When does the “The Sweetest Place on Earth” become even more delicious? During the Halloween season, of course. And this Halloween season, Hershey isn’t holding back on the holiday festivities.
First off, the Trick-or-Treat-Trail has returned to Hershey’s Chocolate World, the world’s largest candy store that’s adjacent to Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Kids of all ages are invited to don a costume and grab a trick-or-treat bag at the door, then follow the trail of 13 stops within the park to pick up some of Hershey’s most iconic sweet treats — no boring apples or stale popcorn balls here. Check the website for hours, the costume policy, and more details.
Hersheypark also has lots of other festive offerings for a spooktacular October. Dark Nights, which runs Friday and Saturday nights from 6-11 p.m. and Sundays from 6-10 p.m., transforms some of the park’s most familiar spaces into hair-raising, spine-tingling haunted houses. As the attractions use loud sounds, special effects, sudden movements, and low lighting, keep in mind that they may be too intense for children younger than 13.
Hear the cries of lost miners during a trek through the shafts of the Haunted Coal Mine. Head deep into the dark underground tunnels beneath the park to see what creatures lurk in The Descent. Have your tarot cards read by a bizarre fortune teller and try to escape from a never-ending carnival of nightmares in Twisted Darkness. And join Professor Darkstone, who introduces you to fearful and deadly creatures — just pray they remain in their cages.
Even walking around the park is scary this time of year. Professor Darkstone’s bevy of mythical creatures are on display in Darkstone’s Hollow, unknown (and probably unfriendly) beings are waiting in the shadows of the murky mists along Spring Creek in the Valley of Fear, and flames burst into the sky in a sinister gateway in the Midway of Misery — the darkest corner of the entire park.
If these frights don’t have your stomach in knots, indulge in some of the many Halloween-inspired food and beverage offerings. Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor is scooping out housemade blood orange black sorbet, served in a black vanilla waffle cone dipped in chocolate and red sugar, and topped with housemade raspberry sauce. For lunch or dinner, inject crab and corn fritters with a cocktail sauce syringe at Darkstone’s Base Camp in The Hollow, or nosh on coal-dusted chicken or a pulled-pork or brisket sandwich served on a black brioche bun at Spring Creek Smokehouse.
Guests can also get a little liquid courage with three seasonal cocktails sold in souvenir pint glasses. Dark Nights Inferno is a blend of cranberry and spicy Fireball, Blue Beast shakes blue raspberry lemonade with a malted spirit, and Rotten Apple is a tart, green, glowing concoction. King-size shakes are served in Mason jar mugs and topped with pumpkin and tombstone cookies, and eyeball cake pops and a red-veined giant eyeball vanilla doughnut will stare back at you as you eat them.
During Hersheypark’s Halloween, guests can enjoy 50 rides and attractions (weather permitting), including lights-out coaster rides on Candymonium, Comet, and Lightning Racer during the last hour the park is open, and a new seasonal scent on the Jolly Rancher Remix boomerang coaster. There are also character glow dance parties and a Creatures of the Night flashlight tour at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, and the beloved trolley is also decked out for Halloween for a nonscary ride that’s all treats and no tricks.
Take home memories of your visit with branded merchandise, available at the Dark Nights Emporium, Halloween BOOTique and Hersheypark Supply Co., including spirit jerseys and a different scented candle for each of the four haunted houses. Fearful guests can also purchase a No-Boo necklace to wear if they don’t want to be scared during their visit to the park.
Hersheypark’s Halloween celebration runs select days and hours now through October 30. For more information, visit their website.
Feature image courtesy Hersheypark
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