Hersheypark is a world-class theme park located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, founded in 1906 by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey as a leisure retreat for his factory workers. What began as a simple park with picnic grounds and a merry-go-round has grown into a sprawling 121-acre destination that attracts around 3 million visitors annually, making it the most visited theme park in Pennsylvania and among the top ten in North America.
Owned and operated by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, the park is home to 14 roller coasters and 73 total rides and attractions, ranging from family-friendly classics to record-setting thrill machines. The 2020 opening of the $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion — anchored by the hypercoaster Candymonium — cemented the park’s status as a premier destination, while the 2023 debut of Wildcat’s Revenge, a hybrid coaster by Rocky Mountain Construction, earned the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster of that year.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Opened: May 30, 1906
- Owner: Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
- Acreage: 121 acres (49 ha)
- Roller Coasters: 14
- Total Rides & Attractions: 73
- Annual Attendance: About 3 million (2024)
- Ranking: 9th most visited theme park in North America
Thrills From Classic to Cutting-Edge
Hersheypark’s coaster lineup spans nearly a century of ride engineering. The park’s signature thrill is Candymonium, a Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster that opened in 2020 standing 210 feet tall, reaching 76 mph, and stretching 4,636 feet of track — the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster on property. At the other end of the spectrum, the vintage Comet wooden coaster has been running since 1946, offering a beloved throwback experience for families and coaster historians alike.
The most recent addition, Wildcat’s Revenge, opened June 2, 2023, as an RMC hybrid conversion of the old Wildcat wooden coaster. The reimagined ride stands 140 feet tall, hits 62 mph, and delivers four inversions including what is billed as the world’s largest underflip. It earned the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster of 2023, further raising Hersheypark’s profile in the enthusiast community.
Beyond the Coasters
Hersheypark is more than roller coasters. The Boardwalk, an expansive water park within the park’s grounds, features 15 water rides and slides for warm-weather relief. Adjacent ZooAmerica spans 11 acres and is home to more than 200 North American animals, making it a natural complement for families looking to extend their visit.
The park’s deep roots in the Hershey brand give it a unique identity no other theme park can replicate. From Hershey’s Chocolatetown — the sweeping 2020 expansion themed to the iconic candy brand — to chocolate-themed food offerings throughout the grounds, every visit feels like a sweet celebration of American confectionery history. The park won the prestigious Applause Award in 2000, the theme park industry’s highest honor for overall excellence.
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Hersheypark FAQs
When did Hersheypark open?
Hersheypark officially opened on May 30, 1906, when Milton S. Hershey created it as a leisure park for his chocolate factory employees. It was known as Hershey Park until 1971, when a major redevelopment campaign rebranded it as Hersheypark and shifted it to an all-inclusive admission model.
How many roller coasters does Hersheypark have?
As of 2025, Hersheypark has 14 roller coasters, ranging from the 1946 Comet wooden coaster to the 2023 Wildcat’s Revenge hybrid coaster by Rocky Mountain Construction. The lineup includes steel, wooden, and hybrid coasters spanning a wide range of thrill levels.
What is the tallest and fastest ride at Hersheypark?
Candymonium, a Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster that opened in July 2020, is the tallest and fastest coaster at Hersheypark. It stands 210 feet tall, reaches a top speed of 76 mph, and runs along 4,636 feet of track as part of the Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion.
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Photo: Hmich176 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.