I have exciting news to share about The Sweetest Place on Earth! There are some fun additions and changes coming to Hershey, PA, making it the most incredible summer ever. They'll debut a new hotel, a new restaurant, a water park enhancement, upgrades to a historic live entertainment venue and patriotic summer celebrations at Hersheypark during its 120th operating year. Read on for more information and details about what's coming!
Disclosure: the information in this post comes directly from Hershey Entertainment and Resorts press release. All photos courtesy of Hershey Entertainment.
Centrally located within driving distance of five of the largest metropolitan areas in the Northeast, Hershey offers guests a unique blend of fun and chocolate with attractions that can only be found in The Sweetest Place On Earth, as envisioned by founder Milton S. Hershey.
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New Hotel Joins The Official Resorts of Hersheypark - Spring 2026
Hershey Inn & Suites, a new select service hotel, is now accepting reservations ahead of its spring 2026 opening. Hershey Inn & Suites will be the first select-service property as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, joining The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge family resort and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground as unique lodging options for guests in The Sweetest Place On Earth.
The new four-story property will feature 130 rooms, including seven suites, and amenities like complimentary hot breakfast, a lobby bar, grab-and-go snacks in the lobby marketplace, an arcade, a fitness center and an indoor pool open year-round. Family suites accommodate a group of six and feature a first-of-its-kind room type for a Hersheypark property with bunk beds, one queen bed, a full sleeper sofa and a separate living space.
Just minutes away from the world-class amusement park, the hotel will feature a modern design for families, couples and business travelers visiting Hershey, Pa., with unique perks exclusive to resort guests. Guests of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark receive Free Resort Benefits, including the best price on Hersheypark tickets, extra morning and evening hours at Hersheypark, front gate shuttle service to an exclusive resort drop-off location, destination activities and more. For more information, visit www.HersheyInnAndSuites.com.
New Restaurant Celebrates Destination Offerings - Spring 2026
Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will also open in spring 2026, located near the iconic corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey. Hershey Social will bring bold flavors, shareable apps, savory entrees, signature cocktails and over-the-top desserts inspired by Hershey’s chocolate roots to the vibrant downtown area. The reimagined space will feature a casual setting and an expanded bar, perfect for families and friends to sip, savor and socialize. The new restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will join 14 other restaurants in the Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company portfolio throughout Hershey. For more information, visit www.HersheyPA.com/things-to-do/dining/hershey-social/.
Hersheypark Water Park Enhancements - Summer 2026
Hersheypark, the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania, will kick off its 120th season on April 3, 2026. Guests can enjoy four distinct seasonal events, including a sweet summer showcasing new water play areas in The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park.
Located within the 121-acre Hersheypark, the existing Bayside Pier area in the water park will also feature two new water play areas boasting 45 aquatic elements for summer 2026:
A new shade-filled play zone, The Inlet at Bayside Pier, will feature water-spouting dolphins and fish, and whimsical water spray features.
The Island at Bayside Pier will debut towering 10-foot-tall palm trees that tip buckets of refreshing water.
Both new areas will feature rubberized decking for additional guest comfort, allowing guests to sit and splash under shaded canopies. The new open design will also allow families to seamlessly flow between other water attractions and cool off faster with access to the abundant water features.
Open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, The Boardwalk At Hersheypark features 17 attractions and one million gallons of water—from thrilling water slides and a water coaster to a lazy river for relaxation seekers and zero-depth entry areas for the youngest water lovers. Designed to honor the iconic boardwalks of the East Coast, The Boardwalk water park is included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark, offering three experiences in one for guests of all ages to cool off during the summer. To learn more, visit www.hersheypark.com/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/bayside-pier-inlet-island.
America 250 Summer Celebration - June to July 2026
This summer, Hersheypark will host themed activities to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with special entertainment, ride overlays and fireworks, with more details to be shared this spring.
Live Entertainment in Hershey - Summer 2026
Also this summer, Hersheypark Stadium will again host the Summer Concert Series with acts from Guns ‘N Roses and Chris Stapleton to Forrest Frank and Pitbull. New for summer 2026, an additional Premium Viewing Deck (the second for the historic Stadium) will allow guests premium seating, access to exclusive food and beverage options, a dedicated restroom and designated parking and entrance.
Hersheypark Stadium is also undergoing a construction project to improve back-of-house areas, including dressing rooms and loading zones to better accommodate tour production needs for future world-class entertainers.
Nearby at GIANT Center indoor arena, Meghan Trainor, Khalid, 5 Seconds of Summer, Josh Groban with special guest Jennifer Hudson, and James Taylor will also make tour stops in Hershey this summer. More show announcements will be shared at www.HersheyEntertainment.com.
Best Price Offers
Hersheypark today launched the Best Price Of Summer on 1-Day and 2-Day Any Day Hersheypark tickets and getaways to The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, plus the Best Price Of The Year on Hersheypark Season Passes for unlimited visits. To view all offers on Hersheypark Happy and to plan early and save, visit www.Hersheypark.com.
Building on a Sweet 2025
These additions continue the momentum of 2025 as the destination debuted a record-setting ride at Hersheypark, opened a new restaurant honoring the unique history of The Hotel Hershey and doubled the number of luxury accommodations available at The Villas At The Hotel Hershey.
1933 Restaurant & Tavern, a full-service restaurant and tavern at The Hotel Hershey, opened in April with an approachable steakhouse menu, elevated pub fare, signature cocktails, and curated draught beer and wine selections. The restaurant’s name, 1933 Restaurant & Tavern, pays tribute to the grand opening year of The Hotel Hershey. Entry artwork honors this legacy with historical photos from 1933 and a cocktail menu celebrates the end of Prohibition, which occurred the same year.
Twizzlers Twisted Gravity attraction opened in May at Hersheypark as the tallest Screamin’ Swing in the world. Riders ascend 137 adrenaline-pumping feet, defy gravity at speeds reaching 68 miles per hour and experience multiple mind-bending zero G moments as they swing high above Spring Creek in The Hollow region of Hersheypark.
In late summer, The Hotel Hershey completed a historic expansion of luxury accommodations at The Villas At The Hotel Hershey as 19 Villas now offer guests 98 new luxury rooms. Representing the second-largest investment in the historic Hotel Hershey’s 90-year history, The Villas At The Hotel Hershey offers even more luxury as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark and the most premium Hersheypark experiences. During a stay at The Villas, guests are welcomed into a private luxury experience. Nestled in a secluded setting with views of Blue Mountain, Villas guests have access to the exclusive Villas Concierge Lounge with complimentary food and exclusive activities, and perks including daily Hersheypark tickets on Park operating days and a One-Day Fast Track pass.
Background on the Town Built On Chocolate
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a small town rooted in the world's love of chocolate and the philanthropy of Milton S. Hershey. Mr. Hershey dreamed of making chocolate affordable for everyone. In pursuit of that vision, he created a beautiful town for his employees that caught the nation’s attention. Hershey was filled with a modern chocolate factory, homes, schools, businesses, and 150 acres of community leisure grounds that would later evolve into a world-class family amusement park. Home of the Great American chocolate bar, Hershey attracts millions of visitors each year.
Over a century later, Hershey is now home to Hersheypark amusement park, a North American zoo, four distinctly Hershey resorts, live concerts and shows, delicious dining options, and of course, chocolate around every corner. Even sweeter - Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company is proud to help fulfill the dream of our founder, Milton S. Hershey, by providing value to Milton Hershey School in its mission of helping students lead fulfilling and productive lives - just as Mr. Hershey intended. Learn more at mhskids.org.
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