There are people who love the winter and everything it offers, and those who love summer and want to soak up the sun on a beach. We have outdoor things to do in winter near Hershey, PA for the winter lovers! There are plenty of reasons to put extra marshmallows in your steaming hot chocolate. Before you start dreaming of snowsports and mittens, book your room at the 1825 Inn. You need a basecamp for all this activity!
Tubing, Skiing, and Snowboarding at Round Top
Just a short drive from the 1825 Inn is the Round Top Mountain Resort, home to a smorgasbord of fun. Have you ever been tubing down an 800 foot run with an 80-foot vertical drop? No experience is necessary for this thrilling ride.
If skiing or snowboarding is more to your liking, there are more than 20 trails at all levels of difficulty to test your skills. With 600 feet in elevation, Round Top offers private and group lessons. You will be ready for the double black diamond Upper Gunbarrel and Upper Ramrod Trails before you know it!
Snowshoeing
If you can hike, you can snowshoe! Depending on the weather, these pristine trails are perfect for either hiking boots or snowshoes:
Memorial Lake State Park is approximately 15 minutes from the Inn. There are two miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing. There is also a one-acre site in the Middle Road boat launch area that can be used for ice skating.
Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail is also only about 15 minutes from the Inn. There are 13 miles of trails on these rails to trails
Swatara State Park is a 25-minute drive but has 18 miles of trails that would be a good challenge for either hiking or snowshoes. The 10 mile Rail Trail is also suggested for cross country skiing.
Gifford Pinchot State Park is a 40-minute drive but also has 18 miles of trails that are interconnected, so you can choose the length and difficulty of your hike.
ZooAmerica
If you are looking for something a little “tamer” than skiing, hiking, or snowshoeing, visit the animals at ZooAmerica. This wild animal park covers 11 acres and is open year-round. There is even a program showing how animals are able to adapt and survive in cold weather. ZooAmerica is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm and closes on major holidays.
Falconry Experience
If you especially like birds of prey, you will be fascinated by the Falconry Experience. It includes free-flight demonstrations, a simulated hunt demonstration, and even an opportunity for these magnificent birds to land on your hand! The birds included hawks, falcons, and a Golden Eagle. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and should be booked in advance. There are demonstrations every weekend, but weekdays can be arranged by appointment.
Take a Ride on the Strasburg Railroad
What better way to see the countryside than on an old-time train ride? The Strasburg Railroad is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the western hemisphere and the oldest public utility in Pennsylvania. There are special steam adventures through the month of December including the Santa’s Paradise Express Coach, the Night Before Christmas Train Coach, and Santa’s Christmas Trolley. Other rides continue through the winter.
As you can see, there are many different types of outdoor things to do near Hershey, PA. One of the hardest things to do is choosing which to explore first? Make sure you have a warm cozy place to return to at the end of the day! Maybe a room with a fireplace? Check the rooms out at 1825 Inn and call us with any questions. We would love to help you plan your getaway.
