I Went to the Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square Grand Opening – Here’s What You Can Expect

Yasmein James
Updated

Like any chocolate lover, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the new Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square in New York City to see what treats would await me. Inside the West 47th Street attraction, not far from its former location, the smell of melted chocolate greets customers at the door. Thanks to Hershey’s hot chocolate, the scent lingers throughout the entire store, which is three times the size of the original location. Not surprisingly, there’s enough candy — Bark Thins, Brookside, and Bubble Yum included — to put even a modest candy eater into a sugar coma. There’s also plenty of merch like hats, hoodies, pillows, and even a Hershey’s chocolate bath and shower kit with body soak, wash, scrub, and lotion if you really want to indulge.

Just past the entrance, customers can personalize one of three chocolate bars with phrases like “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Holidays.” And only at Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square can people upload their favorite photos to the design. Another Times Square exclusive is the option to buy a five-pound Hershey’s milk chocolate bar.

Plus, you can buy s’mores fresh-from-the-oven that are sold out of an authentic camper. The marshmallow and graham crackers were both specially formulated through a partnership with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). The CIA also helped create the recipes for Hershey’s Kitchen Bakery inside the store. We’re talking 10 new Hershey’s-inspired recipes including chocolate-stuffed (and topped!) brownies and candy-coated balls enveloped in chocolate with a marshmallow center. There’s also the Reese’s Peanut Butter Blossom, which, if you love peanut butter, you absolutely need in your life. Seriously.

In case you prefer your sweets in small bites, you can go crazy at the Amazing Candy Machine. With a lever, you can pull as much candy into decorative boxes and tins as your heart desires, including various flavors of Kisses, mini chocolate bars, and Jolly Ranchers. To seal your affection for the company or the people you’re with, you can “Say it With a Kiss” via a touchscreen that allows you to send a digital Hershey’s Kiss in the form of messages that are displayed on a scrolling marquee around the store.

As a Pennsylvanian, The Hershey’s Company will always have a special place in my heart. Knowing that my home state produces most of the world’s chocolate gives me an added connection to these legendary sweets. Being inside Hershey’s Chocolate World reveals a small window into the enormity of the real-life chocolate wonderland. Regardless if it’s for the oversized chocolate bars, Instagrammable backdrops, or campfire-style s’mores in the middle of New York City, the trip is worth it! You’ll share memorable chocolatey moments with your loved ones long after the flight back home.

Will you be heading to the Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square? Let us know @BritandCo.

(Photos via Hershey’s Chocolate World Times Square)