Candyland by Sarah Miller

Indulge in a luxurious, decadent overnight chocolate stay in a historic hotel, or take a fun-filled candy tour. These sacrine-inspired spots are sure to whisk you away faster than you can say, “Willy Wonka.”

Stop downtown for a kiss, a Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss. Chocolate lovers prepare to melt at the pure whimsy that is Hershey. Pennsylvania. Drive under street lights shaped like Hershey Kisses, and turn down “Chocolate Avenue.” That’s where you’ll find out how it all started at The Hershey Story museum. Located in downtown Hershey, the museum celebrates Milton S. Hershey, the candy maker and philanthropist.

Hershey, a caramel- candy maker, saw a chocolate-making machine at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. He bought the contraption for his factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and by 1900 the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar was born. America’s first mass-produced chocolate bar now calls Hershey, Pennsylvania home.

Next stop, Hershey’s Chocolate World. Enter an immersive journey into cocoa bliss. Board Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, a dark ride that transports from the tropical cocoa bean to the factory. Feel the warmth and smell the melting chocolate. See how chocolates are made, and laugh with the silly animatronic cows. After the ride, savor a free sample of, yes, chocolate.

In Chocolate World, guests can create their own candy bars. Or, stuff a peanut butter cup with a choice of fillings. “Hershey’s Unwrapped,” is a theatrical production about the science and art of chocolate tasting. In 2023, the 50th Celebration will bring an expansion with new attractions.

Of course there’s also Hersheypark, for chocolate-loving, thrill-seeking, roller coaster enthusiasts. Dine at Hersheypark’s The Chocolatier for a meal and let’s not forget, dessert–Chocolate Fun-Due, Reese’s peanut-butter style cheesecake, and an Over the Top Hershey’s Milkshake.

Now time for visions of sugar plums (or chocolate) to dance in your head. For an overnight stay, Hotel Hershey, a “Historic Hotel of America,” offers sweet dreams. The on-site spa even provides whipped cocoa baths and cocoa facials.

Retail Locations M&M’s Mall of America, Minnesota M&M’s Las Vegas, Nevada M&M’s New York M&M’s Disney Springs, Florida Candy-coated M&Ms “melt in your mouth, not in your hands.” These fun, fashionable chocolates started out with an important function. In 1941, from their factory in Newark, New Jersey, Forrest Mars Sr. and partner Bruce Murrie (Murrie and Mars, hence the name M&M)–introduced World War II soldiers to the cheerful chocolate candies. Mars, whose father founded the Mars candy empire, got his idea during the late 1930s while watching Spanish Civil War soldiers eating similar coated chocolate pellets. His new M&Ms were coated in five colors of tempered hard candy and packaged in pocket-size cardboard tubes that fit perfectly in GI cargo pants.

Today M&M’s have reached stardom status. While you can’t take a factory tour, you can enter the rainbow of worldwide M&M retail stores. For an extended weekend getaway, visit the first M&M’s location in Las Vegas. Or visit, M&Ms Mall of America, New York, or Disney Springs locations. Gape at the floor to ceiling rainbow candy walls. Snap photos with your favorite white-gloved M&M mascot, or create a personalized M&M. Each location has its own local style–Vegas has a replica of Kyle Busch’s 18 M&M’s sponsored NASCAR, and Disney Springs has Mickey-inspired M&M merchandise.

After Mars invented M&M’s, he later founded Ethel M’s Chocolates (named for his mother) just outside Las Vegas. Celebrating 40 years, visitors can take a free self-guided tour in the newly-renovated Henderson, Nevada, production plant. Spy inside Ethel’s kitchen where pecan brittle is made by hand daily. Or, watch small batches of chocolates being filled with caramels, peanut butter and creams. Find time to take a chocolate making/ tasting class, then wander Ethel’s on-site desert botanical grounds and restaurant.

Twenty-four-year-old Gustav Goelitz started his candy company in 1869 in Illinois. His family carried on the torch– or butter creams and candy corns–in this case. Today, the company still produces candy corn, but Jelly Bellies as well. Gustave probably could’ve never predicted his family business would create far out jelly bean flavors like Buttered Popcorn, Cotton Candy, and Toasted Marshmallow.

Not to mention, the BeanBoozled dare to try two jelly beans that look exactly alike but taste completely different–Tutti Frutti or Stinky Socks? Would you accept the challenge? Whatever your preference, spend hours at the expansive Museum Experience, Jelly Belly Factory Tours, and the new Jelly Belly Train Ride. Dining, shopping, and of course, plenty of Jelly Bellies.

Like a lollipop, Carl Hammond’s journey into candy making took many colorful twists and turns. He left school to work at a candy factory. Shortly after he was drafted into service, and then he returned to candy making. Now visitors can learn about his sweet legacy at Hammond’s in Denver, Colorado. Watch lollipops, candy canes and other treats pulled and twisted by hand–the same way Carl Hammond made them in the 1920’s. Follow the story on overhead screens with facts about The Mile High City and Hammond’s Candies.The free factory tour also offers a fresh-from-the-factory, sweet treat.

The first Corn Palace in Mitchell was built in 1892, two blocks south of its present location on Main street. Its purpose was to attract settlers to South Dakota, which had achieved statehood just three years prior. The Corn Palace was also intended to be a tribute to agriculture. It was not the first and not the only such building of its time. According to Lon Tonesson, editor of “The Dakota Farmer,” at least 34 corn palaces were built in 24 towns across the Midwest between 1880 and 1930. Only the Mitchell Corn Palace remains.

The original 1892 Corn Palace building cost $1,500 and took 60 days to build. Today, the building costs the city of Mitchell approximately $130,000 annually to operate. Each year, the people of Mitchell and the surrounding area celebrated the fall harvest with week-long festival called Corn Palace week. There were carnival rides and food and craft booths set up along main street. Big name entertainment was hired to perform inside. The event is still held every August.

By 1905, it was clear that the Corn Palace was a success as a tourist attraction and entertainment venue. It was also clear that the original building wasn’t large enough to accommodate all the activities and events that could potentially be held there. City leaders in 1905 also wanted to convince the state of South Dakota that Mitchell should replace Pierre as the state capitol and believed that a new Corn Palace would be a good selling point. The original building was torn down in 1905 and a new building was erected using the old lumber. The new building was twice the size of the first and it was the first building to feature exterior and interior murals constructed mainly of corn. The murals have traditionally depicted agricultural scenes and other depictions of South Dakota life. The exterior murals are replaced or updated annually. The interior murals are changed every 15-20 years as they are not exposed to weather and can last much longer.

The Corn Palace has seen many renovations and upgrades and continues to be used for various event year-round. As Mitchell’s civic auditorium and event center, it’s home to basketball games, high school dances, banquets, dance recitals, rodeos and musical acts.