The Perfect Girls Weekend in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Sharing is caring!

When planning a birthday celebration for my mother-in-law’s milestone birthday, we had a range of women joining from 22 to 60 years old. We were looking for a destination that everyone in our group would enjoy and that was easily drivable from our hometown of Pittsburgh. Aside from the driving distance, our “must haves” for the weekend included shopping, relaxation, wine and good food. Hershey seemed to be a match for all of that, and it turns out that in addition to being the sweetest place for family fun it’s also the perfect location for a girls weekend getaway.

Disclaimer: Toddling Traveler is an Amazon affiliate and also participates in other affiliate programs. That means we may earn a commission for qualified purchases through our links.

How to Get to Hershey

Hershey is located in Central Pennsylvania with easy access to many major cities. Coming from Pittsburgh, it was about a 3 1/2 hour drive for our group. It’s also under 2 hours from Philadelphia and Baltimore, making it a great weekend getaway from these two areas as well. If you’re flying, each of the major cities have international airports and the nearby Harrisburg and Lancaster also offer smaller airports that are closer to Hershey.

Where to Stay in Hershey

One of the best parts about going away for a girls weekend is the quality time together. Since we wanted something that allowed the 9 of us to stay together, renting a home on AirBnB was the best option for our group on this trip. We ended up staying at this Hershey house since it offered four bedrooms and the two bathrooms we needed. The layout was a little unique and the kitchen wasn’t fully equipped, but it ended up working out perfectly for the weekend. (Don’t worry, the lack of wine glasses didn’t keep us from drinking!) We were visiting Hershey in February and didn’t do much walking around. If you do happen to be there in the warmer months, however, the location is perfect and very accessible to local attractions.

To sign up for AirBnB through my referral code and receive a credit toward your first stay, head here.

On our recent 3-day weekend in Hershey with our toddler, we stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Chocolate Avenue. It was the perfect family friendly hotel in Hershey with a pool and great breakfast. I highly recommend it for either a girls weekend or family trip.

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel owned by Hershey, The Hotel Hershey is absolutely beautiful. The Hershey Lodge is a little more budget-friendly option, with both being official resorts of Hersheypark.

Things Do During a Girls Weekend in Hershey

Our girls weekend getaway in Hershey was the perfect mix of activities and relaxation. Keep reading for ideas for restaurants in Hershey and things to do during a weekend trip to Hershey.

Hershey Story & Hershey Pantry Cafe

After a night in of fun games on Friday night, we started our day on Saturday with breakfast and shopping. Having grown up not too far from Hershey, my family loves the original Hershey Pantry restaurant. Given the size of our group and the fact that they don’t take reservations, we ended up trying out the newer Pantry Cafe housed in the Hershey Story building. The Pantry Cafe has the same owners and relatively same menu, and the food was just as good.

While you’re at The Hershey Story, be sure to browse around the gift shop for Hershey goodies to take home for the family. If you have more time to spend at The Hershey Story, I highly recommend fully experiencing everything it has to offer, including:

• The Museum Experience: An interactive museum that shares the history of The Hershey Company and Milton S. Hershey.
• The Chocolate Lab: A fun chocolate making class that teaches “students” the science and origin of chocolate making.
• Chocolate Tastings: A yummy tasting experience with chocolates from around the world.

You can find out more about all three experiences at The Hershey Story in our guide to the Sweetest 3-day Weekend in Hershey with Kids.

Shopping in Hershey

If shopping is what you’re looking for, there are a few boutique shops right by the Hershey Story in downtown Hershey. Our group’s favorite store was the Three Little Birds Boutique. This adorable boutique offers unique clothing and accessories, with many well known brands. It’s definitely the perfect spot if you’re looking for a special piece to add to your wardrobe. You can also make an appointment for personalized shopping services if that’s something that interests you.

The nearby Tanger Outlets also offer many popular discounted retail stores with something for everyone. In addition to the clothing and shoe stores, they also have a great Disney outlet and currently the only American Girl outlet in the United States.

Troops Independent Brewing Company

Stopping at Troegs is a must for me on every trip to Hershey, with or without kids. Troegs is housed in a modern, industrial looking building. Even if you’re not into beer, they have an amazing food menu in addition to an extensive beer menu. If you’re looking for a snack while beer tasting, the rosemary popcorn and beer cheese pretzels are both yummy. While we didn’t do this time, Troegs also offers a few different tours that are available daily.

Dinner in Hershey

For dinner on Saturday night, we headed over to The Mill. Not only do they have a great food and cocktail menu, but this 3 story restaurant offers live music on the weekends. And if you’re not ready to fall asleep by 9pm like we were that night, it’s a great ending to a girls night out. They also have a great outdoor seating area if you’re there in the warmer months. Other great places to eat for dinner in Hershey include:

• What If… Hershey for an innovative menu and great ambiance.
• Devon Seafood + Steak for more upscale dining
• Irv’s Pub for a casual option with a great menu and beer selection
• The Chocolate Avenue Grill for more of a family restaurant with a traditional menu.

The Spa at the Hotel Hershey

On Sunday, we spent a half day at the The Spa at the Hotel Hershey before heading home. The spa was really what drew us to the area for a girls weekend, and I’m so glad we splurged on this for ourselves. It’s a little on the pricey side, but I really believe that it’s worth every penny. I opted for the Chocolate Prescription Facial, and it was tailored perfectly for my sensitive skin, complete with a chocolate lip balm at the end. With any 50-minute treatment at the spa, you have access to several relaxation rooms, beverages and the hotel’s indoor pool.

While you’re at “the chocolate spa,” be sure to schedule lunch at the Oasis Restaurant.  The restaurant is only available for spa guests and offers a light buffet in a relaxed setting. (Nothing is better than eating in your robe after a spa treatment!) If you have a large group like ours, ask for the “stage” table for a private space. If you have time before or after your lunch, the Oasis also offers a large relaxation area with beverage service. This was great for our group since we were unable to stay quiet in the quiet rooms. (Note: The Spa at the Hotel Hershey gets extremely busy on the weekends. Be sure to schedule appointments several weeks ahead if traveling with a group.)

• 

• 

• 

Hersheypark & Hershey Chocolate World

Hersheypark is one of my favorite theme parks, and it’s just as great for a kid-free girls weekend as it is with kids. While we didn’t go this time since we were visiting in February, I definitely recommend considering it as part of your weekend. (I actually went to Hersheypark several years ago for part of a bachelorette party and it was SO fun.) While you’re in the area, Hershey’s Chocolate World is another great place to visit for Hershey’s candy and souvenirs. The Chocolate World ride, which is free, is a fun way to learn about the history of chocolate making at Hershey. I definitely recommend making a stop on any visit to Hershey.

So if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend filled with spa treatments, shopping, great food and of course, chocolate, Hershey, Pennsylvania should be your next destination for a girls weekend getaway.

---

Click on the Image to Pin for Later: