The Hershey Story: The Museum on Chocolate Avenue050

The Hershey Story: The Museum on Chocolate Avenue guides visitors on a journey through Milton Hershey's lifetime and beyond, a tale of trials and triumphs that spans more than 150 years.

Attractions inside The Hershey Story include the Museum Experience, a series of engaging exhibits that provide details about Milton Hershey and the history of Hershey, Pennsylvania; the Chocolate Lab, a laboratory where learning comes to life through hands-on chocolate experiments; the Museum Shop, stocked with unique Hershey merchandise and memorabilia; and Cafe Zooka, the perfect spot for chocolaty desserts and light fare such as soups, salads, and sandwiches.

The Chocolate Lab's interactive workshops - Planet Chocolate and Chocolate by Design - are a huge hit with kids and should not be missed. Each 30-40 minute session provides both educational information about chocolate and the chance for guests to create their own chocolate treats. Parents should note that due to safety considerations, children under age of four are not permitted in the laboratory room, and while every effort is made to prohibit tree or ground nuts in the lab, the room is not allergen-free. Workshops are scheduled throughout the day; timed tickets, available at the admissions desk, should be purchased upon arrival.

The Countries of Origin Chocolate Tasting, available in Cafe Zooka for $9.95, offers visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy warm drinking chocolate samples from six different parts of the world. Though the tasting is a great experience for older kids and adults, some of the flavors, while sweet, may be too exotic for younger palates. One chocolate "flight" (set of tasting samples) is more than enough for two to share. General admission to The Hershey Story is free for guests staying at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge, and Hershey Highmeadow Campground.