1) Turkey Hill Experience

Just a 30-minute drive from Hersheypark, check out the Turkey Hill Experience. On this one-of-a-kind tour, you’ll learn how their ice cream is made and the culture of Turkey Hill Dairy. You will get to visit each interactive station, such as milking mechanical cows, producing your own TV commercial, and best of all, check out The Turkey Hill Taste Lab! At the Taste Lab, you will create a virtual flavor and watch it come to life in your own pint of ice cream! There are also unlimited samples of their ice cream and iced tea products, too! Hours are 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday of Chol Hamoed.

Address: 301 Linden St, Columbia, PA 17512

Phone: (717) 684-0134

2) Indian Echo Caverns

Have you ever wanted to be an explorer like Indiana Jones? Well, look no further! Just a 10-minute drive outside of Hershey, Indian Echo Caverns is a limestone cavern worth exploring. The cavern’s Beekmantown limestone, which is over 440 million years old, was formed through the erosive properties of water over time. The caves are open for the public to visit along with a guided tour. The temperature inside the caverns is 52° year round. After seeing the caves, check out its gift shop full of rare and beautiful minerals, games and handmade Native American artwork. There is also a picnic area, playground and petting zoo outside the caverns. The cavern is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Address: 368 Middletown Rd Hummelstown, PA 17036

Phone: (717) 566-8131

3) Strasburg Rail Road

Located 45 minutes from Hershey Park, Strasburg Rail Road is a heritage railroad and the oldest continuously operating railroad in North America. Chartered in June 1832, the train began serving the community of Strasburg with both freight and passenger service in antebellum America when covered wagons and canals were still commonplace. You may ride a fully restored steam locomotive on a 45-minute guided tour through picturesque Amish Country farmland. The Strasburg Rail Road ranks as one of the region’s most frequented attractions and is the most-visited tourist railroad in the continental United States with annual ridership averaging 300,000 passengers.

Address: 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572

Website: www.strasburgrailroad.com 

4) Horse and Buggy Rides in Lancaster County

If you are staying by Hershey, just a 30-minute drive away is the famous Amish town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There are numerous horse-pulled buggy rides available to choose from such as Amish Country Buggy Rides, A is For Amish Buggy Rides, Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides, and AAA Buggy Rides. On the ride, you will have a tour of Amish farms, and they will share stories of their unique lifestyle.

Closest one: Amish Country Buggy Rides 3023 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505

Phone: (717) 929-0579

5) Herr’s Snack Factory Tour

I’m sure many of you have tried Herr’s products, whether their cheese curls, pretzels, chips or popcorn, at least once. Are you curious about how it is all made? You can visit Herr’s Snack Factory, roughly an hour away from Hersheypark, and indulge yourself in their delicious snacks. Unfortunately, the tour is currently closed until further notice. However, their Visitor Center gift shop is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Address: 271 Old Baltimore Pike Nottingham, PA 19362

Phone: (800) 637-6225

Epilogue

Ever since I was a kid, visiting Hersheypark has been my favorite Chol Hamoed activity. I love the rides, food, candy and atmosphere. My uncle Shmarya Frankston-Morris-Gasner and his family used to live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which was only a 25-minute drive from Hersheypark. We used to spend a few nights visiting his family, hanging out with my cousins, getting ice cream at Rita’s and dinner at the Kosher stand, and spending hours at the park. Hersheypark provided us with a great family bonding experience and was always a blast.

Each time I visit Hersheypark over Sukkot, I am uplifted by the sight of thousands of Jews across the Orthodox spectrum coming together and having fun and fulfilling the mitzvah of vesamachta bechagecha (being joyous on Sukkot). My memories of Hersheypark have a special meaning to me and make me look forward to Sukkot each year.

Whether or not you decide to visit Hershey or even plan a whole Sukkot vacation around it, I highly recommend using the Activity Guide and planning something fun to do with your family. There are two full days of Chol Hamoed and two half-days (due to Erev Shabbat/chag). That is ample time to go on at least an outing or two with your loved ones. Make the most of your Sukkot, and make memories that will last a lifetime for you and your family.

I hope you have an amazing Sukkot!