Hershey's Chocolate World
Hershey's Chocolate World offers a free chocolate tour ride, hands-on candy-making attractions, and endless chocolate shopping — all just 35 miles from Pine Ridge Campground.
45 minutes drive from Pine Ridge Campground
Why Pine Ridge Campers Love It
Getting There
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Hershey's Chocolate World
101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033
All distances measured from Pine Ridge Campground, 2635 Shippensburg Rd, Biglerville, PA
About Hershey's Chocolate World
Pine Ridge seasonal campers looking for a sweet day trip will find everything they need at Hershey's Chocolate World, located about 45 minutes east of camp in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Open year-round with free admission and free parking with attraction tickets, Chocolate World anchors the Hershey entertainment district alongside Hersheypark and ZooAmerica.
The star attraction is the free Hershey's Chocolate Tour ride, a dark ride that takes visitors through the chocolate-making process from cocoa bean to finished bar. Beyond the free tour, paid experiences include Create Your Own Candy Bar, where you design a custom chocolate bar from ingredients to wrapper, and HERSHEY'S Great Candy Expedition, a train-themed cinematic adventure with projection mapping. The HERSHEY'S Unwrapped show blends theater and tastings, while REESE'S Stuff Your Cup lets you build a one-pound custom peanut butter cup with fresh factory peanut butter.
The Hershey Trolley Works offers a theatrical sightseeing ride through town covering Milton Hershey's history and the iconic streetlights. Adventure Bundles package multiple attractions at a discount, starting around $33.50 per person.
The World's Largest Hershey's Store fills the retail floor with exclusive merchandise, custom candy mixes, and hard-to-find Hershey's products. Multiple dining options serve chocolate-themed treats, milkshakes, and full meals. Hersheypark Season Pass holders receive a 15% discount on food and merchandise.
For Pine Ridge campers, Chocolate World pairs naturally with a visit to adjacent Hersheypark or ZooAmerica. As a seasonal camper, you can spread the Hershey experience across multiple visits rather than cramming everything into one day — hit the free tour and store on one trip, then return for the paid attractions another time.
What to Expect
- Chocolate Tour Ride: A free dark ride through the chocolate-making process, from cocoa bean harvesting to finished candy bar. Includes a free chocolate sample at the end.
- Create Your Own Candy Bar: Design a custom chocolate bar by choosing your ingredients and designing the wrapper. Takes about 45 minutes and produces a real packaged candy bar to take home.
- Great Candy Expedition: A 30-minute train-themed cinematic adventure through colorful candy worlds using interactive special effects and large-scale projection mapping technology.
- Trolley Works Tour: A 45-to-75-minute theatrical trolley ride through Hershey covering Milton Hershey's history, the original factory location, and the town's iconic chocolate-kiss streetlights.
Insider Tips from Pine Ridge Campers
- 1Book Adventure Bundles online to save $5 per bundle over in-store pricing
- 2Visit on weekday mornings for shorter lines at paid attractions
- 3The free Chocolate Tour ride has no reservation needed — just walk in
- 4Hersheypark Season Pass holders get 15% off food and merchandise
- 5Combine with ZooAmerica or Hersheypark for a full Hershey day trip
Visitor Information
Hours
Year-round; generally 9AM–5PM weekdays, extended hours on weekends and summer. Check chocolateworld.com for current schedule.
Cost
Free admission and Chocolate Tour ride. Paid attractions: $18.95–$29.95 individually. Adventure Bundles: $33.50–$56.50 (save up to $12). Ages 2 and under free.
Phone
(717) 534-4900Website
Visit Official SiteSeasonal Notes
Open all year. Summer and holidays are busiest — weekday visits are less crowded. Some paid attractions close for seasonal maintenance in late January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hershey's Chocolate World free to visit?
Yes, admission and the Chocolate Tour ride are completely free year-round. Paid attractions like Create Your Own Candy Bar and HERSHEY'S Unwrapped require separate tickets starting at $18.95.
How long does a visit to Chocolate World take?
The free Chocolate Tour takes about 30 minutes. If you add paid attractions, plan for 2–3 hours. Shopping and dining can easily add more time. Most families spend a half day.
How far is Chocolate World from Pine Ridge Campground?
Chocolate World is about 35 miles east of Pine Ridge, roughly a 45-minute drive via Route 34 and US-15/US-322 into Hershey.
Is Chocolate World connected to Hersheypark?
They are adjacent but separate. Chocolate World does not require Hersheypark admission and has its own free parking. However, you can easily visit both in the same day.
More Nearby Attractions
Hersheypark
Pennsylvania's largest amusement park with 70+ rides, water park, and Chocolate World.
35 miles awayAdventure Sports in Hershey
A family fun center with go-karts, outdoor laser tag, mini golf, bumper boats, batting cages, an arcade, and mini escape rooms near Hershey.
35 miles awayTröegs Independent Brewing
A family-owned craft brewery in Hershey with award-winning tours, a scratch-made food kitchen, and 20+ beers on tap.
35 miles awayZooAmerica
An AZA-accredited North American wildlife park in Hershey with 200+ animals across five regional habitats, open year-round.
35 miles awayYour Adventure Base Camp Awaits
With Hershey's Chocolate World just 45 minutes away, Pine Ridge Campground is the perfect base for your next adventure. Explore all day, then return to the comfort of your seasonal site.