| Love Chocolate? You'll love Hershey! | | | | Room. |
| Chocolate Town, USA. The story of the American | | | | Nearby, Hershey Gardens spreads across the hill |
| Dream. And a great place for a weekend getaway or | | | | overlooking the town. The Hotel grounds, the Milton |
| a week-long vacation. Come touring with us, as we | | | | Hershey School and the promontory border the |
| visit the unique town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. It's the | | | | gardens. Mr. Hershey started with just 3½ acres |
| realization of Milton Hershey's dreams. | | | | to "create a nice garden" of roses for his wife. Within |
| He was born shortly before the Civil War (1857). His | | | | five years, it included 23 acres. More than a dozen |
| family's frequent moves interfered with his schooling. | | | | themed areas include specimen trees, unusual shrubs |
| He got no farther than fourth grade. At 14, he | | | | and seasonal floral displays. Tour the Children's Garden |
| apprenticed with a printer and got fired. He then | | | | and Butterfly House. |
| apprenticed with a candy maker. | | | | In June, the scent of the roses is so sweet, it |
| Milton's first business attempt failed, as did several | | | | overpowers the scent of chocolate that the town is |
| others. In between, he worked for other candy | | | | famous for. The chocolate smell comes from the hulls |
| makers, gleaning their secrets. In 1885, he and a partner | | | | of the cacao beans that are used for mulch - |
| opened a caramel company in Lancaster. The fresh | | | | everywhere! Rain enhances the sweet, chocolaty |
| milk he used in his confections was part of his secret | | | | scent. Admission to the gardens is only $10; it's a |
| recipe. Finally, the public responded with enthusiasm. | | | | wonderful way to wile away an afternoon. Special |
| Hershey caramels were shipped as far away as | | | | events are held throughout the year. Enjoy the |
| Europe, and the business expanded. | | | | Rhododendron Show in mid-May and a Wine & |
| Milton traveled to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago | | | | Roses celebration in early June. |
| in 1892 to learn about European candy. While there, he | | | | Your tour to Hershey won't be complete without a |
| purchased a German chocolate roller. He sold the | | | | stop at Chocolate World. It's a simulated tour of a |
| caramel company to fund his new chocolate factory. | | | | chocolate factory. Nibble on a free sample at the end |
| After years of experimenting to find the right recipe, | | | | of the ride. Purchase chocolates at the Factory Store. |
| the Hershey Bar went on sale in 1900. And the rest, as | | | | Have your picture taken beside the giant Hershey's |
| they say, is history. | | | | Kiss. Even the streetlights in town are made to look |
| Hershey is a company town, designed for the | | | | like Hershey's kisses. |
| employees of the chocolate company. Milton | | | | Add a day at Hershey Park to your recipe for a great |
| Hershey's philosophy included taking care of the | | | | vacation. The combo ticket includes admission to the |
| workers in his employ. When the depression hit, he | | | | park, plus adjacent ZooAmerica and the Hershey |
| kept his construction workers busy building the hotel | | | | Museum. Sixty rides delight every age. There is also a |
| and a school. The hotel's design incorporated many of | | | | small water park, entertainment, and a variety of dining |
| the places he and his wife had visited in Europe: | | | | options. If you're visiting at Christmas, be sure to see |
| Spanish tile, quarried stone, a massive circular dining | | | | the display of lights throughout the park. It's a winter |
| room "with no bad views", and lush formal gardens | | | | wonderland. |
| with fountains and reflecting pools. Unfortunately, Mrs. | | | | There are dozens of other fun places to visit in the |
| Hershey died before construction began. | | | | area: historic railroad excursions, local caverns, nearby |
| Whether you stay at the Hotel Hershey or not, it is | | | | Pennsylvania Dutch country, and the battlefields of |
| worth a visit to this grand dame of American Grand | | | | Gettysburg. Whether you go for a mini-vacation, or |
| Hotels. Stroll the grounds. Sip a cocktail at the Iberian | | | | stay for a week, Hershey, Pennsylvania is a sweet |
| Lounge. If you are not a guest, advance reservations | | | | place to visit. |
| are required for gourmet dining in the Circular Dining | | | | |