It's been nearly 50 years ? since 1973 ? that we opened our doors, but we like to think that our story began more than 60 years prior, when the original HERSHEY'S Chocolate Factory began public tours. They became so popular over the years that the chocolate-loving demand warranted a visitors center.

As of early 2026, Hershey’s Chocolate World is 52 years old. The visitor center officially opened its doors on June 30, 1973, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was built as a modern replacement for the original chocolate factory tours, which had become too popular for the factory to handle safely. To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, the attraction underwent a major revitalization, including the launch of "Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition," the first cinematic train adventure of its kind. While the iconic "Chocolate Tour" ride has been updated numerous times (now featuring singing cows and high-tech 4D elements), it remains the cornerstone of the experience. Today, the facility welcomes over 4 million visitors annually and stands as a massive monument to Milton Hershey's legacy, having evolved from a simple factory tour into a world-class "retail-tainment" destination that defines the "sweetest place on earth."