The Hershey Story Museum

63 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

Address:	63 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Phone:	+1 717-534-8939
Site:	hersheystory.org
Rating:	4.4
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Scott Miller

The Hershey Story Museum is an excellent experience for those who like history. Or chocolate. Or chocolate and history! The museum is divided, essentially, into three main areas...the museum itself, the chocolate lab, and the chocolate tasting. The museum has a number of interactive elements and is replete with historical information on Milton Hershey and the chocolate empire he created. The museum has quite a few historical artifacts, ranging from a family bible to a copper bathtub from the early factory, to the deposit Hershey made for a ticket to the Titanic (which he fortunately missed!). This is a treasure trove for history buffs. The Chocolate lab is just that...you get to see how chocolate is created, and there are a number of different chocolate items that can be created in the various classes...from a standard chocolate bar to smores. This is great for families with kids in that you get to sit in class and make your own creation and eat it right there, or take it with you for later. The final element is the chocolate tasting. You can purchase up to 6 different liquid chocolates from various places around the world, including Mexico, Venezuela, and Ghana. Each chocolate contains a different amount of cacao, expressed as a percentage..higher equals darker chocolate. Personally, Indonesian/Java and Venezuelan were my favorites. This brings us to pricing. The Hershey Story museum is a great experience, but, to me, is overpriced. Especially the chocolate tasting. The 6 samples (all in shot glasses) runs $10 (as of June, 2016). The museum has a separate entry price, as does the chocolate lab. Just like cable, if you bundle, its cheaper than a la carte. If there werent coupons avaiable, or frequent Groupon offers for the tour, Id have to ding it at least one star. However, a simple Google search will usually yield at least several offers and coupons. Other miscellaneous stuff....the facility is very nice, with a decent if slightly overpriced gift shop. Parking is free, and the lot is right next to the building. The museum is in downtown Hershey, PA, and is very close to Hersheypark (within a 3 minute drive). All in all, Id definitely recommend the experience, but make sure you dont pay full price for it.

Don Dude

If you visiting Hershey, take the time to stop in here. It is not a huge time commitment, you learn a lot about a pretty good guy who lived the American dream! It is pretty much self guided at your own pace, though there a few folks around to answer questions if you want. Dont screw around...Just go for the museum and chocolate lab package. You get to listen to a couple fun little ladies tell you about cocao beans and you get to make your own little personal chocolate bar. Nothing fancy, but some great Americana here. Take it in. Make sure to stop in for the (drinkable) chocolate tasting before you leave. You will be impressed by the wide variation of the flavors. A great place to bring the kids or connect with your own inner kid if you dont have any or yours are long gone!

Miriam Leon

High everyone, inspite of the fact that I have never been here personally I highly recommend the chocolate kisses with almons and the chocolate bars with almonds, as well as the chocolate bars with cookie crumbs, and the crunch chocolate bars, which are to die for! I also love the fact that you can buy these candies at superior or at any other store in the world. I hope that this company stays in business forever so that all future generations can get to enjoy these delicious candies just as much as we have. Congratulations everybody for making such tasty candies and keep up the great work. Thank you very much for everything and have a very happy life.

Jason Emes

We could not believe its $10 to get in to here. And the thing that actually looked fun (chocolate lab) costs extra. Luckily, we had a groupon for $3 each and we still felt it was a waste of money. Its basically one big room with some interactive things scattered around (which are pretty lame to be honest). It could be free and I would never go back. We spent a total of 12 minutes and were done with this place (and we are educated professionals who appreciate education and history). Chocolate World is WAYYYYYY better and its free to get in.

Stephen Blake

The Hershey Story Museum was very informative about the history of Milton Hershey, as well as the company and town that he built. It took us about 45 minutes to get through the main part of the museum. There was an additional display downstairs that was included in the cost of the museum. We took part in the chocolate lab as well, making out own chocolate bar and hearing a good history of chocolate as well as the basics of what it takes to make it from start (cacao tree) to finish.

Crystal Elliott

We visited the museum but did not pay for the lab. It was clean, well laid out, interesting facts (we enjoyed the time line of everything that has happen while Hershey was been selling chocolate). I only knock off a star for not being particularly kid friendly. They do offer a hands on kid location but even in that area, we felt afraid to make much noise. If you really want to come and learn about the history of Hershey chocolate, we suggest leaving the kids with a sitter.

Kyree Anderson

Visited in may and It was okay. The tour was so so for the $10 dollars we paid per person. However, I was very upset with the service we received the man at the desk was rude to my husband we wanted to know how to get to the tour; the man slapped a slip on the desk and told him to follow it. We are from Tennessee and have no idea of the roads, we just needed some guidance. We did however love the tasting. I give it 5 stars, Damer was good, loved chatting with her.

Dena Johnston

The kids were bored here. It is a lot of stopping and reading. I was bored, too. I probably wont go back. Admission is free, but there are activities that you can pay for in the building such as a flight if chocolate drinks from around the world. They have a small gift shop. The good news is that it is close to everything in the town so you wont go way out of your way to check it out for yourself. If you love history, it may be right up your alley.

Blake Newman

Interesting history of the entrepreneur behind Hershey and the various artifacts and historical relevancy. There is a candy making class that also has lessons in history and geography. PRO TIP: free parking here and a free shuttle bus to front gate of Hershey Park. Park here and you can save time and money getting to the park after you tour the museum. There is also a Peets Coffee and Hershey Pantry cafe. Also a museum store here.

DJ Wyandt

The museum part offers a self-guided tour of the history of the Hershey company and town. The Chocolate Lab provides a chocolate making experience and education on the process in 45 minute classes. The Tastings bar allows you to sample up to six types of chocolates used and cultivated throughout the world. The Pantry Cafe offers small meals, cafe drinks, and Hershey themed deserts.

Dave Yoder

The hot coco tasting from around the world is well worth the cost. It was amazing the taste differences between them. The worker exhibit is hands on and very interesting and entertaining. My wife and I both enjoyed it as well as my 3 and 4 year old girls. Upstairs there was a scavenger hunt my kids had a lot of fun doing. You had to find different items around the museum.