Pizza / ItalianBartolo's Pizza
Palmyra, PA
When someone asks us where to get a slice in Lebanon County, this is usually the first name out — folks drive past three other shops for that sweet sauce.
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A Local's Guide · Grantville → Hershey
We're NextGen AutoWorks, a family-owned repair shop at 130 N Faith Rd in Grantville — just off I-81 Exit 80 and only about 12 minutes north of Hershey. We've spent years working on the cars of the families, travelers, and event-goers who pass through this area, so we put together this guide the way we'd tell a customer in the waiting room: here's what's actually worth doing nearby, when to go, where to park, and what locals skip the crowds for. And if your vehicle gives you any trouble while you're in town, we're close by — more on that at the bottom.
Short on time?If you're near Hershey for a few hours, the easy wins are Chocolate World (free ride), the AACA antique-car museum, and a local pizza or brewery. Rainy day → Indian Echo Caverns or indoor karting. With kids → ZooAmerica and the Cocoa Castle playground. Free → playgrounds, Capitol tours, and the Tröegs self-guided tour. Details and a filterable map below.
The big names everyone knows are mapped below. These are the spots we actually point our customers to — the ones worth the short drive.
Pizza / ItalianPalmyra, PA
When someone asks us where to get a slice in Lebanon County, this is usually the first name out — folks drive past three other shops for that sweet sauce.
Indoor ActivityHummelstown, PA
Few spots work equally well on a blazing July afternoon and a rainy November Sunday — once you're underground it's a steady 52°F no matter what the sky's doing. Bring a light layer.
Arts / Maker ExperienceLebanon, PA
Worth the drive east to Lebanon: you forge your own knife, axe, or copper flower over a real fire with a smith coaching you, plus a mead hall and axe lanes under the same mall roof (right next to Game Traders Club). Book the workshop ahead — nothing else around here is like it.
Park / PlaygroundHershey, PA
One of the rare spots that delivers for the whole family without costing a dime — community-rebuilt in 2017, about a mile from Hersheypark, and a great lower-key break before or after the big park.
Farmers / Public MarketGrantville, PA
About as local as it gets for us — a couple minutes from our bay doors, so we send folks coming off I-81 there constantly to grab something before heading into Hershey, or to kill an hour while we work on their car.
Tattoo / PiercingHershey, PA
When visitors ask us where to get inked while they're in town, this is the Hershey name we give them — a dedicated realism studio on Chocolate Ave, not a flash counter. Check their Instagram (@artby5pg) first to see if your idea fits their style.
Filter by what you're in the mood for, drop in your hotel to sort by distance, and the map keeps pace as you scroll.
These are the big-name stops most visitors come for — all roughly 10–15 minutes from our shop. Weekends and summer afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so an early start makes a real difference, and the lots right off Hersheypark Drive fill first.
Hershey, PA
A large amusement park with 70-plus rides and more than a dozen coasters, plus a water park in summer — the headline attraction for most visitors.
Our take One ticket covers the coasters, ZooAmerica, and the summer water park — so plan a full day, get there at opening, and aim for a weekday to dodge the longest lines.
Hershey, PA
Free chocolate-making tour ride, create-your-own-candy, and a very large Hershey's store, right by the park entrance.
Our take Free to enter with a free chocolate tour ride right at the Hersheypark gate. Perfect first stop or rainy-day backup; pre-buy the hands-on stuff for busy days.
Hershey, PA
An 11-acre walk-through North American wildlife park connected to Hersheypark, available on its own or with park admission.
Our take A walkable, all-ages animal stop that doubles as a low-key off-season pick when the rest of Hershey is closed. Mind which entrance you use.
Hershey, PA
23 acres of botanical gardens plus an indoor butterfly atrium — a calmer, stroller-friendly stop near The Hotel Hershey.
Our take The mellow stop on the Hershey map: flat, stroller-friendly paths plus an indoor butterfly room that holds up when the weather turns. Great quiet morning before the park.
Hershey, PA
An interactive museum on Chocolate Avenue telling Milton Hershey's story, with a chocolate lab and tasting experiences.
Our take Our pick for the indoor, all-weather Hershey stop. Free garage parking out back, and the Chocolate Lab is a hit with kids if you grab a time slot.
Hershey, PA
A historic theatre hosting Broadway tours, concerts, and shows; behind-the-scenes tours run on select dates.
Our take Free parking across the street and an easy walkable downtown spot — check the schedule first, arrive 45 minutes early, and make it your evening anchor in Hershey.
This one's close to our heart. If you love vehicles even a little, the AACA Museum and the fall meet are the most natural stops on this whole list.
From our shop: our full list of repair services
Hershey, PA
The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum traces the car's history, evolution, and future across rotating exhibits — an easy win for anyone who loves vehicles.
Our take As folks who work on cars all day, we love this one: three indoor levels, the world's biggest Tucker collection, and a full floor of historic buses — an easy all-weather Hershey stop.
Intercourse
An indoor antique car museum on Old Philadelphia Pike in Intercourse, with self-guided viewing of American muscle cars and vintage automotive displays.
Our take Check the current Monday schedule before you drive over; the official site lists conflicting Monday hours.
Hershey, PA
Held each October at the Giant Center grounds, one of the country's largest antique-car shows and swap meets — plan ahead, it draws big regional crowds.
Our take Free to walk in, paid parking, and acres of antique cars and parts. Hit the flea market Tue-Thu, the judged show Friday morning — wear comfortable shoes.
People drive in from all over the region for these, park, and head home late — which is exactly when a tired car can act up.
Hershey, PA
AHL hockey at the Giant Center — a long-running Hershey tradition with one of the most successful records in the league.
Our take Best cold-weather night out near Hershey — AHL hockey with a deep championship history at the GIANT Center. Buy ahead for weekend and giveaway games and get there early.
Hershey, PA
Touring concerts and big shows land here through the year; expect heavy exit traffic late at night.
Our take Great big-show venues right by the park — just confirm GIANT Center vs. the stadium on your ticket, and brace for slow, heavy traffic clearing the lots late at night.
This is the part most Hershey guides miss. These are the places right around our shop, off I-81 Exit 80.
From our shop: RV repair & hitch work · tires · brake service
Grantville, PA
Gaming, dining, and live horse racing right in Grantville, just off I-81 Exit 80 — essentially in our backyard.
Our take The easiest landmark out our way — same I-81 Exit 80 we're on, about 12 minutes north of the parks. Slots, the track, or a concert make a fun grown-up night off the Hershey strip.
About 20–30 minutes out, and worth it if you're staying more than a day.
From our shop: auto repair near Harrisburg · auto repair near Hummelstown
Harrisburg, PA
A riverfront island in Harrisburg with minor-league Senators baseball, mini golf, a restored carousel, and beaches.
Our take Free to walk on, with pay-as-you-go fun: ballgames, mini golf, a carousel, and river paths about 25 minutes from Hershey. Great low-cost family afternoon.
Harrisburg, PA
Free guided tours of Pennsylvania's landmark capitol building, about 25 minutes from Hershey.
Our take Free, all-indoor guided tours of a genuinely jaw-dropping dome — our go-to rainy-day or change-of-pace pick about 25 minutes from Hershey. Book ahead; tours cap at 40.
Harrisburg, PA
A restored Midtown mill with a farm-to-table restaurant, an on-site brewery, a rooftop biergarten, and dozens of artist studios — the anchor of Harrisburg's walkable arts district, beside the Broad Street Market.
Our take One of our favorite low-key Harrisburg half-days — grab a bite, walk the artist studios, catch the rooftop view, then wander the neighboring Broad Street Market.
Our own picks — the places we'd actually send you to.
Palmyra, PA
A family-owned Palmyra pizza shop and Italian restaurant going strong for over 30 years, known locally for the sweet sauce that sets it apart from other shops.
Our take When someone asks us where to get a slice in Lebanon County, this is usually the first name out — folks drive past three other shops for that sweet sauce.
Hummelstown, PA
A longtime local favorite and Hummelstown staple, family-run since 1978, serving pizza, Italian dinners, strombolis, subs, and more for dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
Our take Nearly five decades family-run on the same corner — it's our go-to for a slice after a day at the park, but the range covers a full sit-down Italian dinner too.
Hummelstown, PA
A family-owned Hummelstown staple at 103 E Main St serving authentic Sicilian-style pizza, home of the famous stuffed pizza slices, plus Italian family-restaurant fare.
Our take The stuffed Sicilian-style slices at the counter are what we send first-timers after — thick, pan-baked, and not something you find on every corner around here.
Grantville, PA
A well-known family-owned pizzeria and restaurant in Grantville serving authentic Italian dishes alongside brick-oven pizzas, with pasta, seafood, chicken, and veal entrees.
Our take Grantville doesn't have many restaurants, so when one is worth the trip we notice — dough and sauce made fresh daily, brick-oven cooking, and a barn setting with original beams that makes dinner feel like an occasion. BYOB too.
Hershey, PA
A large, family-owned brewery in Hershey with a tasting room, snack bar, and free self-guided tour — a regional craft-beer anchor.
Our take Where we send out-of-towners who want to unwind off the ride lines. The free self-guided tour is a genuinely cool 20 minutes, drinking or not — just line up a sober driver home.
Hummelstown, PA
A 1950s-themed diner in Hummelstown near Hershey, with a dairy bar and classic American fare. Go back in time and enjoy the retro ambiance, great food, and great prices.
Our take Over 30 years of neon, checkered floors, and a Buddy-Holly jukebox — bring the whole family and don't skip the homemade ice cream at the end.
Harrisburg, PA
Formerly the Hershey Road Family Restaurant, this family diner on N Hershey Rd near I-81 serves big breakfasts and classic comfort food — chicken parm, stuffed haddock, and homemade pies — at honest prices.
Our take The kind of diner locals quietly depend on — just off I-81, ten minutes south of us, with big breakfasts and homemade pies at a price you don't have to guess at.
Grantville, PA
Family-run grill inside Farmstead Farmers Market off I-81 Exit 80 — gourmet grilled cheese, burgers, big breakfasts, and chicken & steak sandwiches, plus take-home meals. Open Fridays and Saturdays.
Our take One of our regular stops — Sam and his dad Dave run the flat-top, rotating new specials alongside a core menu of grilled cheese, burgers, and breakfast. Grab a pre-made dinner to take home while your car's with us.
Palmyra, PA
Authentic Italian bistro in Palmyra serving pasta, seafood and gluten-free dishes. A nice spot for an adult night out, though kids are welcome too.
Our take A proper Italian bistro where you can linger over a serious seafood menu without driving to Harrisburg — and about 90% of it can be made gluten-free, treated as routine rather than a hassle.
Lebanon, PA
A refurbished tavern on Mt Wilson Road beside the Conewago Creek near Lebanon, reopened in 2023 with a from-scratch kitchen — house-made dressings and fresh-cut fries, local meats, and a signature Coleburger topped with sautéed mushrooms. The building reportedly held one of Lebanon County's longest-running liquor licenses.
Our take We like a place that earns it the old-fashioned way — nearly everything is made in-house here, from the salad dressings to the fresh-cut fries. Closed Tuesdays.
Hershey, PA
Longtime family-style bar and grill across from Hersheypark, with a casual pub menu, beers on tap, and TVs for catching the game.
Our take Thirty-plus years of local ownership across from the park — the kind of neighborhood pub that shows up for you whether it's tourist season or not. Closed Mondays.
Hershey, PA
Sports bar and seafood spot in Hershey with two dozen TVs, a raw bar, a game room, and a rotating list of mostly regional craft taps.
Our take The 14 taps lean toward breweries within about two hours of Hershey, and the kitchen runs to 2 AM — handy after a Bears game or an evening event nearby.
Hummelstown, PA
Neighborhood sports bar on Main Street with a big lineup of flatscreens, a rotating draft list, and award-winning wings.
Our take A well-run Main Street bar that takes its wings seriously — Central PA Wing Quest champion, with 26 flatscreens so you're never stuck with the wrong game. Closed Tuesdays.
Campbelltown, PA
Family-run walk-up stand on the Horseshoe Pike serving soft serve, hard ice cream, sundaes, floats and shakes. Seasonal (spring through fall) and cash only.
Our take Right on Route 322 — the spot we name when folks ask where to stop after a day at the park. Honest portions, a quick-moving line, and you eat on the hood of the car.
Palmyra, PA
Locally owned seasonal stand known for shaved-ice snowballs and stuffed snowballs alongside hand-dipped and soft serve, sundaes, shakes and homemade waffle cones.
Our take Family-run for over two decades, with in-house waffle cones and a snowball flavor list past 30 — genuinely local and an easy stop between Hershey and the Lebanon Valley.
Palmyra, PA
Locally owned brewery with a taphouse on the Horseshoe Pike in Palmyra — house beers and pub food — plus its original Lebanon brewpub and a Fort Indiantown Gap outpost.
Our take The Palmyra taphouse opened in late 2023 with the brewery's own beers and homemade brick-oven pizzas — a settle-in-for-a-couple-hours room, and a natural detour between Hershey and the Lebanon Valley.
Harrisburg, PA
Locally owned Harrisburg craft brewery (since 2015). Visit its Outpost at Midtown Cinema (250 Reily St) or the Broad Street Market for house beers.
Our take We send people to the Outpost at Midtown Cinema because it's the kind of place that only exists in one specific neighborhood — craft beer inside a working movie theater, on a block with real creative energy.
Hummelstown, PA
Locally owned craft brewery in downtown Hummelstown, brewing beer on site and serving food and cocktails with a small-town taproom feel.
Our take If you want local craft beer in an actual downtown setting close to Hershey without driving all the way to Harrisburg, this is the answer — and the big patio is a real asset when the weather cooperates.
Hershey, PA
Hershey's craft brewery and restaurant on Chocolate Avenue, pouring house beers alongside brew-pub fare — a sister to the Annville Rotunda Brewing Company.
Our take Right on Chocolate Ave — a natural next stop after the park or a Giant Center show, pouring beers the family's own Annville operation brews. Sunday brunch starts at 10.
Hershey, PA
A 90s- and classic-video-game-themed brewery and taproom on West Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, pouring its own house beers and seltzers alongside guest Pennsylvania taps, with a full kitchen, pinball, and a dog-friendly patio.
Our take A 90s-kid fever dream a couple of blocks from Chocolate World — house beers poured from a green Mario-pipe tap line, a wall painted like a giant Game Boy, pinball, and trivia nights. We point grown-ups here who want more personality than a hotel bar.
Grantville, PA
Family-run winery and vineyard just past Hollywood Casino in Grantville, pouring its own wines seven days a week with daily tasting room hours.
Our take This one's genuinely in our backyard — a working family winery, not a venue-for-hire, where the staff pours wines they grew and made themselves. Open seven days.
Hummelstown, PA
Estate winery on the multi-generation Cassel family farm near Hersheypark, pouring wines, ciders, and ports from its own vineyard, with summer live music and food trucks.
Our take The family has farmed this land since 1903, and it's a working farm that became a winery rather than the other way around — about two miles off the tourist corridor for a quieter, more local afternoon. Closed Mon–Wed.
Harrisburg, PA
Formerly SpringGate Vineyard, this 60-acre estate winery near I-81 and I-83 reopened in 2025 under new family ownership, with wine, a brewery, events, and live music.
Our take The old SpringGate property relaunched under new family ownership in summer 2025 — they kept the acreage and vineyard setting and added their own touches. A natural stop on a Hershey–Harrisburg afternoon loop.
Hershey, PA
An award-winning craft distillery and full restaurant in a former Hershey Company building off West Chocolate Avenue, distilling its own bourbon and spirits on site, with a from-scratch kitchen, Sunday brunch, and a pet-friendly patio.
Our take A real working distillery with a proper restaurant attached — they distill their own bourbon and spirits on site (one of their rums took gold at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition), and it's right next to axe throwing at Stumpy's. Tuesdays are bottle sales only, so plan dinner for another day.
For fresh air and fresh food — trails and water close to home, plus the local markets we send folks to for produce and a bite.
Dauphin County, PA
Kayaking, fishing, and easy paddling close to home along the Susquehanna River and Swatara Creek.
Our take Our take: an easy, beginner-friendly float a short drive from Hershey — just check the water level first and confirm your take-out above the downstream dam.
Dauphin, PA
Mountain-biking and hiking trails near Dauphin, popular with the local riding community.
Our take Rugged, technical IMBA Epic singletrack about 35-40 min north of Hershey. Bring blaze orange in hunting season, ride with a buddy, and don't count on cell service.
Halifax, PA
Safari tours and a petting zoo in nearby Halifax — a solid family half-day, weather permitting.
Our take An easy family day out — the kids burn off energy, the animals do the entertaining, and you're home by dinner. It's seasonal, so check the dates before you drive up.
Dauphin/Lebanon County, PA
The AT crosses the ridges north of us; several access points make for a quick out-and-back with a view.
Our take Free year-round ridge hiking just north of us — pick a road crossing like Table Rock for a quick out-and-back with a Susquehanna view. Wear real boots; PA's AT is rocky.
Grantville, PA
Year-round indoor market in a restored barn, right off I-81 Exit 80 (head south toward Hershey, on the left) just minutes from our shop. Open Fridays and Saturdays.
Our take About as local as it gets for us — a couple minutes from our bay doors, so we send folks coming off I-81 there constantly to grab something before heading into Hershey, or to kill an hour while we work on their car.
Hershey, PA
A downtown Hershey market in a renovated historic building, with a lower-level farmers market of local produce and regional makers. Open Thursday through Saturday.
Our take A 25,000-sq-ft market with 40-plus local vendors across two floors of a restored 1930s building, right in the center of downtown Hershey — an easy stop whether you're already in town or specifically after a local-market experience.
A plan B for when the weather turns — indoor stops near Hershey that hold up rain or shine.
Hummelstown, PA
Guided tours wind through limestone caverns that stay a constant 52°F year-round, plus gem mining, a gift shop, and a petting zoo above ground — open daily, rain or shine.
Our take Few spots work equally well on a blazing July afternoon and a rainy November Sunday — once you're underground it's a steady 52°F no matter what the sky's doing. Bring a light layer.
Palmyra, PA
A 32-lane bowling center with automatic scoring, bumpers, and glow bowling, plus the attached Sinkhole Saloon & Grille full-service bar and restaurant — a solid indoor outing.
Our take Bowl a few frames, grab a hand-patted burger, and sit at a full bar all under one roof — the 32 lanes are well-kept and the Old West-themed Sinkhole Saloon is genuinely fun. Whole family works here.
Lemoyne, PA
Indoor high-speed go-kart racing on an all-electric road course, plus an arcade. Way better than most karting you'll find in the area, and a great rainy-day pick.
Our take One of the few rainy-day spots that entertains adults as much as kids — the all-electric karts are quiet, fast, and the road course rewards actual technique. (Height minimums apply.)
Harrisburg, PA
Indoor trampoline and adventure park with attractions like trampolines, ropes course, climbing walls, go-karts, and more, open year-round whatever the weather.
Our take About as comprehensive as indoor activity gets in the area — the variety means different ages and energy levels all find something, from jump zones for the little ones to the ropes course for older kids.
Hummelstown, PA
Locally owned, brick-and-mortar toy store on Hummelstown's Main Street, in business 30-plus years with hand-picked toys, games, and gifts for all ages.
Our take A toy store curated by people who actually know toys — not everything, just the good stuff. We point out-of-town families here for a souvenir that isn't a branded one. Part of the community since 1985.
Lebanon, PA
A video game and electronics shop in the Lebanon Valley Mall where you can buy, sell, trade, and rent consoles and games — an easy indoor stop on a wet afternoon.
Our take A real game shop that buys, sells, and trades across generations of hardware, with a free in-store arcade that makes it a low-pressure, drop-in stop. Climate-controlled inside the Lebanon Valley Mall.
Hershey, PA
Indoor hatchet throwing in a renovated, century-old former Hershey warehouse just off West Chocolate Avenue — private throwing pits, coaching, side games, and BYOB, a short walk from downtown Hershey.
Our take Indoor axe throwing in a 100-year-old former Hershey warehouse — coaches set you up, it's BYOB, and it's a genuinely fun rainy-day or group-night option a short walk from downtown. Reserve ahead for weekends; it goes 18+ Friday and Saturday nights.
Lebanon, PA
A hands-on blacksmith forge, axe-throwing lanes, retail shop, and craft mead hall under one roof inside the Lebanon Valley Mall in Lebanon — forge your own knife, axe, or copper flower over a real fire, no experience needed.
Our take Worth the drive east to Lebanon: you forge your own knife, axe, or copper flower over a real fire with a smith coaching you, plus a mead hall and axe lanes under the same mall roof (right next to Game Traders Club). Book the workshop ahead — nothing else around here is like it.
Playgrounds, indoor ice, an indoor play space, laser tag, and a classic mini-golf-and-go-karts park — easy wins with kids in tow.
Hershey, PA
Free, castle-themed community playground in front of the Derry Township Community Center, rebuilt in 2017 with modern equipment and separate areas for older kids and toddlers.
Our take One of the rare spots that delivers for the whole family without costing a dime — community-rebuilt in 2017, about a mile from Hersheypark, and a great lower-key break before or after the big park.
Grantville, PA
Free 105-acre East Hanover Township park near Fort Indiantown Gap with a playground plus nature trails, a bird sanctuary, and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.
Our take Practically a neighbor — a few miles from our shop on Route 443, and it punches well above its weight for a township park. 105 acres for kids to burn energy, a dog to walk, or to decompress after a long drive. Sunrise to sunset.
Annville, PA
Go ice skating at Klick Lewis Arena, an indoor rink complex in Annville with public skate sessions on evenings, weekends, and weekday afternoons, plus skate rentals.
Our take Indoor ice is hard to find in this part of PA, and three full-sized rinks mean there's almost always public ice time — and skate rentals on site, so you don't need to own any gear.
Hummelstown, PA
An indoor play space in the Hershey Square shopping center (it markets as Hershey but sits just over the line in Hummelstown) built for kids roughly age 1 to 9 — a big climbing structure with two turbo slides, seven themed play areas, a toddler zone, and café seating for the grown-ups.
Our take When the weather turns or the kids are too little for the big coasters, this is where we send families — admission buys a two-hour open-play session a few minutes from Hersheypark. Reserve ahead on rainy mornings and weekends.
Hershey, PA
A seasonal outdoor family fun park on Route 743 just south of Hershey, going since around 1990 — go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, batting cages, a lighted driving range, and outdoor laser tag, plus an indoor arcade and mini escape rooms.
Our take The old-school fun park we point families to when the kids want go-karts and mini golf instead of another theme-park day — it's outdoor and seasonal, so check the day's hours before you drive over.
Annville, PA
Indoor laser tag, an arcade, and an indoor playground in Annville — the family entertainment center that opened in the former Lazer Factory space off Route 422. Open Thursday through Sunday, with birthday parties, league nights, and walk-in play.
Our take A good rainy-day or evening option about 20 minutes from us, right next to Klick Lewis Arena — it's the new operation in the old Lazer Factory building, so if you searched the old name, this is the spot now. Open Thursday–Sunday only.
When you want a night out with some boots and a band.
Grantville, PA
A country saloon in Grantville near Hollywood Casino, with country line dancing and live music plus drinks and a full menu.
Our take Full disclosure on our bias — this is the exact spot where NextGen's owner met his now-wife. You can walk in with zero line-dancing experience and learn something the same night you catch a live band. Right off Exit 80 next to Hollywood Casino.
Thinking about getting inked while you're in the area? Here's a local studio worth knowing — close enough to pair with a Hershey or Harrisburg day. Open a card for the full profile: artists, styles, hours, and how to book.
Harrisburg, PA
A Harrisburg tattoo and piercing studio about 20 minutes from Hershey, with a team of artists covering fine-line, color, neo-traditional, and black-and-grey realism — plus walk-in tattoos on Wednesdays and walk-in piercings Wednesday and Friday.
Our take The studio visitors ask us about most — a deep bench of artists under one roof plus walk-in days, about 20 minutes from Hershey. A real Central PA shop, not a tourist trap.
Hershey, PA
A custom realism tattoo studio right on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, focused on detailed, planned custom work — booking is by consultation, so it's a better fit for a piece you want done right than a walk-in whim.
Our take When visitors ask us where to get inked while they're in town, this is the Hershey name we give them — a dedicated realism studio on Chocolate Ave, not a flash counter. Check their Instagram (@artby5pg) first to see if your idea fits their style.
If your vehicle gives you any trouble while you're in the area, we're a family-owned shop right off I-81 Exit 80. Here's a calm, no-scare rundown of what to do.
Car Trouble While Visiting Hershey? →Staying more than a day? A few of our favorite excursions, with the drive from our Grantville shop:
Lancaster, PA · ~45 min south via PA-72 / US-322
Roadside farm stands, one of the country's oldest farmers markets, and the working farmland of Lancaster County — an easy half-day if you want a slower, more rural change of pace from the parks.
Gettysburg, PA · ~55 min southwest via US-15
The Civil War battlefield and its museum and auto-tour route make a full, walkable history day. Give yourself the better part of a day if you want the battlefield and the town both.
Lititz, PA · ~40 min south via PA-72
A walkable small town that regularly lands on "best small town" lists — a pretzel bakery, a chocolate maker, an old-fashioned main street, and a town park. Good for an afternoon stroll-and-snack.
Mount Gretna, PA · ~25 min east via PA-117
A tiny, leafy summer arts community with a historic open-air playhouse, a lake, and a beloved seasonal ice-cream-and-hot-dog stand. Smallest and closest of these — a relaxed warm-weather pick.
Here's our honest take: the campgrounds closest to Hersheypark are fine if you just need a place to park the camper, but they're more parking lot than getaway. We camp as a family, and if you're after large, wooded sites you won't find them right in Hershey — you'll drive up to an hour, and some of the best are out in Amish country toward Lancaster. These are the ones we'd actually point you to, with the rough drive from our Grantville shop.
Stevens, PA · ~40 min via US-322 E
Our pick of the bunch and the most "camping" of the lot — a genuinely wooded, old-school hilltop resort in northern Lancaster County near Ephrata, family-owned and run by the Kitch family for more than 60 years. The motto says it all: no cable, no WiFi, no golf carts — just camping. Private shaded sites or open "Plateau" lots with valley views, plus a pool, mini golf, sports courts, and weekend activities all season. Tent and RV only; seasonal, roughly May through late October.
Jonestown, PA · ~20 min via I-81 N (Exit 90)
The closest and most convenient of these — tent and RV camping plus cabins right off I-81 at Exit 90 in Lickdale, practically at the ramp, about 20 minutes north of our shop and 20–25 minutes from Hersheypark. A creekside cabin here beats fighting for a hotel near the park, and since we do RV and hitch work, we're an easy I-81 stop if the rig feels off coming or going.
Jonestown, PA · ~18 min via I-81 N
The other Jonestown option, and the value pick of the bunch — a small, family-owned campground right where I-81 meets I-78, under new owners who've been steadily fixing it up (freshly paved road, new laundry, a game room going in). It's the former Jonestown AOK Campground, now simpler and cheaper than the big resorts: full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and a few rental cabins, plus two pools, a fenced dog park, disc golf, and a playground. About 18 minutes north of our shop and roughly 24 from Hersheypark, so it's a practical, low-cost base for a park weekend rather than a wooded getaway. Confirm current rates and the cabin lineup when you book.
Pine Grove, PA · ~30 min via I-81 N (Exit 100)
A big wooded resort on 100-plus hilly acres just north of us, on the grounds of a former amusement park next to Swatara State Park — so it still has a full-size Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a trackless train alongside the campsites. Full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cottages and cabins, plus two pools with water slides, mini and disc golf, a restaurant and ice cream parlor, live music, and three dog parks. Open year-round.
Shartlesville, PA · ~50 min via I-78 E (Exit 23)
A large 87-acre RV resort (now branded Appalachian RV Resort, part of the Encore/Thousand Trails network) off I-78 near Shartlesville, with a real spread of sites — open pull-thrus plus shadier 25-foot wooded back-ins and spots along a stocked fishing pond. Pool, mini golf, sand volleyball, a playground, an arcade, and planned activities, with tent sites, cabins, and cottages too. Seasonal, roughly April through early November.
Narvon, PA · ~1 hr via US-322 E
A polished 200-acre destination resort deep in Amish country at Narvon, in eastern Lancaster County, with genuinely wooded, shaded tent sites alongside full-hookup RV rows — plus unusual stays like yurts, a caboose, and barn camping. Indoor and outdoor pools, a six-acre stocked lake with boat and kayak rentals, mini golf, a café, and a dog park. Seasonal, roughly April through October.
Quarryville, PA · ~1 hr 10 min via PA-283 / US-222
The most kid-driven option — Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park on 63 wooded acres in Quarryville, built around planned activities and water play. Two pools and a water zone, laser tag, mini golf, jumping pillows, and themed character weekends, with everything from tent and RV sites to 14 kinds of cabins and cottages. It's the farthest of these (about an hour and ten from us) and very activity-focused rather than rustic. Seasonal, roughly April through early November.
Grantville is about 12 minutes north of Hershey via I-81 Exit 80. Our shop, NextGen AutoWorks, is right at the exit at 130 N Faith Rd.
Plenty — the AACA antique car museum, Hershey Bears hockey and concerts at the Giant Center, Hollywood Casino in Grantville, Indian Echo Caverns, local wineries and breweries, farmers markets, and family spots like Cocoa Castle playground and Klick Lewis ice skating.
Local favorites include Bartolo's in Palmyra, Fabio's in Grantville, and Jo Jo's and Palermo's in Hummelstown for pizza; The Soda Jerk Diner for a retro bite; and Lazzaro's Italian Bistro for a sit-down dinner.
Indian Echo Caverns, Palmyra Bowling, K1 Speed indoor karting, Urban Air trampoline park, Toys On The Square, and the indoor Hershey classics (Chocolate World, the Story Museum, and the AACA Museum) are all good rainy-day options.
Free options include the Chocolate World tour ride (with a free sample), the Cocoa Castle and H.M. Levitz playgrounds, free guided tours of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, Tröegs' self-guided brewery tour, and hiking the Appalachian Trail or Swatara Creek.
Good toddler-friendly picks are ZooAmerica's walk-through animal trail, the stroller-friendly Hershey Gardens and Butterfly Atrium, the Cocoa Castle playground's toddler area, and the safari tram at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.
Pets aren't allowed inside Hersheypark or ZooAmerica (service animals excepted), but leashed dogs are welcome on local trails like the Appalachian Trail and Swatara Creek, on Tröegs' outdoor patio, and at several area wineries. Check each spot's current policy first.
Hershey is about 12 minutes from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). Our shop in Grantville is about 12 minutes north of Hershey, right off I-81 Exit 80.
For a grown-up evening, try a tasting room (Cassel, J&P, or Royal wineries; Tröegs, Snitz Creek, or Rotunda breweries), a sit-down dinner at Lazzaro's or Colebrook Tavern, or a show at the historic Hershey Theatre.
Winter draws include Hersheypark Christmas Candylane and the Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through, plus year-round indoor stops like Indian Echo Caverns, the AACA Museum, Chocolate World, and Palmyra Bowling.
Yes — Lancaster and Amish Country are about 45 minutes south, Gettysburg about 55 minutes southwest, walkable Lititz about 40 minutes south, and the little arts town of Mount Gretna only about 25 minutes east. Harrisburg's riverfront is just 25 minutes away.
Lodging just outside town along the I-81 corridor in Grantville, and near the airport, often runs cheaper than staying in Hershey itself. The Jonestown KOA, about 20 minutes north, is a budget basecamp for tent or RV trips.