My family recently traveled to Pennsylvania. I certainly love a change of scenery and creating memories, and the many colors of the leaves during our drive was worth the drive. I like having some sort of reference of "things to do" and not do based on my research and word of mouth which is why I am summarizing our trip to offer a reliable source's feedback.
We had an absolute blast, with minimal whining and complaining might I add. In case you are wondering, my kids are 7, 5, and 2. Having three kids and one still in a pack n play traveling to a hotel room can give me a little anxiety because the lack of sleeping can certainly ruin a trip! We chose Eden Resorts in Lancaster instead of Hershey Lodge solely because we had been there before and I knew from experience it would work for us. I do hear wonderful things about Hershey Lodge.
I hope this is helpful for anyone on the fence about traveling within a 2.5-3 hour car ride with the family! I should also mention that in no way was I compensated for our visit and this review :-).
Our ultimate driving destination was Lancaster, where we'd be spending two nights (about 30 minutes from Hershey, PA). We broke up our 2.5 hour drive and stopped at Crayola Experience in Easton, PA, we happened upon a cute town called Kutztown, fell in love with downtown Lancaster and Hersehey, PA did not disappoint.
Destinations: 📍Easton, PA --> Lancaster, PA --> Hershey, PA
Things to know about Crayola Experience and Easton, PA (~1 hour and15 minute drive)
The town of Easton is adorable! We arrived a few hours before closing and unbeknownst to us, tickets are discounted for end-of-day visits. To be honest we could’ve spent the entire day there and we certainly made use of our 1.5-hour visit and left before there were any potential meltdowns from exhaustion.
- Included with your admission are tokens and passes to be used for creating your own crayon labels, purchasing markers, buying model magic from a vending machine, and so much more.
- Covid: everyone was wearing masks minus some of the kids under 2 but Covid precautions seemed great.
- There are two separate jungle gym areas, cameras that take your photos and turn them into coloring sheets, crayon drip art, a scribble scrubbie area, water play, and so much more!
- Need a snack because kids are always starving? You can walk down the street for a smoothie break snack at Playa Bowls Easton.
Kutztown, PA - suggestion for an optional stop en route to Lancaster for lunch of dinner (43 minutes from Crayola Experience)
- Restaurant suggestion: Kutztown Tavern has the best large soft pretzels we have ever had! If beer is your thing they have a great tasting selection. They were accommodating to our food allergies and the food was pretty good.
- Kutztown, PA is an adorable 1.6 square mile town that we just happened upon and I wish we had a little more time to explore.
Lancaster, PA - (30 minutes from Hershey, PA and ~2.5 hours from Northern NJ)
- Hotel suggestion: We stayed at the Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster for the second time. Perks for a family of 4 or more are there are room accommodations that make tons of sense for sleeping arrangements. Last time we stayed in a large room with an extra bedroom with a bunk bed and put a pack n play in it; this time we stayed in a room with two separate bedrooms adjoined by a bathroom vanity and fridge area. We have stayed in both warm and cold seasons at the Eden Resort & Suites and it was perfect for both. Big outdoor playground, a basketball court, ping pong, putting green, fabulous and huge indoor saltwater pool, outdoor pool with splash pad, and meals in their restaurant are good and affordable (I believe breakfast buffet for a kid is $6).
- While in Lancaster, visit their downtown filled with amazing shops, an indoor Central Market open 9-3pm and has been in existence since 1730's, and tons of restaurants.
- Restaurant Suggestions:
- Max's Eatery - Great food, great energy, a modern-day ice-cream soda shop diner feel (think Boogie's Diner if you ever dined in Aspen). No outdoor seating option.
- Tobias Frogg - Great food, optional outdoor seating when it is nice out.
- Root - we didn't get to try it but I really wanted to!
Things to Know about Hershey, PA - 30 minutes from Lancaster and 3 hours from Northern New NJ)
I recommend doing Chocolate World and Hershey Park on different days if your kids don't have a ton of stamina like mine. We did one day AACA Museum, lunch, Hershey's Chocolate World and the next day Hershey Park.
- Hershey's Chocolate World
- Stuff your own reeses cup, take the free ride multiple times (my kids felt like they were in Disney World), parking wasn't bad, make sure to check out the size of the kit kats in the gift shop!
- Allergies: there are very little food options for anyone with a dairy allergy but they were very accommodating in handing out dairy/nut free candy.
- Hershey Park
- Hours this time of year are wonky so make sure to check them before planning your visit. The line is long when it first opens but moves quickly.
- They offer stroller rentals on site at entry.
- Allergies: There are very little food options for anyone with a dairy allergy. I wasn't impressed by many of the food options and to be fair.
- There are a ton of rides for little kids as well as adults. My 7 year old wanted more options for an actual roller coaster (not just a ride) that didn't go upside down. If you go and you find that, can you tell me so we know for next time which rides that was?
- Download the app to look at the wait time on each ride, a map, and food options.
- Learn from my mistake, even if your kid measures tall enough for bumper cars, they still may not be able to reach the pedal!
- AACA Museum (Antique Auto Museum)
- Opens at 9am and was a great way to spend our morning! May have been the highlight of the kid's trip. Lots of antique cars, motorcycles, buses even a faux store and diner. In the parking lot are four old buses and my kids spent a good 45 minutes driving them and playing before I dragged them out.
- ZooAmerica
- Free entry with ticket purchase to Hershey Park, must enter through the park.
- Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium
- Indoor and butterfly flutter all around and take a walk outdoors through the Garden Gallery.
- Echo Dell – Indian Echo Caverns
- We didn't make it here but I wanted to! 71 stairs down, always 52-degrees and I believe you have to partake in a 45-minute tour. No strollers allowed.
- Restaurant suggestion: The Soda Jerk Diner
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