Is it a roller coaster? “No,” replies the patient ride attendant at the free, 30-minute “Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World in the company town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Is there a river of chocolate? “Yes,” she says. Which is true in matter of speaking, but not quite in the Willy Wonka way I dreamed.

The line weaves through a timeline of Hershey company history and past signs of how the company sources its ingredients. Then you board carriages shaped something like Hershey candies for a journey into the chocolate-making process.

“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)

“Taste the love!” robot cows sing. “All over the world!” It’s not a factory tour, but an educational/advertising cartoon of one, with robot candy characters, a human video docent and model factory machines illustrating the manufacturing process—including simulated cascades and vats of flowing chocolate. At the end, “enjoy a complimentary Hershey’s product sample.”

“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)

If you hanker for more, Chocolate World also offers paid attractions: “Create Your Own Chocolate Bar,” “4D Chocolate Movie,” “Chocolate Tasting Experience.” The heart of Chocolate World, though, is a giant store selling a dazzling array of Hershey candies, clothing and souvenirs.


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Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
“Hershey’s Chocolate Tour” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)
Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania, April 14, 2019. (Greg Cook)