The American Town Where Chocolate Is a Lifestyle

When you think chocolate capital, your mind probably goes straight to Belgium—land of pralines, truffles, and shops so elegant they feel more like jewelers than candy stores. But what if we told you that the U.S. has its own cocoa-covered crown jewel, and it’s tucked away in none other than south-central Pennsylvania?

Welcome to Hershey, PA—the town so chocolate-obsessed, it’s literally named after the candy bar. And honestly? It lives up to the hype.

A Chocolate Empire Born in Caramel

The story begins in the 1880s, when a guy named Milton Hershey started out making caramels (plot twist!) in what was then called Derry Church. But after a fateful trip to Germany—because apparently all great chocolate stories involve Europe—Hershey pivoted to the good stuff: milk chocolate.

By the early 1900s, he was churning out the iconic bars we all grew up hoarding on Halloween. Then came Mr. Goodbar in 1925. Then Reese’s joined the family in 1963 (a major power move). Fast forward to today, and the Hershey Company pumps out over 80 million Kisses a day. Let that melt in your mouth for a moment.

This Town Is Straight-Up Built on Chocolate

No really—when Milton Hershey built his factory, the railroad had to add a stop just to handle the workforce. The town eventually adopted the name Hershey, and the chocolatey theme stuck hard.

You’ve got Hersheypark, a full-on amusement park that started as a perk for factory workers in 1906 and now draws families from all over. You’ll find roller coasters, water rides, and—because no trip would be complete without it—The Chocolatier Restaurant, where the menu leans all-in on sweet-meets-savory. Think: chocolate BBQ sauce on pulled pork, cocoa-dusted short ribs, and yes, chocolate-drizzled chips topping the signature burger.

For the Chocoholics Who Prefer Their Sweets Without the Spins

If thrill rides aren't your thing (or if you're still recovering from that burger), stroll next door to Hershey’s Chocolate World—an immersive candy-lover's paradise. Hop on the Chocolate Tour Ride (yes, it smells like chocolate the entire time), craft your very own candy bar (you design the wrapper, too), or dive deep into peanut butter paradise with the Reese’s Stuff Your Cup experience. One pound of custom-filled Reese’s? Dreams do come true.

Oh, and don’t skip the food hall. Chocolate-infused everything, milkshakes that double as dessert art, and lattes that are basically liquid candy bars. It’s pure, delicious chaos.

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You don’t need a passport to experience a world-class chocolate destination. Hershey, Pennsylvania may not have the cobbled streets or gilded praline boxes of Belgium—but it has something just as sweet: a full-blown chocolate universe built from one man’s dream, one iconic candy bar, and a whole lot of love (and sugar).