Hersheypark has been an amusement park since 1906, and it is built for a whole day rather than a quick stop: rides and coasters spread across the grounds, a zoo on the same site, and a water park section that opens for the summer stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All three sit inside the same admission ticket, so the choice on the day is what to do first, not what to pay for next.
Sort out the eating before you walk in. Outside food is not allowed through the gate, and the picnic tables and restrooms provided for it are out in the parking lots rather than inside the park. Families who like to pack their own lunch should plan it as a stop on the way in, not as a midday break. Inside, the park runs its own dining locations, and there are options for children with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Two things are worth knowing before you arrive. The zoo and the park keep different hours, and going into the zoo before the park opens calls for a separate zoo ticket. And if the day turns loud, there are several quiet spots around the park that give a child privacy and relief from the noise.
Family FAQ
How much does Hersheypark cost?
A 1-Day Any Day Ticket is USD 66.99 plus taxes and fees and is valid on any public operating day through January 3, 2027; an after-4 PM Happy Hours Ticket is USD 39.99 plus taxes and fees.
Can you bring your own food to Hersheypark?
Outside food is not allowed into the park; picnic and restroom facilities are provided in the parking lots instead.
Is there parking at Hersheypark?
General parking is USD 25.00 plus taxes and fees online, charged per vehicle per day; parking is free for vehicles carrying 15 passengers or more, and the lots open 2 hours before the park.
