Discover the Sweet Side of Hershey with No Ticket Required
Here’s the thing: many visitors don’t realize that some of the best experiences in Hershey, PA, are free. We’re talking about world-class chocolate tours, gorgeous hiking trails, fascinating history, and photo ops you’ll treasure forever. Whether you’re staying at our luxury Hershey bed and breakfast for a relaxing weekend getaway or you are a budget-savvy traveler passing through central Pennsylvania, we have you covered.
This isn’t a “consolation prize” list of alternatives. These are genuinely wonderful experiences that happen to cost nothing. So, put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and let’s explore everything Hershey has to offer for free.
Hershey’s Chocolate World: The Free Chocolate Tour Ride
The Hershey’s Chocolate Tour is an immersive ride that takes you through the entire chocolate-making process from cocoa bean to the finished bar. The best part? Every rider receives a free chocolate sample at the end of the tour: a small, sweet ritual that never gets old. The ride runs all day, year-round, and admission to the entire Chocolate World building is free. Parking is complimentary for the first 2–3 hours, plenty of time to enjoy the tour, then lose yourself in the World’s Largest Hershey’s Store. Browse artisan chocolate collections and limited-edition flavors you won’t find anywhere else. It’s free to wander, though your willpower to buy some more chocolate may not survive!
A Stroll Through Historic Downtown Hershey
Don’t overlook the simple pleasure of wandering downtown Hershey itself. The town has a warmth and quaintness that rewards slow exploration, browsing the small shops along Chocolate Avenue, strolling through Hershey Fresh Market filled with one-of-a-kind local vendors, or simply sitting on a bench and breathing in the faint cocoa-scented air that genuinely drifts through the streets. It’s the kind of unhurried wandering that makes a getaway feel like a real escape. And plenty of photo opportunities are available with those famous Hershey Kiss lampposts!
Tip: The Hershey Fresh Market Food Hall is full of local, artisanal vendors and makes for a perfect rest stop and a quick bite!
The Hershey Public Library
The Hershey Public Library is one of those quiet little surprises that feels like a warm exhale in the middle of town. It’s completely free to visit, and inside you’ll find cozy reading nooks, rotating local art, and small community exhibits that give you a sense of Hershey beyond the chocolate. It’s the perfect spot for a slow morning, a rainy-day escape, or a moment of calm between the bigger attractions, a place where you can settle in, flip through a book, and enjoy a side of Hershey that most visitors miss.
Tip: Every year, the Friends of the Hershey Public Library hosts a public book sale to benefit the library. Check out their website for more details.
Founders Hall Visitors Center: Milton Hershey School
The Founders Hall Visitors Center at Milton Hershey School features free, interactive exhibits spanning more than a century of history, not just of chocolate, but also Milton Hershey’s extraordinary philanthropic legacy. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, with a grand rotunda and stunning marble detailing. Learning about Hershey’s vision for the school he founded, which still thrives today, is genuinely moving. The grounds and landscaping are pristine and perfect for a relaxing stroll outside. Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are self-guided, so you can take as much time as you would like.
After visiting the exhibits, take a gentle stroll through Alumni Memorial Grove, a quiet little pocket of Hershey that feels almost hidden in plain sight, a small, treelined space dedicated to honoring Milton Hershey School alums. Shaded gazebos, a tranquil pond, and a delightful bridge all contribute to the calm, peaceful atmosphere. It’s also the perfect spot to rest your feet or enjoy a simple picnic before heading off to your next free Hershey experience.
Outdoor Adventures: From Trail Hikes to Lazy Afternoon by the Creek
Hershey is surrounded by genuinely beautiful countryside. After a leisurely breakfast at the inn, there’s no better way to start the day than with a scenic walk or rejuvenating hike through the rolling landscape of central Pennsylvania.
Swatara Creek
For a waterside escape, Swatara Creek offers a scenic, calm route that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon kayaking or simply sitting creekside with a good book or a picnic lunch. The access and scenery are completely free; bring your own kayak for a no-cost paddle, or find a quiet spot along the bank, close your eyes, and listen to the sound of flowing water that no spa soundtrack can ever quite recreate.
Tip: Kayak rentals are available nearby if you didn’t pack one, though those do have a cost.
Hershey Medical Center Trail System
There are 10 trails right in the Hershey area, connected to the Hershey Medical Center trail system, and they’re the perfect complement to a weekend of indulgence. Whether you want a brisk morning hike to earn that piece of dessert at dinner or a leisurely post-breakfast stroll through peaceful woodland, these well-maintained trails wind through some lovely scenery. They connect to multiple areas around town, so you can easily loop a walk into your day before heading to Chocolate World or downtown.
Wander the Free Public Areas Near Hershey Gardens
Exploring all Hershey Gardens has to offer is something you want to add to your bucket list. Still, if you don’t have much time or maybe you want a gentle stroll after dinner and dessert, you don’t need a ticket to enjoy the scenic overlook or the paths near the parking area. It sits up on a hill and offers the perfect spot for a panoramic photo of Hersheypark below. It’s truly one of the prettiest spots in town for sunrise or golden hour and is totally worth the stop.
Crossroads Antique Mall: Sometimes It’s Fun to Look
If you love the thrill of the hunt, the Crossroads Antique Mall is a two-story treasure trove that deserves a leisurely afternoon. Think curated collections of vintage china, mid-century furniture, estate jewelry, rare books, and the kind of one-of-a-kind home décor finds you’ll never see in a catalog. Browsing is completely free, and the experience feels less like shopping and more like wandering through someone’s beautifully eccentric private collection. You and your companion will inevitably challenge each other to find the most extraordinary item in the building, and you’ll both be in there far longer than you planned.
Inn On Church Road: Weekend Happy Hour
We love indulging our guests, and on weekends, we host a free happy hour. It’s a relaxed ritual usually featuring a curated house cocktail, a charcuterie board with all the good nibbles, and plenty of space to unwind after a day of exploring the many free things to do in Hershey. Whether you settle into a cozy corner of the living room, linger on the beautiful screened‑in porch, or gather around the dining room table with other guests before dinner, it’s the perfect way to ease into the evening and feel completely pampered and taken care of.
Book your stay at the Inn on Church Road, and savor all the sweet, simple, free pleasures Hershey has to offer!
