Park & nature
Hershey Gardens
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Hershey Gardens is a beautiful 23-acre botanical garden in Hershey, Pennsylvania, 'the sweetest place on Earth', created in 1937 at the wish of chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey, who simply asked for 'a nice garden of roses.' It grew into a celebrated horticultural showcase, anchored by a magnificent rose garden of thousands of bushes in hundreds of varieties (spectacular in June), and expanded with themed areas including seasonal displays, a Japanese garden, ornamental trees, and a delightful Children's Garden. A highlight is the indoor Butterfly Atrium, a warm, tropical conservatory where hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world drift among the plants year-round.
Set on a hill overlooking the town and the Hershey complex, it's a serene, family-friendly attraction that pairs perfectly with a visit to Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World nearby. Lovely across the seasons, roses in summer, blooms in spring, colour in autumn. Allow a couple of hours to wander the gardens and the butterfly atrium.
Don't miss
- A magnificent rose garden of thousands of bushes
- The year-round indoor Butterfly Atrium
- Themed and seasonal garden areas
- A Japanese garden and Children's Garden
- Hilltop views over Hershey
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Hershey Gardens
You can visit on your own (Paid entry (includes the Butterfly Atrium)). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- The rose garden is spectacular in June.
- Don't miss the year-round indoor Butterfly Atrium.
- It pairs perfectly with Hersheypark and Chocolate World.
- Lovely across the seasons, roses, spring blooms, autumn colour.
A bit of history
Hershey Gardens was established in 1937 when Milton Hershey funded the creation of a rose garden, which opened to the public. It steadily expanded into a full botanical garden, and in 2016 added the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory with its year-round Butterfly Atrium.
Common questions
What is Hershey Gardens?
A 23-acre botanical garden in Hershey, Pennsylvania, created in 1937 by Milton Hershey, anchored by a magnificent rose garden and featuring a year-round indoor Butterfly Atrium.
What's the Butterfly Atrium?
A warm, tropical indoor conservatory where hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world drift among the plants, open year-round.
When's the best time to visit?
June for the spectacular roses, with spring and autumn lovely too; the Butterfly Atrium makes it worthwhile any time of year.
What's nearby?
Hersheypark and Hershey's Chocolate World are close by, making for a full day out.
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