Summer is made for fun! But if a big, tropical vacation isn’t in the cards, you can still satisfy the need to get away with some weekend trips. And lucky for us, there are some great options within just an hour or two from here. My son and I recently took a weekend to explore Hershey and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – an easy drive, and a destination rich with family fun and cool history.
We knew we’d hit Hersheypark on our final day in PA, and we were both anticipating the rides, waterpark, and chocolate! But even before that we had plenty of fun at Adventure Sports in Hershey, the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, the PA Capitol, and the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.
Adventure Sports in Hershey is a 10-acre family entertainment center with go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, batting cages, an arcade, driving range, and laser tag. It was just what we wanted for our first night! Good, solid fun that everyone in the group could enjoy after being in the car for a little bit. The go-karts were my personal favorite because each one was painted to represent a race car sponsored by a familiar brand – we got a kick out of driving the Pillsbury car! My son loved the bumper boats. It seems that the crowd favorite was laser tag. We went moms versus kids in an epic outdoor laser take-down, with the moms coming out victorious! It’s so fun to see how a little friendly competition brings out the kid in everyone.
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Our oasis from all the fun and rowdiness was our comfortable room at the Best Western Premiere. I’d never stayed in one of these premier properties before, but I definitely will next time we head back. The rooms were large and clean, the on-site restaurant made breakfast convenient, the staff members were all helpful and hospitable, and the hotel pool was the biggest and best I’ve ever seen. We were naïve to think the fun was over for the day just because we headed back to the hotel! The kids splashed and cannonballed to their hearts delight until we were all ready to turn in.
That good rest was just what we needed to gear up for a full day of exploring Hershey and Harrisburg. We started the next day with a tour on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, one of the few remaining true paddle boats in existence. The kids and grownups alike enjoyed the lessons we learned on this River School Voyage, specifically the scavenger hunt around the boat and the hands-on lesson in geology. The instructors gave out Oreos and used them to show the kids how the Earth’s tectonic plates move over magma to create rivers and mountains. So cool! Once the tour was over, we grabbed a refreshing lunch right by the dock at Café Huey. Easy, convenient, and tasty!
Our tour of the PA Capitol took everyone by surprise. Every state has a capital, of course, and every capital has a Capitol building – but Pennsylvania’s is one of the most ornate, elaborate, and fancy in the whole country! Our fantastic tour guide wowed the kids with the facts she shared about all the gold and marble on practically every surface. They had so many thoughtful questions for her, too. I’m sure few of them have ever seen such an impressive architectural treasure. We spent much longer there than we’d guessed, because the kids were so taken by the history and ornateness.
Nearby is the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, full of hands-on activities and STEM. We passed an easy hour checking out such attractions as the hurricane simulator, wavelength demonstration, and pulley activities. If you’re downtown and have a kid who’s into science, it’s a nice addition to your agenda!
Hershey’s Chocolate World was next up for us, including their new attraction called “Hershey’s Unwrapped.” This live-action experience gave us the opportunity to taste all the different kinds of chocolate Hershey produces, but also to learn about the process of making chocolate, taking risks, making mistakes, and trying new things. We loved it! Add to that the 4D Mystery Movie, which gave the kids just enough of a thrill to whet their whistles, and it was a perfect way to build the excitement for the next day’s adventure: Hersheypark!
If you haven’t been before, it’s important to know that Hersheypark has the roller coasters and rides you’d expect, but also includes the huge Boardwalk Waterpark and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. There’s truly something for everyone! We arrived early and checked out the new ride “Reese’s Cupfusion,” which gives you a chance to battle the bad guys and save both Hershey’s chocolate and the day! My son and I hit up a few more rides, enjoyed watching the live music scattered throughout the park, then camped out for the afternoon at the waterpark. Waterslides are our jam, and they did not disappoint at Hersheypark! As a parent I loved that there were clean, private changing areas nearby and secure lockers for storing our stuff. And as a kid at heart, I loved that there were big slides, two-person slides, four-person slides, the surf simulator, and the huge water playground! When we were ready for a break, we used our meal ticket and went to the nearby concession areas for an easy lunch. Perfect!
Looking back on it, I can’t believe how much we squeezed into one weekend getaway! I’m anxious to take the rest of my family back, and will probably be making another trip later this summer. If you want to plan a trip too, check out Visit Hershey & Harrisburg for plenty of ideas.
