factory tour boston

Things To Do / Sightseeing/Tours

Factory Tours

Massachusetts has all kinds of factory tours that let you experience how the things we take for granted are made, up close and personal. Take the Taza Chocolate Factory Tour and make some chocolate to enjoy. Sampling the product makes the tour more interesting at Boston’s two big brewers: the Sam Adams Brewery and Harpoon Brewery . If you like your factories cute and cuddly, the Island Alpaca Company on Martha’s Vineyard has got you covered (in alpaca fleece). And at Cape Cod Potato Chips , you’ll see how potatoes go from plants in the ground turn to perfectly golden chips. Free samples, of course, included.

Explore your sense of wonder

Filter by....

• Greater Boston
• North of Boston & Greater Merrimack Valley
• South of Boston
• Cape Cod and The Islands
• Central Massachusetts
• Western Massachusetts
• Athol/Phillipston
• Charlestown

Dennis Port

• Pet Friendly
• Available for Group Tours

Blisspoint Meadery

Boston Public Library

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Cooking School

City Brew Tours

City Wine Tours

DrumConnection

Fenway Park Tours

Fritz Glass

Harbor Sweets

Island Alpaca Farm of Martha's Vineyard

L. S. Starrett Museum

Lowell National Historical Park and Boott Cotton Mills Museum

New England Brewery Tours

Pairpoint Glass Works

Plymouth Cordage Historical Society Museum

Red Apple Farm

Phillipston.

Taza Chocolate Factory

Vaillancourt Folk Art

Boston masonic building.

The Massachusetts home of the world's oldest and largest fraternity is an historic building with magnificent architecture. Open to the... more

Cape Ann Artisans

16 working studios, visit with the artisans who create and design sculpture, art, hand blown glass,mosaics and pottery. The group... more

1 Fox Run Rd. Bedford (617)466-9658

700 Boylston St. Boston 617-536-5400

177 Milk Street Suite 100 Boston 857-990-3625

18 Hano St Boston 617-453-8687

1 Mifflin Place Ste 400 Cambridge 855.455.8747 ext 3

62 Waldo Rd. Arlington 617-686-6080

Fenway Park 4 Yawkey Way Boston 617-236-6666

36 Upper County Road P.o. Box 249 Dennis Port 508-394-0441

85 Leavitt Street Salem 978-745-7648

1 Head Of The Pond Road Oak Bluffs 508-693-5554

121 Crescent Street Athol 978-249-3551

246 Market St. Lowell 978-970-5000

64 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor Boston 617-539-6055

851 Sandwich Rd. Sagamore 800-899-0953

10 Cordage Park Circle Plymouth 774-454-9945

455 Highland Avenue Phillipston 800-628-4851

561 Windsor St Somerville 6172842232

9 Main Street Suite 1h Sutton 877-665-2244

186 Tremont Street Boston 800-882-1020

Main St. Rockport 978-281-3347

Foodie Finds: It's All Here

Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?

Get some foodie finds ideas

Don't miss an update.

Sign up to receive updates about outdoor activities.

Search this Site:

Massachusetts factory tours | see it made in the usa.

Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you when you make a qualifying purchase via an affiliate link. Click here for the full affiliate disclosure.

Take a Made in America Massachusetts Factory Tour

Massachusetts is a great state to enjoy some chocolate , visit a brewery , see a world-class piano being built, learn how braille is produced and published, or watch a glass blower blend modern techniques with old-world traditions on these Massachusetts factory tours.

Massachusetts Factories That Offer Tours

Mason & Hamlin | Haverhill, MA

See how the finest hand-built pianos in the world are made when you visit the Mason & Hamlin piano factory. Tours are available by appointment and must be made at least one week in advance.

#Mason & Hamlin

National Braille Press | Boston, MA

Learn how braille is produced and published when you take an educational tour of National Braille Press. Tours are offered by reservation request with at least two weeks notice.

#National Braille Press

Pairpoint Glass Company | Sagamore, MA

Watch the team of glassblowers continue the nearly 200 year old tradition of glassblowing, learn the history of Pairpoint Glass Company, and see how traditional methods and modern techniques are combined to make modern glass.

#Pairpoint Glass Company

More Tours in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Chocolate & Candy Factory Tours

Made in the USA Matters has a complete directory of United States chocolate and candy factories that offer tours . Check out the chocolate and candy factory tours in Massachusetts .

Massachusetts 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 Massachusettts .

Massachusetts Distillery and Brewery Tours

Made in the USA Matters has a complete directory of United States distilleries and breweries that offer tours . Check out the distillery and brewery tours in Massachusetts .

USA Factory Tours

Did we miss a Massachusetts factory tour? Please share it with our community in the comments below.

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

Pin it massachusetts factory tours.

Your saves and shares help other Americans find products that are Made in the USA. Thank you!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Made in the USA Product Categories

Baby & Toddler

Clothing & Shoes

Electronics & Accessories

Farm & Ranch Equipment

Food & Drinks

Hobbies & Leisure

Home Furnishings

Household Essentials

Patio & Garden

Personal Care

School & Office

Sporting Goods & Recreation

Tools & Home Improvement

© 2024 madeintheusamatters.com

• Share on Facebook

New! Made in the USA Matters Facebook Group

Join the Made in the USA Matters Facebook Group where you can ask for USA-made product recommendations, request we find an American-made product you're looking for, and help others find Made in the USA products they need.

We welcome Made in the USA consumers and manufacturers!

Visit the Ben & Jerry's Factory

Operating hours:.

Open every day, 10:00-6:00. Advanced online ticket purchase highly recommended. For group reservation requests of 21 or more people please email at least 2 weeks in advance to inquire.

Notice for Total Solar Eclipse 4.08.24 We will not be offering tours on April 8th.  Our Scoop and Gift shops will be open 10:00-3:00; closed for totality viewing 3:00-4:00; then re-opened 4:00-6:00. Parking is limited with no parking for RVs or Buses.

FREE CONE DAY is Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 12:00-8:00.

We are delighted to welcome you! Our Waterbury site is the only Ben & Jerry’s factory open to the public. Our very first factory, built in 1985, continues to manufacture upwards of 350,000 pints per day while offering our fans a sneak peek at our humble beginnings. Our small Scoop shop, retail area and tour route have remained fairly unchanged over the years.

Guided tours, which began in 1986, have allowed us to share with millions of guests the evolution of what started as a small local company from the early days in the gas station to the worldwide reach we’ve expanded to since we opened our first Scoop Shop on May 5, 1978!  

We can’t think of a better way to enjoy time with family and friends than learning how we make our ice cream then indulging in your favorite flavor or trying one of our euphoric new additions all the while taking in the beautiful mountain views!  

*** Production schedules vary and are managed by our manufacturing teams. As a result, we cannot guarantee you will see active production during your tour***

Contact Us & Area Info

Physical address:

1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road Waterbury, VT 05676 Information line 802-337-1201 or  Email Us

Visit Vermont

In addition to Ben & Jerry’s, Waterbury is home to The Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Cabot Farmer’s Store, Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea plus a host of restaurants, shopping and lodging for all budgets. For more local information including downtown historic Waterbury visit the Discover Waterbury site.

Other Resources:  

Green Mountain Byway

Stowe Area Association

Vermont Attractions Association

Vermont Brewers

Vermont Cheese Council

Vermont Grape and Wine Council

Vermont Vacation

Immerse yourself in all things Ben & Jerry’s with a guided tour of our humble beginnings.  Browse through our Gift shop then swing by our Scoop shop to indulge in your favorite old flavor or discover a new one.

The 30 minute guided portion of your Factory Experience begins with a quick MOO-vie to learn about our company culture followed by a short walk to our glassed-in mezzanine overlooking the production room floor where your tour guide will explain how we make our pints.  To sweeten the deal you’ll also receive a sample of one of our chunks*. The tour ends in our Flavor Room with a tasting of one of our euphoric flavors* and a cow joke, or two!  *nondairy, vegan options available.

Our outside grounds offer space to enjoy your ice cream, play on the playground, pay your respects to our Dearly De-pinted in our Flavor Graveyard, snap a few memorable photo ops and take in the lovely mountain views.  A great outing for all ages!

***Production schedules vary and are managed by our manufacturing teams. As a result, we cannot guarantee you will see active production during your tour***

Visitor Information

• Factory Experience tickets are released two weeks in advance of any chosen date. 
• Pre-purchasing your tickets online is highly encouraged due to limited capacity.    
• Day of and walk-in ticket availability will vary each day based on staffing with the potential of NO availability.
• Additional ice cream can be purchased before or after your guided tour outside from the Scoop shop window.
• For group reservation requests of 21 or more people please email at least 2 weeks in advance to inquire.
• As we are a food manufacturing facility there is no glass or pets (with the exception of service animals) allowed inside.
• Large bags are not permitted and cannot be left unattended. 
• RV, Coach and Accessible parking located at the top of the entrance driveway hill, with designated drop off at the end of the boardwalk.

What is included in the Factory Experience?

Your ticket includes a 30-minute guided tour where you will learn about our company culture, how we make our ice cream, try a sample of our chunks and a sample of our ice cream.  Additionally there are plenty of photos ops, a retail shop with all things Ben & Jerry’s, a full service Scoop shop, playground, Flavor Graveyard and lovely mountain views.

What is the cost of the Factory Experience?

Ticket prices are: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 65+, and $1 for Children, age 2-12, plus service fee. Infants do not need a ticket for the Factory Experience. 

What are your hours of operation?

Please visit the home page  for updated hours of operation. 

Can you guarantee I will see active manufacturing?

No. While we do have scheduled downtime the reality of manufacturing is any minute without advanced warning can become downtime thus we do not guarantee you will see active manufacturing.

What does the tour consist of if you are not manufacturing ice cream?

The tour remains the same.  To better explain the manufacturing process your tour guide will narrate a video that was filmed on the production room floor.  In the manufacturing room you may see a shiny, clean, empty room; a portion of our thorough cleaning process that takes place between flavors; or our maintenance crew working on a repair.

How do I buy tickets for the Factory Experience?

Tickets are released 2 weeks in advance and can be purchased online under the BOOK NOW! tab on our website. If available , you may also purchase walk-in tickets onsite at our Ticket Sales and Gift Kiosk.  Due to high demand, we recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance of your visit to guarantee your Factory Experience. 

Does everybody in my group need a ticket?

Yes. Adults, Seniors, and Children, age 2-12, need to purchase a ticket. 

What if I was only able to book 2 tickets, but I have a group of 3 people?

Due to strict capacity limits, unfortunately we are only able to accommodate those two guests that have a ticket. We recommend checking back on the website for potential openings or cancellations with availability for your entire group. 

I have already purchased my Factory Experience tickets online, where do I go?

Enter through the main lobby doors located on the patio area.  Listen for the cowbell to signal the start of your scheduled visit.  Check in with your tour guide as the group proceeds to the first stop on the tour.

What if tickets are sold out online?

We recommend checking back on the website for potential openings. 

Are Walk-In tickets available?

Sometimes. If staffing allows each day, we may add additional bookings day-of for walk-in and online purchases. We recommend visiting us early in the day as these tickets sell out quickly!

Is there a waitlist/cancellation for the Factory Experience?

No. We do not have a waitlist or cancellation list.  We recommend checking back on the website for potential openings. 

What if I have a group of 21 or more people?

For group reservation requests of 21 or more people please email at least 2 weeks in advance to inquire. 

Does the Factory Experience sell out often?

Yes. Since our reopening, we have sold out every day. Please plan accordingly! 

What if I miss my scheduled Factory Experience reservation time?

If you miss your scheduled time, it is unlikely we will be able to reschedule due to advanced ticket sales and capacity limits.  A refund will not be provided. If you are running late, you may reschedule or self-cancel your experience up to 30 minutes before your scheduled time using the link found in your confirmation email.  

Is the Factory ADA accessible?

Yes, the Factory is ADA accessible.  Accessible parking is marked and located in our upper parking lot. You may also drop off at the end of the boardwalk, at the top of the hill.  For planning purposes, the tour is in 3 parts. Your tour guide will direct you. After the intro/check-in in the tour lobby area the first 2 parts take place on the second floor by way of the elevator (we only have one!) located in the tour lobby. The 3rd part of the tour is located in the Flavor Room. You will take the same elevator back to the lobby then go across and down the hallway to meet up with the group in the Flavor Room.

Do you offer loaner wheelchairs?

Yes.  Ask any staff member and they will direct you to where you can pick up a wheelchair for use during your visit.

Lost & Found?

Please call our Gift shop to inquire at 802-337-1201 .

How do I cancel my Factory Experience reservation?

To self-cancel a Factory Experience reservation, click the link found in your confirmation email.

Do you have space to store luggage during my visit?

No, unfortunately we do not have space to store luggage, backpacks, etc.

How long should I plan for my visit?

Between one hour and one hour and fifteen minutes.  We are located on a hill.  It takes a few minutes to park and walk into the facility.

What else is there to do if I cannot take the tour?

You are welcome to visit our Scoop Shop, Flavor Graveyard, playground area, outdoor Gift Kiosk and enjoy the lovely mountain views. 

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, but only outside. Pets are not permitted inside the Factory. Dogs must be leashed and supervised.  Please do not leave your dog in the car during the warmer months.  Service dogs are permitted inside.  

Are there restrooms onsite?

Yes.  Restrooms are located outside on the paved walkway and inside the tour lobby. 

Is there public transportation available?

No, however for travel around Waterbury and the surrounding area, Hometown Tours & Rides offers local transportation and tours of the Central Vermont region . 

Where do I go to purchase an ice cream cake?

Please call or visit our Scoop Shop to purchase a ready-to-go ice cream cake. For custom cake orders, please visit our Scoop shop website.

Where can I buy gift/souvenir items?

Our main retail space is located inside. A second smaller area, stocked full of our bestselling items, is located outside in our Ticket Sales & Gift Kiosk.

Do I need a ticket to go to the inside retail area?

No.  Tickets are only required for the guided tour portion of the Factory Experience.

What is the Flavor Graveyard? Where is it?

The Flavor Graveyard is an actual graveyard onsite where we have laid to rest our Dearly De-pinted flavors with granite headstones and witty epitaphs. It is located at the top of the property in the upper parking lots, passed the playground area. 

What if I have a food allergy?

For the Scoop shop please inform your scooper of the allergy so they can provide the most accurate allergy scooping protocol.  For the Factory Experience please inform your tour guide and they will assist.  

Do you have nondairy, gluten free, nut free options?

Yes. Nondairy, gluten free and nut free options are available for purchase in our Scoop shop and for sample on tour.  For all other allergies we will do our best to accommodate.

What else is there to do in the area?

Printed material can be found in our onsite Info Booth, located in our lower parking lot. 

For additional information, we recommend using the links below:

www.discoverwaterbury.com                      Local area around Ben & Jerry’s www.vtattractions.org                                VT attractions all throughout the state www.gostowe.com                                      Stowe located 10 miles north www.vermonttourismnetwork.com              Group visits to VT www.vermontbrewers.com/breweries/         VT beer  www.vtcheese.com/                                     VT cheese www.vermontgrapeandwinecouncil.com/    VT wine  

Visit our onsite Scoop Shop to enjoy the Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavors you love.

Taza Chocolate Factory Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Taza Chocolate Factory Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

4 Fun Factory Tours for Families in the Boston Area

January 6, 2015

Looking for an educational outing that’s doable in cold weather, yet outside the well-trodden Beantown museum circuit? Appeal to kids’ curiosity and taste buds with a tour of a local sweet or treat factories. Some of the country’s best are within a couple hours of Boston!

Taza Chocolate, Somerville

Taza makes its organic, stone-ground, Mexican-style dark chocolate in Somerville, where you can watch chocolatiers grinding and roasting beans and piping fresh chocolate into molds on weekdays. Its 45-minute tours are best suited for kids ages 10 and up, since the tour includes detailed explanations of the chocolate-making process (there are also close-up views of vintage machines and plenty of yummy samples). Younger children are welcome with adult supervision, but use a carrier if needed, since strollers aren’t allowed on the factory floor.

When: Monday through Sunday afternoons and Saturday and Sunday mornings; times vary, so check the website for details. Keep in mind: They only make chocolate during the week, so go then if you want to see the crafters and machines in action.

Where: 561 Windsor Street, Somerville

Cost: $6 per person

Reservations required? Yes, book here .

Finagle a Bagel, Newton

Looking for a super-low-maintenance outing that includes an affordable lunch to boot? Finagle a Bagel’s world headquarters are tucked away in a shopping center in Newton’s Auburndale neighborhood, and they offer self-guided tours of the factory where their bagels are hand-crafted and kettle boiled before being delivered across the region.

When: Tours are Monday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm. The best days to view dough mixing and baking are Monday and Wednesday, and you can purchase fresh, discounted bagels on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4pm.

Where: 77 Rowe Street, Auburndale

Reservations required?: No. Call ext. 8425 from the building’s lobby to take the tour.

RELATED: 10 Things To Do in Boston in January

Cape Cod Potato Chips, Hyannis

This self-guided tour of New England’s favorite chipmaker is quick, easy, and a fun pit stop en route to the Cape (or as a standalone adventure). Kids can get a good look from behind large windows at the chips being prepped, fried and sent along conveyer belts through the factory, and detailed signs explain how the potatoes are sourced and seasoned. Everyone gets free samples at the end, and a gift shop stocks specialty chip flavors you probably won’t find at your local store.

When: Take a tour weekdays from 9am to 5pm.

Where: 100 Breed’s Hill Road, Hyannis

Reservations required?: No

Harbor Sweets, Salem

This old-fashioned shop is known for its themed treats, including nautical, garden and horse-inspired designs. Employees handcraft their famous “Sweet Sloops” and other exquisite candies using copper kettles, wooden paddles and local ingredients in a red-brick factory near the seaside. Tours are relaxed, personal and informative, and samples are readily offered throughout their adjacent store.

When: These tours only take place twice a week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am.

Where: 85 Leavitt Street, Salem

Reservations required?: No, but call 800-234-4860 to be sure of tour time.

Photo credit: Taza Chocolate.

SHOW COMMENTS

RELATED CONTENT

Winter Break

6 places to visit during winter break in boston, boston public library in copley square gets an update, mommy nearest favorite, spotlight on: kingsley montessori school in boston.

Factory Tours

Celebrating american imagination and industry, 10 tours in massachusetts.

• BREWERY TOURS

Samuel Adams Store

Brewing The American Dream

Samuel Adams

Boston lager, samuel adams seasonal, variety pack, just the haze, brewmasters collection.

Boston Brewery

We've recently launched a brand new website for the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, visit SamAdamsBostonBrewery.com for the latest beers, news and events.

Sometimes the Journey Makes the Destination

This website uses cookies. By using this website and its offers and continuing navigating, you accept these cookies. You can change them in your browser settings.

5 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Massachusetts

Massachusetts native. Freelance writer and strawberry eater.

More by this Author

Don’t you love those TV shows that take you behind the scenes where your favorite products are made? These factory tours in Massachusetts will let you experience the crafting process of everything from stunning glass art to delicious chocolate. Read on to learn more about taking this fun tours that are perfect for everything from a first date to a family outing.

Related Stories

This Dreamy Train-Themed Trip Through Massachusetts Will Take You On The Journey Of A Lifetime

The Fall Foliage Train Ride Through Massachusetts With Panoramic Views

10 Things To Do In Massachusetts When You Thought You’ve Done Everything

For more awesome Massachusetts day trip ideas, check out these 12 waterfront spots that will absolutely charm you.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Massachusetts in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Massachusetts!

Thank you! You will receive your first email soon.

An error occured.

Related Articles

• The North Pole Train Ride In Massachusetts That Will Take You On An Unforgettable Adventure
• There’s A Little-Known, Fascinating Train Park In Massachusetts And You’ll Want To Visit
• The One Of A Kind Ferry Boat Adventure You Can Take In Massachusetts
• Spend A Perfect Summer Day On This Old-Fashioned Paddle Boat Cruise In Massachusetts
• You’ll Absolutely Love A Ride On Massachusetts' Majestic Mountain Train This Summer
• There's A Magical Trolley Ride In Massachusetts That Most People Don't Know About
• On This Day In 1916, The Unthinkable Happened In Massachusetts
• This Haunted Massachusetts Trolley Tour Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

Explore Massachusetts

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

The Boston BRewery

Home of experiences, tour experiences at the samuel adams boston brewery, jan 1 — dec 31.

Sam Signature Experience

45 minutes | $10.

Learn about the brewing process and our Research and Development program for Samuel Adams innovation. Tour our brewhouse and taste with us. Some walk-in availability.

Beyond the Brewhouse

45 minutes | $25.

Looking to dive deeper into our company's rich history and brewing processes? Join us on this excursion as one of our guides leads you through all of our brewing spaces including our Brewhouse, Bier Keller and Sour Barrel aging facilities, all while you enjoy three samples of fresh beer. 21+

Keller Crafted: Artisan Beer & Cheese Experience

45 minutes | $40.

We’re heading underground to our Bier Keller to taste some of our rarest styles. Paired with locally-sourced cheeses, these small-batch beers age in barrels from distilleries and wineries around the world, but seldom leave this space. Dive into the history, science, and creative process of barrel aging and food pairing on this exclusive experience. 21+

VIP Pass Experience

30 minutes | $50.

Ever wondered how a beer makes it from the experimental stage to being a bona fide Sam Adams beer? Join us on the VIP Pass Experience to find out! Tour our most exclusive research and development spaces, including our Nano Brewery where you'll sample a never-before-seen experimental beer, and our canning line where you'll leave with an R&D can! 21+

Book a Private Tour

1 hour | group rates.

Join us on a private tour experience! Our guides craft each experience to the group so whether you have loads of questions or are looking for laughs with friends we can assure a great experience. 21+

Upcoming Events

What's on tap.

The Equality Act is Federal Legislation that would provide the same basic protections to LGBTQ+ individuals as provided to other groups under Federal Law. Samuel Adams is proud to have signed The Business Coalition for the Equality Act based on us living our values as it protects our LGBTQ+ coworkers and consumers.

• Boston Taproom
• Boston Brewery Taproom
• Cincinnati Taproom

© 2024 The Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA

This website uses cookies. By using this website and its offers and continuing navigating, you accept these cookies. You can change them in your browser settings.

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.

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

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Travel

20 Best Places to Visit in April

20 Surprising Disneyland Freebies

The Best Family Vacation Ideas

The Best Bachelorette Party Destinations

Romantic Weekend Getaways

The Best Destinations to Visit This March

Universal's Epic Universe Will Live Up to Its Name

What It's Really Like to Sail the Icon of the Seas

10 Inspiring Places to Learn About Black History

The Mattel Adventure Park Is Coming to Arizona!

The Best Ski Resorts for Families

Join Our Mailing List

Join Taza Rewards and start earning points towards free chocolate! 🍫🎁

Earn points for every $1 spent

Enjoy exclusive benefits

Boost your savings

Already a member? Log in .

Initiate your Taza tale for free and pluck points leading to sweet surprises! 🍫🎁

• Chocolate Bars
• Chocolate Discs
• Chocolate Snacks
• NEW Smooth & Crunchy Bars
• Our Process
• Taza Direct Trade
• Our Factory Store

Tours & Events

• Virtual Experiences
• All Collections

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE TAZA CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Select your experience below to start planning your visit!

• Taza Factory Store

Free Shipping!

Get FREE SHIPPING on orders $49+! (Total order price must be over $49 AFTER any discounts or rewards points are applied.) Contiguous US states only.

Forgot your password?

Reset your password

We will send you an email to reset your password.

By creating an account with our store, you will be able to move through the checkout process faster, save products to your wishlist, view your orders in your account and more.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Everything That Goes Into Making a New Balance Sneaker

Stitch by stitch—and laser cut by laser cut—U.S. workers craft state-of-the-art shoes. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look from the factory floor.

Every New Balance sneaker created at one of the company’s five New England-based factories moves quickly, stopping at each worker for an average of just 22.5 seconds. But those 22.5 seconds come full of precision, both mechanically and individually, as New Balance still churns out over 4 million sneakers—roughly a quarter of overall production—from the United States, the only major sneaker brand making product domestically.

As the Boston-based company continues to grow—it plans to add a sixth factory to its stable in Massachusetts and Maine—don’t expect that 22.5 seconds to slow anytime soon.

While all five current New Balance domestic factories produce sneakers, the Lawrence, Massachusetts site serves as the flagship factory, perched overlooking the Merrimack River in a converted mill building.

The latest sneaker designs may come from the company’s new headquarters in Boston three miles from either the Harvard campus or famed Fenway Park, but the engineering and production know-how lives on floors three through five at the Lawrence facility, all perched atop the second floor factory and in the shadow of the building’s four-sided mill clock with dials, the world’s largest of its kind and, at 267 feet high, second only to London’s Big Ben for the tallest clock in the world.

But that clock doesn’t tick in 22.5-second increments—that’s the role of the 220 workers producing a shoe every few seconds on the second-floor factory.

A finished sneaker begins with raw materials, from synthetics to rubber to leather. New Balance starts with the leather and the newest addition to the factory floor, a numerical control cutting machine from Italian manufacturer Comelz.

The Lawrence factory runs one 6 a.m.-to-2:30 p.m. shift daily, with three main production lines all working on identical products. Lately, the classic 990v5 has filled all three production lines in different sizes and colors. To start the 990v5 process, the factory floor needs flats full of pigskin hide. That’s where the NC cutter comes in handy.

Every piece of hide comes into the factory pre-dyed. Each hide requires individual inspection from a worker to highlight both defects and uniquely high-quality areas. The machine then reads the marks placed by the worker, using an algorithm to determine the best cutting pattern on each individual hide to eliminate the use of imperfections, maximize dimensions, and use the highest quality portion of the hide, such as the belly for pigskin, for the proper locations on the sneaker.

“The cutter does an assessment on the hide and then tells the machine how to cut it,” says Manny Gomes, manufacturing supervisor. “It will automatically populate the points the workers circled as issues and match it with the sizes needed. This is huge for us.”

Using 10 cameras, each with a small angle of view, the system digitizes the work area and three lasers provide optimal viewing projection on the leather. Then the machine cuts and workers assemble the pieces.

New Balance still uses a traditional hydraulic synthetic cutter for the non-leather portions of the shoe, standardizing the process and cutting more than one sheet at a time.

Once all material gets cut and portioned based on size, it moves to the pre-fit section of the factory. For the 990v5, this means 32 pieces enter the assembly progression. As part of the 55-step process, the pre-fit step-by-step adds the “bells and whistles” to the leather and synthetic materials, including saddles, foxing, and heat transfers.

Most of the pieces are computer stitched, making it, as Gomes says, “mistake proof” while eliminating variations.

Once the still-flat upper gets adorned with the needed embellishments—the New Balance “N” logo takes anywhere from 70 to 102 stitches, depending on the size, for example—the shoe then moves to the closing section of production.

This is where the upper joins with the tongue, collar lining and foam. The foxing—the area that joins the outsole to the upper—must get prepped. “This is a highly skilled operation that is critical,” Gomes says. “If it is not correct, it is crooked.”

From closing, the shoe travels to assembly. The upper, no longer lying flat, but with some shape starting to resemble a shoe, gets wrapped around the last, a mechanical form of hardened plastic that mimics a foot. “Everything is going to start to take the shape of the last,” Gomes says. “You pull and stretch the material over the last and then cement the entire bottom.”

Then comes time for the outsole to join the upper. The soles get sprayed with a hot-melt cement and a flash activator activates the cement. The entire shoe is then placed in a sole press machine that includes a bladder that pushes the sole into the upper, using the cement to lock the two pieces together.

Once the shoe finishes its pass through the sole press, the last is removed for reuse and the shoe gets laced, tagged, cleaned, and inspected. It even passes through a small metal detector to check for any unwanted material. When it clears final quality control, the shoes get boxed and sent to distribution. In all, it’s a 55-step process that takes three hours from cut to pack.

The other side of the Lawrence factory floor contains a slightly different process: a complete custom production line for the company’s NB1 program that allows customers to customize lifestyle sneakers and baseball cleats with chosen colors, embroidered messages, and materials.

“Every pair is very time consuming and it takes a lot of skill to make the system so you don’t make a mistake,” Gomes says. “There are millions of options. You can even pick the color of the eyelet. You have to be flexible enough to know different operations.”

The former mill building houses more than a factory floor, with multiple levels of engineers and designers supplementing the headquarters 35 miles away. And expect a new wave of production to kick off inside the factory, too, with one floor dedicating space for dozens of 3D printers from Formlabs and a computerized Stoll knitting machine that will eventually produce New Balance shoes with just two parts: 3D-printed resin to construct the outsole and a knit upper, cutting product inventory waste and storage.

Katherine Petrecca, general manager of footwear, innovation design, located in Lawrence, says that by owning their own factories, New Balance can more quickly “drive new industry standards and elevate performance on our own terms.”

That first happened with TripleCell. New Balance entered a partnership with Somerville, Massachusetts-based Formlabs in 2017 to create a 3D printing production system that included a new material.

“It was not the machines, it was the materials,” JF Fullum, senior design director, says about the hold up in sneaker 3D printing and the new Rebound Resin the company debuted in June. “We need durability and rebound weight. There is nothing like Rebound Resin in printing.”

Pairs of 990s featuring a TripleCell 3D-printed outsole of Rebound Resin—a photopolymer resin in the heel sold out in a day upon their June 28 launch. Expect more in September, all made in Lawrence, including a new TripleCell model with additional 3D pieces in the forefoot. Then comes the future of New Balance with prototypes already in the works on a new TripleCell product hopefully to the market in 2020 with a 100 percent 3D-printed outsole and a knit upper, two elements coming from the Lawrence facility.

Katy O’Brien, engineering manager, manufacturing innovation and a MIT graduate, leads the charge to set up the new production area, ramping up to show off new knit and 3D creation techniques and a completely fresh way to manufacture sneakers.

“We have hit the trifecta of high performance, digital manufacturing, and made in the USA,” says Fullum. “It is achievable.”

Our Favorite New Balance Sneakers

New Balance M990GL4

Breathable mesh upper, supportive leather overlays.

New Balance 247 Mid

Warmer, water-resistant upper for rain and snow.

New Balance Zante Pursuit

Good balance between low weight and firm cushioning, great traction.

New Balance 890v7

Responsive technology and gusseted tongue help offer a snug midfoot fit.

New Balance Beacon V2

Great cushion to weight ratio, soft and breathable upper.

Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland. 

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Design .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

The 10 Best Christmas Lights for the Holidays

Why Time Reflections Are a ‘Holy Grail’ in Physics

Meet the Hurricane-Proof Florida Community

40 Famous Inventors Who Changed History

Apple Could Owe You $395 for Its Faulty Keyboard

Finally, There’s a Decent Female Crash Test Dummy

The 31 Tallest Buildings in the World

How to Submit Your Genius Idea for a New Emoji

Shock-Absorbing, Reusable Body Armor Is on the Way

15 Patents That Changed the World

Meet the First Working, Retractable Lightsaber

AAA Magazines

9 factory tours in new england.

By Diane Bair and Pamela Wright

Published November 21, 2022 Last updated: December 14, 2022

New England has long been a hotbed of inventiveness and enterprise, home to makers, artisans, and proud producers, creating everything from granite monuments to stone-ground chocolate. On a guided factory tour, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how some of these iconic products are made. Here are 9 of our favorites, where good ol’ Yankee ingenuity is on full display.

Factory tours in Maine

1. thos. moser, auburn.

What does it take to turn slabs of rough lumber into high-quality furniture pieces? You can find out on a fascinating tour of Thos. Moser , a fine furniture–making company that began in 1972 out of old Maine grange.

Now located in a modern, 80,000-square-foot facility, artisans use both traditional hand tools and high-tech machines to create tables, chairs, beds, and more from sustainably sourced North American hardwoods. You’ll view the process, from the rough mill where wood is selected to the workshop where founder Tom Moser worked on new designs. Free.

2. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, Freeport

Watch chocolatiers at work and satisfy your sweet tooth at Wilbur’s of Maine in Freeport. Photo courtesy Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections

It’s not quite Willy Wonka, but a behind-the-scenes visit to this New England favorite is delightful. Private 30- to 45-minute tours include a viewing of All About Chocolate, a movie that showcases the history of the long-standing family-owned company, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023.

The tour ends with a peek through the factory windows into the enrobing and panning rooms to watch chocolatiers at work. Along the way, you’ll sample several goodies—perhaps their best-selling chocolate-covered blueberries or hand-crafted caramels. The company also hosts a variety of special events on select weekends, including demonstrations, DIY workshops, and children’s parties. Tours, $5 per person; reservations required.

You may also like:  6 crave-worthy chocolate shops in Northern New England

Factory tours in New Hampshire

3. conner bottling works, newfields.

Sample some Squamscot Old Fashioned Beverages at Conner Bottling Works in Newfields, New Hampshire. Photo by Jennifer Bakos

The Conner family has been producing their iconic Squamscot Old Fashioned Beverages for more than 5 generations, and a tour of their factory is a study in New England ingenuity and perseverance. You’ll hear how  the company  started producing spruce beer in 1863 and switched to sodas during Prohibition.

Today, they work out of a rustic barn, producing 27 different flavors, including their popular ginger ale made with fine Jamaican ginger. You’ll visit the bottling room, a noisy conveyor belt area where custom-created syrups are mixed with carbonated well water following recipes handed down for more than 50 years. Watch as an occasional bottle is snagged off the belt and tasted for quality control, and end with a sampling of the day’s flavor. Free; call for tour schedule and reservations.

Factory tours in Vermont

4. ben & jerry’s ice cream, waterbury.

Tours at Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury, Vermont, end with a taste. Photo by Greg Comollo

No roundup of New England factory tours would be complete without this crowd-pleaser. The famed ice cream makers create their products in a gorgeous setting amid expansive fields in the shadows of the Green Mountains. 

Take in the view, then hop on the 30-minute guided  Factory Experience tour  to learn about the history of the company, which started in 1978. Today, they operate out of a modern, high-tech facility. The best part of the tour ends with a sample of the day’s featured flavor. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Adults, $6.

Silos outside the Ben & Jerry's factory hold the key ingredients to the popular ice cream. Photo by Rick Levinson

You may also like:  7 tasty ice cream spots in Northern New England

5. Plymouth Artisan Cheese, Plymouth Notch

The blocks of cheese at Plymouth Artisan Cheese are dipped in hot wax once they're ready for packaging. Photo Oliver Parini

It’s low-tech and hands-on at this   historic cheese factory , built by John Coolidge, father of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States. Follow the back roads to the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Next door to Coolidge’s birthplace and childhood home, you can watch a small team of artisans, under the helm of head cheese maker and owner Jesse Werner, produce some of America’s oldest cheeses.

Not much has changed since the Coolidge days. The cheese is still crafted, cut, and waxed in small batches, following a recipe dating back to 1890. A small museum has historic photos and exhibits, and a store sells several varieties, including the buttery-soft Original Plymouth cheddar. It’s the oldest cheddar cheese in America, and their top seller. Self-guided; free.

Calvin Coolidge’s family started making Plymouth Artisan Cheese when the future 30th U.S. president was a teenager. Photo by Oliver Parini

6. Rock of Ages, Barre

It’s not open for tours during the winter, but Rock of Ages’ E.L. Smith Quarry is an impressive sight. Photo courtesy Rock of Ages

Towering stone walls rise above sparkling turquoise blue waters; workers and machinery look like tiny Lego figures. Standing on an overlook at the edge of the massive E.L. Smith Quarry is the highlight of this guided tour. At nearly 600 feet deep, it’s the world’s largest operating deep-hole quarry, famous for its exquisite gray granite.

The 40-minute tour starts at the modern visitors center with a video presentation on how granite is formed; extracted from the quarry; and turned into sculptures, memorials, and mausoleums. You’ll also get a peek into the 160,000-square-foot factory to watch artisans at work. Quarry tours are offered May through early November; adults, $7. Self-guided factory tours are free with admission.

7. Simon Pearce, Quechee

There’s something captivating about the ancient art of glassblowing—watching fiery, molten glass as it moves from the furnace to be handcrafted into one-of-a-kind art pieces.

At this flagship store , set on the shores of the Ottauquechee River, you’ll see glassblowing artisans at work, practicing a craft that hasn’t changed much over the past 1,000 years or so. Watch the artisans (they also demonstrate their techniques), and then move into the retail store, jam-packed with Simon Pearce’s popular designs.

Consider making a lunch or dinner reservation at The Restaurant, where the dining room overlooks the Ottauquechee River. Restaurant closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Glassblowing demonstrations are free and also available at the Windsor, Vermont, location.

Factory tours in Massachusetts

8. samuel adams boston brewery.

Tours of the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery are open to all, but only those 21 and older may sample the wares. Photo courtesy Samuel Adams Boston Brewery

“My cousin from Boston,” featured in those Samuel Adams TV commercials, is one annoying dude, but you can’t deny the appeal of the company’s brewery tours. Founder Jim Koch, the granddad of America’s craft brewing scene, brewed his first Boston lager in his home kitchen in 1984.

Nearly 40 years later, beer enthusiasts and tourists show up daily for the Sam Signature Experience , a must-do tour (it’s open to all ages, but guests must be 21 or older to drink). Guests learn about beer ingredients and the brewing process, sip the flagship Boston Lager, and sample craft brews that are in the research and development phase. One of those could be the Next Big Thing in the beer cooler. Other specialty tours are also offered. Sam Signature Experience, $10 per person by reservation; walk-ins may be available.

 9. Taza Chocolate, Somerville

Taza Chocolate uses granite millstones to process its cacao beans. Photo by Michael Piazza

Gritty. Unrefined. Bold. Are we describing the latest TikTok dance craze? Believe it or not, it’s chocolate.

Taza Chocolate co-founder Alex Whitmore first sampled stone-ground chocolate in Oaxaca, Mexico. Besotted with the flavor’s rustic intensity, he decided to develop a chocolate factory back home in Somerville, hand-carving granite millstones himself to grind the cacao. The Mexican-style dark chocolate—and Amaze Bars enhanced with flavors like ginger and raspberry—has added to Somerville’s sweet cache (in 1917, a Somerville resident invented Marshmallow Fluff).

At Taza, you’ll learn how cacao is grown and harvested, and how those granite millstones—which look like something out of The Flintstones— produce distinctive, tasty chocolate. Of course, you’ll sample plenty of stone-ground chocolate.

While they can’t guarantee you’ll see chocolate being made on every tour , guides will describe the process—and reveal why this confection is so different from the typical chocolate bar. Tickets, $12 per person; online reservations are required. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Families with children under age 10 are encouraged to visit at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for the Cacao Scouts Scavenger Hunt.

New England–based writers Diane Bair and Pamela Wright cover food and travel for several publications and are frequent Boston Globe contributors.

You may also like:

• Vermont Route 100: The quintessential New England road trip
• 6 drives with stunning views in Northern New England
• 6 places in Northern New England that allow you to reconnect with nature

Follow us on Instagram

Follow @AAAAutoClubEnterprises   for the latest on what to see and do.

Read more articles

You'll find more of the articles you love to read at AAA Insider .

Travel offers & deals

Hot travel deals

Get the latest offers from AAA Travel’s preferred partners.

Travel with AAA

See how we can help you plan, book, and save on your next vacation.

Entertainment savings

Save big with AAA discounts on tickets to your next adventure.

Travel with confidence

Purchase travel insurance with Allianz Global Assistance.

Watch CBS News

Cue the duck boats: Boston Duck Tours ready to start new season

By Neal Riley

March 28, 2024 / 9:51 AM EDT / CBS Boston

BOSTON - It's a welcome sign of spring in Boston - the duck boats will soon be rolling through city streets and splashing into the Charles River.

Boston Duck Tours is celebrating its 30th anniversary by kicking off its new season on Friday morning. The attraction got its start back in 1994 with just four original World War II-era amphibious vehicles - the last of which retired in 2014. 

Now a colorful fleet of 28 with memorable names like "Dorchester Dottie" and "Faneuil Holly" carries about half a million people through Boston every season.

"Cue the duck boats" has been a rallying cry for Boston sports fans in the city since 2002, as the vehicles have carried New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics through the streets for 12  championship parades . 

Boston Duck Tours ticket prices

For 2024, Duck Tour tickets are $52.99 for adults, $43.99 for seniors and active military, $37.99 for children ages 3 to 11 and $10.99 for kids under 3 years old.

The 80-minute tours depart seven days a week from the Museum of Science, the Prudential Center and the New England Aquarium. They spend an hour on land and 20 minutes in the water.

Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Wednesday's Child: 12-year-old John

Recipient of world's first pig kidney transplant discharged from Boston hospital

Could Boston be facing a budget crisis due to declining commercial property values?

Should Boston lower its speed limit? "25 mph is excessive"