Recommendations/information from locals about the Hershey area

[starfireelvis]

Don’t know if this is too broad of a topic, and I don’t want this to go off-course and have this potentially become negative in any way, but for people like me, who are coming to the Hershey area in October, from hundreds or even thousands of miles away, it is always good for us to know ahead of time if there is anything that we need to be aware of, that may be different from the last time we visited a year ago.

 

Primarily, my interests in obtaining information are (but not limited to) recommendations of any new or existing restaurants in the area, any places to stay (hotels, campgrounds, etc.), and if there is any road construction going on in the area, or on highways and roadways leading into town.

 

Admin(s), feel free to modify this thread as necessary if it should be narrowed down in scope.

[31plymouth]

The closer you are to Hershey flea market and show the more it will cost to get a room. We stay in the Harrisburg area

and save a lot of money on rooms.   Restaurants in the immediate  Hershey area are likely to be crowded.

Do some research soon!  Rooms will book soon. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for all weather conditions.  ( rain, wind, heat or frost).  I've experienced it all.

[starfireelvis]

Moving this back to the top; let’s refocus this on any local road construction issues, and perhaps any recommendations for dining, particularly in the evening after a day of walking the miles and miles of swap meet area.  Thanks again for any information…

[TAKerry]

Im an hour south, and its been a few months since I have been in the area. I am going out on a limb to say I would not worry about road construction. That area is pretty much built out at this point I would imagine. I would bet you a crab cake sandwich that there will be nothing major going on. As far as eating, very close to the park itself are quite a few commercial restaurants. Not sure exactly which brands but Appleby's kind of stuff, lots of fast food chic filet, BK, McD's and stuff like that. There is a brewery on the same main drag to the east of the park (might be troegs?), I dont drink so never been there but I think you can get food. I have driven through downtown more times than I can count but never looked for eating establishments. I would imagine there are some nicer places to eat in that vicinity.

[greenie]

Not so fast, it’s a natural fact that the local highway folks will throw something up right before the event. It’s a test they run to determine our resolve to reach the Fall Meet. As far as food goes, plenty of new ‘trendy bistros’ downtown; and many of the older restaurants remain. Its an area frequented by tourists and there are plenty of choices. Sadly, the Canal House remains closed. Imagine the years gone by when titans like Bill Harrah dined there after a long day scouting the grassy (muddy) fields for a few (many) special bits to finish off some fantastic restoration. So many looking down upon us wishing they could be there again. 

[Terry Bond]

55 minutes ago, greenie said:

Not so fast, it’s a natural fact that the local highway folks will throw something up right before the event. It’s a test they run to determine our resolve to reach the Fall Meet. As far as food goes, plenty of new ‘trendy bistros’ downtown; and many of the older restaurants remain. Its an area frequented by tourists and there are plenty of choices. Sadly, the Canal House remains closed. Imagine the years gone by when titans like Bill Harrah dined there after a long day scouting the grassy (muddy) fields for a few (many) special bits to finish off some fantastic restoration. So many looking down upon us wishing they could be there again. 

I sure miss the Canal House.  Italian is popular in the Hershey area and is done well.  I'm a regular at Fenicci's.  For lunch, Sherry's Crab Cakes is just across from me in the swap meet over in front of Giant Center. 

Terry

[Littlestown Mike]

"Dukes". is gone too, right?

 

Eating breakfast at a sit-down resturant could take hours depending on how late you get there.

 

 

 

[MotiveLensPhoto]

We ate at a little creperie in town. Au Bon Lieu. Nothing to look at but delicious. There was also another breakfast place next door that was also very good. In Palmyra there's a place called the Filling Station, an old style diner that was very cheap and good. There is a restaurant at Hershey Park (but you don't have to go into the park to eat). STAY AWAY. It's way too touristy (it wasn't my choice).

[Terry Bond]

There is an excellent diner up on Rt 22 (Allentown Blvd) not far from where it intersects with Rt 39 - which of course takes you straight into the swap meet.  Skyline Family Restaurant - open at 6 for a good inexpensive breakfast.  Good spot for dinner too.

Terry

[LARRYCAROL]

My wife and I like dinner at Cocoa Diner . Lunch we share chicken and fries from Brickers stand. Wife still misses ice cream from guy with hit/miss engine. We have stayed in Granville (15min) and Lancaster(40min)  but last couple years at Inn on Chocolate ave( 5 min) . Hope all have booked rooms, getting late now!!

[BuickTom87]

I’ve been going to Hershey every year for the past 10 years now , anyone can recommend some places to eat , some how I always tend to end up eating at the same places . I want to try something different 

[demco32]

Any one have tips for me going the first time and coming from Belgium?

[gossp]

2 hours ago, demco32 said:

Any one have tips for me going the first time and coming from Belgium?

The best advice I can give is to bring lots of money. Also important if looking for specific things is to grab a program and track down people early. Take time to talk to guys that have stuff “like” what you need even if you can see they don’t have what you need. It’s a big event full of small communities.

[TAKerry]

2 hours ago, demco32 said:

Any one have tips for me going the first time and coming from Belgium?

If you love old cars (and I would think that is yes) you will love the trip to Hershey.

[Matt Harwood]

Even my 17-year-old son likes going to Hershey and he hates everything.

[demco32]

It look like a big swab meet.

I think it take more than 1 day to see.

[old car fan]

Will not see it in a day. Hopefully, you have more time. 

[TAKerry]

7 hours ago, demco32 said:

It look like a big swab meet.

I think it take more than 1 day to see.

I have been going to Hershey for a number of years, admittingly not as much as some members. I am too close to spend money on a hotel to stay overnight, but not close enough that I feel like going multiple days in a row. I have never been for more than one day, BUT I dont see everything there, and I do a pretty fast walk around a lot of the vendors. I have 70's era cars and until a few years ago really not that much there that I could relate to. I just like looking at the old stuff and what is for sale. Definitely need a few days to take it all in properly.

[demco32]

I have to find a hotel.

I'm going to New York and take a rental car.

Have to find out how to pay the tol road, i have no American credit card.

[TAKerry]

2 hours ago, demco32 said:

I have to find a hotel.

I'm going to New York and take a rental car.

Have to find out how to pay the tol road, i have no American credit card.

I am not 100% sure, but I think the rental company may have an option for the car to have ez pass which is the best way to pay tolls in the area you will be travelling. There may still be some toll booths set up to take cash, but that is more likely hit and miss. You should be looking for a hotel asap. Anything from the Harrisburg area to the west to Lancaster to the east should be fine. Lancaster is a bit more touristy.

[greenie]

18 hours ago, demco32 said:

It look like a big swab meet.

I think it take more than 1 day to see.

You need 3 days to see the majority of the swap meet- if that’s your interest. The best days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Friday morning you will see many vendors leaving as the car show begins. The car corral is a car show onto itself- only all the cars are for sale. By Friday, it begins to look a bit sparse. 
If you plan to buy parts that are too big to fit in your luggage, you need to make arrangements with one of the shipping services that will handle the shipping if your treasures back to Europe. 
As far as hotels, look as far east as Carlisle; as far as Grantville to the north; and as far as Lancaster to the east. With the public parking lots located on the north side of Hersheypark, I think you’ll have a better commute from the north- perhaps along the I-81 corridor.On the subject  of parking, the chocolate company will want $20 each day to allow you to park in a hayfield. At least admission is free!
 Don’t be afraid to book a hotel 15 miles away. We have high speed roads and most of us drive like we’re headed to a fire. Come and make a lifetime memory!

[demco32]

Because it is in October and in Belgium we can have cold weather and lots of rain I wonder if that is also in Hershey so I know how to prepared for clothing and shoe.

Thanks 

 

 

 

[old car fan]

Bring  clothes for all weather. May ,rain,snow, you just don't know. Last year, cold,wet Monday, Tuesday. 

[BuickTom87]

2 hours ago, demco32 said:

Because it is in October and in Belgium we can have cold weather and lots of rain I wonder if that is also in Hershey so I know how to prepared for clothing and shoe.

Thanks 

 

 

 

You used to have to bring boots for the mud since the fields would be grass but now it’s all pavement for the most part which is great . 

[TAKerry]

There is a good chance to have 3 seasons over a few days at Hershey!

[Jim Bollman]

We have worn Winter coats and T-shirts the same week.

[Littlestown Mike]

On 9/8/2023 at 1:37 AM, demco32 said:

It look like a big swab meet.

I think it take more than 1 day to see.

It is a big swap meet.  When I was younger, my goal was to hit every space, every vendor.  I had my "list" of what I was looking for so I could skip vendors who specialised in other makes.  If i kept up my pace, I could cover the entire swap meet in three days.

That is no longer my strategy.  There are too many vendors who do not specialize--too many gems hidden among many boxes of "chaff"--at least for me.  Now I slow down and look more closely and accept that I will not see everything--it is just not possible.  The car corral demands some time away from the flea market vendors--there are just too many nice ( and not so nice) cars and trucks--and they must all be viewed.

Plan for any sort of weather and enjoy your trip to Hershey---then you can begin to plan your return trip from next year.

[charlier]

On 9/7/2023 at 1:49 PM, gossp said:

The best advice I can give is to bring lots of money. Also important if looking for specific things is to grab a program and track down people early. Take time to talk to guys that have stuff “like” what you need even if you can see they don’t have what you need. It’s a big event full of small communities.

 

One of the best purchases you can make as soon as you get to the swap meet is to purchase a program book. This book contains maps of all the swap meet fields and lists of all the vendors and a LOT of other useful information especially for a first time attendee. It makes a great keepsake as well. I have one from every Fall Hershey I have ever attended.

 

If you have a limited amount of time to explore the swap meet, this program book can help you identify vendors that may have items you are looking for, where they are located and how to get to them in the most time efficient manner.

[demco32]

25 minutes ago, charlier said:

 

One of the best purchases you can make as soon as you get to the swap meet is to purchase a program book. This book contains maps of all the swap meet fields and lists of all the vendors and a LOT of other useful information especially for a first time attendee. It makes a great keepsake as well. I have one from every Fall Hershey I have ever attended.

 

If you have a limited amount of time to explore the swap meet, this program book can help you identify vendors that may have items you are looking for, where they are located and how to get to them in the most time efficient manner.

Thanks for the advice, sir.

My goal is just to visit and see how it go.

I'm looking for some small parts for my Oldsmobile.

It's not possible to take a lot on the airplaine.

 

[Jim Bollman]

The only times I sort of covered the whole swap meet it was a team effort. A very good friend and I would go down opposite sides of an isle. We both knew each other well enough that we sort of knew what the other would be interested  in. We tried to keep an eye on each other so we could signal each other and of course if there was a large part of a row empty we walked together. We would meet up at the end of the row before starting the next row. Worked great for a bunch of years accept for items we were both were after and even that worked a couple of times because my friend really liked to dicker, If I was there and he would say no and walk away I would buy the item at the new price.  Once he sent me back for something that he was  to embarrassed to admit was a good price and I bought it for him. He hasn't been to Hershey for over 20 years and I make do with what I can see by myself now. I have tried to do the team approach a couple of times but no one else has known me well enough or was patient enough to stay in sync.

[md murray]

On 9/8/2023 at 10:29 AM, demco32 said:

I have to find a hotel.

I'm going to New York and take a rental car.

Have to find out how to pay the tol road, i have no American credit card.

Take the train from NY to Harrisburg, PA and the Hotel Hershey will pick you up at the station. 

[BuickTom87]

Anyone can recommend good places

to eat? I went to the brewery in town a few times last year 

[Littlestown Mike]

Troegs brew-pub is always good for a visit.  I wish their food menu was a bit let pretentious--I am intimidated by the descriptions of the food that use a vocabulary way foreign to me.  The food has always been good, but sometimes I was surprised by what i had ordered. 
My friends and I have "discovered" a Mexican resturant up toward Palmyra --I think it is in the same shopping center with the DQ and maybe a food store.  That resutrant rates a return visit.

 

[starfireelvis]

Just bringing this one back up to the top, as more people may be paying attention at this time.   Good Lord willing, one week from now, I’ll be headed east to our old car paradise—can’t wait!

 

At this point, just want an update on any traffic issues/road work in or near town, and of course, any recommendations for restaurants, and even vendors at the swap meet or on the show field Friday.  Thanks again!

Edited September 25 by starfireelvis
Clarification (see edit history)

[starfireelvis]

For instance, a friend of mine here at home wanted to know if I could find a couple of cans of Moxie to try out and bring back from here.  There used to be some sort of get-together at some guy’s spot to try it out.   I know you can get it on-line, but it’s super expensive, and I don’t want to spend $30 or more on a 12-pack, especially if it tastes as awful as some people say.