A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Hershey for Families, Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Alexandria or Hershey?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Hershey. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. It's also popular because of the shopping and museums.

Alexandria and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Hershey?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alexandria than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alexandria is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hershey is more popular for its resorts. Hershey is more touristy than Alexandria and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Also, Alexandria is famous for Mount Vernon.

How is Alexandria different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hershey and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Hershey?

Alexandria is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Hershey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alexandria is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria is a popular place for nightlife. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Alexandria has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Hershey doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Hershey is great for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hershey to choose from. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is very popular for its historic old town. However, Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria has a world-famous historical area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Hershey does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Hershey?

Alexandria is a great destination for shopping. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Alexandria is an extremely popular place for shoppers. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hershey. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Families?

Hershey is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hershey is very family-friendly. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Couples?

Alexandria and Hershey both superb destinations for a couple.

Alexandria is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Hershey is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Hershey is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there are some fun activities in the area.

Is Alexandria or Hershey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is very popular for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Alexandria has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Alexandria or Hershey a more walkable city?

Alexandria is very popular for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Hershey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hershey or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Hershey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alexandria and Hershey. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alexandria than in Hershey. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hershey.

Families should spend more time in Hershey than Alexandria. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hershey, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Hershey. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Hershey if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Hershey?

In Alexandria, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and shopping around the fun-filled town of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Hershey?

In Alexandria, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alexandria has to offer.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Hershey, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Alexandria or Hershey?

Alexandria is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Hershey, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Hershey?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Hershey is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Hershey, we can see that Hershey is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hershey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hershey than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Hershey Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Hershey?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Hershey, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Hershey?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alexandria or Hershey in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Hershey. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alexandria is around the same temperature as Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Hershey averages at about 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In the summer, Alexandria often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Hershey. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hershey in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Alexandria is generally a little warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 60°F (15°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey during autumn. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hershey. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alexandria or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Alexandria during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hershey can be very cold during winter. Alexandria can get quite cold in the winter. Alexandria is much warmer than Hershey in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Alexandria often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hershey. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Hershey in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Hershey. Most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Alexandria is a little warmer than Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Hershey averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey during spring. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Hershey. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Alexandria