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ACCOLADES 2020: We're being called names & we love it.

(Updated: Feb. 2020) - PA's Hershey & Harrisburg Region has been receiving high praise and top recognition from the travel and publishing industries for more than a decade.

2020

Top 5 Affordable Things to Do in Each State - Lake Tobias Wildlife Park (#1 for PA)
MSN.com, 2020

Eating Vegan in PA Bucket List – The Vegetable Hunter - Harrisburg, PA
PA Eats, 2020

2019

Top Live Music + Event Venues in the World - Based on Annual Ticket Sales
Pollstar Magazine, 2020​

  • Hersheypark Stadium (Stadium Category: #13 of 200 Worldwide // #2 in U.S.)
  • Hershey Theatre (Theatre Category: #77 Worldwide)
  • Giant Center (Arena Category: #140 Worldwide)

Most Instagrammable Place in Pennsylvania – Hersheypark
The Beacon, 2019

Top Places to Spend Christmas on the East Coast - Hershey, PA
Trips to Discover, 2019

12 Best Places to Visit This Holiday Season - Hershey, PA
Visitor Guard, 2019

PA Farm Show 2019 - Winner of 8 IAFE Awards
International Associations of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), 2019

10 Best Family Vacations in the Northeast - Hershey, PA
Trips To Discover, 2019

Best Attractions for Car Enthusiasts - Mecum Auctions (#2) + AACA Museum in Hershey (#5)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2019

Best Executive Retreat - The Hotel Hershey
Smart Meetings, 2019

10 Alternative Theme Parks (to Disney) for Families - Hersheypark
LonelyPlanet.com, 2019

Best Theme Parks in U.S. - Hersheypark (#12)
Travel + Leisure magazine, 2019

Best Places to Live in U.S. - Harrisburg, PA 
Ranked #44 in U.S. + #1 City in Pennsylvania.
U.S. News & World Report, 2019

Top 5 Best Brewery Tours in America - Tröegs Independent Brewing (#4)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2019

15 Most Affordable Theme Parks in America - Hersheypark (#14)
HomeToGo.com, 2019

Top Food Cities in U.S. by State - Hershey, PA
Yelp, 2019

Top 30 PA Blogs to Follow in 2019 - ExploreHBG
Feedspot, 2019

America's Median County - Dauphin County, PA
Echelon Insights "Counties Most Representative of the U.S. as a Whole" Report, 2019

2018

5 Best Minor League Sports Cities in the Country - Hershey, PA
Livability.com, 2018

8 Holiday Light Displays You Don't Want to Miss - Hershey Sweet Lights
Travel Channel, 2018

10 Greatest Car Museums in USA 2018 - AACA Antique Auto Museum in Hershey
AutoClassics.com, 2018

Best Historic Resort 2018 - The Hotel Hershey
Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, 2018

7 Theme Parks to Visit for Thanksgiving Hersheypark
Travel Channel, 2018

25 Best Family Weekend Getaways with Kids (Northeast Region) Hershey, PA
TripAdvisor.com, 2018

Best Visitors Bureau in PA (Population under 300,000) Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Meetings + Events Magazine Readers' Choice, 2018

10 Best Amusement Parks in America – Hersheypark
MONEY Magazine, 2018

50 Cities Every American Should See Harrisburg, PA
Budget Travel, 2018

10Best Brewery Tours – Troegs Independent Brewing
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2018

Top 10 Small U.S. Cities for Green Space Harrisburg, PA
National Geographic, 2018

America's Best Espresso Little Amps Coffee Roasters
Coffee Fest Baltimore, 2018

10 Best Car Shows You Won't Want to Miss The Elegance at Hershey
CarRentals.com, 2018

12 Best Automobile Museums in U.S. AACA Museum in Hershey
Road & Track Magazine, 2018

50 Best Places to Live in the America Harrisburg, PA (#34)
U.S. News & World Report, 2018

2017

Best Visitors Bureau in PA (Population under 300,000) Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Meetings + Events Magazine Readers' Choice, 2017

25 Most Festive Holiday Towns Hershey, PA
CarRentals.com, 2017

America's Most Dazzling Holiday Light Displays Koziar's Christmas Village
Travel Channel, 2017

2017 PA Historic Preservation Public Impact Award The Millworks
Preservation Pennsylvania, 2017 

Best of Meeting Facilities in Eastern U.S. Hershey Resorts
The Hotel Hershey & Hershey Lodge

Meetings Today magazine Readers' Choice, 2017

TOP10 Minor League Sports Market in the Nation 2017 (#7)
Hershey & Harrisburg Region

Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal, 2017

Best Places to Retire - Harrisburg, PA (#38 of 100)
U.S. News & World Report, 2017

5 Coolest Breweries in U.S. - Troegs Independent Brewing - Hershey, PA
MR PORTER / MRPorter.com (UK), 2017

Best BBQ Joint in Pennsylvania - ShakeDown BBQ
LoveFood.com - the Food & Dining Division of MSN.com, 2017

10Best Car Shows - The Elegance at Hershey
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2017

Top 100 Restaurants in the Country - The Millworks in Harrisburg
OpenTable, 2017

One of America's Ultimate Wine Regions 2017 - South Central PA
Expedia.com, 2017

Best Amusement Parks for Families - Hersheypark®
Family Vacation Critic - Family Travel Site for TripAdvisor.com, 2017

Top Attraction in PA 2017 - Hersheypark®
TripAdvisor.com, 2017

15 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in PA
The Hotel Hershey (#3) The Inn at Westwynd Farm (#14)
TheCrazyTourist.com, 2017

Best Cities for Millennials to Live - Harrisburg, PA
Growella.com, 2017

The World's Most Unusual Amusement Parks - Hersheypark®
Travel Channel, 2017

12 American Theme Parks You Need to Check Out - Hersheypark®
POPSUGAR.com, 2017

Top 17 of 2017's New Amusement Park Attractions - Hershey Triple Tower
LA Times, 2017

100 Best Places to Live in the USA Harrisburg, PA (#34)
U.S. News & World Report, 2017

13 Independent Bookstores Every Book Lover Should Visit in the U.S.
The Midtown Scholar Bookstore

Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2017

Top Hotels Around the World Catering to Chocolate Fanatics Hotel Hershey
Oyster.com Travel, 2017

2016

Best Small Hotel in PA w/ Meeting & Event Space – Warehouse Hotel at the Nook
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Large Hotel in PA w/ Meeting & Event Space – Hershey Lodge
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Casino in PA – Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Historic Venue in PA – Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Winery in PA w/ Event Space – Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Restaurant in PA w/ Private Dining Space – Forklift & Palate at the Nook
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

Best Transportation Provider in PA – Premiere #1 Limousine Service
PA Meetings + Events Magazine, 2016

10 Best Amusement Parks in U.S. – Hersheypark®
Huffington Post, 2016

Best Places to Live - Harrisburg, PA (#25 of 100)
U.S. News & World Report, 2016

The Best Summer Beers for Men – Zeroday Brewing Company: Mango Hab(anero) Pale Ale
Men's Health, 2016

Most Picturesque ‘Swing State’ Capitols – PA Capitol Complex
LawnStarter.com, 2016

Pastry Chef of the Year 2016 – Chef Cher Harris, Hershey Resort
American Culinary Federation, 2016

AAA Four Diamond Award 2016 – The Hotel Hershey (since 1980) & The Circular (since 1988)
AAA (Automobile Association of America), 2016

Forbes Four Star Award 2016 – The Hotel Hershey (since 1986) & The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
Forbes, 2016

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2016 – The Circular (since 1996) & Devon (since 2010)
Wine Spectator, 2016

Luxury Spas Roundup 2016 – The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
TravelChannel.com, 2016

Top 12 Hotel Spas in Northeast U.S. in 2016 – The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
The Huffington Post, 2016

Historic Hotels with Cutting-Edge Spas – The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
The Wall Street Journal, 2016

Top Family Amusement Parks – Hersheypark®
Travel Channel, 2016

Most Popular Amusement Parks – Hersheypark®
MSN.com, 2016

14 Holiday Amusement Parks – Hersheypark®
Pete Trabuco, Amusement Park expert & broadcaster, 2016

10Best Theme Parks for Halloween – Hersheypark®
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2016

10Best Water Park Kids’ Area – Hersheypark®
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2016

20 Most Visited Theme Parks – Hersheypark®
USA TODAY, 2016

Top 10 Amusement Parks – Hersheypark®
Better Homes & Gardens, 2016

15 Best Amusement Parks in the World – Hersheypark®
Fodor’s Travel, 2016

Top Weekend Getaways from Washington, DC – Hersheypark®
About.com, 2016

Top Attendance in American Hockey League – Hershey Bears
#1 for 10th Consecutive Year

American Hockey League, 2016

Most Unique Foodie Experience in PA – Hershey’s® Chocolate World
Food Tripping by Huffington Post & Zagat, 2016

Top Beer Venues in the World – Troegs Brewery (#11)
UnTappd, 2016

Top 9 Indoor Sports Facilities in U.S. for 2016 – Spooky Nook
SPG Sports Planning Guide, 2016

10Best Car Shows – The Elegance at Hershey (#6)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2016

10 Reasons to Visit PA – The Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show
UncoveringPA.com, 2016

45 Must-Visit Breweries in America – Troegs
TheBuzzBin, 2016

Five Best Craft Breweries in U.S. – Troegs (#2)
Culture CheatSheet® , 2016

Certificate of Excellence 2016 – Antique Automobile Museum
TripAdvisor.com, 2016

2015

100 Top Group Destinations in North America - Koziar's Christmas Village
American Bus Association, 2015

10 Best Restaurant Towns In PA 2015 – Hershey (#5) & Harrisburg (#6)
OnlyInYourState.com, 2015

Best Beer Hubs for Brewery-Bound Travelers – Hershey, PA (#12)
BeerAliens.com, 2015

10Best Theme Park Halloween Events – Hersheypark® In The Dark (#7)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2015

10Best Food Factory Tours – Hershey’s® Chocolate World (#4)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2015

10Best New Amusement Park Attractions – Laff Trakk, Hersheypark® (#7)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2015

Best Amusement Parks for Families – Hersheypark® (#4 of 10)
Family Vacation Critic, 2015 (TripAdvisor’s Family Travel Site)

Top Underrated Amusement Parks to Visit Before You Die
Hersheypark® (#17 of 26) – BuzzFeed.com, 2015

10 Best Amusement Parks for 2015 – Hersheypark® (#2)
Fodor’s Travel, 2015

10 Best Theme Parks 2015 – Hersheypark® (#2)
Better Homes and Gardens, 2015

2014

Top Craft Breweries in Nation – Troegs Brewing Company (#44)
Brewers Association Report, 2014

Top 10 – U.S. Bed and Breakfasts 2014 – The Inn at Westwynd Farm
BedandBreakfast.com, 2014

10Best Brewery Tours in U.S. – Troegs, Hershey, PA (#6)
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2014

Top 25 Amusement Parks in U.S. – Hersheypark® (#18)
TripAdvisor.com, Travelers’ Choice Award, 2014

Top 5 Theme Parks in America – Hersheypark®
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Award, 2014

Best Views in PA: Millersburg Ferry Crossing on the Susquehanna River (#6)
Pennlive.com, 2014

Most LGBT-Friendly Cities in America 2014: Harrisburg, PA (#11)
Vocativ.com, 2014

Top 5 Best Places to Vacation While Pregnant: Hershey, PA
ModernMom.com, 2014

Top Family Friendly Places to Fish in U.S.: Little Buffalo State Park
TakeMeFishing.org, 2014

2013

Best Cities for Young Families in PA: Hershey, PA
NerdWallet.com, November 2013

Worthiest Minor League Ballpark of a Road Trip: Metro Bank Park, Harrisburg, PA
Huffington Post, 2013

World’s Top Convention Centers: PA Farm Show Complex. Harrisburg, PA
Trade Show Executive Magazine, 2013

Places & Planners to Watch in the New Year
SportsEvents Magazine, Readers’ Choice Award, 2013

Top 10 States for Student Travel in U.S. – Pennsylvania
Teach & Travel magazine, 2013

2012

High Standards of Professionalism and Quality Service
Hershey & Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau

SportsEvents Magazine, Readers’ Choice Award, 2012

Top 10 Destination Marketing Organizations in Eastern U.S.
Hershey & Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau

Groups Today magazine, Readers’ Choice Award, 2012

2011

#1 Minor League Sports Market in the Nation 2009 & 2011
Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal*

Top 10 Destinations for Family Fun – Hershey, PA (#7)
TripAdvisor.com, Traveler’s Choice Family List, 2011

Top 10 Best Golf Courses to Play in PA – Hershey Links & Hershey Country Club
Golfweek magazine, 2011

2010

America’s Most Livable Cities 2009 (#12) & 2010 (#5) – Harrisburg, PA
Forbes.com, 2010

100 Top Places to Live in America – Harrisburg, PA
Relocate America, 2007, 2009, 2010

Sweetest Attraction In America – Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction
Travel Advisor, 2010

Renovation of the Year – Metro Bank Park, Harrisburg, PA
Ballpark Digest (BallparkDigest.com), 2010

Top 10 Cities in America for Business – Harrisburg, PA
Marketwatch.com, 2010

2009

Top 50 Family Hotels in US/Canada – The Hotel Hershey
Travel + Leisure, 2009

Top 25 Hotel Spas in Continental US/Canada – The Spa At The Hotel Hershey
Travel + Leisure, 2009

The 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America – Hershey Resorts
Golf Digest, 2009

Best Local Festival – PA Farm Show
Central Penn Parent Magazine, Readers’ Choice Award, 2009

PA Preservation Award – Harrisburg’s Historic District Design & Preservation Guide
Preservation PA, 2009

Best of Hershey Award in Entertainment Service – Hershey Theatre
US Commerce Association (USCA), 2009

40 Strongest U.S. Metro Economies – Harrisburg, PA
BusinessWeek, 2009

Prior to 2009

Top 5 Best Cities to Retire – Harrisburg, PA
Kiplinger’s Magazine, 2007

Top 25 of the Best Green Places – Harrisburg, PA
Country Home Magazine, 2007

Top 10 Ultimate Hockey Experiences in North America – Hershey, PA
ESPN.com, 2006

Top Ten Most Affordable U.S. Meeting Locations
GetThere magazine, 2006

South Central PA is Keystone to Major Markets in Mid-Atlantic and Canada

The Hershey Harrisburg Region in south central PA is strategically located close to major domestic and international markets. Forty percent (40%) of the U.S. population and more than sixty percent (60%) of Canada’s population live within a 500-mile radius of the HH Region. An extensive inter-modal transportation system of highways, railroads, ports and airports easily moves people and goods to these vital markets. Consider the opportunities when you are within several hours to a one-day drive from some of the richest consumer and industrial markets within the United States and Canada. Not only are these vast markets, but doing business in the region has never been easier. – Source: SmartMarket.org.

*Consecutive biennial awards from Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal

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MEDIA INTERVIEWS

Mary Smith, President & CEO of the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau is available for media interviews regarding the contents of this news release. Please try to make interview requests at least 12-hours in advance. The bureau will make every effort to accommodate all interview requests. Contact AllisonR@hersheyharrisburg.org for requests. 

ABOUT VISIT HERSHEY & HARRISBURG

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is the official non-profit partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) leading economic growth through destination sales, consumer marketing, public relations, and tourism development in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The organization, accredited by Destinations International since 2010, is committed to actively marketing the tourism assets in the Hershey & Harrisburg Region to business and leisure travelers both domestic and international. The bureau also leads regional sales efforts to attract meeting and event organizers, sporting event producers, and group tour leaders. For more go to VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org or call 877-727-8573.

Author: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg
3211 North Front Street, Suite 301 A, Harrisburg, PA 17110