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12 Must-Visit Automotive Factory Tours in the United States

Keep the following in mind before you schedule:

• Most don’t allow cameras or recording devices on the tours
• Minimum ages of visitors around typically between 8 and 12 years old
• Nearly all of these visits require reservations in advance
• Adhere to the dress code guidelines, including closed-toed shoes
• Some tours involve extensive walking, so call ahead if you need special accommodation

Furry Friends: How to safely travel with pets

12. Nissan North America – Smyrna, Tennessee

Limited tours of this vehicle assembly plant near Nashville are offered–only Tuesdays and Thursdays–but a motorized, narrated ride through the assembly of these renowned Nissan vehicles is worth the waiting list. You’ll get to see everything from the Pathfinder to the Altima and the Leaf rolling off the production line. More information.

11. BMW U.S. Factory – Spartanburg, South Carolina

Those interested in getting an inside perspective on the “Ultimate Driving Machine” will love touring the only American BMW factory, which is near Charlotte, NC. For a $10 fee, visitors will get to see the modern engineering marvels of the German brand at work within the production plant. Afterward, swing by the Zentrum museum to see the history of BMW at your own pace. More information .

10. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama – Montgomery, Alabama

If you want to watch the construction of a car you probably own, check out this factory within the historic Montgomery city limits. After watching a prep video and donning your headsets, you’ll be taken on a guided tram tour of the assembly of the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra . The experience is free and occasional evening tour times are offered too. Check out the gift shop after your tour for some Hyundai swag! More information .

9. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky – Georgetown, Kentucky

Welcome to Toyota’s assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky!

In the heart of the bluegrass region, not far from Lexington, is a massive Toyota manufacturing plant that has given tours to hundreds of thousands of people since 1990. Visitors can take a free guided tram tour through the inside of the facility while listening to friendly guides over headphones explain the work being done. An 11,500-square-foot Visitor Center includes displays and a Toyota gift shop. More information .

8. Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) – Lafayette, Indiana

If you’re headed to Chicago sometime, swing by the home of North American Subaru production that’s southeast of the Windy City. A free, mile-long walk on an elevated catwalk through the facility offers a unique perspective on production operations, but skirts are highly discouraged for that reason! You’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable Subaru tour director on your walk. More information .

7. Ford Rouge Factory – Dearborn, Michigan

The assembly area is only one portion of this thorough five-part, self-guided tour. Apart from seeing the new aluminum F-150 produced in the assembly floor, learn more about the plant’s innovations at the Legacy Theater, Manufacturing Innovation Theater, and Legacy Gallery. Tickets are a bit pricey but it’s one of the few facilities open for weekend tours. More information .

6. Mercedes-Benz US International – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Get a close-up look at the most luxurious auto brand around by seeing the Visitor Center Museum and taking a guided tour along the assembly floor, which produces such greats as the M-Class . Despite the tour costing a small fee, the experience is highly memorable–and the two mile walk will give you a workout too! More information .

5. Bowling Green Corvette Plant – Bowling Green, Kentucky

Welcome to the home of the Chevy Corvette!

This place halfway between Louisville and Nashville received a lot of attention after a sinkhole appeared in its adjacent National Corvette Museum. Now that it’s being repaired, visitors are flocking to see the Chevy building and tour the assembly plant. For a small fee, you can take an hour-long guided walking tour of the Corvette sports car’s actual construction, from the initial steel structure to the final drive off the line. More information .

4. Honda Heritage – Marysville, Ohio

The Honda Heritage Center in Marysville, Ohio

Although you can’t actually tour the factory here near Columbus which has been producing vehicles for over 50 years, the facility recently opened up a stellar museum on its grounds . You’ll learn about the role the factory has played in the history of the Honda, as well as see fascinating models on display. The best part of the experience is the hands-on activities!  More information .

3. General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant – Kansas City, Kansas

This GM assembly and stamping facility in the heart of barbecue city offers free walking tours on certain days. If you follow the strict set of safety guidelines, you’ll get to see the process of metal being molded into body panels and attached to vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse and the Chevrolet Malibu . More information .

2. Shelby American Inc – Las Vegas, Nevada

The legacy of Carroll Shelby lives on! This facility has been modifying and selling Ford vehicles for 50 years. If you still have time after seeing the numerous cars on display on the showroom floor, you can get a free tour of the garage (donations accepted). More information .

1. Harley Davidson – Multiple Locations

Harley Davidson powertrain assembly in Kansas City

Multiple Harley Davidson plants offer tours in the US. A free, hour-long walking tour of the manufacturing plant in York, PA is offered, but most visitors prefer the Steel Toe Tour which–for a decent price–gets you entrance to special areas, a commemorative pin, a group photo, a safety vest, and $5 toward the gift shop. A Kids Corner makes this facility suitable for your whole family.

In the heart of Harley history, Menomonee Falls, WI has the northwest plant. You’ll love the interactive museum in downtown Milwaukee and the grand tour of the production facility. Staying overnight? Consider the unique Iron Horse Hotel.

Finally, observe the powertrain operations in Kansas City, MO with a free factory tour of some of the brand’s most beloved models. More information on all three tours .

Safety Tips: Reduce distracted driving and save lives

Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.

25 Best Factory Tours in America for Families Who Love to Go Behind the Scenes

Find out what it takes to construct a jellybean, giant plane and everything in between.

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After a prolonged period of being stuck at home, some families are looking to travel again. And while the COVID-19 pandemic means that precautions still have to be taken, and not every destination is up and running at 100% capacity, there's still plenty of unique experiences out there that are once again open to the public.

The following factory tours and appropriate for kids, are well-reviewed by families and are currently open to visitors (or will be opening soon). But you might want to book ahead — some require timed tickets or reservations before you visit. But when you're done, you'll all know a little bit more about how the world around you is made.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville, Kentucky)

Swing by to see how baseball bats are made — this company has been churning them out since 1884. Your family can walk through the factory production line and watch the wood chips fly! Everyone can try out bats from iconic players, like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter. With plenty of photo ops (including your crew inside a giant baseball mitt) and a free mini bat souvenir for every guest, this tour will be a home run. Open daily; $ 18 for adults, $11 for ages 6 – 12, free for ages 5 and under

Jelly Belly Visitor Center & Factory (Fairfield, California)

From your perch above the production line, you’ll witness all the steps — slurry, steam bath, glossy application — it takes to create the gourmet jellybeans that have been a thing since the late 1800s. Video screens provide close-ups and fun facts (like it takes 1 – 2 weeks to make a jellybean). Feeling hungry? Stop at the café for a jellybean-shaped pizza. Open daily (but factory workers are typically there only on weekdays), $5 for adults, $2 for ages 2 and up, free for younger kids

The Kazoo Factory Tour Experience (Beaufort, South Carolina)

After learning the ins and outs of kazoo-making during a factory walk-through, everyone gets to create their own instrument to take home. A built-in souvenir is music to our ears! Open Monday to Friday, $9 for adults, $7 for ages 4 – 11, free for younger kids

MORE INFORMATION

PEZ Visitor Center (Orange, Connecticut)

The colorful facility dispenses equal parts nostalgia (it maintains well-organized vintage PEZ displays) and tech wizardry (you can see how the famous candy is packed). Be sure to snap your kid’s pic in front of the world’s largest PEZ dispenser, which looks like a person wearing a PEZ-themed baseball cap. Open daily; $5 for adults, $4 for ages 3 – 12, free for younger kids

Polaris Experience Center (Roseau, Minnesota)

School-age kids who love to build things will have their mind blown going behind-the-scenes at this maker of snowmobiles and ATVs. On the guided tour, they’ll see laser cutters, high-speed saws and other cool equipment making parts for the vehicles. They can also watch motors being installed and ATVs being tested. Whoa! Open Monday to Friday; children under age 6 prohibited; free

Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour (Denver, Colorado)

This centuries-old confectioner invites you to see how it makes its lollipops, candy canes and other treats. Looking through large viewing windows, your crew will be gobsmacked at how the colorful candies are shaped and packaged. Open Monday –Saturday; free

Kohler Design Center Factory Tour (Kohler, Wisconsin)

Got a teen whose interested in manufacturing? They’ll be fascinated by this detailed two-hour, 3 ½-mile foray behind the scenes of how the brand’s famous plumbing products are created. Open Monday – Friday, children under 14 not permitted, free

Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop (Jacksonville, Florida)

Willy Wonka vibes are strong at this mansion that takes guests from room to room of candy-making demos. You’ll get to design your own chocolate bar, choosing from more than 16 toppings. Check availability online; $6.45 per person

Henry Ford Rouge Factory Tour (Dearborn, Michigan)

One truck per minute rolls off the assembly line at this famous automotive factory — and your crew gets a birds-eye view of the goings-on from a 1/3-mile observation deck. There’s also a gallery of cool cars, like a 1965 Ford Mustang, to check out. Check dates online; $22 for adults, $16.50 for ages 5 – 11, free for younger kids

Turkey Hill Experience (Columbia, Pennsylvania)

While the dairy producer’s actual factory is closed to the public, this children’s museum-like attraction gives families the inside scoop on ice cream-making, plus unlimited free samples. Your kids can create their own virtual flavor, and then star in a commercial promoting it . Open daily; starts at $10.50 per person

World of Coca-Cola (Atlanta, Georgia)

Since you can’t tour an actual Coke bottling plant, this attraction is the next best thing. Its Bottle Works exhibit, showcasing real equipment, explains the packaging process. And you’ll get a chance to taste different kinds of sodas from around the world. Open daily; $19 for adults, $15 for ages 3 – 12, free for younger kids

Tillamook Creamery Tour (Tillamook, Oregon)

From a viewing gallery above the factory floor, you’ll see how milk becomes cheese. Then hit the dining hall for gooey faves, likes grilled cheese and mac ’n cheese. Your fam can even share a “flight” of ice cream. Open daily; tour is free, you can add tasting experiences for a charge

Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Los Angeles, California)

Your crew will be star-struck hanging out at a working movie studio. During the hour-long guided portion, you’ll see backlots, movie sets and maybe even spy someone famous. Then you’ll have two more hours to explore on your own — plenty of time to snap a pic of your family in front of the fountain from Friends . Open daily: $69 for adults, $59 for ages 5 – 10

The Great Utz Chip Trip Tour (Hanover, Pennsylvania)

Kids will discover how potatoes get turned into chips at this famous maker’s plant near the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. They can watch factory workers from an observation gallery; closed-circuit TV monitors provide close-ups. Everyone receives a free sample of chips at the end. Open Monday – Thursday, free

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Experience (Waterbury, Vermont)

With a tentative re-opening planned for the end of June 2022, this beloved attraction wets appetites with a short movie about how Ben & Jerry got their start. From there, it’s off to the mezzanine where you’ll watch how the ice cream is made. Samples of ice cream (sometimes a flavor that’s exclusive to the factory) is the proverbial cherry on top. On your way out, visit the “ice cream graveyard” of flavors that are no longer made. Check back for ticket info

The Crayola Experience (Easton, Pennsylvania)

There are many activities to take part in at The Crayola experience, including a live show where a "crayonologist" demonstrates how crayons are made. The 65,000-square-foot attraction also includes a toddler and a big-kid playground, interactive games and a studio for art projects, among manny other stations — they recommend blocking out three or four hours for a visit. Open daily. Admission is $25 if you buy tickets in advance; a timed ticket is required for all visitors ages 3 and up. There are also Crayola Experience locations in Chandler, Arizona; Mall of America, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida and Plano, Texas, but offerings may vary

Taza Chocolate Factory Tour (Somerville, Massachusetts)

Specializing in stone-ground chocolate, this candy maker explains the production process and hosts a sampling. On weekends, there’s a scavenger hunt-themed tour for kids under age 10 . Open Wednesday – Sunday; $8-$12 per person

The White House (Washington, DC)

Though not a factory in the traditional sense, White House tours are back, and you can meander around the famous Blue Room, Red Room, State dining room and — best of all — the Rose Garden. But you can’t wait until the last minute to book. Twenty-one to 90 days before you’d like to visit, you need to request one of the free tours by contacting your congress member’s office. Tours are only available on Fridays and Saturdays

Blue Bell Creamery Factory Tour (Brenham, Texas)

Look high above the factory floor to see ice cream being packaged in different types of containers. An employee is on-hand to answer all the kids’ questions about the process, so encourage them to ask away. Open Monday – Friday; free

American Whistle Company (Columbus, Ohio)

A kitschy stop on a Midwest road trip, this factory doles out loads of engaging info about a topic you probably never considered — how whistles are made. Everyone receives a whistle to take home. Open Monday Friday; $6 per person

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Take a Made in America Alabama Factory Tour

Whether you live in Alabama, are on vacation, or just passing through, check out these fun and educational Alabama factory tours you can take with your classroom, family, troop, or other group.

Alabama Factories That Offer Tours

Alabama auto plant tours.

Honda | Lincoln, AL

The Honda Alabama Plant offers one-and-a-half-hour tours with advance registration. All tours are free. Must be 12 years old to enter the plant.

Hyundai | Montgomery, AL

Watch team members and robots alike assemble the Hyundai Elantra, Santa Fe, Tucson, Santa Cruz, and the Genesis Electrified GV70 in one of the world’s most advanced automotive plants. Tours are free by reservation only.

Mercedes-Benz | Birmingham, AL

Two-mile walking tour that lasts about an hour and a half. The assembly line may or may not be running. Advance reservations are required. Search “tours” on the website for current information.

#Mercedes-Benz

Alabama Aircraft Factory Tours

Airbus U.S. | Mobile, AL

Mobile is home to one of five Airbus manufacturing facilities. Get behind the scenes in the assembly line hangar that is more than two football fields long with a 91-foot ceiling. The Airbus tour requires a security check and a valid government I.D. for all adults 18+ (driver’s license, passport, etc.).

Motorhome Factory Tours in Alabama

Tiffin Motorhomes | Winfield, AL & Red Bay, AL

See how they build luxury motorhomes with a guided tour at any of the three factory locations in Alabama or Mississippi. Appointments aren’t necessary but requested for groups of ten or more. The Tiffin Motorhomes tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

#Tiffin Motorhomes

Other Alabama Factory Tours

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark | Birmingham, AL

Enjoy a guided or self-guided tour of the historical Sloss Furnaces where iron and steel impacted the growth of Birmingham, Alabama. You’ll learn how the furnaces worked and about the people who worked there.

More Tours in Alabama

Alabama Dairy Farm Tours

Made in the USA Matters has a complete directory of United States dairy farm tours . Check out the dairy farm tours in Alabama .

USA Factory Tours

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American Dairy Farm Tours | See Dairy Products Made in the USA

American Cheese Factory Tours | See Cheese Made in the USA

American Chocolate & Candy Factory Tours | See Chocolate & Candy Made in the USA

American Potato Chip Factory Tours | See Snack Foods Made in the USA

American Distillery & Brewery Tours | See Spirits Made in the USA

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21 Great American Factory Tours You Can Take Right Now

Many historic American factories are open to the public. Here are the ones worth the trip.

There's probably no escaping taking the kids to an amusement park this summer—sweltering in long lines and paying for overpriced junk food. But when that torment is over, take them to a different kind of theme park, one you'll both enjoy: an American factory. You'll see how baseball gloves are made. Or how they print the posters for your favorite concert. Or how a guy at Harley-Davidson takes every bike up to 77 mph on what looks a lot like an automotive treadmill. Sometimes you'll even get candy. And unlike at Six Flags, admission is often free.

1. Hatch Show Print

Nashville, Tennessee:  75 minutes; $15 (adults), $10 (ages 6 to 12)

Nashville's recent "it city" status has our skyline so dotted with cranes that longtime residents have started calling it Little Dubai. I worry that the town where my ten-year-old daughter, Margot, was born is becoming unrecognizable to her. So I decided a tour of the Hatch Show Print letterpress was in order.

"What's a letterpress?" Margot asked.

"They make music posters," I said. She got excited.

"Think they have any of Taylor Swift?" she asked.

"Maybe," I said, explaining that they've been in business since 1879, and have worked with just about every musician you can think of—from Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello.

"Who's Elvis Costello?" Margot asked.

The production process hasn't changed much in over a century. Some of the letter blocks—exactly 0.918 inches high, a standard established in 1886 by the United States Type Founders' Association—are the original end-cut maple versions. This isn't Photoshop. There is no erasing. If even the smallest amount of grit builds up beneath an individual block, it must be sanded by hand so that it prints evenly. The rollers have to be reinked every four prints—each one slightly more faded than the last. These subtle inconsistencies are what make Hatch Show Print posters so special: No two look exactly alike.

The craftsmanship wowed my daughter—just like it had wowed me on my first visit, not long after I moved to Nashville two decades ago. But her favorite part was the end, when we got to browse through an inventory of photo plates and posters dating back to the shop's very first print run. I marveled at the photo plate for Led Zeppelin's first Nashville appearance in 1970. Then I glanced over and spotted Margot. She had the very same grin on her face. She was looking at a poster from Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" tour. —Adam Ross

2. The U.S. Mint

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Also Denver, Colorado): 45 minutes; free

From a 40-foot observation deck you'll see coins—tens of millions each day—sliced from metal coils that weigh 6,000 pounds and stretch five football fields. Inspectors use magnifying glasses to check the quality. Just one flaw in one coin and the entire batch is destroyed and recycled.

3. John Deere

Waterloo, Iowa (Also East Moline, Illinois, and Ankeny, Iowa): 90 minutes; free

Tours take place on a tram pulled by—what else?—a John Deere tractor. Huge robotic arms spray each vehicle in signature green and yellow. But the logo is still applied by hand.

4. Airstream

Jackson Center, Ohio: One to two hours; free

Each of the iconic travel trailers has thousands of rivets holding together huge sheets of aircraft-grade aluminum. And every one of those rivets is drilled in by hand. Once finished, the campers go into the rain-test booth, where they're pounded by hurricane-strength rain for 20-minute cycles.

5. Bourbon Barrel Foods

Louisville, Kentucky: 25 minutes; free

The nation's only soy sauce microbrewer—yes, soy sauce microbrewer—uses repurposed bourbon barrels and limestone-filtered Kentucky spring water to create a uniquely smoky-sweet condiment. FDA restrictions keep you from the factory floor, but you can still watch through glass as workers cook soybeans, roast grain, and press mash with six tons of force.

6. Woolrich

Woolrich, Pennsylvania: One hour; free

Woolrich has been churning out fabric since 1830, including blankets for Civil War soldiers. And for the factory's 60-odd employees, working with raw wool—a single blanket takes roughly four pounds—is its own kind of battle. A variety of heirloom machines dye, comb, spin, wind, warp, weave, wash, and roll the material before it can be turned into something you'd cozy up with on the couch.

7. Coors Brewing Company

Golden, Colorado: 30 minutes; free

What kind of dad takes his five-year-old son on a brewery tour? A cool one, I thought, boarding the shuttle bus to the Coors plant in Golden, Colorado—the largest single-site brewery in the world, capable of turning out 13 million barrels of beer annually. To me, it was just another father–son outing—a chance to see something new and learn something interesting. Like the zoo, but with the freshest free beer imaginable. Little did I suspect my boy would end up scarred for life.

In and of itself, the self-guided tour is utterly wholesome, an experience as pure as the vaunted Rocky Mountain spring water that prompted Adolph Coors to set up shop in Golden back in 1873. Exhibits explain ingredients, malting, mashing, etc., while affording a look at impressive mechanized assembly lines that channel endless rivers of freshly filled cans and packed cardboard cases in perfect perpetual motion. It wasn't easy to detach my son's nose from the observation window, but over the clack of the machinery, Daddy discerned the siren song of the samples that await responsible drinkers of legal age at the end of the tour.

As I sipped a cold glass of Coors and my son a soda, we surveyed our surroundings: an ersatz pub, decorated with old advertisements—including one featuring E.T. (left), that lovable extraterrestrial, imploring imbibers to "phone home" for a ride should they overindulge. This seemingly harmless poster, unfortunately, made by far the largest impression of the day on my son. What is that thing? Is it coming to get me? What part of me do you think it would eat first? Years later, the poor lad is still uncommonly concerned with the perceived dangers posed by aliens, even smiling ones in bartenders' aprons.

Then again, if that keeps him out of the taverns for a few extra years, maybe it's not all bad. —Kendall Hamilton

8. Golden Flake

Birmingham, Alabama: 45 minutes; free

When my wife and I moved from New York City to Birmingham, Alabama, five years ago, I'd braced myself for culture shock. I knew as much about college football and black-eyed peas as I do thermonuclear fusion. But while I'm still rusty on the vagaries of the wishbone formation, we definitely came out ahead. We've got a yard now, and a dog, and some savings. And we live ten minutes from a snack-food factory.

Since 1923, Golden Flake, "The South's Original Potato Chip," has been supplying chips and puffs and curls and popcorn and pork skins from Florida up through Virginia, in flavors as unlikely as Tangy Pickle BBQ and just plain Hot. It is tiny next to the Utzes and Pringles of the world, and touring its 700-employee Birmingham facility can feel like visiting a friend's home-brewing shed, if instead of beer he churned out Chili Lime Pork Cracklin Super Strips.

"This is our cheese puff, corn puff, and popcorn department," said both our guide and, I hope, whoever greets me in the afterlife. There are 14-foot drums of vegetable oil and giant rotating seasoning cylinders and kind-looking ladies slicing potatoes in half (by hand, for quality control). The highlight comes at the halfway point: a basket brimming with potato chips plucked fresh off the conveyor belt, intercepted between fryer and bagging station, and offered to you for sampling. It is the perfect bite of a perfect chip. Thin but still crunchy, with just-too-much salt. Whatever's in your pantry seems like wafer-shaped Styrofoam in comparison.

It's just one of several snack breaks on the tour. If your taste buds still want more—and they will—you get a few complimentary bags to take home. Lucky for me, I was already there. —Brian Barrett

Everett, Washington: 90 minutes; $20 (adults), $14 (age 15 and under)

When you're stuck in the middle seat and the baby behind you is wailing, it's easy to forget what a miracle an airplane is. You won't after visiting Boeing—the largest building in the world, big enough to fit Disneyland with 13 acres to spare—and witnessing 30,000 employees assemble millions of parts and miles of wiring into 747s and other jumbo jets.

10. Chevrolet Corvette

Bowling Green, Kentucky: One hour; $10 (adults), $5 (ages 10 to 16)

So you're buying a Corvette Z06. First off, congratulations. A supercar. You're a lucky man. But why stop there? For an extra five grand you can hop on the assembly line at the Bowling Green factory and help build your 650-hp engine, which gets emblazoned with a plaque commemorating the experience. For those on a budget, $10 gets you the standard factory tour—still thrilling, just no keys at the end.

11. Harley-Davidson

York, Pennsylvania: Two hours; free or $35

There's a free tour, but it keeps you on the periphery of the shop. Pay the $35 for the Steel Toe Tour and you get to walk up and down the aisles, right next to the workers as bike parts are delivered to them, on-demand, by a trolley that follows magnetic tracks in the floor. At the end, the guys put each finished Harley on a dyno machine and steadily bring it up to 77 mph, running the bike through all the gears.

12. Fender Guitars

Corona, California: One hour; $10 (adults), $8 (seniors), $6 (ages 13 to 17), free (ages 12 and under)

The first time I saw a Fender Telecaster up close was in 1979 on the stage of the Hollywood Palladium. I was 14, and Joe Strummer was next to me pounding out the chords to The Clash's "White Riot"—the two of us shouting the lyrics along with a few other teenage punks who had also scrambled onstage during the encore.

Strummer was thousands of miles from his London home that night. But his battered axe? That wondrous machine had been born less than an hour south, in Fullerton, California, where in the early 1950s self-described tinkerer Leo Fender revolutionized the electric guitar. Since that encounter with Strummer, I've seen hundreds of other Fenders—as a music journalist as well as in my short time as a drummer, which included a stint with punk legends Bad Religion. But I didn't fully appreciate their magic until I strapped on a pair of Devo-like safety goggles and took my first tour of the Fender Factory.

It all starts with unremarkable blocks of alder and ash. From this wood, about 400 employees—more than a few aging longhairs among them—shape, sand, seal, and paint the classic Telecaster and more angular Stratocaster bodies. They then fit the necks, attach the wound pickups, and connect the knobs. Finally, each instrument is plugged in to a row of new Fender amps to check the sound quality.

In the summer, crowds for the twice-daily tour average 50 people. On the April morning I visited, there were only six of us, including two middle-aged Swedes. Afterward, browsing a showroom filled with memorabilia of Fender-playing guitar gods, I asked the guys what made them travel all this way. One clearly didn't understand En glish. The other only a little. He smiled, pointed to a poster of Jimi Hendrix, and simply said, "Him." Returning the gesture, I pointed across the room, to a display about punk. The centerpiece: a replica of Strummer's banged-up Telecaster. —John Albert

13. Lodge Cast Iron Manufacturing

South Pittsburg, Tennessee: Last weekend in April, 45 minutes; free

You can't get in while the factory is running—it's way too dangerous—but once a year (during April's National Cornbread Festival, naturally) Lodge opens its doors to tourists. Hard to say what's more amazing: the electromagnet that can lift five tons, the furnace that burns at 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit, or the pouring machine that uses ancient sand-molding techniques to create as many as 8,000 skillets an hour.

14. Wood -Mizer

Batesville, Indiana: 30 minutes; free

I live in rural Indiana, in the north part of a farm county. Out here, the sight of a Wood-Mizer, the industrious portable saw mill, passing by behind a pickup or being towed up onto someone's acreage for a few days of transformative deep-woods lumber milling, is a moment of awe, rare and powerful, like catching sight of a panther or something. In the right conditions, three men and a Wood-Mizer can mill enough lumber to build an entire pole barn or a fishing cabin in just a day. It is a tool of thrift, profit, and creativity. I don't own one—I'm just another fanboy—but I do have a hat. And the logo alone gets me silent nods of respect from farmers who otherwise want nothing to do with me.

I bought the hat after going on the Wood-Mizer factory tour in Batesville, Indiana. (It was cheaper than the sawmill.) The six-month-old plant churns calmly forward, the assembly line formed in the shape of a U. There's no shouting. No rushing. No alarm registered along any of the snug, worker-designed assembly. There's notable focus in the workforce—risen from pride, taken from ownership (the 34-year-old company is entirely worker owned)—that permeates the movement and pace from loading dock to shipping dock. For me, the moment I recognized the familiar machine occurred right in the turn of that U, after the powdered orange paint was kiln-dried onto the steel frame. Then the wheels were attached and the custom motor mounted.

And then I couldn't help myself. "There's the big cat," I exclaimed, like some kid seeing a ballplayer parking his car. The guy on the line heard me. "You gonna build something?" he asked, assuming I was a buyer. I smiled and pointed to my factory-supplied earplugs. "I'm just on a tour," I said, but he couldn't hear me. "Build something great," he said. He was standing over a new Wood-Mizer, so it sounded like a promise. —Tom Chiarella

Nocona, Texas: One hour; $5

When Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was seven, his father took him to a hardware store in downtown Alvin, Texas, to buy his first baseball mitt. It was a Nokona. Since 1934, the family-owned company has made gloves the same way: hand-lacing and stitching American rawhide, then beating it to hell with a mallet until the pocket is ready to snag a one-hop grounder.

16. Jelly Belly

Fairfield, California: 40 to 60 minutes; free for the self-guided tour, $47 for a guided tour that takes you on the factory floor

The thousands of jelly beans tumbling in hoppers may sound like bingo balls, only here every one drawn out is a guaranteed winner—except maybe the buttered popcorn. You can taste them at every stage of the tour, but save your appetite. The factory store at the end offers unlimited samples. If you paid for the guided tour, called Jelly Belly University, this is where you make up for your tuition.

17. Tabasco Pepper Sauce

Avery Island, Louisiana: One hour; $5.50

When I was growing up in the Cajun Triangle, any time a relative or college friend came to town, my family trotted out one of three old chestnuts: tours of swamps, plantations, or the Tabasco factory. I always hoped for the peppers—because I am afraid of alligators and ghost stories but mainly because, like all good Louisianans, I am obsessed with hot sauce.

Avery Island is only three miles wide, so most of the growing happens in South America. But this is where the rust-colored mash is packed into old bourbon barrels—about 50,000 are stacked in the warehouse—and left to ferment for three years. When ready, it is mixed with vinegar and aged for another month. Finally, the sauce gets bottled and shipped off to 180 countries.

The smells of the tour are as good as the sights—all that spice mixing with nearby forests of azalea trees. But the best part comes afterward, at the free tasting, when someone inevitably volunteers to try the inferno-level habanero sauce. That someone will always be me. —Katie Macdonald

18. Kenyon's Grist Mill

West Kingston, Rhode Island: July 23 to 24 and October 22 to 23; free

Two giant slabs of granite—each more than 150 years old and weighing more than 2,000 pounds apiece—pulverize whole grain and corn into meal and flour. That's it. A simple, centuries-old process that retains all the nutrients of the original grains and corn. Make sure to bring home some Johnny Cake mix.

Kohler, Wisconsin: Three hours; free

Lowell Kappers, the 80-year-old former Kohler employee who led our tour, worked at the Wisconsin factory, north of Milwaukee, for 44 years—31 of them as a cast-iron grinder. Three decades machining crankshafts and rail-track components. Three decades wearing a respirator helmet to keep pulverized iron dust out of his lungs. He retired in 1999 but still shows up two or three mornings a week to give tours. The factory has been offering them since 1926, a couple of decades before Kappers's dad started working there.

The tour is epic: four buildings, three hours, two and a half miles. You sidestep moving forklifts. You cross beneath conveyors shuttling tubs. You watch molten iron flow. In a cavernous brick loft called the pottery, liquid clay pumped from basement tanks filled plaster-of-paris molds before getting glazed and fired in 2,450-degree industrial kilns. In the enameling shop, an employee in a silver heat shield coated a cast-iron shower floor in enamel powder, then slid it into the orange maw of another kiln.

There are so many kilns. But Kappers didn't break a sweat, despite the heat and constant walking. The only time he really lingered was when we got to the aisle where he had worked, the spot where he jockeyed that heavy grinding wheel all those years.

"Noisiest place in the factory," he said. He wasn't complaining. He was proud. And then he was off again. —Phil Hanrahan

20. R.L. Winston Rod Company

Twin Bridges, Montana: 45 minutes; free

I learned to fly-fish on a fiberglass five-weight that my dad bought at Abercrombie & Fitch in the '60s. With his tongue sticking out in a pose of concentration, he showed me the basic ten and two. Wait for the glass to finish its slow backward flex, wait for the line to unfurl, then launch your forearm forward. Be patient, son.

This was the early '90s. By then, Dad's A&F beauty was a relic. Space-age graphite had made fiberglass obsolete. Trouble was, graphite is much stiffer than glass. Graphite rods cast like rocket launchers, and spooky trout require a delicate approach. Based in Twin Bridges, Montana, at the confluence of three legendary trout rivers, 87-year-old R.L. Winston Rod Company has figured out an alchemy that transforms graphite into velvet. The key ingredient is its staff of 40—roughly 10 percent of the population of Twin Bridges. They secure line guides with hand-wrapped thread. They balance rods by feel and sight alone. They hand-fit the ferrules connecting the rod sections to within one thirty-second of an inch. When customers send in broken rods for repair, Winston rebuilds the damaged segments from scratch.

"We've got a machine for attaching guides that's sitting upstairs collecting dust," said my tour guide, production manager Joe Begin. "We find that our employees are more efficient and make fewer mistakes."

This tireless, meticulous labor accounts for the cost of the rods: ranging from $500 to $3,000. That might sound pricey, especially when a perfectly serviceable rod will run you about $200. But near the end of the tour, I was frantically crunching numbers in my head, trying to figure out how many meals I could skip in the coming month. Fortunately, the gift shop sells only hats and sweatshirts. —Elliott Woods

Seattle, Washington: 30 to 40 minutes; free

One look at the sewing floor and it's easy to see how the garment and bag company that C.C. Filson started in 1897 to outfit Gold Rush prospectors has continued to thrive. Veteran employees, some who've been there 30 years, operate antique treadle machines customized to work with the brand's hallmark rugged twill.

*This article origionally appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of  Popular Mechanics. 

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4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262

Facility Map

Hendrick Motorsports is located in Concord, North Carolina, one mile from Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The campus features state-of-the-art facilities and technology, which the organization’s four NASCAR Cup Series teams employ in preparation for race day.

The team store and museum are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET and offer a special look at the history of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning organization.

At this time, campus tours are not available to the public. Watch the video below to see the campus of Hendrick Motorsports like never before. 

Driving Directions

From Interstate 85:

• Take exit 49 (Bruton Smith Boulevard)
• Take Bruton Smith Boulevard east toward Charlotte Motor Speedway, 0.4 miles
• Right onto Papa Joe Hendrick Boulevard (stoplight), 0.3 miles

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An Automotive Tour of Motor City

Detroit remains a mecca for auto enthusiasts, offering a number of unique and historic sites and experiences to enjoy. Museums, tours and other attractions celebrating the past, present and future of the city’s most famous industry draw millions of visitors each year, ensuring the nickname “Motor City” is here to stay.

1. the henry ford museum.

2. Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Part of The Henry Ford complex, the best place to see an actual assembly plant is on the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The historic factory underwent huge renovations in the early 2000s, so expect to see plenty of cutting edge technology on this self-guided tour, which features theater experiences alongside the chance to see the working truck plant itself. Tickets can be purchased separately or combined with the rest of The Henry Ford.

3. Automotive Hall of Fame

Right next to The Henry Ford in Dearborn sits the Automotive Hall of Fame, because where other than Detroit could the Automotive Hall of Fame really be? The idea for it was first conceived at the 1939 New York World’s Fair by a group called the “Automobile Old Timers,” and it celebrates people who have contributed greatly to automotive history across categories including designers, drivers, engineers and dealers. The hall features a number of galleries and exhibitions on all ages of the car industry. It’s open Friday to Sunday in winter, and Wednesday to Sunday in summer.

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5. GM Renaissance Center Tour

Explore the iconic GM Renaissance Center and learn more about the history of General Motors in Detroit on its free daily tours. Tours take place at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays and last an hour, starting in the Jefferson Lobby. As well as video presentations, interactive experiences and vehicle displays, you can also pick up some Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac swag at the GM store.

6. Detroit Historical Museum

7. Detroit Institute of Arts

Art Gallery, Museum, University

8. Packard Automotive Plant

Building, Ruins

A historic if sad spot to see, the Packard Automotive Plant was once the world’s most advanced automobile manufacturing facility , and its scale is still something to behold 60 years after it was closed. Destruction and redevelopments have been spoken about for years, so it may be worth a look while you have the chance.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Go behind the scenes and learn the history of local racing legends.

Share in our community’s enthusiasm for motorsports with tours of the area’s most storied racing locales. Feel the adrenaline surge by taking a tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway , complete with a trip around the legendary oval and up its 24-degree banked curves. Pay tribute to racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. in his hometown of Kannapolis. Or spend a full day with Garage Shop Pass Tours exploring race shops plus the NASCAR Hall of Fame and other points of pride along the way.

Pro tip: Plan your racing tours around big events and race weekends to increase your chance of spotting your favorite cars and drivers.

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Fill your fuel tank and your mug, then head to “America’s Home For Racing” for Cars & Coffee Concord! On the third Saturday of each month from 8-11 a.m., join like-minded automotive enthusiasts at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone.

May 24, 2024

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicks off Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 200 miles of wheel-to-wheel excitement.

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Hendrick Motorsports Museum

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Hendrick Motorsports Museum welcomes visitors at no charge, and fans are encouraged to view our race shops during normal hours of operation. Also open to the public is the Hendrick Motorsports Museum & Team Store, showcasing the many years of Hendrick Motorsports’ history.

4425-4471 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd Concord, NC 28027 P:  877-467-4890 E: [email protected]

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Hendrick Motorsports Museum Hours:

Monday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm Saturday 10 am – 3 pm

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Power Rankings: Who can contend at Augusta National?

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Despite Monday’s total solar eclipse that was experienced by tens of millions of people across North America, a rare celestial event isn’t required to see stars in the daytime at Augusta National Golf Club. That’s because it’s time for the Masters.

A field of 89 has assembled for the 88th edition of the first major of the year. What it faces, what it’s chasing and an early peek at the weather are detailed below.

Unlike the Masters that is contested annually, the next total eclipse in North America won’t occur until August of 2044, and it’ll be viewed best primarily in Canada. To put some perspective on how long you’ll have to wait for that, five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will be 68 years of age when it happens.

A 48-year-old Woods is committed to the Masters this week. He’s in his 26th appearance. If he could apportion even one week’s worth of that experience to any of the 20 debutants alongside, there wouldn’t be a rejection among the lot. Each knows that Fuzzy Zoeller is the most recent first-timer to win the green jacket, and that was when Woods was 3 in 1979. The only other two who have done it are Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen in the first two editions in 1934 and 1935, respectively.

Course history aside, the entire field will be playing the latest iteration of the par-5 second hole for the first time. With an increase of 10 yards, the dogleg left now tips at 585 yards, thus pushing the overall course length to 7,555 yards. It’s the longest Augusta National ever has read on the scorecard.

The major modification in advance of last year’s tournament was a new tee on the par-5 13th hole that extended it by 35 yards. It’s only one spin of a sample size, but the hole transitioned from the second-hardest par 5 to the hardest, yet its scoring average of 4.736 was lower than it was in in 2022. That’s due in part to the fact that the course was a stroke easier last year overall. The field averaged 72.960.

Score has relevance in the history books and in real-time analysis, but all that matters ultimately is the trophy.

As always on this track, course management in the context of the position on approach is at a premium, and that includes at the cost of distance off the tee. Although Augusta National can play open for the longest hitters, it’s a second-shot track that demands a, well, master's degree in geometry. It’s all about the angles.

A unique cut of low 50 and ties will occur at the conclusion of 36 holes. All who survive will play to the finish line. Among the boatload of benefits, the champion will received a lifetime exemption into the tournament, exemptions into all of the other majors through 2028, a PGA TOUR membership exemption through 2029 and 750 FedExCup points.

When he slips on the newest addition to his wardrobe on Sunday, the winner is promised to have enjoyed a wonderful walk thanks to fantastic weather conditions with a daytime high eclipsing 80 degrees. However, the tournament won’t start out that way as Thursday’s forecast is dicey. Rain, the probability of storms and gusty winds all are lined up. Precipitation will have ceased by Friday, but breezes will stick around. Saturday’s third round will be serene by comparison and probably the best of the bunch as the temperature will climb only into the mid-70s.

NOTE: ShotLink is not utilized for this tournament.

ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE

MONDAY: Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers WEDNESDAY: Golfbet Insider FRIDAY: Medical Extensions SUNDAY: Points and Payouts; Qualifiers; Reshuffle

*Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.

Rob Bolton is a Golfbet columnist for the PGA TOUR. The Chicagoland native has been playing fantasy golf since 1994, so he was just waiting for the Internet to catch up with him. Follow Rob Bolton on Twitter .

Nike Launches 2024 Masters Golf Shoes: Shop the Styles Worn by Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy

Celebrate Augusta and the first major of the year with Nike's latest golf shoes.

For decades, the best golfers in the world have traveled to Augusta National for the Masters Tournament . The 88th edition of golf's biggest event is about to start and to celebrate, Nike has added new colorways to its NRG range of golf shoes.

One of the best players at this year's Masters is five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, who is known for his coveted Nike golf shoes. Last year, Koepka was seen wearing a yellow pair of the Infinity Tour NEXT%, but the special-edition shoes are no longer available. For 2024, the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour NRG have been released in a stylish new white, black, blue and 'daybreak' colorway. 

Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour NRG Golf Shoes

Worn by Brooks Koepka, these Nike golf shoes are specially designed with performance in mind. This stylish model is now available to purchase.

The special design of Koepka's golf shoes has a luxe look with iridescent and glossy finishes. Its forefoot Air Zoom unit can move with your foot, allowing for better energy return when you push off through your swing. With six integrated spikes and a data-informed traction pattern, these shoes give you exceptional grip and added comfort throughout your round.

In addition to the golf shoe worn by Brooks Koepka, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy's coveted pair is also now available in a limited edition colorway. The  Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 NRG  have an old-school look with full-grain leather for a sophisticated feel. Both the Softspikes and Silver Tornado spikes offer exceptional traction in all conditions and give your feet great grip on the golf course.

Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3 NRG Golf Shoes

Transform your game in a shoe that gives you robust comfort and unreal energy return while the spikes offer exceptional traction from tee to green.

Nike has also redesigned the Air Pegasus for golf with a wet rubber Integrated traction pattern. Inspired by the original Pegasus ’89 but elevated for golf, the  Nike Air Pegasus '89 G NRG  help keep your feet dry and offer great grip.

Nike Air Pegasus '89 G NRG Golf Shoes

These shoes meld vintage vibes with Nike's game-breaking golf technology.

Aside from Koepka and McIlroy, Nike Golf shoes are worn by some of the world’s best players, including Tiger Woods , Viktor Hovland, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Jason Day, and Tony Finau. A fresh pair of shoes  can make the first rounds of the season that much better, so be sure to grab a pair of Nike's new styles before they sell out. 

For even more golf must-haves, check out our roundup of the best golf clothing and shoe deals happening at Amazon right now.

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Latest news.

Little Big Town heading out on tour with Sugarland: Details

The tour kicks off this October in South Carolina.

Little Big Town has announced their headlining Take Me Home Tour.

The fall trek kicks off on Oct. 24 in Greenville, South Carolina, and will hit New York, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and more, before wrapping at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 13.

Joining them are Grammy-winning duo Sugarland and up-and-coming trio The Castellows.

MORE: Missy Elliott announces 1st headline tour: 'I am experiencing so many milestone 'firsts''

The news arrives hot on the heels of Little Big Town and Sugarland's joint performance of Phil Collins' "Take Me Home" at the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday.

"Last night felt like a real homecoming for us and a full circle moment. When we toured with Sugarland last, we would all be backstage harmonizing different cover songs to try and surprise the audience every night," Little Big Town said in a statement. "There’s something about this song that feels so nostalgic of that time. It really is like coming home."

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"The Take Me Home tour feels like a celebration of being a band for 25 years and we’re so excited to throw this party with our great friends Sugarland," the statement continued. "We’ll both be playing all our biggest hits and then some. Can’t wait to see everyone!"

MORE: Heart hitting the road for Royal Flush tour

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. local time.

For a full list of dates, head to littlebigtown.com.

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