Hershey is stepping into 2026 with style, flavor, and a whole lot of fun as it prepares to celebrate Hersheypark’s 120th operating year. The Sweetest Place On Earth is rolling out new attractions, new places to stay, and new ways to enjoy summer, all rooted in the vision of Milton S. Hershey, who believed in creating a one‑of‑a‑kind destination where excitement and chocolate live side by side.
Visitors will soon have a new home base with the spring debut of Hershey Inn & Suites, the latest property to join The Official Resorts of Hersheypark. The four‑story hotel will feature 130 rooms, including family‑friendly suites with bunk beds, a first for a Hersheypark resort. Guests can look forward to complimentary hot breakfast, a lobby bar, grab‑and‑go snacks, an arcade, a fitness center, and an indoor pool open year‑round. As with all Official Resorts, guests will also receive early and late access to Hersheypark, the best available ticket prices, and shuttle service to an exclusive resort drop‑off zone. It’s designed to be a comfortable and modern getaway for families, couples, and business travelers, just minutes from the park’s front gate.
Food lovers have something new to anticipate as well. Hershey Social Restaurant + Bar will open in spring 2026 near the iconic corner of Cocoa and Chocolate Avenue. The restaurant will bring bold flavors, creative shareable dishes, savory entrées, and indulgent desserts to the heart of downtown Hershey. With a casual atmosphere and expanded bar, it’s meant to be a gathering place where locals and visitors can unwind, taste something new, and enjoy the culinary spirit that ties the entire town together. It becomes the newest addition to the 15‑restaurant lineup operated by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.
Hersheypark itself is also gearing up for a splashier summer than ever. When the park opens for its 120th season on April 3, guests will discover major enhancements inside The Boardwalk, Hersheypark’s popular water park. Two new play areas are set to open in the existing Bayside Pier space. The Inlet at Bayside Pier will offer a shaded splash zone with water‑spouting dolphins, playful fish, and whimsical spray elements. Nearby, The Island at Bayside Pier will introduce ten‑foot tipping palm trees that soak guests in cooling waves of water. Both areas will feature soft, rubberized decking for comfort and an open design that lets families move freely among other nearby attractions. The Boardwalk, which features 17 water attractions and over one million gallons of water, continues to be included with general admission to the park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Summer 2026 will also bring a patriotic twist. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Hersheypark will host special entertainment, themed activities, ride overlays, and festive fireworks during June and July. More details are expected later this spring, but the celebration promises to be one of the park’s standout moments of the year.