Hershey, PA is one of my absolute favorite local destinations. So this weekend when the grandparents suggested we go for a day out, it was at the top of my list of suggestions. This trip was Angus’ first time in Hershey and the first time the boys went with this set of grandparents! Let’s go to Hershey’s Chocolate World!
On Our Way
To start the day, we got ourselves pulled together and out the door before noon. The boys, as usual, slept in the car and had a nice nap. I had the chance to talk to my dad (the car is one of my favorite places since it usually give me the chance for some adult conversation) and my stepmom hung out in the back (and probably stared adoringly at her grandbabies the whole way). We went straight to Chocolate World when we got in the area but decided to go eat lunch first as we pulled in. So, back out we went and over to the nearby Tanger Outlets plaza to go to Red Robin (yummmm) for lunch.
Red Robin was tasty as always. I had their veggie burger with a side salad. Mini got mac and cheese with fries. Angus had some mama milk. Service was great. Food was great. Two thumbs up. I would be slacking in the honest motherhood department if I didn’t mention that Mini had a near meltdown waiting for the food and I had to go take him for a walk outside while we waited. And I did have some technical difficulties nursing Angus because the booth was very tight. But overall- a good time. Mini even got a balloon. (We had to trade it out for a different balloon on the way out because he said it made his hair static. Toddler life.)
On to Chocolate World
So, after lunch we headed back to HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD and unloaded all of us. I popped Angus in our Boba 4gs and Mini got in his umbrella stroller (which, by the way, is not worth bringing in because you can’t bring the stroller inside the building. There is stroller parking outside of the building if you’re popping in Chocolate World on a visit to the parks or new shopping area.) Once inside Chocolate World, we headed straight to the chocolate tour- where you learn exactly how Hershey’s chocolate is made and get a free mini candy bar at the end! It’s kind of a tradition any time I go to Hershey. I must ride the chocolate tour ride. Even though I’ve seen it a million times, I must ride the chocolate tour ride. Mini enjoys it. Angus slept through it. The grandparents enjoyed experiencing it with their grandbabies. The usual.
Trolley Tour
After that, we decided to check in with the TROLLEY TOUR, which is a historical tour through Hershey on an enclosed trolley. We were just in time to hop on the trolley that was currently loading up to head out. Originally, grandma is the one who wanted to do it. I have been on the trolley tour before (as well as the holly jolly trolley, which was a lot of fun) but I love it and I’m always up to go again.
We all really enjoyed it. We got a bunch of candy. Mini fell asleep halfway through the tour. Angus slept for almost all of it except when he was nursing discreetly in the Boba. It was nice and relaxing fun and educational for the adults. And I love learning about Mr Hershey. (Did you know he started in the candy business- and failed twice- with making caramels? That he had only the equivalent of a 4th grade education? Have you ever read the wrapper on a Hershey bar and taken time to learn about the Milton Hershey School?) He was an incredible man and an inspiration.
Treats for All
If you’ve ever been to Hershey’s Chocolate World, you know that it’s essentially just a giant gift shop. We wandered the racks and shelves after our tour, checking out all the goods. Shockingly, Mini did not grab everything in sight and instead went home empty-handed. Grandma, on the other hand, did find a mug to add to her collection and commemorate the trip.
We all know you can’t go to Hershey without getting some kind of sweet treat so our final stop was over in the Hershey’s Kitchens food hall and bakery area to grab something for each of us, except Angus (obviously). I got a really tasty melted hot chocolate, grandma got a cookie dough cup, and Mini got a chocolate cookie. Mini got cranky while we were sitting there, I think from being woken up from his trolley ride nap. Since we were on the edge of meltdown mode, we decided that we’d had a nice day and to end it on a good note.
On the Road Again
Grandma and I took the boys to the bathroom to get them changed. I nursed Angus one more time. Pappy pulled the car around and we loaded in. No trip with two small children is complete without a few bumps and delays, though. We did have to pull over so that I could give Angus a little extra milk. The ride home after that was uneventful.
We got home, enjoyed dinner, and had a fantastic night’s sleep filled with Hershey Kiss dreams. We ran into the usual hiccups of traveling with little ones but ultimately had a really fun time during our first trip to Hershey’s Chocolate World with Angus! Want to read more of our adventures? Check out OUR ADVENTURES and join the NEWSLETTER list for monthly updates!
