From Las Vegas to Hershey, PA – The Sweetest Place On Earth

Las Vegas will soon get a taste of Pennsylvania, or at least Pennsylvania’s chocolate, when the new Hershey’s Chocolate World retail experience unwraps on the Strip at  New York New York. Before that, however, I went on a sweet adventure to the real Hershey World, in a small town in PA.

For well over 100 years, the word “Hershey” has been synonymous with the Great American Chocolate Bar. Hershey’s is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America.

I learned during my visit of the inspirational journey of Milton S. Hershey, an American entrepreneur who used his personal wealth to enrich the lives of others. I found out how Mr. Hershey revolutionized the process of making milk chocolate. The story is amazing.

The Great American Chocolate tour experience showed me as a visitor, Hershey’s chocolate making process beginning in the tropical rain forest of South America where cacao beans are grown. The tour shows how the beans are harvested and transported across the ocean to America, where they are delivered to the chocolate factory.

At the end of the tour I was treated to a free sample of chocolate. Yummy.

I also visited the historic Hershey Hotel that was built in the 1930’s. The Hotel Hershey’s architectural style has Spanish and Italian influences, mosaic tiles and archways, and a villa-style balcony overlooking the twinkling lights of Hershey and the expanse of Hershey Gardens.  The Hotel Hershey is a member of  Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Hershey, PA includes a variety of attractions, features and events. Hersheypark, the museum and the Giant Center are some of the central attractions visitors will find.

Everything in The Sweetest Place on The Earth is  built around of the famous chocolate brand, and people of all ages come to visit the place. Before I left Hershey World, I took a tour around the town and I was really impressed by the creativity and decorations of the town light poles, trash cans, streets, businesses, hotels, etc.  Everything is designed around chocolate. 

They have all types of souvenirs, from cookies and shirts to collectibles. It’s a wonderful way to remember Hershey, PA, and of course I didn’t forget to bring home some  Hershey’s chocolate and a cute t-shirt to commemorate my stay.