In the winter of 2025, we decided to spend a long weekend in Hershey, PA. Our primary reason for the trip was to visit the indoor water park because, for a few years, we have been going to an indoor water park during winter to combat our winter blues.

Check out a separate post for a closer look at other water parks we have visited – Our Indoor Water Park Getaways – Tips and Reviews.

Why Hershey?

At the time, our kids were 6, 4, and 2. With three kids going in multiple directions and not all independent swimmers, it looked to me like the water park at Hershey was a little smaller than the other ones we visited (Great Wolf Lodge and Castaway Bay in Sandusky, OH). Turns out it was smaller and a great choice for our crew. Plus, we explored more than the water park which is why I thought I’d put this separate post together to share our itinerary.

With an amusement park and several other attractions, I imagine Hershey would be a fun destination in the summer. Additionally, I was eyeing up the week between Christmas and New Year’s to check out Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. But the rooms were more expensive so we opted for a weekend in January when the rooms were cheaper and still had a great time.

Lodging

For anyone else who might be confused like me, there is Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey. We stayed in the cheapest rooms we could find (two full or queen beds) in Hershey Lodge where Hershey’s Water Works is located and enjoyed a nice stay. The Hotel Hershey seems more upscale.

Check in at the front desk for complimentary chocolate bars for a schedule of activities such as family bingo, crafts, scavenger hunt, and more.

Troegs Independent Brewing

When we first arrived in town, we headed straight to Troegs Independent Brewing for lunch. The brewery was huge, and the food, beer, and atmosphere were great. A self-guided tour and art gallery are available to explore, but you can also book a guided tour of the brewery.

Hershey’s Water Works

After lunch, we checked into our room at the Hershey Lodge and headed straight for Hershey’s Water Works. The water park features a splash pad, a zero-entry baby pool, a swimming pool with basketball hoops and floating dolphins, longer tube slides (Twizzler Twists), a Reese Cup challenge, and a snack bar.

There is also an outdoor pool at the Hershey Lodge for summer use and we also spotted mini golf and basketball hoops.

An arcade is also available inside near the water park.

Several onsite dining options are available too. We liked The Bears’ Den for its fun hockey vibe and family-friendly atmosphere and Cocoa Beanery for coffee or ice cream.

One evening my husband gave me a moment to myself while I enjoyed a Hershey’s chocolate martini at the bar in the lounge and it hit the spot.

Other Attractions

My favorite part about this trip was that our hotel stay included complimentary tickets for our families to visit The Hershey Story—The Museum on Chocolate Ave and Hershey Gardens. So we took advantage of the opportunity.

One day we started our day with a delightful breakfast at Lisa’s Cafe located inside The Hershey Story – The Museum on Chocolate Ave before exploring the museum.

While a chocolate lab and chocolate tastings are available in the museum, we kept to the museum exhibits exploring the story of Milton Hershey (as best we could with the kids running around). The museum kept the kid’s attention decently with a scavenger hunt and some interactive exhibits.

On another day of our stay, we loved a visit to the Butterfly Atrium in Hershey Gardens.

After Hershey Gardens, we walked up to The Hotel Hershey to check it out and had a coffee and treat in Chef’s Market. If we return, I’d love to try to sneak in a massage at the spa in The Hotel Hershey.

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During our time in Hershey, we also went to mass at St Joan of Arc, ate breakfast at Cocoa Diner, and grabbed coffee for the drive home at Englewood. Next time, I might be interested in checking out other attractions in the area:

That concludes our winter weekend itinerary in Hershey with the primary focus on the indoor water park. I hope you found this helpful. If you head to Hershey, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@adventureswkelly). I’d love to see and hear about your adventures in The Sweetest Place on Earth.

Other Travel Itineraries

Here are some other travel itineraries you might be interested in: