Want to visit one of the best places to see flowers in Pennsylvania? Check out acres of amazing plants at Hershey Gardens!
Table of Contents
- Why Visit Hershey Gardens
- About Hershey Gardens
- Planning Your Visit to Hershey Gardens
- What to Do Near Hershey Gardens
Disclaimer - This is a sponsored blog post by the Visit Hershey & Harrisburg region. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank Visit Hershey & Harrisburg for their generosity!
Why Visit Hershey Gardens
Hershey Gardens is one of the best places in Pennsylvania to see flowers and plants. These carefully curated gardens are an amazing way to see beautiful plants. Each season brings a different set of plants to life, so the Gardens are worth visiting again and again. The Gardens also offer a Butterfly Atrium, where visitors can experience rare butterflies up close and personal in a tropical habitat.
While I normally choose to get lost in the woods on my nature adventures, I loved Hershey Gardens. It’s clear how much care goes into each of the areas and all the different sections are so unique.
Read on for more information about Hershey Gardens, including how to plan your visit and main attractions!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things I've tried myself or that a trusted peer has recommended. Thanks in advance for supporting my work!
About Hershey Gardens
Milton S. Hershey was asked to sponsor a national rose garden in DC. Instead he decided to build a garden in his town of Hershey where the community could enjoy it. The Gardens started as a little over three acre rose garden when it opened in 1937 and now offers 23 acres of beautiful flowers and plants for visitors to explore.
When entering Hershey Gardens, you’ll head to the Conservatory to grab your ticket in the Welcome Pavilion. This brightly lit room showcases stained glass butterflies that reflect bright colors on a sunny day. Also located in the Welcome Pavilion is the Garden Store. This store features nature themed gifts and educational items for kids.
The Butterfly Atrium is also located in the Conservatory. I recommend doing this as your last stop as you head out of the Gardens since it is such a unique experience.
Walk through Conservatory out to the fountain to begin your exploration of the grounds. If you’re visiting with kids, the Children’s Garden is located to your right. This hands-on garden is a great way for kids to explore more than twenty themed gardens and learn more about sustainable gardening techniques. You’ll then be able to head around to each of the themed gardens.
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Themed Gardens
Hershey Gardens offers a number of specific themed gardens for visitors to explore and enjoy. I could have spent hours wandering through the paths and just taking in all of the plants. These gardens are located on an approximately one mile long path that wends through all of the plants, trees, and flowers.
Some of my favorite gardens to explore were the following:
- Japanese Gardens – This was my favorite garden in the park. I loved the trees, including Japanese maples and Dawn Redwood trees.
- Rock Gardens – Check out the unique labyrinth path, meant for reflection and meditation
- Historic Hershey Rose Garden – the garden that started it all features over 3,000 roses representing 115 different kids of roses
- Herb Garden – One of the most aromatic gardens when I was there, it was fun to see edible plants.
- Native Plant Garden – This garden features only plants native to North America.
To figure out what’s in bloom for your visit, check out the Gardens’ social media for the most up to date status on flowers.
The Butterfly Atrium at Hershey Gardens
While I loved all of the gardens outdoors, the Butterfly Atrium was my favorite part of Hershey Gardens. Here, you’ll be able to experience hundreds of butterflies up close and personal. These butterflies are from all over the world and many are rare species of butterfly.
This atrium is one of only 25 indoor, tropical butterfly atriums in the United States. Bonus – the temperatures are tropical inside and is a great stop for after visiting the gardens on a colder as you’ll warm right up.
A guide will need to let you in and out of the Atrium so make sure to wait patiently for a staff member. There’s an antechamber in between the main lobby and the atrium to make sure that none of the butterflies escape or hitch a ride out on a patron.
The Butterfly Atrium is open everyday during regular business hours. Note that the last entrance to the Atrium is allowed 15 min before closing time.
If you're looking to get outside and experience nature in a more traditional sense, check out my guide to the Best Hikes near Harrisburg or Best State Parks Near Harrisburg!
Tips for Visiting Hershey Gardens
Hours of Operation
Hershey Gardens is open year round, but may have certain areas closed in winter months. 2025 visiting hours are as follows:
- Jan 1 – May 23: 9a to 5p, with the exception of Jan 11 – 29 when the Gardens close at 4p instead of 5p
- May 23 – Sept 1: 9a to 6p
- Sept 2 – Dec 31: 9a to 5p
Be sure to check the website for operating hours, as they are closed on certain holidays.
What to Bring for A Visit
Note that you will be outside for most of your visit to the Gardens so check the weather. When I visited in mid April, it was lightly raining and about 40 degrees so I packed a raincoat. If you visit in warmer weather, don’t forget water in your favorite reusable water bottle and sunscreen.
Getting a Ticket
Hershey Gardens is one of the easiest attractions in the area to enjoy since you can go at your own pace. Timed tickets are not required for entrance. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or in person in the lobby.
If you’re going to visit the Gardens regularly throughout the year, check out their membership option. Pricing for 2025 is as follows:
- Individual: $60 (seniors 62+ are $50)
- Dual: $100
- Family (two named individuals living at the same address and their kids or grandkids: $135
- Flex (two named adults and four guests): $225
If you’re going to visit more than three times in one year, a membership is likely worth it. Individual visit pricing is as follows:
- Ages 13-61: $17.50
- Ages 62+: $16.50
- Ages 3-12: $13.50
- Ages 2 and under: free
The address for Hershey Gardens is 170 Hotel Road, Hershey PA.
What to Do Near Hershey Gardens
There’s a ton of things to do near Hershey Gardens. My visit only took about 2.5 to 3 hours to walk around the grounds so you’ll have more room in your itinerary to explore the area.
- The Hershey Story’s Museum – visitors can get a combination pass for both the Gardens and the Museum to save money on both entrance fees (note that combo passes cannot be purchased online)
- Hersheypark – this theme park is located right across the street from the gardens
- Chocolate World – become a literal kid in a candy store as you make your own chocolate and learn about the process for making Hershey’s chocolate
- Go for a nature walk at Wildwood Park
- Visit the state capitol building in Harrisburg
- Grab dinner at the Englewood Tavern
- Visit Troeg’s Independent Brewing, home of my favorite non-alcoholic hop water, as featured in my guide to the best mocktails near Harrisburg
If you're looking for more to do in the area, check out my comprehensive guide to the best things to do in the Hershey Harrisburg region!
Looking for places to stay near Hershey Gardens? Check out this map to see local hotels and book your next trip!
Updated May 24 2025