Hershey and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, are neighboring cities that offer differing, but complementary group tour experiences for all ages and interests. Explore Pennsylvania’s history in Harrisburg, the capital city, and indulge in the magical world of Hershey chocolates in Hershey. The two cities’ blend of intriguing historical sites, natural beauty, and family-friendly fun make for an unforgettable group tour.
Learn
Come face to face with history at The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, which is one of the largest museums in the world dedicated solely to the American Civil War. The museum’s collection exceeds 24,000 items, including artifacts, manuscripts, documents, and photographs displayed throughout 17 galleries.
Credit: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
Stroll
Take in the beauty of the Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical wonderland filled with themed gardens, colorful seasonal displays, and a rose garden with over 3,000 rose bushes. The indoor Butterfly Atrium is open year-round and is filled with hundreds of tropical and North American butterflies.
Walk down memory lane at the AACA Museum Inc., a 70,000-square-foot space displaying vintage automobiles that showcase eight decades in history on a cross-country road trip from New York to San Francisco. Don’t miss the museum’s bus display, the largest of its kind in the United States, which shares the history of bus transportation, from the days of crank starts and wicker seats to the full-size motorcoaches of today.
Credit: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
Taste
For many Americans, the name “Hershey” is synonymous with chocolate, and the Pennsylvania city was named after the famous philanthropist and confectioner Milton S. Hershey, who founded Hershey Chocolate Co. in 1894. Today, chocolate still reigns in Hershey, from the Hershey’s Kisses streetlamps along Chocolate Avenue to the many Hershey-themed attractions. Take your group to The Hershey Story museum for a hands-on history lesson and find adrenaline-pumping fun at Hersheypark amusement park. This year marks Hershey’s Chocolate World’s 50th anniversary, and groups can celebrate by experiencing the newly opened Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition attraction and by touring the beloved (and delicious!) chocolate factory.
Main Image: Hershey’s Chocolate World; Credit: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
