While our romantic Pennsylvania inn is a cozy winter retreat, guests can enjoy several fun outdoor winter activities around Hershey. During the winter months, Hershey simply sparkles. From skiing and tubing to a walk-through zoo, there’s plenty to enjoy in the fresh outdoor air. So bundle up and get ready to head outdoors!
Winter Hiking Trails
Central Pennsylvania is a great place to hike year-round, but winter is a special treat. There are fewer crowds, and snow-covered trails add to peace and quiet. There are many pristine hiking trails just a short driving distance from the inn:
- Horse Shoe Trail (5 minutes from the Inn)
- A short drive or walk from the Farm, this lovely wooded trail meanders beside Manada Creek. It is relatively level and beautiful every season, with abundant birds and wildlife.
- Memorial Lake State Park (14 minutes from the Inn)
- This open park offers 2 miles of trails for a casual trek through most of the park. Along the way, you’ll appreciate the peaceful, scenic views of the frozen lake.
- Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail (14 minutes from the Inn)
- Beginning in a rural area south of Hummelstown, this trail meanders east to Palmdale, past parks, neighborhoods, and commercial establishments. Amenities along the trail include benches, gazebos, and interpretive signs for historic and natural attractions.
- Swatara State Park (22 minutes from the Inn)
- This 3,520-acre state park features rolling fields and woodlands in the the Second and Blue Mountains valley, and 18.2 miles of mostly flat and wide trails. Plus, the Swatara Creek travels the length of the park, offering scenic views of forests and wetlands.
- Gifford Pinchot State Park (40 minutes from the Inn)
- This state park is in Northern York County on 2,338 acres with 18 miles of trails. Scenic highlights include farm fields, wooded hillsides, and a 340-acre lake. Most of the park’s trails interconnect so that you can customize your trek to your needs.
Roundtop Mountain Resort
Does Hershey, PA, get a lot of snow? Absolutely! Those looking to enjoy some winter sports can hit the slopes to enjoy some quality powder:
Tubing
Sledding and tubing enthusiasts will enjoy Roundtop Mountain Resort’s ten large tubing lanes. The runs are 800 feet long with an overall vertical drop of 80 feet! No experience is necessary to enjoy these tubing thrills and wintertime fun.
Skiing & Snowboarding
In addition to tubing lanes, Roundtop Mountain Resort’s 600-foot mountain features 20 skiing and snowboarding trails for all levels. From beginning lessons at the Learning Center to the black diamond Upper Gunbarrel and Upper Ramrod trails, there’s fun to be had for everyone. Want to learn? Roundtop offers both group and private skiing and snowboarding lessons.
ZooAmerica
Experience nature up close and personal as you walk through this North American wildlife park. Stroll through 11 acres dedicated to more than 75 species of impressive and endangered wildlife. Many of the animals are more active in lower temperatures, such as gray wolves, marten, and otters, snowy owls. Guests will often see the marten building tunnels in the snow and the wolves playing in their enclosure during the months with snow.
Is Hersheypark Open in Winter?
Experience a winter wonderland in Hershey! All the rides remain open in winter (subject to the weather), and some special attractions are exclusive to the winter season. Twinkling lights decorate the park as a festive backdrop for events like Hershey Sweet Lights, TREEville at the Boardwalk, and visits from Santa and all nine of his reindeer.
All Aboard! Take a Winter Train Ride
Enjoy the scenic winter countryside aboard a historic train! The Strasburg Railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in our part of the world. The standard coaches are elegantly restored in Victorian style and warmed with a potbelly stove during winter. This is an unforgettable way to experience winter in the Amish countryside.
This train doesn’t go to the North Pole. Still, throughout December, they offer special steam excursions, including the Santa’s Paradise Express Coach, the Night Before Christmas Train Coach, and Santa’s Christmas Trolley. Additional rides are available throughout the winter season.
Our Inn at Westwynd Farm is conveniently located near all these fun outdoor winter activities in Hershey, PA. Imagine returning to your luxurious guest room and warming up in front of the fireplace at the end of a fun-filled day outdoors. Book your winter getaway today!