Regional industry museum

The Hershey Story

About 6 mi from the depot

An accessible downtown Hershey museum that connects Milton Hershey’s business failures and chocolate machinery with the company town, school, philanthropy, and global sugar story.

The place

About The Hershey Story

The Hershey Story uses objects, machinery, media, and interactive exhibits to trace Milton S. Hershey’s path from failed early businesses to mass-produced milk chocolate. The story continues beyond the candy company into the planned town, Milton Hershey School, and the trust that inherited much of his fortune.

Industrial artifacts such as a conche and granite roller make the manufacturing story especially useful after a heritage-train ride. Temporary exhibits change, so historic gallery photographs on this page are labeled as past displays rather than promises about what is currently installed.

Visitors can add a 45-minute Chocolate Lab class or a drinking-chocolate tasting to the core Museum Experience. Lab seats are sold at the admissions desk for the current day, children must be at least five, and ingredient or sensory needs should be reviewed before purchase.

What stands out

Chocolate machinery up close

A conche, granite roller, and related objects explain how industrial equipment changed chocolate production.

The town and school story

The museum connects the business to Hershey’s planned community and philanthropic legacy.

Optional hands-on add-ons

Chocolate Lab classes and tastings can turn the history museum into a longer family experience.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad trip

The museum broadens an M&H trip from railroad and canal infrastructure into another central-Pennsylvania industry. Its past Cuba exhibit also documented the Hershey Cuba Railroad, an unusually direct rail connection, while the permanent machinery keeps the pairing meaningful even when that temporary exhibit is not on view.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursThe museum publishes daily 2026 hours by month, with shorter winter days and special Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas closures.
  • AdmissionMuseum Experience, Chocolate Lab, combined, tasting, and discount prices are published separately. Tickets are purchased on arrival rather than online.
  • Time neededAllow about 60–75 minutes for the Museum Experience. Add 45 minutes for a Chocolate Lab class plus transition time.
  • AccessibilityAn accessible entrance is on the Linden Avenue side by Lisa’s Café. The museum has an elevator, loaner manual wheelchairs, captioned videos, sensory backpacks, and advance ASL interpretation for programs.
  • ParkingFree parking is in the public garage directly behind the museum; enter from Linden Road.
  • Chocolate LabDay-of seats are limited, children must be at least five, and the lab is not allergen-free. Review the current schedule and ingredient guidance before committing.

Closest family attraction

Add Indian Echo Caverns

Take a guided 45-minute walk below the Swatara corridor, then use the picnic and seasonal family areas above ground.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy Hershey Story tickets online?

General Museum Experience and Chocolate Lab tickets are sold on arrival. Chocolate Lab seats are limited and available for the current day only.

How long does the museum take?

Plan 60–75 minutes for the Museum Experience. Add 45 minutes for a Chocolate Lab class and extra time for tastings, the shop, or café.

Is The Hershey Story wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The official access page identifies an accessible Linden Avenue entrance, elevator, and first-come manual wheelchairs.

Where should I park?

Use the free public parking garage directly behind the museum, reached from Linden Road.

Is every item in the gallery currently on display?

No. Some photos document a past Cuba-focused exhibit and are labeled that way. Check the official current-exhibit page for what is installed on your visit.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-11. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.