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5 iconic American factory tours
I have friends who travel to eat, shop, and visit historical landmarks. But have you considered factory tours as a fun way to interact with a new city? Plus, isn’t it so interesting to see how things are made?
Here are a few iconic American factory tours you should check off your bucket list.
Crayola Crayons Factory – Easton, Pennsylvania
The factory tour that started it all… at least in my mind! I remember Mr. Rogers walking us through the creation of a yellow Crayon, and I was mesmerized by the process. Plan on spending 3-4 at this downtown Easton beacon– it’s bigger than an NFL football field!
The Crayola Experience feels less like a “factory” and more of a Crayola showcase and history museum. There is a lot of history to soak up; after all, the company has called Easton home since 1903. This tour is super kid-friendly, with four floors of interactive exhibits, indoor playgrounds, and, of course, coloring projects. You can even make and name your own crayon.
Harley Davidson Motorcycle Factory
York, PA | Kansas City, MO | Menomonee Falls, WI
Harley may be based out of Milwaukee, but you can see them on the assembly line in three places. Their York facility produces touring motorcycles. In Kansas City, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the street family of motorcycles.
However, for the mack daddy of them all, make a reservation for the Steel Toe tour at Harley-Davidson’s 849,000 square-foot facilities in Wisconsin. This two-hour experience lets you get up-close and personal with the assembly line, powder coat process, cold testing, and steel and aluminum machining. This tour comes with a bona fide costume: a safety vest, safety glasses, and steel toe protection, all of which are provided. Afterward, grab a bite at the museum restaurant, Motor, which actually has delicious grub. Think cheese curds, brats, and beer. This is Wisconsin, after all.
Jelly Belly – Fairfield, CA
A quarter-mile of jelly beans? Count me in! This free, self-guided tour allows you to stroll through this iconic factory at your place. In addition to gaining a bird’s eye look at candy making, you’ll get plenty of free samples. Check out the interactive exhibits and games along the tour lane.
If you like vino, be sure to check out the Jelly Belly Chocolate and Wine Experience. Sample five local vintner wines paired with decadent chocolate. If you’re traveling with kids, fret not—they do have non-alcoholic pairings as well.
Ben & Jerry’s – Waterbury, VT
Whether you’re a Cherry Garcia fan, a Phish Food lover, or more of an American Dream-er, Ben and Jerry’s probably holds a place in your heart. Tour their Vermont facility 7 days a week, 362 days a year. All tours are guided, last 30 minutes and are offered (including the sample!) whether or not ice cream is in production. If you haven’t gotten your fill of the frozen stuff by the tour’s end, you can get a scoop or three at their onsite scoop shop.
Be sure to walk through the Flavor Graveyard and pay your respects to the “dearly de-pinted” flavors of years past. Tour Tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and they occasionally sell out in the summer, fall, and holidays. Go early!
Gibson Garage – Memphis, TN
This tour is perfect for the music lover. Venture to the historic Cummins Station in Nashville, Tennessee, and into Gibson Garage where you can shop for your dream acoustic or electric guitar, new accessories, and lifestyle gear, catch an exclusive performance, start learning to play, or check out the interactive installations.
Have another not-to-be-missed factory tour? Share in the comments!
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We own a Winnebago motor home, which are made in Forest City, Iowa. You can take an informative, free tour of how Winnebago RV’s are made (no prior reservations needed). A few interesting communities are near by too, like Clear lake…has the Surf ballroom ( which is still a music venue) remembered as the last concert for the”Big Bopper ” and Ritchie Vallens and one other 1950’s entertainer.
Thank you for all your travel experiences, hints and recommendations.
As an Iowan, I appreciate the Iowa suggestions. Thanks!
Jelly Belly, Celestial Tea, Jack Daniels, Tillamook, and Tabasco. And probably Hershey (did it as a kid, so I don’t remember much).
Martin Guitar Factory tour, Nazareth, Pa.
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It is 11 miles from the Crayola Crayons Experience in Easton, Pa.
The Tabasco Factory tour in Avery Island, Louisiana was GREAT as a kid. For the adults, distillery and brewery tours are where it’s at.
In my opinion 2 iconic ones that missed the missed are the The Hershey Factory in Hershey, PA and The Coca-Cola Factory in Atlanta, GA.
Sam Adams in Boston!!!! Short, but informative. Admission is whatever donation you wish to make to the charity of the day. When we went, it was for the families of local firefighters who had been killed in the line of duty days prior. We sampled special beers like the “Black and Gold” that was delicious and dark, and only served at the Garden during Bruins playoff games, and the “26.2”, that was only being served in towns that the Boston Marathon passed through. Samples were served by the pitcher full, and you are encouraged to keep your tasting glass as a souvenir. We have been on other brewery tours, but this one stands out for it’s generosity to the community and the customers.
The Boeing plant tour in Everett, WA (north of Seattle) is a must see if you’re in the area. The size and scale of the place is mind boggling.
Hershey factory and park. PA.
Can you believe I live within an hour of the Crayola Factory and I’ve never been?! Definitely adding a few of these to my list. The Louisville Slugger factory is also a pretty cool tour.
Definitely Hershey Park! The town smells of chocolate, has those cute Hershey kisses street lights. You will be singing….its the milk in it… form the tour ride. Alos CapeCod potato chips. Takes about five minutes but
I have been to Ben & Jerry’s .Paired it with the Cabot Creamery Tour on the same day!
This was going to be my suggestion as well! They are so close to each other and Cabot is a don’t miss. Fabulous cheese.
Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN.
How about the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory in Hyannis?
A visit to the Cape is wonderful, this is a fun thing to do with kids ( or adults ) on a rainy day. Or on a good day for that matter.
Gibson is done.
Simon Pearce Glass in Quechee George, VT https://www.simonpearce.com/
Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Louisville, Kentucky
Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis. I was there years ago as a teen but it was a wonderful time!
I also recommend Martin Guitars in Nazareth, Pa as well as Fender Guitars in Corona, CA.
D.G. Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, Pa America’s oldest brewery. Admission is free. No open toe shoes are allowed. Very informative and entertaining. Free samples at the end of the tour. We even got to meet and talk to Dick Yuengling, who we were told is there often.
Airstream Factory Tour in Jackson Center, OH is very informative and you can see lots of old models. You even get to tour the cooperate offices, some. It was great to see these products still made in America.
Heini’s Cheese Chalet in Millersburg, OH is also fun.
We’ve done 3 of the 6 in your article. I’d also recommend the pretzel and potato chip tours near Lancaster, PA…
http://www.visitlancasterpa.com/Lancaster-County/Things-To-Do/Pretzel-Tours/
My family has gone to the Utz potato chip factory in Pennsylvania and enjoyed the tour. It was the first time we had freshly made chips; they were still warm. Would definitely recommend this.
Louisville Slugger Bat Factory
I visited the Jelly Belly in Fairfield, California with my family. It was great.
Koloa Rum Store and Tasting on Kauai, HI. Not really a brewery tour. But a good talk about the history of the rum industry on the island and a fun tasting of multiple rums.
We were visiting the Airstream factory in Jackson Center, Ohio when a big storm with blew in a d tornado warning siren were going off. We gathered with all the workers in the center of the building and waited it out. It was nice to be able to talk to the workers during that time. Other memorable factory tours – KitchenAid tour in Greenville, Ohio and Doscher Candy in Cincinnati, Ohio
Zildjian in Norwell, MA reservations far in advance are suggested and well worth it,
Golden Paints in New Berlin, NY reservations needed in advance and they are out in the middle of nowhere but because my husband is a painter we did this tour on a road trip we took and I thought is was wonderful.
Tillamook in Tilamook, OR no reservation and fun for the whole family.
The Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY……..Hollywood Stars Car museum Gatlinburg TN, Pioneer Auto Murdo SD most have much more than just cars
Kellogg’s of Battle Creek (Michigan)!
I also would recommend Hershey, Tabasco/Avery, Corning Glass, and Louisville Slugger.
Hershey’s Chocolate hasn’t had a “real” factory tour since some time in the 1970s but Hershey’s Chocolate World is a fun place to spend an hour or several. The last time I was there most of the attractions had an additional charge but the basic “Chocolate Tour” (again, not a factory tour, but explains the process) is free and there’s a pretty big gift shop and snack bar. And of course the adjacent Hershey Park is a major amusement park in its own right.
Pez Candy Factory, Orange, CT
😊
Hammonds Candy in Denver Co. I loved it. Also the Bureau of Printing and Engraving outside of Ft Worth. Also I haven’t personally been there but this is available. Although they did close during the pandemic.
Tillamook cheese factory on the Oregon coast in the city of Tillamook!
I LOVE Tillamook Ice Cream!
For those from Texas or the south, a trip to the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, TX is a must!
There are some great GM manufacturing plants that still give tours. Go for the assembly plants like Fort Wayne truck assembly, call for info because they aren’t always available. Cummins motors in Columbus Indiana is impressive too.
Celestial Seasons is fun, but small in comparison to automotive or airline assembly.
I have not been on, but I hear that there are tours of the Detroit plants that were re-tooled in the 1940s for the war effort. They are enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Coors Beer factory tour in Golden, CO ends with a visit to the tasting room!
Louisville Slugger factory (in Louisville of course) is great!
The Herrs Potato Chip factory tour in Nottingham, Pennsylvania is great. They even take hot chips off the line to sample.
Although I would like to say the Hershey Factory tour. I can’t.
You see, I took my kids there maybe 20 years ago. They kind of enjoyed it, but I didn’t.
You see, I went through that tour 55 years ago, with My Parents back when you REALLY got to see them making chocolate. The smell of the raw chocolate was so bad, I didn’t eat Chocolate for 3 years. But, I still remember seeing the Kisses on the Conveyor.
Health department rules made them change the tour, and I think they ruined it. Plus, it’s really commercialized now.