Jay's only great niece, Ashley was turning 8 years old and he was stumped as to what to give her for a birthday present.
She'd been begging him to take her somewhere in the Beast (Jay's RV) ever since he'd gotten it so I suggested to him "Well, why not take her on a trip somewhere in the Beast? She's been begging you for forever to take her somewhere in it! Take her on a trip!"
He thought about this for a minute and said "Only if you go along."
"This is your gift to her! Why would you need me along?"
"Because I don't have the faintest idea of what to do with an 8 year old girl that I wouldn't bore her to death! And where would I take her? I need you along for moral support!"
I swear...put a scalpel in that man's hand and a child's defective beating heart in front of him and he's Cool Hand Luke.
Saddle him with an 8 year old girl and he turns into something resembling a half set, quivering Jello mold. *Eye roll*
"Tell you what," I proposed. "I'll go along if you'll agree to spend one day visiting some friends of mine about 30 minutes away. Deal?"
"Deal! Where we going?"
Where better place to take a kid than the sugar coated streets of America's Chocolate Capitol, Hershey PA?
Cool Hand Luke. Sometimes.
There are any variety of accommodations in and around Hershey, in any price range and to suit any budget.
For you campers out there, here is a list of the 10 best campgrounds in and around Hershey.
Here are some budget to mid range accommodations for your consideration:
Bluegreen Vacations Suites at Hershey
Hampton Inn Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey
My #1 pick for accommodations geared at kids? The Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA
The Hershey Lodge is like the sister accommodation of the more expensive Hershey Hotel - yet all your amenities are included in your stay. I love that they have a fantastic indoor water park for those times you want to give the kids a break from sightseeing. I also love that the amenities cover adults as well!
The Lodge offers 665 guest rooms and deluxe suites.
Incidentally, there's also the Hershey Camping Park on the hotel site that offers cabins and tiny homes!
The location is ideal and you can save yourself driving and parking hassles/fees by taking the free resort shuttle - a big plus. On site dining is available as well, which often comes in handy when traveling with kids.
Money $aving Tips:
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Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE Package: Kids 17 and younger receive free breakfast, free accommodations, and free Hershey park tickets when staying with a paying adult.
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Check the Hershey Hotel website Packages & Offers page for deals
There's a very handy Hershey's Resorts App you can download here
that includes a resort interactive map, activities and restaurants.
Hershey Lodge ticks off everything that would make a stay both kid and adult friendly - at a reasonable price.
(A 2 queen guest room currently starts at $199 per night)
And for you fellow RV'ers, we found a fantastic
RV park that we just loved.
We highly recommend Thousand Trails RV Park, 493 S Mt Pleasant Rd, Lebanon, PA.
The park sits on 200 acres in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, We could wallpaper our wall with the list of the amenities it includes.
Take a virtual tour of the RV park here
(Scroll down the page a bit)
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The Beast
Money $aving Tip: Currently Thousand Trails is offering numerous deals on its website.
We took advantage of a 30% off a nightly stay, good for 7 nights special when we booked so paid $392 for 7 nights with full hookup - a savings of $168.
If you've never been to Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Dutch country, I'll show you a map so you can get your bearings since we'll be traveling between three cities. You will need a car for this trip.
Lebanon is 16 miles from Hershey and 24.5 miles from Lancaster.
Hershey is 28 miles from Lancaster or about 40 minutes driving time.
Morning: Arrive in Hershey and get settled into your accommodations.
Our first stop is Hershey's Chocolate World, 101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA.
Photo credit: Visit Hershey Harrisburg
We kicked our chocolate adventure off with the Hershey Trolley Works - Take a ride through the town of Hershey on one of their trolley tours for a live show packed with fun facts, laughter, history and chocolate samples! Watch as the inspiring story of Milton Hershey and his HERSHEY'S Chocolate unfolds, between the historic landmarks just outside your window and the charismatic conductors sharing incredible-but-true stories!
Parents, they also offer a FREE tour ride where you and the kids can watch the candy making process from liquid form into solid candy! They'll even take your photo on the ride for you to take home as a souvenir.
FREE tour ride shown below.
Ashley's favorite activity at Chocolate World was Create Your Own Candy Bar. Dream up your perfect candy bar and watch it come to life, from flowing chocolate to solid bar. Choose your ingredients and design a personalized wrapper on a touchscreen they have. (I had to smile when Ashley decided to make her candy bar as a thank you to her Uncle Jay, naming the candy bar "Sweet Uncle Jay Chocolate Bar". I swear I saw "Uncle Jay" getting a little choked up when she handed him the candy bar. (I don't think he'll ever eat it because it went straight in the freezer...for posterity I imagine.)
Incidentally, we had breakfast at the Chocolate World Food Hall...so that you know this is an option. We each had the ALMOND JOY Breakfast Bowl - Vanilla yogurt with layers of granola, sliced almonds, flax seed, shredded coconut, and HERSHEY'S Mini Chocolate Chips.
I lost it when Ashley came out with "Boy, for being OLD you guys are fun! My parents would NEVER let me eat THIS for breakfast!" (Gee, thanks kid. Apparently there's an age limit restriction on being fun that we weren't aware of.)
The Food Hall serves other fare like pizza, salads, sandwiches, hot entrees, soups, kid's meals and adult beverages as well.
Another activity Ashley loved was Reese's Stuff Your Cup - and what kid wouldn't?! You start by choosing the perfect mix-ins, like crunchy pretzels, mini marshmallows, cookie bits and even REESE'S PIECES Candies. Their tasteologists will fold your ingredients into fresh REESE'S Peanut Butter and scoop everything into a huge chocolate shell for you. That puppy will give your kids a sugar high that will last into the next century!
Tip for parents: Jay had the presence of mind to put the cooler with an ice pack in the car to put these peanut butter cups in so they didn't melt into a mess sitting in the car in the hot summer temps while we continued on with the day's activities.
We pretty much spent the morning at Chocolate World by the time we got through with all of the different activities and I have to admit Jay and I had as much fun as Ashley did.
Money $aving Tips:
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Chocolate World offers admission ticket bundles that include several of its attractions in one bundled package. We took advantage of a special they were running at the time, where you could bundle all attractions together into one admission package that covered everything for $44.95 per person. Had we bought all of these activities separately, it would have cost $105. We saved $60 each by bundling our admission tickets.
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Tripster: Save up to 15% instantly with no hidden fees when booking through Tripster. We bundled our tickets, then got the 15% savings on top of that.
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Promo Codes: Check for verified discounts and promo codes on websites like CouponAnnie for additionalsavings
Afternoon: Have lunch at Simply Greek, 1190 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA.
We ordered spanakopita and gyros. Dessert was baklava and chocolate mousse cake. The food was authentic and delicious with generous portions and reasonable prices.
Service was prompt, friendly and welcoming. Great casual atmosphere and the pace is spotlessly clean.
You may have a bit of a wait as apparently Simply Greek has garnered a following of loyal patrons. Definitely worth the wait though if you like authentic Greek food.
HOURS
Sunday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Visit the Hershey Story Museum, 63 West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA.
The Hershey Story museum experience takes visitors on a journey through his life, his chocolate company, his generous philanthropic legacy and the town of Hershey, PA. Engaging museum exhibits explore Mr. Hershey’s early failures, how he successfully revolutionized the process of making milk chocolate, and how the orphan boys of the Hershey Industrial School became heirs to his fortune.
This family attraction is also an interactive experience perfect for kids. The Scavenger Hunt is a great way to present the Hershey Story to younger visitors, allowing them to experience the museum exhibits. The museum also develops special exhibits and hands-on museum displays with kids and families in mind!
Hours of operation vary by month. Admission and Pricing info here.
Money $aving Tips:
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Groupon: Admission + Full Flight of Warm Chocolate Tastings for 1 Adult or Senior $29.50 marked down to $22 - save 25% $18.49 with code SAVE
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Military Discounts: Non-active military, veteran, and first responders can receive $3 off admission with valid ID.
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We Love Teachers: Teachers can receive $3 off admission with valid school ID
By this time Ashley's pre-trip excitement was catching up with her so we returned to the RV park so all of us could rest up. Plan some R&R time on Day 1 to rest up from traveling to Hershey. You're on vacation after all!
Evening: Go to Houlihan's Restaurant for dinner, located inside the Hershey Press Building, 27 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA.
If you’re looking for the best birthday restaurants in Hershey, Houlihan’s is a fantastic choice. This restaurant offers a free meal on your special day if you sign up for its email club. (We'd signed up and since you have to be 18 years old to redeem your free meal, Jay ordered Ashley's meal, she ordered his and they simply switched plates when the food arrived. SHHH! our secret!)
Photo credit: Houlihan's
You can sign up for a free birthday meal here.
Houlihan's has a nice variety of entrees, salads, sides, etc. on its menu and prices are reasonable. The food is very good and you can dine indoors or out on their patio. Our server went above and beyond making sure Ashley's birthday dinner was as special as he could help make it, even sprinkling birthday confetti on the table before we arrived and leaving her a birthday card! (Jay appropriately left him a nice thank you note and a very generous tip for his efforts, which we much appreciated.)
After dinner, return to your accommodations and spend the rest of the evening relaxing.
I'd made a Teen Travel Journal for Ashley for her birthday, that she could have as a keepsake of her trip.
Ashley got right down to enlisting Uncle Jay to help her document the entire day in her travel journal.
This became a nightly before bedtime ritual that they both enjoyed and that allowed the two of them to spend quality time together.
Luckily, I'd made a spare travel journal but we'll get to that...
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Got an early start for Hershey Park, 100 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA, as Jay had made reservations for Ashley to have a Character Breakfast at the park's Chocolatier Restaurant.
Photo credit: Hershey Park
My honest review of the Hershey Character Breakfast: First of all, I didn't know Hershey even had characters.
I think the Character Breakfast is an overpriced buffet that basically amounts to a photo op with the Hershey Characters. Save your money! The Hershey characters show up in the park at various times throughout the day so you can snap a FREE pic of the kids with them rather than pay for a Character Breakfast to do that.
Hershey Park is rather like Disney World when it comes to tickets - only FAR less complicated. You have your base admission ticket and then there's a gazillion options you can add on to the base ticket, all for an extra price of course. They do offer an "any day" ticket for 1 day, 2 days, etc.
At the time Jay booked, we took advantage of a special offer that was an all inclusive package that included admittance to everything as well as parking, for $47.95 per person. This was a $106 savings over the regular admittance options. I believe the only add-ons that Jay added were Ashley's character breakfast and Ultimate Fast Track. So be sure to check the Hershey Park website for any specials they might be offering before you purchase tickets!
(Their website looks like it might be gearing up to offer a similar all inclusive deal for Christmas)
Like Disney's old Fast Pass, Hershey Park has two Fast Track add on's. The first less expensive option allows you a limited option in skipping the lines to rides, etc.
The Ultimate Fast Track allows you to skip the lines as many times as you want during the day. If you have wiggle room in your budget for Fast Track, go for it.
We spent most of our time on the rides as Ashley and I discovered we both love roller coasters and other thrill rides so we were INTO IT!
Luckily as things turned out Jay had bought the 2 day any day adventure bundle, taking a day off between the 2 park visits in our itinerary.
Budget friendly alternative: Hershey Park is and isn't like visiting say, Walt Disney World,,,that every kid knows about. I found a more budget friendly option that offers most everything Hershey Park offers - Dutch Wonderland. It's located at 2249 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster PA.
Photo credit: Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland has comparable rides, etc. to that of Hershey Park but Dutch Wonderland is geared to very young children more so than Hershey Park is - at least in my estimation.
For a 1 day any day admission ticket to Hershey Park you'd currently pay $70 and that's just base admission, everything else is an add on. By comparison, a 1 day any day admission ticket to Dutch Wonderland currently costs $45. That's a $30 savings for every member of your family 3 years of age or older. And like Hershey Park, you get the same Preview option you can use 1 day prior to your park visit - enjoy the last 1.5 hours of the Park the night before your visit for a full day – FREE.
And here's a plus...Undercover Tourist (who I bought my discounted Disney tickets through) offers tickets to Dutch Wonderland through them! Right now they're offering a discounted Dutch Wonderland: Winter Wonderland Admission Ticket for $28.62 final price.
Granted, Dutch Wonderland isn't nearly as expansive as Hershey Park is but it's an option to Hershey Park if you're on a tight budget, especially if you have younger kids to which an amusement park is just an amusement park, no matter what it's named.
However, if your heart is set on Hershey Park...
Money $aving Tips:
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Tranpen Hershey park Coupons & Promo Codes
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Topsaving: 20% off at Hershey Park
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Seasonal Offers: Save $14 on ticket orders and enjoy over 40% off admission during summer sales.
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RetailMeNot Hershey Park Offers
On with our Day 2 itinerary...
Evening: Head for dinner at The Mill, 810 Old West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA.
Since the Mill's opening in 2014, their scratch kitchen’s commitment to serving the best meal possible has made The Mill one of the top restaurants in Hershey. They strive to use locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients from local farms, artisanal food producers, and fisherman in all of their dishes.
The atmosphere can't be beat in that The Mill is housed in the old but restored Curry Mill and it offers a unique collection of dining spaces, all of which look different from one another. The Mill is impeccably and simply decorated, boasting large wood beams and stone walls to create unique atmospheres on each level. Or as Ashley put it, "This place is the BOMB!"
Their food and service is the BOMB too. So much so that we ended up eating here twice. Everything was scrumptious - Mediterranean charcuterie board appetizer, sliced beef brisket, fried catfish, Maryland crab cakes, seared salmon Mill Burger with fries. Snickerdoodle Creme Brule for dessert. (Big thrill for Ashley - having a mocktail like a grown up. Sometimes it's so easy to keep kids happy. LOL)
HOURS OF OPERATION
Wednesday: 4-9pm | Thursday: 4-9pm | Friday: 4-10pm
Saturday: 11-3pm, 4-10pm | Sunday: 11am-2pm, 3pm-9pm
HAPPY HOUR: Wed-Fri: 4-6pm | Saturday: 4-5pm | Sunday: 3-5pm
After dinner return to your accommodations and relax.
This is where our trip inadvertently got turned upside down. I'd neglected to mention to Jay that the friends I wanted to visit were Amish, whom I'd met years previously on a trip to the Amish community in Lancaster.
Normally, the Amish don't mix a lot with the "English" as they call us...at least not until a considerable mutual respect is developed over time. This will likely only happen if they determine you exhibit what they consider to be "Christian values".
Anyway, I forgot to mention to Jay that my friends were Amish - mainly because I don't think of them in terms of being Amish, just in terms of being my friends. Not that Jay had any objections whatsoever, he was just taken by surprise that they were Amish since the Amish normally stick to themselves.
So this is where we're headed for our Day 3 itinerary:
Before we get into today's visit to the Amish community, I need to explain some things about the Amish.
The do's and don'ts of interacting with the Amish. If you take the tour I'm going to recommend, your tour guide will likely tell you what you should and shouldn't do but in case...
You may meet some Amish craftsmen and shopkeepers during the tour but for the most part you will be keeping a respectful distance from them. They will be friendly to you if and when they do interact with you but it will likely be a guarded interaction. Don't take it personally, it's just how they are because of their extremely tight knit sense of Amish community. Be respectful.
Most importantly, DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS OR SELFIES OF THEM WITHOUT THEIR EXPRESS PERMISSION! This is against their religion and belief system! Opinions among them may vary on that subject...some Amish don't have a problem with it, others only tolerate it if the photo is taken from a distance and they are unaware they are being photographed, and still others are vehemently opposed to having any photo of them taken, feeling it violates their Ordinances.
As for Ashley's take on visiting my Amish friends: "Oh COOL! We learned about them in school last year!"
Jacob and Rebecca have a daughter, Sarah that is Ashley's same age and I explained to Ashley she would probably be spending our visit with Sarah. I clued her in to how she should behave, what she should and shouldn't do and that if Sarah had chores to do, she should offer to help Sarah with her chores.
For your part, take a tour around the Amish Village. I recommend the guided tour Amish Farmhouse and Village Tour. Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, The Amish Village offers an authentic look at today’s Amish lifestyle. Located on 12 scenic acres of land, The Amish Village lets visitors enjoy a genuine Amish property and experience Amish culture up close. An additional plus to a guided tour is that they can get you at least limited interaction with some Amish that you most likely wouldn't get touring Amish country on your own.
There are actually 3 different tours you can take. I found that by purchasing the Premium Package of all 3 tours on my first visit to Lancaster it was a much better value ($35 for adults, $25 for kids ages 5-12 and $20 for kids 0-4 years old) as the other tours cost nearly that much anyway. Also it gives you an extremely comprehensive look at how the Amish live.
The tour takes 3.5 hours and you'll see everything:
Premium Package Tour includes:
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25-minute Amish Farmhouse Tour
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90-minute Narrated Bus Tour
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Self-Guided Tour of the Grounds, Schoolhouse, and Outbuildings
You'll also see the Windmill & Water Wheel, Amish Barn and Farm Animals, One-room Schoolhouse, Smokehouse Market, Blacksmith Shop, and the Amish Village Store.
If you want to pack a picnic lunch there are also picnic grounds you can eat at.
But if you want an authentic, homemade from scratch Amish meal using their own farm ingredients, head to Bird-in-Hand Restaurant & Smorgasbord, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA. (Get Directions »)
If you’re dining with the whole family, your children 12 and under will love their unique Noah’s Ark Kids’ Buffet. Built by a local Amish craftsman, it features a kid-friendly selection of favorite foods for younger taste buds and, of course, delicious desserts.
The Noah's Art Kid's Buffet, built by an Amish carpenter
Smorgasbord Dining
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Breakfast Smorgasbord: 7–10:30 am
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Lunch Smorgasbord: 11 am–3:30 pm
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Dinner Smorgasbord: 4–7 pm
Menu Dining
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Lunch & Dinner: 11 am–7 pm
Money $aving Tip: Discount packages & special pricing:
From April through December, take advantage of meal packages with discounted tickets for shows at their on-site Bird-in-Hand Stage. For reservations call (800) 790-4069.
Another tip: While touring the Amish Village store, do yourself a favor and pick up some of their homemade jams and jellies. What a difference from store bought!
The Amish Village Store
As for little Ashley, she got quite the education experiencing Amish life with Sarah. ("They sure work and go to church a lot!") But if we had any reservations about the two of them hitting it off being from such different cultures and backgrounds, those fears were quickly dispelled.
Before we left Lancaster that day, the two girls were exchanging addresses, having promised to write each other. Highly unusual to say the least, but we were glad the two girls had hit it off as well as they did.
That evening Ashley was much quieter than her usually bubbly self. I asked "What's wrong, Ashley?"
"I miss Sarah. Couldn't she come stay with us for awhile?"
I told Ashley certainly we wouldn't have a problem with that...but Sarah's parents might in that Amish children didn't typically
Made in AI of the 2 girls since I can't photograph Sarah
allow their children to travel with the English unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Can't you at least call and ask them?" Ashley asked.
Calling and asking them is no simple affair. The Amish don't have phones save for one community phone for emergencies. To call Jacob and Rebecca I'd have to call the community phone and ask whoever answered (if anyone did) to relay a message to Jacob and Rebecca. That person would then have to hop in their horse and buggy, drive to the Stoltzfus', deliver our message to them, get back in their horse and buggy to ride back to the community phone to give us Jacob's and Rebecca's reply. Faster and easier just to drive the 30 minutes there and ask them face-to-face. It would likely be a wasted trip as far as them agreeing to let Sarah spend a couple of days with us but it was a nice drive to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We took the Beast and in hindsight I'm glad we did.
To my complete astonishment Jacob and Rebecca agreed to let Sarah spend a couple of days with us. I guess they knew I'd always respected their beliefs and way of life and therefore, wouldn't allow Sarah to violate them while she was with us. Jacob wanted to know about the sleeping arrangements, an Amish girl sleeping (for example) in a hotel room with an adult male being a big no go. Jay took him aboard the Beast and showed him how the back bedroom and the area where the girls would sleep could both be closed off for privacy - essentially creating two separate rooms.
Talking to them face-to-face allowed us to go over all of the do's and don'ts as far as what they expected from us in adhering to their beliefs. Was it okay if Sarah went swimming with Ashley? Yes, she'd bring her swim attire...and so on. We went over the next two days itinerary with them so they knew exactly what Sarah would be doing with us and that it was nothing objectionable to them.
Sarah had gotten packed and we were off. Sarah had never even ridden in a car before or been outside the Amish community. It was kind of amusing watching her reactions to everything she'd never encountered in the "English" world.
Afternoon: We stopped at Red Lobster in Elizabethtown for lunch since I had a 50% off our meal coupon + a $25 gift card I needed to use and we all like Red Lobster.
We ordered the Ultimate Family Feast (above): Tender Maine lobster tails, snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi and Walt's Favorite Shrimp. Served with lemon, melted butter, cocktail sauce, two family-style sides and 8 Cheddar Bay Biscuits®. Serves 4.
Regular price was $147 but with our 50% off: $73.50. Minus another $25 gift card = $48.50
You can't buy a single lobster tail for that these days!
The Amish say a blessing before meals and Ashley taught us hers. It's really very beautiful.
When we got back to the RV park the girls decided they wanted to swim in the pool, I learned the Amish don't "swim" per se. They wade. I was somewhat shocked to see what Amish "bathing attire" looks like:
The 2025 Amish swimsuit/ Photo credit: enjoy-your-style.com
I had to hand it to Ashley. People at the pool (adults no less!) made no attempt to hide the fact they were staring at Sarah and whispering, making her obviously uncomfortable. Jay was about to intercede but I stopped him, saying "Let's see how the girls handle it."
Ashley turned toward them and indignantly shot at them "What are you all STARING at?!! Haven't you ever seen an Amish girl before?!!"
Then she said to Sarah "C'mon let's swim! Just ignore them!" and the two of them proceeded to wade together as if they were the only two in the pool.
We had dinner at the RV and I gave the spare travel journal I'd made to Sarah. She and Ashley worked on their travel journals together until bedtime.
FOR YOUR ITINERARY
If you want to learn more about the Amish, there is the option of having a meal with the Amish, made by the Amish.
Enjoy a more personal experience than you'd otherwise have—with this small-group lunch outing. Following pickup from central Lancaster, travel with your guide to the home of a local Amish family for a sit-down, home-cooked meal. Along the way, learn more about Amish customs and practices—then, on arrival, observe the family's way of life and share a meal and conversation together.
Believe me when I tell you there's no such thing as a bad Amish cook.
Those ladies know how to rock a kitchen in every way possible and they make everything from scratch! Most of it grown and/or raised in their own community. Book this tour here.
If you're not interested in that tour then visit the Pennsylvania State Police Museum, 187 E. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA.
Exhibits at the Pennsylvania State Police Museum include restored patrol vehicles, crime scene forensics, vintage uniforms and more.
Both guided and self-guided tours are available, though guided tours must be booked two weeks in advance.
Tours of the adjacent Pennsylvania State Police Academy are also available, but must be scheduled in advance.
GENERAL ADMISSIONS
Adults: $7.00
Students: ( 6-18 yrs.old) $4.00
Children 5 and under: Free
GUIDED TOUR COSTS
Adults: $10.00
Students: ( 6-18 yrs.old) $5.00
Children 5 and under: Free
PLEASE NOTE: The land surrounding the Museum will be under construction for the foreseeable future and the back hill is the only access point to the Museum. This entrance is located off Laudermilch Rd/Rt 743 & Swatara Rd. (If you put "907 Swatara Rd, Hershey" into the GPS, this will get you close to the hill entrance point.) Please call if you run into issues. 717-534-0565
Evening: Have dinner at What If, 845 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA.
Elevated casual dining experience, right past the buzz of downtown Hershey. They offer Mediterranean and Innovative American foods. Parking is no issue.
The do have a children's menu and their large adult menu offers plenty of variety.
They also have a superb Happy Hour.
HOURS
Monday through Saturday: 4 pm to 10 pm
Sunday: Closed
Reservations recommended.
Return to your accommodations and enjoy the rest of your evening.
All day: Have breakfast then spend your second day at Hershey Park.
We were about to meet our first challenge in traveling with an Amish child.
It was unseasonably hot when we visited the park the second day. Jay was legitimately concerned about Sarah getting heat stroke in her long dark dress as he could see the heat was already affecting her. We couldn't phone Jacob and Rebecca to discuss this with them...so had to rely on Sarah's judgement in wearing lighter "English" clothes.
Photo credit: Hershey Park
We found a lightweight white long sleeve shirt that Sarah could wear under one of Ashley's ankle length sundresses so that she was appropriately covered up as per their custom. I found a sunhat with chin tie that wouldn't fly off on the rides, as Amish women keep their heads covered in public. Normally, the Amish are not allowed to wear "English" clothing but this was an extenuating circumstance to protect Sarah's health and Sarah agreed given we'd be in the hot sun all day.
With that challenge conquered we were off to the Park.
Sarah was in awe of the roller coasters but took some convincing to actually get on one. We did finally get her to ride one and she loved it.
Visit ZooAmerica while you're at the park. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park brings the roaring excitement of North American animals up close to your backyard of Hershey. There’s a wide variety of animals you see at the zoo, from cold-blooded reptiles to hot desert critters, grasslands herbivores to mighty carnivores, and lively birds to nocturnal animals.
ZooAmerica is free on a same-day visit to Hersheypark when entered from within Hersheypark.
I know you're sitting there thinking "I don't need an eating guide to Hersheypark. I will eat all the chocolate my heart desires and will subsequently die happy."
But here's a guide so you don't go into a diabetic coma eating at Hershey Park.
The Ultimate Eating Guide To Hersheypark
We didn't stop at any one restaurant to eat lunch while in Hershey Park. We grazed our way through the Park.
However similar to Disney, Hershey Park offers dining plans.
Tips and Tricks to Save Money on Dining In Hershey Park:
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Plan Ahead: Check the Hersheypark website for any dining deals or meal plans available before your visit. They often offer dining packages that can save you money.
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Season Pass Benefits: If you're a season pass holder, take advantage of the dining discounts and exclusive offers available to you.
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Share Meals: Portions at many Hersheypark eateries are generous, making it possible to share meals and save money.
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Eat Outside Peak Hours: Dining during off-peak times can mean shorter lines and fresher food, and sometimes even lower prices.
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Look for Combo Deals: Many food stands offer combo meals that include an entrée, side, and drink for a reduced price.
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Use a Refillable Cup: Purchase a refillable cup for soft drinks. You can refill it throughout the day at a reduced price, which is cheaper than buying individual drinks.
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Eat breakfast before you arrive at the park. Using these trip ideas you can save a bit here and there and still have SO much fun while you are enjoying the outdoor activities Hersheypark has to offer.
Hershey Park Dining Plan Options and Overview
Hershey Park offers several dining plan options to help visitors save money and enjoy a variety of meals and snacks throughout the park. Here’s an overview of the available dining plans, their costs, and what they include:
Single Meal Deal
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Cost: $16.99
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Includes: One entrée, one side, and one large fountain beverage.
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Usage: This deal can be used at participating locations throughout the park.
All-Day Dining Deal
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Cost: $34.99
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Includes: One entrée and one side at participating locations, available every 90 minutes.
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Usage: You can redeem your meal every 90 minutes throughout the day. Drinks are not included but can be purchased separately. This is the option that worked best for a family of 4. Purchase two all day dining deals online and then rotate redeeming for a meal/snack every 45 minutes. Time it so you maximize the dining plan and share each snack/meal.
All-Day Drink Deal
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Cost: $18.50 (Refillable Souvenir Cup)
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Includes: Free refills on the day of purchase and $1.00 refills on future visits.
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Usage: The refillable cup can be used for fountain beverages and ICEE refills at participating locations.
Season Pass Holder Drink Plan
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Cost: $32.99
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Includes: Free refills for the entire season with a special cup.
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Usage: Season pass holders can enjoy unlimited refills throughout the season at participating locations.
Hershey Park’s dining plans offer great value and convenience, allowing you to enjoy a variety of meals and snacks without worrying about individual costs. Whether you're spending a single day or multiple visits at the park, there's a dining plan that can help you save money and make the most of your culinary experience.
The Top 10 Hershey Park Restaurants:
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The Chocolatier Restaurant
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Chickie's & Pete's
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Simply Chocolate
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Milton's Ice Cream Parlor
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Overlook Food Court
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Founder’s Way Funnel Cake Stand
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Chick-fil-A
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Dispatch Pizzeria Express
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Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs
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East Coast Burger Works
Evening: Have dinner outside of the Park at Fire & Grain, 325 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033 (Located within The Hershey Lodge).
Photo credit: Fire & Grain Restaurant
Fire & Grain brings a modern twist to classic comfort food, creating a warm and inviting dining experience. Located at The Hershey Lodge, this restaurant is perfect for families, offering a varied menu that caters to all tastes. With its contemporary decor and friendly service, it’s a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Hours
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Breakfast: Thursday - Sunday, 7 - 11 AM
A la carte menu offered daily
Breakfast buffet, subject to availability -
Happy Hour: Daily, 4 - 6 PM
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Dinner:
Sunday-Thursday, 4 - 9 PM
Friday & Saturday, 4 - 10 PM
After dinner get cozy at your accommodations and relax.
Morning: Have breakfast at Au Bon Lieu French Creperie, 110 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey.
Welcome Pavillion / Photo credit: Hershey Gardens
Crepes made to perfection! Everything is made fresh, including the coffee, so be prepared to wait a little but completely worth it! And you can watch your crepes being made while you wait.
They make both savory and sweet crepes. Excellent selection of breakfast, dinner, and dessert crepes.
We tried both savory and sweet and they were both out of this world!
The owner is French and super nice, very friendly.
If there's any drawback to the Creperie at all it's that the dining room is very small.
After breakfast, we headed to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Road, Hershey.
Ash loves butterflies and Hershey Gardens has a fantastic recently built tropical butterfly house.
These gardens are just outstanding overall with 11 different themed gardens, including a Children's Garden that the girls also loved.
The Childrens Garden
When you arrive, stop at the Welcome Pavillion.
The Welcome Pavilion serves as the main entrance to Hershey Gardens. Upon entering, guests will be greeted by several magnificent palm trees and dozens of colorful stained glass butterflies that soar below a glass ceiling.
Admission tickets for Hershey Gardens can be purchased inside the Welcome Pavilion. Admission includes entrance to the conservatory, the Butterfly Atrium and the rest of the 23 acres, including the historic rose garden and The Children’s Garden.
ADMISSION:
Regular (ages 13-61): $17.50
Senior (ages 62+): $16.50
Junior (ages 3-12): $13.50
Children ages 2 and under – FREE
Hershey Gardens Members – FREE
Active duty military personnel are free. Non-active military, veterans, first responders and their guests receive $3 off admission with valid ID, and 15% off in the Garden Shop.
Teachers can receive $3 off admission with valid school ID.
Take a virtual tour here. Photo gallery here.
Afternoon: Have lunch at kid friendly Chocolate Avenue Grill, 114 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey,
Photo credit: Facebook
This casual restaurant boasts a extensive varied menu with traditional favorites like hamburgers, fish and chips, and chicken parmigiana. They also have a kid’s menu and outdoor dining that we took advantage of.
The girls had the Italian beef sandwiches with parmesan fries that they said were really good.
Jay and I both ordered the Chicken Marsala which was superb.
HOURS
Mon-Thur 11am-9pm
Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
Sunday 11am-8pm
From lunch head to Hershey Adventure Sports, 3010 Elizabethtown Road, Hershey. Just 4 miles south of Hershey.
Photo credit: Hershey Adventure Sports
I'll warn you up front...Hershey Adventure Sports is an attraction you can drop a bundle of cash on if you don't keep yourself in check. Which is just what Jay would've done if I hadn't reined him in. Example: One driver on the bumper boats, $11 for a 5 MINUTE RIDE! That's $44 for 4 of us in 4 boats for 5 lousy minutes!
And every activity is priced individually, there's no bundled activity admission packages.
So what you want to do is choose 2 or 3 activities (within your budget) to engage in while at Hershey Adventure Sports and use it as kind of a filler activity where you have limited time to spend before moving on to the next activity on your itinerary.
(Between you and I, I think that big kid at right there
booked this more for himself than Ashley, having
visions of go karts. a batting cage and a driving range
dancing in his head.)
At least until I pointed out to him that an 8 year old girl is NOT likely to have the slightest interest in hitting a bucket full of golf balls on a driving range or hitting baseballs in a batting cage.
So we picked 2 things that both he and Ashley would enjoy doing together and we settled on the bumper boats (multiple sessions amounting to 30 minutes total) and a game of miniature golf.
We purchased Sarah's tickets at the gate when we arrived. They loved both activities and time-wise they were the perfect filler until dinner and the activity we had planned for that evening.
Money $aving Tip: We took advantage of a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Mini Golf Admission so the girls golfed for FREE. This allowed us to spend more on the bumper boats.
Evening: Dinner at Devon Seafood & Steak, 27 W. Chocolate Ave,, Hershey.
Devon Seafood + Steak is renowned for its fresh, high-quality seafood and perfectly cooked steaks. The sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere makes it suitable for both family dinners and romantic nights out. With a dedicated kid-friendly menu, it ensures an enjoyable dining experience for all ages.
Jay must have mentioned when making reservations that we were in PA celebrating Ashley's birthday because this is what we found waiting for us at the table when we were seated. In place of the martini was a mocktail. We also ordered one for Sarah. After dinner they brought out a birthday cupcake for Ashley.
The food was exceptional as was the service. Two thumbs up on Devon Seafood & Steak! $$$$
So I promised you some more affordable dinner options and here they are:
Freshido (Japanese/Asian) $$-$$$
Rotunda Brew Pub $$-$$$
Time for the grande finale of the evening - a trip to Hershey Theater to see a live production of Hamilton.
The Hershey Theater
Located in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania, the magnificent Hershey Theatre is the area's premier performing arts center, presenting the finest in touring Broadway shows, intimate concerts, classical music and dance attractions, comedy shows, and world-renowned entertainers.
I do need to mention here that Hershey Theater is currently closed while undergoing renovation. Plans are to reopen in early 2026.
I had to laugh at Sarah's open mouth expression upon seeing the theater. She literally gasped and said "This is like a PRINCESS HOUSE!" as she took it all in.
The performance of Hamilton at the Hershey Theater
The girls loved Hamilton and learned a bit more about history in the process. Which was pretty much the point in choosing to take them to Hamilton. If kids can learn while being entertained, it's a win-win.
Ticket prices vary by shows offered throughout the year. Because the theater is currently closed for renovation, there are no ticket prices posted since there are no productions taking place during the renovation.
We all hit the sack early as Jacob had asked us to have Sarah back very early the next morning. It never dawned on us to ask him why we had to have her back by at least sunup.
Our day 6 itinerary went right out the window when we arrived back in Lancaster with Sarah but I'll give you your own Day 6 itinerary.
This video will show you what an Amish barn raising involves.
The men and older boys of the Amish community (and even non-Amish community members will pitch in) build and raise the barn. The women and girls prepare the food that will be served during the barn raising.
This is why Sarah had to be back so early, to help prepare that day's food for the community. In an event like this where the community is helping one of its own, everyone of age participates and does their part.
Jacob and Jay took off for the barn raising site while Ashley and I helped the women prepare the food.
The young children in the community can watch the barn raising from a distance but aren't allowed too close to the barn being raised due to how dangerous this work is. Rebecca told me especially the young boys were allowed to watch the process because this is how they learned to do it themselves as young men.
I'm not sure how this works given there were hordes of men moving everywhere at the barn raising site so I don't know how the young boys could see much of anything but a mass of moving bodies.
What amazed both Jay and I was how easily these Amish men walked wood beams far off the ground without any kind of safety device whatsoever to prevent them from falling. You can see this in the video above even when it comes to the roof beams.
I was pretty surprised to see they had the barn up and ready for use by that same afternoon.
After the barn is completed they do hold a religious ceremony inside the new barn as was shown in the video, when the meal is served although I can't tell you if this is their way of "blessing" the new barn so to speak?
Soon enough it was time for us to head back to Hershey and to say goodbye to the Stoltzfus' and the rest of the community - with a much greater appreciation of the sense of community among the Amish and having been allowed to be part of it during the barn raising.
FOR YOUR DAY 6 ITINERARY
Morning: Have breakfast at the Hershey Pantry, 801 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA.
Photo credit: Hershey Pantry
Known for its delectable breakfast and homemade baked goods, Hershey Pantry is a beloved local spot. Start your day with their famous pancakes or a freshly baked pastry. The cozy, welcoming environment makes it a perfect place for families and friends to gather.
Be sure to check out their Weekly Specials.
Breakfast served all day
Lunch served all day
Afternoon Tea 12:00pm-3:00pm
Monday-Friday:
8:00am-3:00pm
Saturday & Sunday:
7:00am-3:00pm
Get ready for a unique thrill at The Falconry Experience. Where to report: Park in the ZooAmerica parking lot at 201 Park Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 and proceed to the ZooAmerica Entrance. Their admissions staff will direct you to the falconry field on the ZooAmerica grounds.
The Falconry Experience offers a unique opportunity for guests of all ages to participate in an interactive demonstration featuring hawks, falcons, and a golden eagle. This falconry experience includes free-flight demonstrations, a simulated hunt demonstration, and even an opportunity for these majestic birds of prey to land on your gloved hand! The program is run by Master Falconer Jack Hubley.
These types of experiences are rare given all of the government rules and regulations they must abide by so when you encounter one, it's a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity.
Don’t worry you do not have to be a guest of any of the Hershey hotels (The Hersey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey, but there is special resort guest pricing, if you are staying on site be sure to look into that) to experience this program, it is open to anyone that would like to participate. The cost is $65.00 per adult, and for kids 15 & under the cost is $25.00. Not bad at all, it is pretty affordable for such a bucket list type of experience.
For the Private Falconry Experience or the Hawk Walk, contact Jack Hubley to make an appointment: 717-575-0948; eaglehunter0122@gmail.com.
Money $aving Tip:
Afternoon: Have lunch at Piazza Sorrento, 16 Briarcrest Square, Hershey, PA.
Piazza Sorrento delivers authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on quality and tradition. This family-owned restaurant offers a variety of gluten-free options, ensuring everyone can enjoy their delicious pasta and pizza. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for a memorable great meal.
They have a nice menu variety with reasonable prices.
Their menu changes seasonally.
Money $aving Tip: Autumn is here along with our new seasonal cuisines! Print out or screenshot this page to use the coupon code GoogleSorrento10 for 10% off your next visit!
After lunch we drove 40 minutes to Ronk, PA to check out Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, PA.
I specifically wanted to check out this farm as it advertises itself to be Amish owned and run.
We only stayed long enough for me to scope the place out and I will give you my honest review of this farm:
Absolutely mobbed on the day we visited. A lot of do-it-yourself attractions like tug-a-war. If you are looking for an authentic Amish experience, this isn’t it. It's far too commercialized to be genuinely Amish, in my opinion.
At peak season (July 2 to September 6), admission to this farm is as follows:
$24.95 Online *plus processing fees This is the price for anyone 3 years old and up. Under 2 is free.
$30.95 at Gate
Pay as you go items:
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Apple Blasters: $6.00 for 7 shots
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Paintball: $6.00 for 75 shots
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Battle Zone: $6.00 for 6 minute session
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Gem Mining: $8.99 Paydirt Bag
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Souvenir Mug: $13.99
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Kettle Corn: $7.99
That admission price gives you access to 70+ farm fun activities. Nothing here is high tech, it's all Amish-type basics. Here's a list of all of the attractions.
What I suggest is that you visit the Strausburg Railroad instead, just down the road from the Cherry Crest Farm at 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA.
Morning: Ashley chose to return to The Hershey Pantry for her birthday breakfast as she loved their signature French toast. Jay took her to breakfast while I put the finishing touches on everything I'd done the night before.
What Ashley didn't know is that she had a big surprise in store for her. When the Stoltzfus' learned it was her birthday, they invited us to a birthday celebration at their home so the girls could celebrate together.
In the Amish community, when a child celebrates a birthday, every child gets treated like the birthday boy/or girl.
The Amish celebrate birthdays with the best cakes, cookies, pies, and bread that their family recipes can produce, shared with friends and family alike. Birthday celebrations usually feature a lovely supper with family and friends around the dinner table, ready to enjoy the feast.
Similarly, an Amish child will bring homemade birthday treats to school to share with all of the other Amish children.
Every Amish child at the birthday party receives a "birthday present". Rebecca very graciously said she'd handle that end of things. The Amish are excellent gift givers - usually something homemade. They seem to know exactly what anyone would want or need.
They made Ashley a beautiful hand woven craft basket that she could put her scrapbooking supplies in for doing her journals. They made Sarah a matching one.
Everyone invited to the party contributes to the meal so after Ashley was asleep, I was up making my contributions.
These will work for a non-Amish party as well - for any Candy party really - that you can throw in your home or on the road during a trip.
Decorations
Since our trip was to Hershey, we stuck with a Hershey candy theme.
Simple milk chocolate colored tablecloths. Cut long lengths of silver colored curling ribbon, curl it, then cut it into confetti sized strips and scatter it over the tablecloth. The take some Hershey Miniatures and scatter those among the confetti.
For table centerpieces I took a plain glass jar, stuffed some tissue paper into it and tied some silver curling ribbon around the jar neck. I cold glued Hershey bars to thin wooden dowels and arranged them in the jars.
I'd bought a couple of small stuffed Hershey characters while at the park and sat those next to the centerpiece on Ashley's table. She and Sarah each got one of them.
For the dinnerware I bought disposable silver chargers, chocolate colored disposable plates and brown napkins folded to hold the silverware.
I also bought some disposable Hershey hot beverage cups to drink from that could be used for either hot or cold beverages.
Even Jay made his contribution, having their village store make up candy gift baskets for all of the guests.
For kids, just make up small favor boxes you can put next to or on their plates.
Food/Menu
There are a couple of things Ashley always asks me to make when we're together, so that's what I made to take to the party.
Of course, you can set up a candy table as your dessert table!
Here's the recipe for the Sweet & Sour Charcuterie Board
RECIPE FOR MY LASAGNA CASSEROLE
Ingredients
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1 pound ground beef (I use 1/2 pound ground beef and 1/2 pound Italian sausage)
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1/4 cup chopped onion
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
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1 pound medium pasta shells, cooked and drained
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4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
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3 cups 4% cottage cheese
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2 large eggs, lightly beaten
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1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
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1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
Directions
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In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles; drain. Sprinkle with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside.
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In a large bowl, combine pasta, 3 cups mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and the remaining pepper. Transfer to a greased shallow 3-qt. or 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with beef mixture and spaghetti sauce (dish will be full).
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Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
I also made a huge salad and cheesy garlic bread that Rebecca and I just popped in the oven, along with the lasagna casseroles.
For the birthday cakes, I made something really simple to make.
I needed no fuss birthday cakes to make being short on time. The Candy Cake is the perfect solution.
Bake a round cake, flavor of your choice (Ashley loves chocolate) and frost the cake.
You will need:
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Frosted Round Cake
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Two Boxes of Little Debbie Nutty Buddies
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One Box of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes
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One Box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
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Two Packs of Chocolate Wafer Candies such as Kit Kats
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One Box of Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
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A variety of your favorite colored candies or marshmallows
Tip: Keep the Little Debbie snacks in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the cake. It makes them more firm and from melting and easier to work with.
Place the Nutty Buddies around the cake - below left. Place the Kit Kats on top of the cake to divide the cake into size equal parts - as shown below right.
Slice the Little Debbie Swiss Rolls an arrange in one segment of the cake. Cut the Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies and Little Debbie Zebra Cakes into small shapes. I cut the Cosmic Brownies into small squares and use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut the Zebra Cakes into stars.
Now place all the Little Debbie snacks on top of the cake in their own separate segment - as shown below left. Fill in the rest of your segments with your favorite candy, as shown below right.
Candy Theme Games & Activities
Back when I had my party business I'd bought several Candyland games for a party. They were on sale at Kohl's for $6.24 each, I had a 30% discount plus $50 in Kohl's cash so Kohl's ended up paying me to take the games home.
I don't know why I tossed them all in the RV apart from I've just learned to listen to my intuition. It's only when I don't listen to it that I get myself in trouble!
My intuition was spot on. Turns out the Amish love to play board games, even the adults! I left the games with Jacob and Rebecca to distribute as they saw fit when we'd finished playing them.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Candy filled pinata: Perfect for our party in that all of the kids got candy when the pinata broke.
Candy Bar Stacking Up: This is like Jenga, but with candy bars.
Gather together several mini-candy bars or regular sized, and set a timer for kids to stack them. The goal is for the kids to stack the candy bars under pressure without it falling.
Guess How Many Candies in the Jar: All you need are sweets like jelly beans, Skittles, M&M’s, or other small candies and a jar. Fill the jar with candy and let the children take turns guessing. The winner can take the candy jar home.
Candy Scoop Up: Fill a bowl or a bucket with your sweets of choice. Set the time to 1 minute and see how many candies the kids can scoop. Kids get to keep everything they transferred.
Unwrap the Ball: Using cellophane, wrap candy in the shape of a ball so that every layer of plastic adds another piece of candy. By the time you get done with it, you should have a basketball sized wrap full of candy. Have the children sit in a circle. Set a timer for ten seconds or use playing music to signify when they can unwrap and when they should pass.
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Music on means they are unwrapping.
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Music off means they are passing.
Whatever candy they are able to unwrap on their turn is what they get to keep. This game is for six years old and up (because you don’t want them putting cellophane in their mouths).
Candy Spoon Relay: Group the children and line them up. Hand out spoons to each and ask them to put it in their mouths. Kids need to relay the candy using the spoon to the next child in line without touching the spoon. The first group to get the candy at the end of the line wins. Award prizes to the winners.
Candy Scavenger Hunt Challenge:
A candy scavenger hunt is a thrilling way to engage guests in a treasure hunt filled with candy prizes. Hide various types of candy around your party space, giving players clues or maps to find them. This game works for both kids and adults, ensuring excitement for all.
As participants uncover the hidden sweets, the thrill of the chase keeps them engaged. You can mix in some themed riddles or challenges to spice things up. The best part? At the end of the hunt, everyone gets to share the sweet rewards they've found, making it a win for all.
Candy Taste Testing Contest:
Test your guests’ candy knowledge with a blindfolded candy taste-testing contest. Players are asked to guess the candy flavor or brand by only tasting it, without using sight. It's a fun and interactive challenge for all ages. The more unusual and unique the candy, the more fun this game becomes.
This game works well as a casual, laid-back activity during your candy-themed party. Not only does it get everyone involved, but it also sparks lively conversation as people compare their guesses and laugh over the results. Reward the winner with a special candy prize for added incentive.
Candy Bingo:
Candy bingo is an easy-to-play and interactive game that works for all ages. Create bingo cards with candy images or candy names in place of numbers. As you draw cards with matching candy items, players mark them on their boards. The first to get a row wins!
This game is perfect for keeping things lighthearted and ensuring everyone has fun, regardless of their age. You can give small candy prizes for the winners, or mix it up with larger prizes to keep the competition friendly but fierce. It’s an activity that’s easy to organize.
Candy-Themed Trivia Game:
A candy-themed trivia game brings out everyone's knowledge of sweets and candy history. Prepare a list of fun and interesting candy-related questions, from the origin of certain candies to their nutritional facts. Players compete to answer correctly, with candy prizes for the winners.
This game is perfect for parties with a mixed age group. Adults can show off their candy knowledge, while kids will enjoy learning fun facts about their favorite sweets. The trivia game brings everyone together for a light-hearted competition, and the winners get to enjoy some candy rewards for their efforts.
Pixie stick drop:
This game seems simple enough but it actually takes a bit of skill. You will need pixie sticks and a glass jar or flower vase. You will place the glass container on the floor. The first player will walk up to the jar and stand over it. They will put the unopened pixie stick in their mouth and try to drop it down into the container.
If they miss they sit down, feel free to give them a couple of tries. If they succeed they go on to compete with the others who did as well. They will keep going until there is only one person left and they take home a prize.
These are all inexpensive party activities involving a minimum of items you'd have to pack and take with you on your theme trip.
CONCLUSION
As we were driving home from Pennsylvania I asked Ashley what her favorite part of the trip was.
She replied "Becoming friends with Sarah."
She gets it - that the best reward of traveling is meeting new people, making new friends and creating memories with those friends.
Ashley and Sarah remain in touch with each other, writing each other frequently and we'll have more trips to visit the Stoltzfus'. Jacob and Jay also grew quite close - an added bonus. We learned what it felt like to be a part of their Amish community, for which we'll be forever grateful.
As for the Amish community we were sad to be leaving behind...well...they're probably still eating birthday party leftovers as between everyone's contributions we had enough food to feed their entire community for a month!