For some, Chocolate Day is every day, but one chocoholic went the extra mile and declared October 28 as National Chocolate Day. Here are just four of the sweetest places to celebrate:
Hershey, PA
You can’t have a conversation about chocolate without mentioning “The Sweetest Place on Earth” -- Hershey. The community built itself on Hershey chocolate and is also famous for Hersheypark (which is closed through Memorial Day but hosts seasonal events for Halloween and Christmas). Open almost year round is Hershey’s Chocolate World, where you can take a free tour and see how one of the world’s most famous chocolate brands pumps out their delectable treats -- before a free sample at the end, of course, and time to explore the gift shop for all your cocoa cravings. From there, you can take a free shuttle to the nearby Hershey Story, a museum experience ($10) that tells the story of the man that started it all, Milton S. Hershey. Or for a more relaxing trip, book a chocolate-infused treatment at The Spa at the Hotel Hershey. On the menu are a chocolate milk bath, cocoa facial, massage with chocolate-scented oil, and more. (Prices range from $45 to $205, depending on the treatment and day of the week you’re going.)
Daytona Beach
Three words: chocolate-covered bacon. That’s just one of the items you’ll be able to sample when taking a free tour at Daytona Beach’s Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, an almost 90-year-old Beach Street institution. This tour is more intimate than the one you’ll find in Hershey -- you can peer through large windows, observe as employees handcraft and assemble goodies, and perhaps even get to chat with owner Charlie Smith. Aside from the chocolate-covered bacon ($7.50), you can purchase dozens of other treats like chocolate-covered potato chips ($9.95), fudge ($4), and assorted boxed chocolates (from $7.50).
Hollywood
If you're in Tinseltown with a sweet tooth, Sweet! Hollywood has you covered. And it's not ordinary candy store -- it features 12 boutiques, each with a different theme, like Wonka or Valentine's Day. We love walking down memory lane in the Route 66 boutique, where vintage candies tempt the wallet. Or if you’re feeling creative, stop by the Chocolate Lab to design your own candy bar with a variety of mix-ins, for around $10.
New York City
There have been imitators aplenty, but no one has been able to quite duplicate Serendipity 3’s frozen hot chocolate. The popular drink is big enough for two ($8.95) and even has a peanut butter version (for under a dollar more). Expect a long wait unless you make reservations for the limited seats. If you can't wait for a chocolate fix, walk a block down and step into Dylan’s Candy Bar. Shelves are stocked with colorfully wrapped chocolate bars with flavors like red velvet cake and espresso ($3.25 each), as well as specialty items like chocolate-dipped Oreos ($18) and 100-calorie bars for $1.50 a pop.
