Accolades + Awards

(Updated: Sept. 2019) - PA's Hershey & Harrisburg Region and our Tourism Partners have been receiving high praise and top recognition from the travel and publishing industries for over a decade. 

2019

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

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

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

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

Best Places to Live in U.S. - Harrisburg, PA (#44 in U.S. + #1 City in PA on List for 2019)
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

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

Top 30 PA Blogs to Follow in 2019 - ExploreHBG
Feedspot

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

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

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

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

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

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)
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 2017 - the Food & Dining Division of MSN.com

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 Booklover 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 in U.S. - 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 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

10Best Theme Parks for Halloween - Hersheypark® |
10Best USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Award 2016

10Best Water Park Kids’ Area - Hersheypark®
10Best USA TODAY's 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)
10Best USA TODAY's 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)
10Best USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Award 2015

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

10Best New Amusement Park Attractions - Laff Trakk, Hersheypark® (#7)
10Best USA TODAY's 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)
10Best USA TODAY's 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®
10Best USA TODAY's 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, Newport, PA
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 - Hershey & Harrisburg Visitors Bureau
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 2012 - 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 - Hershey & Harrisburg, PA
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

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 2010 - Metro Bank Park, Harrisburg, PA
BallparkDigest.com

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

2009

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

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

The 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America 2009 - Hershey Resorts
Golf Digest

Best Local Festival 2009 - Pennsylvania Farm Show
Central Penn Parent Magazine, Readers’ Choice Award, 2009

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

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

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 - Hershey & Harrisburg, PA
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 Visit Hershey & Harrisburg 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 Rick@HersheyHarrisburg.org or cell 717.884.3328.

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 Destination Marketing since 2010, is committed to actively marketing the tourism assets in the Hershey & Harrisburg Region to business and leisure travelers both domestic & international. The bureau also leads regional sales efforts to attract meeting & event organizers, sporting event producers, and group tour leaders. For more information go to VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org or call 877-727-8573.