Hershey 2023 Random Stuff

The odds and ends of what we did on our Hershey getaway...

We stayed at the Hersey Lodge, a large complex of hotel rooms with many restaurants and other activities to keep families busy at the hotel while the park and other attractions are not open. We got on the shuttle to the park first thing. While waiting for the free shuttle bus, someone took our picture (with our cell phone). 

You probably already saw this on Facebook!

After a wonderful time at Hershey Park, we came back and had dinner at the Bear Den, which is a sort of sports bar in the lodge. It did have a lot of TV screens (including one at each table) but they were all showing the exact same game. I had chicken and waffles for dinner. It was delicious with a Blue Moon.

Beer and Chicken and Waffles!

One of the conference rooms (the Lodge also hosts conferences) was made over as an arcade, with some video games and other fun things to do.

Practicing basketball skills

Baseball challenge!

The next day, we tried out the Lodge's water park as soon as it opened. It was not as large as a Great Wolf Lodge, but was still a lot of fun.

Twisty slides named after Twizzlers

Pool with hoops

A perilous crossing

Since it was Sunday, we went to Mass at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, a short drive from the Lodge.

St. Joan of Arc Church

We went for lunch at Iron Hill Brewery, which had parking near the park. 

Heading back to the car (this picture is out of sync!)

The bar at Iron Hill Brewery, Hershey

The waiter offered me samples of various brews to try. After four selections that didn't quite hit the spot, I tried two more beers and wound up drinking their porter.

Seasonal sampling

My daughter "enhances" the porter pic

Fish and chips, a classic pub meal

On the drive home, we stopped at Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt in York, Pennsylvania. Even though it was outside in December, the treat was still delightful.

Going for a snack

A happy customer

Vanilla fudge brownie

Hershey Gardens Winter 2023!?!

Part of the package deal for our stay at Hershey Lodge was complimentary tickets to Hershey Gardens, which is just across Hershey Park Drive from Hershey Park. Even though it was the end of December, we decided to use the tickets anyway, though our hopes were not high.

The Gardens are up on a hill with a nice sign promising butterflies along with the gardens.

Hershey Gardens

View to the park

More of the park

Being December, the main garden building had a special exhibit of decorated Christmas trees that we enjoyed walking through. The warmth of the indoors was a definite plus.

Another sign

A row of trees

A frosty blue

My favorite decoration

White and purple

Favorite decoration tree!

Knit hats make trees warm

Not sure about this tree topper

More traditional top

A better angle on a row of trees

Penguins working on a tree

The building also has the year-round butterfly exhibit, which has many real and fake butterflies.

Let's Go Butterfly a Kite?

Some of the butterflies were clearly interested in escaping, though they probably didn't know that the weather outside is frightful, especially for them.

At the ceiling windows

Ready for the door to open

Most of the butterflies were down on the tropical plants, showing off their colors or camouflage.

A beauty

Trying to blend in (or look like an owl?)

More spotty camouflage

Black and white stained glass?

Having a snack

Since it is Hershey's garden, naturally there are cocoa plants.

Surely these will be used nearby

A display shows the various types of cocoons butterflies make.

"Cocoons and Things" would be a good name for a butterfly store

Downstairs are the bathrooms along with this two-plant planter. I don't mind the Blue Chalk Sticks growing upward but the Snake Plants creeping on out the bottom are a bit Tim Burton.

Nice and Naughty for Christmas?

We saw a Money Plant which was a little disappointing.

Money doesn't grow on trees, even in Hershey

Outside, we saw the main lake and some of the greenery.

Lake with the fancier hotel overlooking it

Probably better in the spring or summer

The best plant in the garden at the time

The Children's Garden has some interactive exhibits and some fun things to do. They have a small amphitheater for education or entertainment. 

Children's Garden

Another plant you'd expect in Hershey

Outdoor fish pond (not frozen over)

One decorated tree

A play area has a global map with the cocoa-producing countries in brown.

Shipping the most important global product

The pretzel maze was fun if not challenging.

Don't get lost!

The garden below is called the Show-Off Garden, though clearly the show-offs were on Christmas break. Also, you can see the top of the amphitheater seating just beyond.

Useless bragarts!

We had a fun, short visit to Hershey Gardens. Maybe we will go back in a better season and explore the other acres and acres of plants. I tried to convince the kids to go to the rock garden because they are always at their peak, but I had no takers.