Looking to turn a long drive into a memory-making adventure? If you’re heading from Southern New Hampshire to Hershey, Pennsylvania, consider adding a colorful stop along the way: the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA. We recently made the trip with kids in tow, and with a little planning (and a lot of snacks), it became one of our favorite family adventures yet.
🛣️ Plan Your Route with Purpose
The drive from Southern NH to Hershey takes about 6.5 to 7 hours. To break up the trip – and give the kids something to look forward to – stop for a few hours at the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA (about 4.5 hours into the drive).
👉 Pro Tip: Leave early – by 6 or 7 A.M. – to avoid New York traffic, which can really slow you down mid-morning.
🖍️ Make It a Crayola Day
The Crayola Experience is bursting with color, creativity, and fun for all ages. You could easily spend half a day or more exploring 20+ hands-on exhibits, including:
- Melting and molding wax
- Starring in your own coloring page
- Running wild in the indoor playground
- Watching live crayon demos
- Snapping a photo with Big Blue, Crayola’s 1,500-pound crayon
💖 Family Favorite: Making our own personalized crayons – complete with names and custom wrappers – was a huge hit.
🎟️ Note: General admission covers most activities, but tokens are needed for bonus stations like drip art and souvenir machines. Budget a few extra dollars – they go fast!
🍔 Where to Eat
After all that creative energy, you’ll be ready to refuel. Options include:
- Snack bar and café inside Crayola for something quick
- River Grille at the Easton Riverwalk, just across the street – great for a sit-down lunch with kid-friendly options and a view
- Frank Pepe’s Pizza in New Haven, CT – a fantastic early lunch stop if you’re breaking up the drive on the way down
🎢 Finish in Chocolate Town
Once you reach Hershey, the real magic begins – roller coasters, sweet treats, and even a zoo!
🍫 Hersheypark Tips for Parents
Here’s what helped make our Hershey visit smooth and stress-free:
- Buy tickets in advance to save time and money
- Get the Fast Track Pass (purchased 3+ days ahead) – lines for the top rides can exceed an hour on busy days, and this is worth every penny
- Bring ponchos or wear swimsuits – there are water rides everywhere, and yes, you will get soaked
- Don’t skip the water coaster – our absolute favorite ride in the park
- Set aside time for ZooAmerica – the on-site zoo is a hidden gem, and you could easily spend half a day there exploring all the animals and shaded walking paths
- End with dinner at The Chocolatier, just outside the park entrance. It’s the ultimate chocolate dining experience, with themed desserts, kid favorites, and plenty of sweet photo ops.
🚗 Mom-Tested Road Trip Tips
- Leave early to beat traffic
- Pack snacks, wipes, extra clothes, and water within reach
- Bring mess-free activities and movies for the drive
- Plan to spend 2–3 hours (or more!) at Crayola
- Budget for tokens, souvenirs, and extras like Fast Track passes
🥨 A Sweet, Colorful Adventure
From crayons to coasters to chocolate-covered everything, this road trip blends creativity, thrill rides, and sweet memories. With the right prep and a few planned pit stops, the journey is just as fun as the destination.
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