after re-reading your message - We go to Hershey once a year, but still have yet to see the inside of the park. DH has a car event there & I wander over to the site w/the kids. There's enough to do & see without paying to get in. The movie is outside the park, trolly ride & continuous free ride thru the factory (an actual ride) that hands out chocolate at the end. Always Priceline.com for that too & end up in Harrisburg, a cute college-type town w/the river walk, etc.
Quaint town, try Ithaca/Finger Lake/Watkins Glen, NY, home to Cornell & Ithaca colleges. (they have a Wegmans!!) Last time there I *did* wander thru old book stores. Stayed a few B&Bs there. Check the NYstate website to see what's going on for kids. There is a state park there that has a great waterfall that you CAN swim in! W/lifeguards. Plus you have the Gorges to hike thru - kids can do it!! They can pick you up at the end or drop you off @ the end & walk back. Either way *if* kids are tired you know there's an easier way out. PS - it's about a 3hr drive tho.
