Roadside America- Hershey Park

Today we're looking at Hershey Park, which I'm told is in fact a local park! I was surprised to hear this, being fairly sure most folks would have heard of the worlds sweetest amusement park!

Hershey Park is located in Hershey, PA. Which is about 15 miles from Harrisburg, PA and about 100 miles from Philadelphia, PA.

We've all heard of Hershey's Chocolate and if you haven't, you've got my pity! Needless to say the chocolate from the park is fresh and so very much more tasty!  Hershey Park was owned by Chocolate Mogul, Milton Hershey and began live in 1905 when it was purchased as a pleasure area for the Hershey factory employees. It also boasts several amazing, world class roller coasters. It all began in 1923 with the Wildcat, in the 1970's Hershey Park really got into the Amusement Park game by adding the very first looping roller coaster in the east coast!
Over the years, Hershey has upped it's game into what many consider to be a hidden world class amusement park. Plenty of classic wodden coasters mingle alongside of some of the newest coaster technology.

On a personal note: If you go to Hershey, down in the valley behind Sidewinder you've find some of the best Barbeque EVER in a theme park! Plus their prices are decent and you'll have enough fuel for hours of amusement park fun!

They also have Chocolate World, which is a huge retail outlet for all the products Hershey makes. It also boasts an adorable flat-ride that gives you a good idea of how chocolate is made and always comes with a sample of Hershey's newest treat! Chocolate World is completely free for anyone to visit and browse, which is a nice added bonus if your just passing threw!

Hershey Park

Roadside America- Knoebels Grove

Good Morning!
We're still working our way threw the fun little roadside parks of America, those that are off the beaten path. The fun places often overshadowed by the industry GIANTS.

Today we're taking a peak at one of my FAVORITE little hidden gems. Knoebels Park is tucked into the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in a small town called Elysburg. Which is off Interstate 80, about 3 hours north of Philadelphia!

Knoebels began life in 1775 as "Peggy's Farm" and was offering things like "Tally-Ho" which is a destination Hayride happening on Sunday afternoons. They had a wonderful swimming hole and beautiful areas of picnics before the rides really moved in. Jumping to 1926 they put in a large swimming pool called "The Crystal Pool" which was really just a large area of the filtered stream water. They even offered up high dives for those daring enough. The same year the grand carousel moved in and since they've kept adding rides! You can read the full history on their website, which is far more in-depth then I can give!

Knoebels currently offers some amazing classic attractions including two world class wooden roller coasters: The Phoenix (Previously the Rocket from San Antonio Texas) and Twister (Based off the original Mr. Twister from Colorado). Knoebels is also the only park crazy enough to build a new "Flying Turns" coaster from scratch, the first built in 50 years! If that isn't enough to get you excited, well I can't help you!

They also have an orignal dark ride "The Haunted Mansion" which was relocated from another park and is recognized as the best traditional haunted house currently standing today!
The Grand Carousel still has the "Brass Ring" which you can take a grab at from their outside horses, to my knowledge this is the only carousel left in the country with this blast from the past our parents remember. I can't tell you how much silly fun it is, even as an adult, to try and catch that golden ring for a free ride!

In case you didn't notice, Knoebels loves to take the cast-offs from other parks and give them the beauty and life these attractions deserve. Not replace them with the newest thing. Their newest addition is "Black Diamond" which was relocated from Morey's Peirs in Wildwood, NJ.

If your ever near by, Knoebels is a classic park with attractions for all ages. They still run off a ticket system or you can purchase an unlimited ride band. So you can ride as much or as little as you really want! So make sure you swing by and enjoy this hidden gem!

 

Knoebels Grove