The United States Amusement Park Dedicated to Chocolate: Equal Parts Adrenaline and Sugar

It seems like everything has already been invented when it comes to amusement parks. In Japan, we discovered the Spanish village of Shima, which allows you to tour all of Spain on a smaller scale, or if we travel to the Old Continent, in Amsterdam we can visit what many consider the best amusement park in Europe. Today, however, we travel to the United States to visit a park dedicated to chocolate that is capable of combining adrenaline and sugar in equal parts.

We must travel to Pennsylvania to meet Hersheypark, the amusement park that Milton S. Hershey dreamt of one day and turned into reality. But first, we need to learn a bit more about the founder of the legendary chocolate company.

It was 1903 when Milton S. Hershey had already made his first ventures in the candy market. It was then that he acquired land in the municipality of Derry to establish what would become the Hershey's Chocolate Factory. He then planned a model city that would house the factory workers, allowing them to spend little on transportation while having homes, public schools, and recreation areas.

Three years later, Hershey's dreams began to take shape, and a park was opened that featured sports fields, a stream, picnic areas, a concert stage, and even a pavilion atop a hill with views of Spring Creek. And from there, things just took off...

Today, Hersheypark occupies over 110 acres (the same area as the Lavapiés neighborhood in Madrid) and what began as a leisure area for the chocolate factory workers has turned into an amusement park that receives more than three million visitors each year.

Hersheypark features over 70 attractions, including 15 roller coasters to suit all tastes: from those that defy the laws of gravity and make you feel like you're traveling at the speed of light to others that are more 'subtle' and suitable for the whole family. Sooperdooperlooper is an example of the former; in fact, you can buy a t-shirt in the park's shops that says: I survived the sooperdooperLooper. And adrenaline lovers shouldn't miss Storm Runner, which goes from 0 to 115 kilometers per hour in just two seconds.

But Hersheypark is not just about thrills. There are also themed areas perfect for little ones, such as The Boardwalk, a water park where you can beat the Pennsylvania summer heat with various slides and wave pools.

One of the most striking things about Hersheypark is how it manages to integrate the world of chocolate into every corner. From the names of the attractions to the sculptures of chocolates and giant candy bars scattered throughout the park, this place is a love letter to chocolate lovers.

And before heading home, one must enjoy the Hershey's Chocolate World experience, a place where visitors can discover how chocolate is made through an interactive tour. You can also customize wrappers, make your own bars, or taste classics like Hershey's Kisses to candies that haven't even hit the market yet.

Throughout its history, Hersheypark has received numerous awards for its design, safety, and quality, including recognition from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and the Applause Award presented by Liseberg, a Swedish amusement park.

Tickets for Hershey Park can be purchased on their website starting at around $50, giving you access to a place where you'll find equal parts adrenaline and sugar.