Hersheypark is really 3 parks in 1: What to know before you go

Hersheypark is not your average amusement park.

It’s actually three parks in one: an amusement park, a water park and a wildlife park – all included with admission.

It’s also a park lover’s park with more than 70 attraction experiences for all ages, including a carousel that’s been there since the 1940s and the most coasters of any park in the Northeast.

“I love the whole atmosphere,” said Doug Perry, social media manager for American Coaster Enthusiasts, the world’s largest club for amusement park lovers. “It has the modern take on a lot of stuff but also the charm and the feel of being this traditional amusement park with this rich history.”

He and his twin brother have visited parks all around the world, but Hersheypark is one of his favorites.

Here’s why and what you should know about visiting Hersheypark.

What’s included with a ticket to Hersheypark?

Hersheypark tickets cover admission to the amusement park, Boardwalk water park and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.

“I think that some people don't always know that there's a full zoo there,” Perry said. Other parks may have water areas or wildlife exhibits, but it’s rare for all three to be on the same property and covered by the same ticket.

Equally unusual, Hersheypark lets most guests enter the park for free the night before their planned visit. The two-hour “sweet sneak peek” is included with all general admission tickets, but not Hersheypark Event Special and Happy Hours tickets.

How much are Hersheypark tickets?

One-day tickets for guests ages 9 to 61 cost $84.95 at the gate. Visitors can save money by purchasing tickets online, where offers vary. The latest offers can be found on the park’s website.

Discounts are also available for first responders, health care workers, teachers, students, government employees, military service members and people attending concerts at Hershey properties.

During the summer season, there’s a Happy Hours Ticket option, which costs $42.95 at the gate, and less online, for guests age 3 and up. You can’t enter the park until 4 p.m. and free park preview hours are not included, but it is a great option for visitors tight on time or money.

Where is Hersheypark?

Hersheypark is located amid rolling farmlands in Hershey, Pennsylvania, just outside Harrisburg. The nearest airport is Harrisburg International Airport.

The park is less than an hour’s drive away from “America’s oldest Amish settlement” in Lancaster County and just over an hour’s drive away from Gettysburg National Military Park, so there is plenty to explore in the area. There are also several Hershey-related attractions in Hershey itself, like Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story Museum.

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Can Hersheypark be done in one day?

You can definitely accomplish a lot in one day, but you won’t be able to do everything. Perry has spent days there and left wishing he had more time.

“For me, it's such a perfect collection of roller coasters and even more so now with Wildcat’s Revenge,” he said.

Wildcat’s Revenge opened this summer as the park’s 15th coaster and first steel and wood hybrid. It is truly wild and unpredictable, but there are plenty of tamer alternatives, including mini versions of the park's spinning Scrambler and soaring Pirate Ship for little ones.

“It feels like there’s something for everybody and definitely a lot that the whole family can experience together,” Perry said. Hersheypark was one of the first “big” parks he visited as kid with his family. “I just have so many awesome memories.”

How do I get the most out of Hersheypark?

Hersheypark is big and packed with attractions at every turn. Guests should definitely take advantage of free preview hours to get a head start and lay of the 121-acre land.

A map with wait times is available in the free Hersheypark app. For a bird’s eye view, Quinn Bryner, director of public relations for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts recommends taking the Kissing Tower or Ferris Wheel high above the park or Monorail around parts of it.

Make sure to take breaks throughout the day, especially during the summer. The water park is an obvious place to cool down, but there are also lots of shady spots across the property.

For a literal taste of Hershey, try at least one unique Hershey-inspired sweet like Create Your Own Sundaes with house-made local dairy ice cream at Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor in Hershey’s Chocolatetown or custom s’mores and location-exclusive candy flavors at neighboring Hershey’s Chocolate World.

Is Hershey's Chocolate World free?

Hershey’s Chocolate World is an entertainment, retail and dining complex just outside the entrance to Hersheypark.

Admission is free, as is a complimentary ride on the chocolate-making process. Other things require fees, like the new Great Candy Expedition attraction, Create Your Own Candy Bar experience and trolley tours of the town.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hersheypark has ‘something for everybody’: What travelers can expect