Chocolate Town USA Ride Description

LENGTH: 72 miles. Difficulty: A.

STARTING POINT: Quality Inn, located on Route 272 approximately 3 miles north east of Lancaster.

DESCRIPTION: The "Hershey" ride has been a favorite of the Lancaster Bicycle club for more than fifteen years. The terrain is rolling, and there are no major climbs, the roads are good and the scenery is superb. Before entering the town of Hershey, take time to stop at Founder's Hall at the Milton S. Hershey School. In Hershey the famous Hotel Hershey offers a panoramic view of the valley from the patio. The ride goes through Hershey Amusement Park and Chocolate World, where a diorama of chocolate making can be seen. A recommended lunch stop is the "Copper Kettle" Coffee Shop near the Convention Center. Across the highway, the cyclist is invited to visit the Hershey Medical center. Take the elevator near the main entrance to the 7th floor for another spectacular view of the Hershey valley. The route back to Lancaster passes Groff's Farm (on Pinkerton Road), an internationally famous restaurant where typical Pennsylvania Dutch bill of fare is offered -- by reservation only.

POINTS OF INTEREST:
A. Pennsylvania Farm Museum at Landis Valley (717) 569-0401 Admission Charge. The Museum is a collection of over 30 original buildings and their contents assembled to represent small town life in the country from 1750 to 1900. Especially interesting are the spring and fall craft days when the entire museum is filled with craftspeople and demonstrators. Open: Year round, Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. Location: 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.

B. Founder's Hall, Milton S. Hershey School No Admission Charge. The information center at Founder's Hall is designed to accommodate persons interested in the Milton Hershey School. It provides a comprehensive acquaintance with the school, its facilities, programs and philosophy. Individual tours are not provided. From October 29 to April 26, the school film is automatically programmed on screens in the lobby next to the rotunda. Open: Year round, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. From October 29 to April 26, the building closes at 3 p.m.

C. Hotel Hershey (717) 533-2171 No Admission Charge. Rated as one of the best resorts in North America, Hotel Hershey is worth visiting. A stroll through the Spanish motif lobby leads to the veranda and a panoramic view of the valley. Open: Year round. Location: Hotel Road, Hershey, PA 17033. Off Route 39.

D. Hershey Gardens (717) 534-3531 Admission Charge. One of the top gardens in the nation, Hershey Gardens contains an amazing display of roses, tulips and annuals in its 6 theme gardens. Open: June to August, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Location: Hotel Road near Hotel Hershey.

E. Chocolate World (717) 534-4900 Admission Charge. This is a ten-minute ride through a simulated chocolate factory where the making of chocolate is described in animated detail from growing the bean to packaging the bar. Open: April to October 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily. November to March 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Location: Adjacent to Hersheypark, off Route 39 on Hersheypark Road.

F. Hershey Amusement Park (717) 534-3900 Admission Charge. 81 acres of rides and amusements, including a classic wooden rollercoaster, a coalcracker flume ride, a sooperdooperlooper, a journey on a dry gulch railroad and many more. Open: From Memorial Day to Labor Day 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Location: Hersheypark Drive.

G. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (717) 531-8521 This famous medical center and teaching hospital has been the source of many advances in health and treatment of diseases. Take the elevator near the main entrance to the 7th floor and walk to the end of the hallway to enjoy the view. A cafeteria is available on the ground floor. Open: Year round. Location: University Dirve and Governor Road, Hershey, PA

H. Elizabethtown College (717) 367-1151 No Admission Charge. This is a coeducational liberal arts college noted for its program combining liberal arts with career and professional studies. 1400 students. Faculty of 100. Open: Year round (campus park). Location: College Avenue, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

I. Groff's Farm Restaurant (717) 653-2048 A visit to Groff's Farm is indeed worth a special trip. It is the only Mobil 4-star restaurant in Lancaster County where family-style food service is enjoyed at individual tables. Open: By reservation only Tuesday through Saturday. Luncheon served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dinner is served at two separate sittings - 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Location: Pinkerton Road, South of Mount Joy, PA 17552.