Coasters, family rides, The Boardwalk, ZooAmerica, and seasonal nights

Hersheypark Guide

Coaster track rises above a compact old amusement park where the Carrousel, Kissing Tower, ZooAmerica, and The Boardwalk sit within the same gates. Thrill seekers, small children, and water-park families will experience very different Hersheypark days.

Build the morning around the headline rides

Candymonium, Wildcat’s Revenge, Great Bear, Fahrenheit, and Skyrush pull different coaster fans across the park. Choose two or three priorities before arrival rather than crossing the entire midway after every ride.

Keep a separate family-ride list

The Carrousel, Coal Cracker, Trailblazer, Kissing Tower, and smaller rides give mixed-age groups useful alternatives. Height requirements and current ride status belong in the official app or park site, not in guesswork at the gate.

Treat The Boardwalk as its own commitment

The water park changes footwear, lockers, clothing, and the number of dry rides that fit afterward. Its operating calendar is seasonal, so confirm dates and hours before promising a water-park afternoon.

Three useful park-day versions

Three distinct Hersheypark days share the same gate.

Thrill-ride day

Enter with a short coaster list and use the park map to avoid repeated cross-park walks. Candymonium and Skyrush sit near the front; Great Bear, Fahrenheit, and Wildcat’s Revenge pull the day deeper into the park.

Mixed-age family day

Pair a few shared rides with clear split-up windows. ZooAmerica, Kissing Tower, the Carrousel, and family rides give non-coaster visitors real destinations instead of making them wait beside every queue.

Summer rides plus water

Choose whether The Boardwalk is a midday cooling block or the main afternoon event. A locker and a defined meet-up point matter more here than squeezing in one extra ride before changing clothes.

Carousel, family midway, and roller coaster at Hersheypark
Hersheypark coaster skyline and midway at sunset

Preview nights and the park-side district

Use preview hours only when they simplify the next day.

Eligible tickets or resort packages may include preview access, but policies and hours change. A useful preview has a short target—two rides, a first look at the park, or dinner nearby—not a second full admission day squeezed into arrival night.

Chocolate World sits beside the park but has separate experiences and ticketing. Put it before a shorter park block, on arrival day, or on Sunday morning rather than assuming it will fit after a full day of coasters and water slides.

Official resources

Check the live park calendar before buying the day

Hours, ride status, preview policies, The Boardwalk dates, entertainment, parking, and seasonal events change. Verify the current operating plan with Hersheypark.