Hershey: A chocoholic’s nirvana

It’s fitting that a city created by chocolate has a museum dedicated to the sweet decadence.

The Hershey Story Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, tells how Milton Hershey discovered the secret to making milk chocolate. Take a class in the interactive chocolate lab and sample chocolates from around the world.

Hershey Chocolate World follows a cocoa bean from rain forest to candy bar. There’s a create-your-own-candy-bar station and a chocolate-themed live show — with audience participation.

Just inhaling the air in the gift shop/candy store is enough to get a massive sugar high. Burn off that energy at Hershey Park. The theme park boasts over 70 rides and attractions, including 13 roller coasters (the newest coaster is an indoor, glow-in-the-dark model), 20 kiddie rides, a five-acre water park and live shows. All of the usual carnival foods are for sale, plus allergen-free options.

Zoo America, part of Hershey Park, is home to over 200 different North American animals. They live in geographically-appropriate habitats, designed to recreate their homes in the wild. A stroll through Hershey Gardens is a relaxing change of pace. It has 11 themed gardens including a butterfly house, achildren’s garden with activities for kids, a Zen-inspired Japanese garden and seasonal displays.

Even pampering is touched by chocolate. The Spa at Hotel Hershey is known for its chocolate treatments, like a cocoa facial and a soak in a whipped chocolate bath. There are spa service menus for women, men and kids 13 and older.

Both Hershey Lodge and Hersheypark Camping Resort offer packages for couples, families and friends; many include admissions with lodging. The Hershey website, HersheyPA.com, has links to those and more.

For more travel advice, go to InsightGuides.com.