25+ Things to do on Chocolate Ave.

Known as “The Most Impressive Theatre in Pennsylvania,” Hershey Theatre delights guests not just with its renowned performances but its striking décor and rich history. Inside you’ll find gold adornments, breathtaking tile work, and art that tells a story. When you’re in town for a touring Broadway show, comedian, musician, or the Hershey Symphony, arrive early to marvel at the beautiful venue. Schedule a Spotlight Tour (available Fridays only with some event exceptions) featuring a guided walk through history, an examination of the building’s features, and a behind-the-scenes peek of the venue. 

Get pampered at MeltSpa by HersheySM 

Unwind with a decadent Hershey’s Dark Chocolate spa treatment at MeltSpa by HersheySM. Look and feel your best with a rejuvenating facial and salon services from head to toe. Before and after your appointment, put your feet up in their relaxation room and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and chocolate samples. 

Explore the 11-acre ZooAmerica® 

Even though admission to ZooAmerica® North American Wildlife Park is often associated with Hersheypark®, the zoo is open year-round and accessible from its Downtown Hershey entrance. Stroll through this indoor/outdoor attraction, home to more than 200 creatures from five regions. See alligators from the Southern Swamps, black bears of the Eastern Woodlands, elk of Big Sky Country, wolves of the Northlands, and desert reptiles of the Great Southwest. 

Cheers with a Long Island iced tea pitcher at Houlihan’s 

In addition to a crowd-pleasing food menu, Houlihan’s is known for its supersized Long Island Iced Tea (LIT) pitchers. Go Classic, Top Shelf, or creative flavors like Peach, Tennessee (with Jack Daniels), or Texas (with tequila). We also recommend a mini Martini flight or a chips & dip flight for happy hour snacking. 

Order a beer flight at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Cheers for beers at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, who brews their balanced craft beers just steps from the bar. Chocolate fans will enjoy the Pig Iron® Porter with roasted malt flavors and chocolate notes. If you can’t decide, order a beer flight of their signature brews or some of the try-it-before-they’re-gone seasonal varieties. Not just a brewery, Iron Hill’s casual yet upscale restaurant menu features entrees, salads, sandwiches, and steakhouse favorites, perfectly plated to pair with your pints. They also have one of Hershey’s largest kids menus with dozens of entrée/side combinations to try and house-made ice cream for dessert.

Shop savory snacks at Beef Jerky Experience

Yep. This store, Beef Jerky Experience, is dedicated entirely to your favorite snack featuring more than 100 varieties and flavors including wild game like venison and buffalo. You can also shop for sauces, rubs, and flavored popcorn and peanuts.

Visit Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square

Open Thursday through Sunday, Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square is full of vendors offering locally-grown produce, meats, baked goods, craft beer and spirits, and more unique culinary delights. The renovated building once housed the Hershey Post Office, and the new market returns the historic building to a hub of activity!

Play a round at Spring Creek Golf Course

Spring Creek is one of the region’s oldest courses, built by Milton S. Hershey in 1932. This 9-hole course is 2,200 yards, par 33, with impressive slopes and the Spring Creek flowing through it. The course is perfect for golf novices, families with kids, or those looking to get a quick game in while you’re visiting.

Try the best breakfast in town at The Hershey Pantry

Start your day sunny side up at The Hershey Pantry, voted the best breakfast in Central PA for 20 years running. Favorite menu items include Italian Stuffed French Toast, Crab Florentine Eggs, or one of their seasonal chef specialties like Pumpkin Pancakes or Eggplant Benedict.

Sip craft spirits at Hidden Still  

Hidden Still Spirits Distillery & Restaurant is one of the most recent renovation and revitalization success stories in Hershey. Hidden Still made extensive updates to the old Hershey Recycling facility so that guests could enjoy the food and craft spirits menu in a beautiful, open-concept restaurant and bar space. Proudly distilling a line of David E. Bourbon, Hidden Stills is committed to grain-to-glass excellence.  

Drive by the H.B. Reese Candy Company 

This factory is the birthplace of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, one of your all-time favorite chocolate treats. They don’t offer tours, so you’ll have to imagine all the chocolate-peanut butter goodness that’s happening inside! 

Downtown Hershey has ample free parking options, including two parking garages. The Hershey Downtown Parking Garage is accessible from N. Linden Road and provided easy access to The Hershey Story, Houlihan’s, and Devon. ZooAmerica has a parking lot, but you can also park in the garage and walk over via an access tunnel. Behind the shops at Hershey Towne Square, there’s another parking garage, accessible from Ridge Road. If you're visiting Chocolate Ave spots outside of Downtown Hershey, most locations have their own parking lots.