Hershey is famous for chocolate, but the town has a real restaurant scene that most day visitors never see, and the Hershey Trolley Food Tour is built to fix that. You board Lulu the Trolley, a vintage-style red trolley, with a small group and a guide, and ride between a handful of independent restaurants and cafes in and around Hershey for tastings. The format is the classic progressive meal: a small plate here, a paired drink there, a conversation with a chef or owner at a stop, and a dessert finish that keeps the chocolate-town theme alive. The tour is a roughly three-hour midday experience, and groups are small, which is what makes it feel like a hosted lunch rather than a crowded excursion. The trolley does the driving, so nobody has to choose a designated driver or hunt for parking at five different places, and the guide fills the ride time with local history: how a candy fortune built a planned town, why the streets have the names they do, and which buildings carry the stories. For visitors who have two days and a lot of competing priorities, it is an efficient way to sample the dining scene in one sitting.
The tour works best on a day when you do not have a park ticket burning a hole in your pocket. Hersheypark is a full-day commitment, and a food tour that runs through lunch fits much better on a gardens-and-museum day or on the day you arrive. Come hungry, because the tastings add up to a full meal for most people, and flag any allergies or dietary needs well before departure so the restaurants can plan.
Because the stops are independent local kitchens, menus can change with the season and the supplier, which is part of the appeal: this is not a chain tour, and the guide will explain what you are eating and who is cooking it.
Practical details matter on a trolley. Seating is vintage-style rather than plush, the ride between stops is short, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, so summer heat is not a worry. Meeting points can be a short drive from the main tourist strip, so check the departure address when you book and allow time to park. Groups are capped at a small size, which means popular dates and weekends sell out, and the sensible approach is to book as soon as your travel dates are fixed.
The experience is suited to adults and older children who like trying new food; it is a poor fit for very young children who need constant entertainment, or for anyone with severe allergies that a shared kitchen cannot honor.
Think of it as a local shortlist on wheels. By the end you will have a short list of restaurants to return to for a full dinner, an idea of where the locals eat, and a clearer map of the town than any signpost provides. Many visitors book it for the first day of a Hershey trip so the recommendations shape the rest of the stay.
It also pairs naturally with an afternoon at Hershey's Chocolate World or the Hershey Story Museum, where the dessert you just ate gets its backstory. If you want a different mood, the same operator runs other trolley themes, including a brunch route and a fall Oktoberfest route, which are covered as separate entries in this guide.
What to expect
The experience
A guided trolley ride between local Hershey restaurants with small plates, paired drinks and a dessert finish, hosted by a guide who explains the food and the town.
Best time
Midday on a day without a park ticket. Weekends and school holidays sell out, so book early.
How long
Plan on roughly three hours, plus parking time at the meeting point.
Tips
Arrive hungry and tell the operator about allergies when you book. Wear comfortable shoes and check the departure address before you drive.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults, couples and groups of friends who want to eat well and learn the town in one sitting.
- Families
- Works for older children who enjoy new foods; skip it with small children who will not sit for three hours.
- Couples
- A relaxed, hosted way to share a long lunch and pick up dinner ideas for the evening.
- Pair with
- The Hershey Story Museum or an afternoon at Hershey's Chocolate World.
- Time needed
- Three hours plus travel to the meeting point.
Good questions
What is Lulu the Trolley?+
Lulu is the vintage-style red trolley that carries guests between stops on the operator's Hershey food and themed tours. Seating is vintage-style and the vehicle is air-conditioned.
How long does the tour last?+
Plan on about three hours. Check the departure time when you book and allow extra time to find parking at the meeting point.
Is the tour enough for lunch?+
For most guests, yes. The tastings and the dessert finish add up to a full meal, so do not schedule a large lunch beforehand.
Can the restaurants handle dietary needs?+
Mention allergies and restrictions when you book and again on the day. Severe allergies may not be accommodated because the stops are independent kitchens.
Are there other trolley tours in Hershey?+
Yes. The same operator runs a brunch route and a fall Oktoberfest route, each covered as its own entry in this guide.
