Whether you live near Hershey or you’re planning a trip to visit, having a list of indoor activities is always beneficial. Mother Nature does not often cooperate with our plans, so unexpected rain or a drop in temperature can put a kink in even the best planner’s itinerary. Strolling outside at Hershey Gardens might not be an option, but their indoor butterfly atrium is open all year! Here are 9 favorite indoor activities in Hershey PA that you can enjoy all year long, regardless of the weather or the season.
Discover Decadent Hershey’s Chocolate
Not too many people visit Hershey without visiting Hershey’s famous Chocolate World. Fun for young and old alike, there are a variety of ways to discover chocolate. Schedule a free, 30-minute tour to see how Hershey’s chocolate is made. If you’re feeling creative, create your own candy bar. You choose the ingredients and design your own wrapper for a truly custom souvenir.
Shopping
What is a trip without shopping? Whether you’re on the hunt for unique souvenirs, special gifts or some new threads, you’re bound to find it in Hershey. Everyone’s favorite outlet center, Tanger Outlets in Hershey, provides the greatest brand names, from American Eagle to Zales, at discounted prices. If you’re looking for items with a bit more character or history, check out Crossroads Antique Mall. Crossroads is home to dozens of antique dealers selling everything from rustic furniture and primitives to glass, pottery, china porcelain and more. During your stay, be sure to let us know if you’d like more information about antiquing options in Hershey.
A visit to Knock Knock Boutique on Chocolate Ave. will reward you with an assortment of unique jewelry, accessories, baby items, designer face masks and other special finds to peruse. Looking for trendy styles to add to your wardrobe. Three Little Birds Boutique is a must-see. Founded and owned by a mom of three, this charming store offers an ever-changing variety of women’s styles.
Visit a Museum
- If you love history, then you’ll appreciate touring The Hershey Story Museum. Here you’ll learn the history behind Hershey Chocolate, including founder Milton S. Hershey. You may be surprised to find out that Milton started out as a struggling entrepreneur. Take a journey through his life, his company, and his philanthropic efforts at this fascinating museum.
- History and Civil War buffs alike will find The National Civil War Museum fascinating and enlightening. In association with the renowned Smithsonian Institute, this is the only museum in the United States that portrays the entire Civil War story, and without bias. Browse a large collection of over 4,400 3D artifacts and 21,000 archival pieces that belonged to prominent ones, like General Robert E. Lee and President Abraham Lincoln, but mostly the average soldier from both the Confederacy and the Union.
- From roads to rails, take an educational and interactive world-class tour of all things wheels at the AACA Museum. This 71,000 square foot museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting motor vehicle history. Throughout its vast 71,000 square feet, you will travel through eight decades of vintage automobiles displayed in unique settings.
- Since 1905, The State Museum of Pennsylvania is proud to present Pennsylvania’s history to people of all ages. Permanent exhibits include: life-size streetscape portraying 19th century towns in the Village Square; Native American history and artifacts in the second floor Anthropology and Archaeology Gallery; historic tools, machines, and vehicles in the second floor Transportation & Industry, and much more.
Peruse a Bookstore
Imagine walking into a warm and cozy bookstore filled with stories from all genres and walks of life just waiting to be read. New or old, hardback or paperback, fiction or nonfiction, it’s all here. Midtown Scholar Bookstore in nearby Harrisburg is a treasure chest for book lovers. Housing over 100,000 second-hand, out-of-print, and scholarly books, you are guaranteed to discover some precious gems. What’s more impressive, is if you combine their retail space with their warehouse, that total climbs to one million volumes, just waiting for you. Located upstairs at the Lemoyne Farmers Market, just 30 minutes from Hershey, The Bookworm Bookstore offers hard-to-find, out-of-print, used, and rare books covering a wealth of topics from classic literature to vintage magazines. The Hershey area is also home to the mega bookstore Books-A-Million.
Hang Out in a Coffee Shop
You have your favorite book in hand, so now it’s time to find a cozy corner in a coffee shop and start reading. The delightful Cocoa Beanery, located in a charming renovated farmhouse, offers a menu of coffee, seasonal beverages, craft beers, baked goods and sandwiches. If you’re a diehard Starbucks fan, you’ll be happy to know there are several locations in and around Hershey. There’s one on Cocoa Avenue, on Chocolate Avenue, and in the Tanger Outlet.
Go to the Show
Spend a few hours taking in live entertainment or a good movie. Hershey Theatre plays host to a variety of entertaining shows throughout the year. At Midtown Cinema you can enjoy the latest box-office movies. If you don’t mind the extra travel time, how about an old-fashioned drive-in theater with all the modern conveniences? Pull up and park to watch a double feature for the price of one at Sky-Vu Drive In Theater.
Dine In or Take Out
When you’re out and about taking advantage of all that Hershey offers, you’ll need to fill up. There’s a lot of restaurants to choose from, so we’ve made it easy for you. Here are our favorite restaurants within close proximity of the Inn where you’ll find everything from steak and seafood to pizza and fried chicken.
Stop by a Local Brewery, Distillery or Winery
Breweries, distilleries and wineries are on the rise in many locales throughout the US, and Hershey is no exception. We have several where you can tour, sip and shop to heart’s content.
- Spring Gate Vineyard, situated on 60 beautiful acres in the country, features picturesque vineyards and orchards, rippling streams, cozy patios and courtyards, as well as paddocks, hop and beer gardens. But inside their classic Pennsylvania barn, you can try a variety of libations in unique places. They have a Champagne bar, enclosed patio, Adirondack Room and Beer Hall. They also offer one-hour delivery so you can sip and savor in the comfort and privacy of your guest room.
- Cullari Vineyards and Winery specializes in a variety of wines: traditional dry and sweet red, white and pink, and even some uniquely crafted grape and fruit wine varieties that are only available in their tasting rooms. Most of their wines are produced in small quantities and so they sell out quickly. If you find one you like, buy it on the spot because it will most likely sell out soon. They sell over 25,000 bottles of wine a year at very reasonable prices.
- The Vineyard at Hershey is a sweet spot for wine lovers. Their farmhouse winery and tasting room is a fun relaxing space to try new wines, enjoy a glass, and peruse the shelves for your favorite bottle or two. They sell an impressive 60,000 bottles of wine annually, and boast a brewery to try craft beer like never before.
- The Tattered Flag Distillery Lounge offers award-winning craft spirits and beer, along with great food. Check their schedule for opening days and hours.
Stay at the Inn at Westwynd Farm
No stay in Hershey would be complete without a stay at our Inn at Westwynd Farm. We’re conveniently located just minutes from Hershey, yet peacefully situated in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania’s countryside. Our charming equestrian farm is ideal for a quiet, peaceful and relaxing getaway. During the colder months, you’ll relish sitting fireside in one of our luxurious suites as you sip your favorite beverage and watch the horses trotting by. Many of our rooms have comfortable king-size beds and jetted tubs to enrich your stay. Book now to plan the perfect getaway, or contact us for assistance at innkeeper@westwyndfarm.com or (717) 533-6764.
