https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:41:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818494 Wed, 25 Apr 2018 21:45:01 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2818494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been to Dutch Wonderland every year since my kid was born and it’s so great for kids this age. We go with my nephews who are also 5 and 3 and it’s amazing and also really well scaled for little kids - you can walk around the whole park easily, the parking lot is close if you need to get something from your car. The splash park is really nice and the dining options are reasonable. </p> <p>I love Hershey and loved it as a kid but we have been waiting to take our kids until they are a bit older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818231 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 14:50:44 +0000 fancyfunction 2818231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So we actually did this exact trip when my daughter was 2.5. She's 5 now and we're doing it again this summer with my son who will be almost 2.5. Hershey is geared towards older kids but my 5 yr old will be able to go on more rides now. Chocolate World is great and there are also some indoor stage shows you can pop into. Sesame was great at 2.5 so I think both our kids will have a lot of fun there. We also did some of the Amish attractions and there's a nicke train ride you can take through the area. In Philly def try and go to Reading Terminal Market for lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818223 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:28:43 +0000 ValentineMommy 2818223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our family went to Sesame Place last year and had SO much fun. The only thing I will say is ..... get there EARLY. Like, when they open. It gets REALLY crowded, but it's so much fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818177 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:41:26 +0000 ReadItMama 2818177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did Hershey for the first time last year with a ten-month old and a 4.5-year old (corporate day through DH's work) - I was pleasantly surprised by the options for littles. My oldest did surprise me on what she was willing to do, but we easily spent the day (early season so no water rides). This year we did the same and while our younger one is less of a thrill-seeker there were enough rides for her and she was happy to ride in the wagon/watch. Check their website for the height requirements and what each can ride - their app is very user-friendly. We have friends who have spent both years at the lodge and they highly recommend. We get up at 6 am (standard on weekdays), leave by 7 am and get there at 9 am when the store/factory tour-ride open, then into the park as it's opening; stay till 2:30/3:30, naps on the ride home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818170 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:29:15 +0000 dolphin 2818170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Spinny: @Dahlia: @Mamag511: @mrsbookworm: @bloved: @anothermom: @milano14: @yin: Thanks for your input everyone!!! </p> <p>Ok it sounds like Dutch is probably a better choice for us based on our kids' ages and closer to the city. So I THINK our plan would look something like this:</p> <p>Day 1: Explore the city (Please Touch Museum)<br /> Day 2: Sesame Place<br /> Day 3: Dutch Wonderland<br /> Day 4: Explore more of the city and fly home</p> <p>I think we're going to stay in a hotel in the city and drive to the parks and drive back to the city. Is it too ambitious to try and squeeze both Sesame and Dutch in one trip? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818142 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:54:34 +0000 yin 2818142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please Touch Museum and Adventure Aquarium are fun places for the kids to visit near the city. I definitely recommend Dutch Wonderland over Hershey. I recently brought my 6 and 4 year old there last summer, and they had so much fun. They can't wait to go back. Longwood Gardens is also a nice option for both adults and kids, and it's about an hour away from the city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818116 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 06:19:49 +0000 milano14 2818116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that Hershey Park is geared more towards older kids. But there are so many options in the area for younger kids. Sesame Place, Please Touch Museum, Diggerland, Adventure Aquarium in Camden, Franklin Institute in Philly, Philadelphia Zoo. We haven't been but I've heard good things about Knoebels.<br /> My sister-in-law lives just outside of Philly, so most of our sightseeing is when we're visiting her. But one year we did a trip to Sesame Place for 1 day and then stayed in Philly and did the Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute and a little bit of the historic sites. My boys loved the horse drawn carriage ride that we took. They got to 'help' with the horse while DH and I enjoyed the scenery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818110 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 05:37:54 +0000 anothermom 2818110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't been to sesame place, but Dutch wonderland is perfect for young ages like your kids. Hershey is geared for older kids with more big rides. When we've gone to Dutch, we've stayed at eden resort. It has a great pool/splash area too.<br /> Please touch museum would also be good. When in Philly, we usually rent airbnb or vrbo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818109 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 04:51:00 +0000 bloved 2818109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love Hershey park! Like someone else said though, it’s not too close to Sesame Place though so not sure if I would think of them as the same trip.</p> <p>Please touch museum is great for those ages. </p> <p>Also, I know you said girls, but Diggerland is less than an hour from sesame place and is pretty cool - we were just there this weekend. You can ride real construction equipment, plus it has a giant play area.</p> <p>ETA- if you search jersey momma blog (not sure I can link here) she reviews a lot of local attractions like the ones you are considering and might give you some more insight into what most interests you). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818100 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:53:59 +0000 mrsbookworm 2818100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I lived in western NJ, we had passes to both Sesame and Please Touch. They’re both great for 3 and 5 year olds. Sesame is one park but the whole left side is water attractions while the right is amusement rides. We often skipped the water side all together and still had a great time. Hershey is really nice, but I find it better for slightly older kids. Dutch Wonderland is a lot of fun at this age! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818028 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 16:47:29 +0000 Mamag511 2818028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dolphin: I grew up right around there so I’ve been a bunch of times. I would say a lot of the rides are geared towards older kids. However they did just build a whole water area a few years ago that I haven’t seen yet. Not sure where that stands. They do have a lot for toddlers too, plus there is chocolate world which is a free ride. My DD is 2.5 and we rode it 4 times the last time we were there lol. I would say if you are looking for a total experience more towards the toddler age, I think Dutch wonderland might be more geared for that! Don’t think you could go wrong with either though!<br /> ETA: Dutch wonderland is about 45 min closer to Philly though! So if you are planning to stay in the city, that might be more convenient! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2818001 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:53:28 +0000 Dahlia 2818001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved Hershey and Sesame Place as a kid. I think Dutch Wonderland or Please Touch would also be great choices. The Academy of Natural Sciences also has a lot of hands on stuff for little kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817995 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:16:14 +0000 psw27 2817995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dolphin: They definitely have big roller coasters - I remember that for sure. Last time I was there was when I was about 15. But I also remember loving the chocolate factory tour and meeting all the different candy bar characters around the park LOL I think there was a great water park too from what I remember! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817988 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:48:50 +0000 Spinny 2817988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did Sesame Place last summer with my just turned 2 year old. It was fun but it was a lot for him at that age. It was also HOT and the water feature scared my son. That said I think 3 and up is probably perfect. We're hoping to check out Dutch Wonderland and/or Knoebels this summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817983 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:37:30 +0000 dolphin 2817983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meredithNYC: Ah yes, I've heard of the Please Touch Museum. Will look into it! Thank you!</p> <p>@creativemomma15: We were considering Dutch too! We weren't sure if that or Hershey would be better for the kids. We could probably only do one or the other. </p> <p>@psw27: @808love: @Mamag511: DH has been to Hershey when he was around 10 years old. He said he thought it's geared towards older kids and not sure if our 3 and 5 year old would enjoy it. They are not thrill seekers and only likes kiddie rides. But from what I've read it sounds like there is plenty to do for toddlers too. What do you all think? </p> <p>@snarkybiochemist: Thanks! We are planning to rent a car so no problem driving farther out from the city.</p> <p>@Anagram: Thanks for the recs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817898 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:33:59 +0000 Mamag511 2817898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love Hershey! There’s so much to do there, and the park is great! Don’t know if you are looking to stay in Hershey, but the Hershey lodge is amazing for families - indoor water park as well :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817897 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:32:48 +0000 Anagram 2817897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dolphin: we stayed at the Hershey Lodge and my kids loved it, but it was fall so the indoor pool complex made more sense. We spend a half day at the Hershey Hotel too and it had s nicer outdoor pool, so it might be better in summer. We didn't actually go tonhershey park since the kids were only 1 and 3 at the tim. We're planning to go when they get older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817892 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:19:05 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2817892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Please Touch Museum is great and has so many things to do for kids that age, and the Philly Zoo is also really nice and they aren't too far apart from each other in the City.<br /> Hershey Park is about 1.5-2 hours west of Philly if that makes a difference for you and Sesame Place is about 40 min north of Philly. Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster is geared towards a younger age group its about 1.5 hours west from Philly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817891 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:18:05 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2817891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Please Touch Museum is great and has so many things to do for kids that age, and the Philly Zoo is also really nice and they aren't too far apart from each other in the City.<br /> Hershey Park is about 1.5-2 hours west of Philly if that makes a difference for you and Sesame Place is about 40 min north of Philly. Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster is geared towards a younger age group its about 1.5 hours west from Philly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817888 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:16:13 +0000 808love 2817888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved Hershey when I was a kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817887 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:12:56 +0000 psw27 2817887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't been to Hershey Park since I was a kid (20 years probably) but I loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817886 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:00:35 +0000 creativemomma15 2817886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've heard great things about the Please Touch museum. I've never done Hershey Park with our kids, but we go to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, which is more geared towards younger kids. Our children aren't risk takers with rides so Dutch Wonderland is great for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817879 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:38:19 +0000 meredithNYC 2817879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done the parks, but if you're going to Philadelphia you should check out the Please Touch museum. My kids (2 and 5) loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sesame-place-hershey-park-etc#post-2817877 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:33:55 +0000 dolphin 2817877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're thinking of taking a short trip to Philly this summer and do one day at Sesame Place and maybe one day at Hershey Park. My girls will be 5 years old and 3 years old. For those that have been to either, or both, do you recommend it? Where did you stay? Or any other places you think we should check out? We've never been to Philly before so looking for ideas and suggestions! </p>