously to the town; he died in 1945.

Hershey Park and Hershey Park Arena offer a wide range of family activities, including amusement rides, live entertainment, marine mammal presentations, and sporting events. Next to the arena is the Hershey Museum. Hershey’s Chocolate World is the visitor center for the company and the area. An automated tour ride explains chocolate production.

Nearby is ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. Indian Echo Caverns, 3 miles west of Hershey off US-322, offers guided tours through an underground world of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, and lakes.

Hershey is 14 miles east of Harrisburg on US-322. Rail and bus service goes to Harrisburg and its international airport.