Free Chocolate

Ok, so we are in an economic meltdown. Everyone is pinching the pennies. Stress is building to unsurmountable levels especially for those families with small children begging for things to do during the summer. If you are on the east coast and even better, like me in New England, a great vacation to try out is in Hershey, PA. For less than a tank of gas to get there from most points in New England and FREE CHOCOLATE while you're there, how can you go wrong here?

First off, let me say this. If you've got some cash to spend, take the Hershey Trolley Bus through town. Don't take it to the expensive Hershey Story Museum, that's a waste and it just repeats everything you can do for FREE in Chocolate World plus some expensive add-ons the kids won't care about anyway. The Trolley Bus is very entertaining and will drive through town showing you just where all the other great FREE spots are that you and the kids will love! The Bus tour is only $10 without discount, but AAA members and other clubs save, plus don't forget those Entertainment book coupons! Best of all, besides the actors and the singing on the trolley, is the FREE chocolate they give you on the ride.

One great place if you have small children is called Cocoa Castle. This is a FREE hangout for the kids complete with Pirate ship, slides, swings and more. They have a building with bathroom facilities there too and lots of picnic space. We all know how kids love those playgrounds. Picnic tables and real restrooms instead of those annoying port-o-potties, make cocoa castle a great pick for families. It is easy to find, just up the hill on cocoa ave, heading away from the chocolate factory and through a small residential section. You will recognize it by the wooden playscape.

Ok, the bulk of your time should be Chocolate World at Hersheys. Here, you will walk into a FREE factory tour that ends with a free chocolate gift. For my most recent trip, it was 2 hershey kisses of a variety that you can't get anywhere yet. You can go through the tour as many times as you like and best of all for adults and kids it is mostly on a ride of sorts. You walk up and down a ramp while reading history and watching videos of the life of Milton Hershey and how he makes his chocolate, then down the stairs onto the turntable. Here, you will board the tram that carries you through the rest of the ride. There are singing cows that contribute to a 'small world after all' feeling that families are sure to love.

When you exit the tour, you will be in the KitKat cafe, factory store and more area. Money can be spent here, but watch for hershey janitors, employees and such as they are waiting to pass on jokes and freebies to everyone. There are lots of great activities inside and outside on the grounds, without breaking the bank at HersheyPark, the amusement park. Plus, if you took the Trolley first, the kids will have seen the park and it's 4 frightening coasters and maybe decided that they could be skipped.

ZooAmerica is another fantastic place to go, although not free. You can get discounted tickets by using AAA or other clubs and FREE tickets when staying in Hershey whether it be in a hotel or camping, just inquire and you'll be surprised at the deals you can get.

There are lots more to add here, I barely scratched the surface with these ideas. And best of all, nearby is Harrisburg where the State Museum of PA, holds the largest civil war memorabilia collection in the USA and has three floors to explore!

Last but not least, is Strawberry Square's clock. This three-story kinetic clock amazes children and adults and it tells time too! Right next to Harrisburg's shopping mall where you will easily learn of all the FREE things to do in and around the Harrisburg-HERSHEY area.