Factory tours are so fun, learn how your favorite products are made from start to finish! Most are at a low cost and give free samples. Listed is some near and far, a great day trip idea or two in the mix! Which factory tour did you like best? Let me know at: meghang@macaronikid.com
Asher's Chocolates, Souderton PA
A viewing area gives you a front row view of the state of the art chocolate making factory. Handicap accessibility available. **Call ahead for large groups.
Tour open when factory is open: Mon-Friday, 10-3:30, closes some summer days for Maintenance.
Call ahead to confirm tour is open: 215-721-3276
Location: 80 Wambold Rd Souderton
Snyder's of Hanover, Hanover PA.
Suitable for ages 5+. Tour lasts about 30minutes, starting in the factory store. You will see the raw materials, finished goods and packing warehouse. Each tour ends with a bag of pretzels. *stairs are part of the tour
Tour Starts at the Factory Store: 1350 York Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Hershey's Chocolate World
Tour run continuously during working hours, taking about 30 minutes.
Learn how the cocoa beans turns into delicious chocolate on the FREE tour. This tour uses all your senses! See, feel, hear and smell the transformation of cocoa beans to HERSHEY'S famous chocolate. Before you go get your FREE Hershey's product sample. Wheelchair accessibility available
Other options:
4D Chocolate Mystery (30 minutes)
Adult (13-61) $7.95
Child (3-12) $6.95
Child (2 and under) FREE
Create Your Own Candy Bar (45 minutes)$19.95/pp.
Chocolate Tasting Experience (30 minutes)
Adult (13-61): $10.95
Child (3-12): $7.95
Child (3 and under) FREE
Herr’s® Snack Factory Tours, Nottingham PA
This tour takes you between the 3 buildings that comprise the factory. The tour is about an hour long and does require walking. Live tours are usually on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and video-only tours are usually Thursday and Friday. (Schedules can change without notice.) The tour is handicap accessible (call to make arrangements)
Schedule Your Tour Here:
Adults $4
Children 4-17 $3
Children 3 & Under Free
Location: 271 Old Baltimore Pike Nottingham, PA 19362-9788
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, Lititz PA
Visitors can tour the original pretzel bakery while observing the bakers twist the old-fashioned soft pretzels by hand. Each tour includes a hands-on lesson in pretzel twisting, then shop for delicious treats and souvenirs in the bakery store.
Admission:
Student 4-12 yrs old $2.50
Adult age 13+: $3.50
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm
Location: 219 East Main St. (Route 772) Lititz, PA 17543
Turkey Hill Experience, Columbia
Want to learn how Turkey Hill makes their ice cream? There is much to do at their interactive experience. Learn to milk a mechanical cow, drive a milk truck and be in a commercial. Plan to spend 60-90minutes in the interactive area, learning and experiencing everything in the factory. Extend your stay and complete the Taste Lab, where you can make your own ice cream flavor, complete with toppings.
Prices vary depending on age and if Taste Lab is included **Free admission for present and past military
Check website for hours
Location: 301 Linden Street Columbia, PA 17512
Utz® Quality Foods, Hanover
A self guided step-by-step tour where through a glass enclosed observation gallery you will be able to look down on the production process from beginning to end.
Tours open Monday-Thursdays, (8:00-4:00).
Wilbur Chocolates, Lititz
This is no actual tour but there is much to learn at this chocolate museum.
A video explaining what happens in the factory as the cocoa bean turns into the delicious flavor of Wilbur Chocolate. Learn the history of chocolate making and how the current products are made. Visit the museum and see early candy-making machinery and molds. The kitchen features handmade chocolates being created right before your eyes.
Hours Open: Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm, closed Sundays.
Location: 48 N. Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543
Martin Guitar, Nazareth
This FREE tour lasts about an hour. You will learn how a guitar turns from rough lumber to a finished product which requires more than 300 steps to complete through the hands of the craftsperson. *closed toe shoes recommended. Explore the art of guitar making, from old world tools to our state-of-the-art facility. While you are there be sure to check out the museum and the original Martin factory and old Martin Homestead located a short distance from our Visitors Center, the Guitar Maker's Connection.
Tours are conducted at regular intervals between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday. First-come, first-served basis.
Location: 510 Sycamore St. Nazareth, PA 18064
United States Mint Production Facility, Philadelphia
This free self guided tour will teach you about how the actual coining operations occurs. Visible from 40 feet above the factory floor visitors can observe as large coils of copper and nickel are fed through large presses which punch out smooth the emblems in the coins. Be sure to see the first coining press, used to strike our nation’s first coins in 1792 and other highlights in the factory/museum. No parking is available at The Mint.
Location: 151 Independence Mall East on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street.
ID required
The Crayola Factory, Easton
The Crayola Factory is a 3-4 hour experience where children can watch a video on how crayons are made, make their own crayon color names on wrappers, mold crayons into different shapes s make crayon art. This 4 story experience will allow children to be creative, climb and crate art.
Elevator allow access for strollers and wheelchairs, gift shop.
Tickets required:
Easton General Admission (Ages 3+)
One Day General Admission:
Regular Price-$19.99
Online Price-$17.99 Save-$2 Online
Annual Pass (3+) available
Location: 30 Centre Square Easton, PA 18042
QVC Studios Tour, West Chester
This 1 hour tour includes a view of the more than 58000 square foot studio. Guests will see the state-of-the-art broadcasting facility, visitors will see and experience how QVC products are sourced, tested, brought to life on air, and delivered to millions of QVC customers. Visitors may be able to watch QVC programs in progress and may even catch a glimpse of a favorite host
Admission is $10.00 per adult and $8.00 for children ages 7 to 12 years. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: 1200 Wilson Drive in West Chester, PA
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