Hershey Park and Campground Review

This summer my family decided that instead of going camping in Lake George like we had done the past two summers we would try something new.  We didn't want to travel too far having young children so we decided to go to Hershey Park!

We usually tent when we camp but since the family we were going with had a baby we asked my in-laws if we could borrow their truck and pop-up camper.  After a quick lesson with his dad hubby was ready for the 3 1/2 hour ride to Hershey, PA!

Hersheypark Camping Resort has cabins and various hookup sites.  The campsite we chose was all by itself at the end of the loop, which was great for keeping an eye on the kids.  Check in was pretty quick and the moms and kids left the dads to set up camp while we went shopping for groceries.

We only bought tickets for the park for one day but Hershey has a fantastic program that when you stay at one of their properties you can enter the park the night before for a few hours of fun.  We laid low the first night and caught lightning bugs and ate smores.

The next day we ate breakfast at the campsite and had lunch at The Soda Jerk Diner and Dairy Bar.  They had a great '50's atmosphere and huge portions of great home cooked food!  Next up, Hershey's Chocolate World!

Admission to Hershey's Chocolate World is free which includes Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour Ride.  It's a simulated factory tour that shows the life of chocolate from bean to Hershey's chocolate.  We paid extra for the 4D movie The Great Chocolate Factory Mystery.  My son loved it!  He was truly convinced that the factory was under attack!

We returned that evening to the campground to make dinner and head into the park for our extra hours.  The park was not busy and we were able to get on a lot of rides, including some big coasters for the grownups!

The following morning after breakfast we got on the bus (another perk to staying on property) and headed into the park.  We started off on some dry rides and as it got hotter we headed over to the water park.  We had our strollers but grabbed a locker for our wallets and purses.  This was the hit of the trip.  The kids went nuts!  This park was truly designed with children in mind.

Each area was fenced in so it was easy to keep tabs on everyone.  Life jackets were available in several sizes at no extra charge.  The lifeguards were on point and actively scanning the whole area which was wonderful piece of mind.

We ate lunch in the water park area so we didn't have to change out of our suits.  The kids quickly devoured their chicken strips and french fries and were back in the water!  Once we were ready to get back on some dry rides we changed in the very clean and open changing station.  The kids snoozed with dad while the moms hit a few rides.

We had dinner in the Pioneer Frontier area and there was something for everyone.  We had Mexican and it was very reasonably priced for park food.  We finished off the night with a train ride that all of us could go on together.  Got to love my son's meltdown . . .

Overall, it was a great stay.  The campground was clean and staff was friendly.  The parks were well thought out for families with children of all ages.  We all agreed that we wished we had more time to spend here and that next time we will take more time off!!

Vacation!

So our annual camping trip is coming up!  Yay!  We will be camping at a new location this year with another family and we are all very excited.  We have been going camping with them every year for the past few years now and everyone has a great time.  This year is different though because our friends have a baby!  We are borrowing my in-laws pop-up camper to make things a little easier and give us some better sleeping arrangements.  I have never been to this new destination so I am really looking forward to it.  I will be sure to post some pictures and probably review the experience as a whole.

So tell me, are you going on vacation this summer?

Here are some pictures from our trip to Lake George last year.

Free Hostel World Pocket Guide Review

I was referred to check out this site Hostelworld.com.  It's a site that offers cheap lodging in many major cities.  One of the great tools they also have on their site are their Pocket Guides.  They have a pocket guides for 6 continents. (guess there isn't much to do in Antarctica)

Here is the description from their site:

"Are you sick of carrying around heavy guidebooks? Would you like to have a comprehensive, compact guide that is small enough to carry in your pocket?  Well now you can because Hostelworld.com is giving away Free PDF pocket guides for all of our top cities!"

Hostel World Pocket Guides are easy to download (as long as you have Adobe Reader) and print out very nicely.  It can also be easily folded so it is not so cumbersome.  I downloaded the guide for NYC only because that is the city I am most familiar with.  I just read through it, took me about 15 minutes.  Even though I have been to different parts of NYC countless times I want to go be a tourist!

This guide is broken down into 10 different sections.

The Essentials and Climate

The Essentials which includes transportation information on getting there as well as getting around.   Climate briefly describes what the weather is like throughout the year.   Don't Miss which has 5 must see attractions.  Mark Your Calendar has an event for almost every single month of the year (nothing in February).

New York for Free and A Day in New York

New York for Free lists 5 things to do that don't cost any money.  A Day in New York plans out a day for you with 9 stops that will give you a little taste of everything.  Neighborhood Watch has a short description of 4 very distinct neighborhoods that NY is known for.  Retail Therapy maps out 5 ways you can satisfy that shopping need.  Cheap Eats lists 5 places that you can get amazing food for reasonable prices.  After Dark has 6 different places with great night life.

 I can honestly say that this guide is great.  I have always wanted to go to NYC and "be a tourist" but since we live so close I feel like we take it for granted.  Sure I've been to Broadway plays, Times Square, been to museums but I now feel like there is so much I have missed out on.  I have never been to Central Park, Top of the Rock or the Brooklyn Bridge.  I feel so silly!

NYC is definitely a family friendly city if you know where to go.  There is so much to do you will be planning your next trip back while you are still there!

Now I want to check out some of the other guides they have and maybe plan a long weekend getaway!

What is your all time favorite city?

Click here to get your free Pocket Guide!