lindsyb

Hello All - we are thinking of getting an RV and figured what better place to do some exploring/planning than America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA while also doing some sightseeing while we are there.

However, all of the hotels seem to have raised their prices accordingly as I wanted to stay at the Hotel Hershey or the Hershey Lodge but they are sold out for some of the dates and other nights are $400/per so I was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations for places they have stayed when visiting Hershey, PA.

Thanks for the help!!

pal440fcv

Unfortunately, you are planning to attend one of the events at Hershey that fills up hotels far and wide. You'll probably need to go farther afield, and don't delay. Check hotels in the Harrisburg area -- any hotel near I-83, I-283 or I-81 would be a relatively easy drive to Hershey via US 322 or I-81 and PA39. Or, you could go in the opposite direction and book in the Lancaster area downtown or along US 30 East. Those are all within 30 minutes of Hershey via I-283 and PA 743. Coming from northern NJ and NYC, there are some highway hotels - some chains - at exits north and east of Hershey -- I-81 @ Grantham (PA 743) is a gateway to Hershey and there are several hotels there.

FoFoBT

The Quality Inn in Lebanon, PA (a very easy drive from Herhsey) has rooms available for under $100 a night. Lebanon is less well known than Lancaster or Harrisburg, perhaps that's why they have vacancies.

If you do opt to stay in Lebanon, a few restaurant recs:
The Bluebird Tavern in North Cornwall - good food and beer, friendly service. http://www.bluebirdinn.com/ http://www.bluebirdinn.com/PDF/Dinner_Menu.pdf
http://www.bluebirdinn.com/PDF/Beer_Menu.pdf

The Lebanon Farmer's market has some excellent stands (including a terrific coffee shop) and doesn't get the tourists that flock to the Lancaster market.
http://www.lebanonfarmersmarket.com/
Also the Kum Ess diner for desserts or PA Dutch food
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...nsylvania.html

You can see the usual PA Dutch sites (farms, etc) between Lebanon and Lititz - you can see Amish farms on routes 501 and 897 in the Myerstown area - no need to head down to Lancast. In addition, there's the Cornwall Iron Furnace
http://www.cornwallironfurnace.org/ which shows you an important side of the local history and economy usually missed by visitors and Mount Gretna - you might also want to check if the Mount Gretna Inn has vacancies during your timeframe: http://www.mtgretnainn.com/ Very highly rated and very overlooked - this is one of the area's hidden gems: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...nsylvania.html

FoFoBT

Forgot to mention that if you're baseball fans, particularly Yankee fans, you should know that Lebanon, PA, is where Babe Ruth cooled his heels during WW I. Bethlehem Steel gave the Babe a job that got him exempt from service - the building where he worked still stands. He shared an office with my grandmother - she always said that while he may have been a great ball player, as an "employee" he didn't have much in the way of redeeming virtues. http://sites.google.com/site/palegen...ethlehem-steel

Ryan

Consider Harrisburg as a viable alternative. We have a season pass to Hershey and will often stay in Harrisburg if we decide on a last minute trip and want to avoid paying the rate for one of the in-town hotels. There are numerous hotels just off US 83, near the intersection with 81 and Route 322. A fairly easy ride of no more than 15 to 20 minutes from that area to Hershey Park.

The Sheraton Four Points recently rebranded as The Best Western Central. We have stayed at that hotel for a night both before the name change and after. As a Best Western, the room rate was fantastic and it included hot breakfast. We have also stayed at the Sheraton in the area.

In that area there are several other places like Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express. You may also find those type places just off the Grantville/Hershey Exit on US 81.

We have stayed at both the Hotel Hershey and the Hershey Lodge. Those are very nice options. But, if looking for something nearby but out of the flow of Hershey, consider that the area of "East Harrisburg" isn't that far.

tomfuller

Why don't you rent an RV and stay in a campground?
Don't forget if your deal doesn't work out, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in February in the Farm Show building.
You will see many of the same dealers at the great show.

lindsyb

Thanks Everyone. I ended up able to get a good price on the Hershey Lodge for the first 3 nights through the RV show website. We will probably have info overload by then and are going to head to Lancaster as we haven't really been to this area before.

I will definitely check out the restaurant recs and sightseeing info. Thanks again!