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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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Car Production Process

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• Toyota Production System

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• 01 STAMPING --> STAMPING
• 02 WELDING --> WELDING
• 03 PAINTING --> PAINTING
• 04 ASSEMBLY --> ASSEMBLY
• 05 INSPECTION SHIPPING --> INSPECTION SHIPPING

--> Manufacturing Process Overview Video

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E x p e r i e n c e   t h e   W o n d e r   a n d C r a f t s m a n s h i p   o f   T o y o t a ' s   M a n u f a c t u r i n g   P l a n t s

Cars are made up of some 30,000 parts - all filled with care and craftsmanship in every step of production. People are the heart of Toyota's manufacturing.

Cars are made up of some 30,000 parts - all filled with care and craftsmanship in every step of production People are the heart of Toyota's manufacturing.

C a r   P r o d u c t i o n

INSPECTION / SHIPPING

M a n u f a c t u r i n g P r o c e s s O v e r v i e w   V i d e o

M a n u f a c t u r i n g p r o c e s s   o v e r v i e w   v i d e o.

Manufacturing Process Overview Video

P o w e r   U n i t   C r a f t s m a n s h i p

P o w e r   u n i t c r a f t s m a n s h i p.

Introducing the care and craftsmanship that go into every unit made.

T o y o t a P r o d u c t i o n   S y s t e m

The Toyota Production System helps produce vehicles in a timely manner.

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Why (and How) to Take a Plant Tour

• David M. Upton
• Stephen E. Macadam

By adopting a systematic approach to plant tours, visitors can uncover and communicate a wealth of strategic and operating information.

In recent years, managers have recognized how manufacturing capabilities contribute to a company’s overall strategic strength. The ability to respond quickly to customers’ orders, to customize products to match customers’ exact requirements, or to ramp up production rapidly can be a powerful and difficult-to-imitate competitive weapon. But many corporate managers identify their plants’ capabilities only by accident—as a result of chance conversations with plant managers or operations specialists. Consequently, many managers do not have the information necessary to cultivate, shape, and exploit their company’s manufacturing capabilities. As plants develop, however, they need guidance to build capabilities that meet current and future needs. Plant tours can be a powerful way of providing factories with that kind of direction.

• David M. Upton is the American Standard Companies Professor of Operations Management at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
• SM Stephen E. Macadam is a principal at McKinsey & Company’s Charlotte, North Carolina, office.

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Four tips to help organize a fantastic factory tour

With good planning, people should be able to organize a memorable factory tour for all visitors..

If someone is looking for a way to draw in new customers or investors, a factory tour might be just what someone needs. It’s an excellent opportunity to show off facilities and equipment and introduce the staff. On top of that, a good company tour will emphasize professionalism and help build a stronger bond with clients.

All that is only possible if the factory tour is successful. And factories typically aren’t particularly suitable for tours — they tend to be loud and full of activity. In such conditions, it can be difficult to deliver a good presentation and ensure that everyone in the audience hears it.

Still, there are ways to organize fantastic factory tours that clients and investors will remember for years. Not sure how to do that? Consider these four tips for making a memorable tour.

1. Try to understand factory tour visitors’ goals

In order to organize a successful tour, start by understanding the visitors. If a company knows what they want to see and hear, they’ll have an easier time satisfying the visitors, and they’ll leave feeling their time was well spent. Ultimately, that’s exactly what is wanted.

Of course, someone can’t be sure what each and every member of the visiting group wants to hear. But someone can understand the whole group’s goals. Both investors and clients will probably want to see that the factory is up to par and the product quality is top-notch. But some of their other objectives might not be the same.

For instance, investors are more likely to be interested in a company’s efficiency and financial performance. After all, they are here to decide whether they should invest their money or not. On the other hand, if the visitors are potential clients, they’ll want to know more about the production process, cleanliness and inventory.

Take that into consideration when planning a tour. And of course, if someone doesn’t manage to answer all of the visitors’ questions, give them an opportunity to ask.

2. Use a wireless factory tour guide system

Factories aren’t exactly quiet — machines and people working with them tend to make a lot of noise. Thus, they don’t make a great setting for giving presentations or tours . After all, what’s the point of showing visitors around if they can’t even hear?

And, of course, someone can’t stop all activity as they’re showing visitors around. That wouldn’t only be a waste of money and time but also counterproductive to the tour. The audience wants to see how the company operates on a regular day, not an empty factory that’s not working.

So, how does someone resolve the noise issue then? Well, someone could use a wireless tour guide system during the presentation. These systems contain earpieces and microphones, allowing everyone to communicate even in less than ideal conditions. So, no matter how noisy it is, the presenter doesn’t have to raise their voice. Just speak as one would normally, and everyone will still hear.

Wireless systems usually come in two forms — one- and two-way systems. If a company chooses a two-way one, their visitors will also be able to talk to the company. Depending on the kind of tour, that may be a good idea. Someone might want to hear the audience’s feedback or allow them to ask questions even as they are being shown around.

3. Warn employees in advance

While the goal is to show visitors a regular day at the company, measures should still be taken to ensure everything goes smoothly. One such measure is telling employees an important tour is coming up and instructing them on what to do. For instance, tell them to be quieter or make more room for the group at a specific time.

Warning employees about the tour also gives them enough time to plan their activities with that in mind. Thus, they can postpone anything that may get in the way of the factory tour, as well as any projects a tour might interrupt. So, let them know at least two weeks before the big day — that way, they won’t feel blindsided.

If someone wants any of their employees to talk to visitors and share their experiences, make sure to let them know on time. They ought to prepare themselves for the part they will play in the presentation. For example, they might need time to gather and organize some information the visitors could ask them to provide. And even the most eloquent people can sometimes get tongue-tied if they are suddenly put on the spot. That is why it is best to notify employees well in advance.

4. Prepare information booklets

If someone wants their visitors to remember their factory tour longer, prepare information booklets for them. Hand them out at the start of the tour or give them as gifts at the very end. That way, the company will come off even more professional and prepared, and this good impression will linger for a while.

People can choose all kinds of information to put in a booklet, of course. But in most cases, someone should include some basic information about the company, financial stats and details about the products and services. Adding a few pictures might be a good idea, too — it’ll make a booklet that much more engaging.

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Munich Plant Tour

The BMW Group plant in Munich combines the highest quality of engineering with innovative strength and passion. BMW branded vehicles and engines were produced in the heart of Berlin as early as 1922. Today, the plant employs around 8,000 people who produce around eleven million premium automobiles from the assembly line.

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Let's Tour Together

Step inside the world's largest factory for a behind-the-scenes look at the Boeing Everett Factory and 777 assembly line. Each tour is an 80-minute guided experience with a front row view of current airplane production, the Everett site’s history and the central role it plays in the future of commercial aviation.

Pro-Tip: Tickets sell out quickly. We recommend booking tickets in advance, either online or through the Call Center: +1 (800) 464-1476

Tour Schedule: Offered Thursday – Monday. Select 'Buy Tickets' to check availability.

Know Before You Go

Safety requirements.

• Children/Youth must be at least 4 feet (48in/122cm) tall to go on the tour.
• Carrying children on the tour is not allowed for safety reasons.
• Children/Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Restricted Items

This is a hands-free tour. Complimentary lockers are available to use in the lobby. Please store all belongings before your tour time begins. Items NOT allowed on the Boeing Everett Factory Tour:

• No purses, handbags, waist pouches or backpacks
• No binoculars and electronics including cameras, video equipment or drones
• No phones or tablets
• No food or drinks
• No smoking or vaping

Refunds and Restrictions

• If guests do not arrive promptly for their scheduled tour the reservation will be forfeited*. We strongly recommend guests arrive at least 30 minutes before their tour start time.
• Refunds will be provided with at least 24-hour notice of cancellation. No refunds will be made within 24 hours of your scheduled tour.
• In order to request a reservation modification of any kind, please call Boeing Future of Flight Customer Service at +1 (800)-464-1476 .

* If an emergency arises, we will attempt to reschedule your tour if you call at least one hour in advance of your scheduled tour time (depending on availability).

The Boeing Company reserves the right to cancel the tour at any time for any reason.

Accessibility

• Boeing Future of Flight is an accessible facility. Please contact Boeing Future of Flight Customer Service in advance at [email protected] or call +1 (800) 464-1476 for special accommodations requests, including booking our wheelchair-accessible bus tour. For more information regarding our accessibility accommodations, please visit our Accessibility page.
• Participation on the Boeing Everett Factory Tour requires traveling approximately .3 miles (.5km) round trip. There are flights of stairs to navigate; however, elevators are accessible on all floors at Boeing Future of Flight and the Boeing Everett Factory Tour.

Restrooms are not available during the tour. Please plan ahead by using the restrooms at Boeing Future of Flight before your tour start time.

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Take a Made in America Illinois Factory Tour

If you love John Deere, and who doesn’t, you’re in the right state because it’s all about John Deere on these Illinois factory tours. If you’re a big John Deere fan, you should check out their Iowa factory tours too!

Illinois Factories That Offer Tours

John Deere Harvester Works | East Moline, IL

John Deere Harvester Works manufactures combines and front-end equipment. The factory tour guides take you through each stage of the manufacturing process, from the first steel cut to the finished product. The tour lasts approximately one and a half hours.

#John Deere

John Deere Historic Site | Grand Detour, IL

Enjoy free admission to all the attractions when you visit the John Deere Historic Site. Peek into 1836 pioneer life at the original John Deere family home, watch live demonstrations in a replica of John Deere’s blacksmith shop, and stand in the exact location where John Deere forged the first self-scouring steel plow.

John Deere Pavilion | Moline, IL

Learn how Tractors, sprayers, construction equipment, lawn tractors, and other John Deere equipment impacts our world, see vintage machines up close, enjoy interactive exhibits, and sit in the cab of some of John Deere’s biggest machines.

More Tours in Illinois

Illinois 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 Illinois .

Illinois 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 Illinois .

Illinois 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 Illinois .

USA Factory Tours

Did we miss an Illinois 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

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From planes to crayons, these fun factory tours go behind the scenes

Feb 14, 2020 • 7 min read

What’s more fun than breaking open a bright new box of crayons or digging a spoon into a melty pint of ice cream? Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re made, of course.

Whether you’re a super fan or are just generally curious, companies around the US – some that have been in business for decades, and in some cases, for over a century – are offering a fresh new way to experience their goods. Visiting the factory offers insight on how a product comes to life, usually in a hands-on, interactive and fun way. From Cape Cod potato chips to PEZ candies, these 11 factory tours are worth a visit.

PEZ Factory – Orange, Connecticut

The world’s largest PEZ dispenser, vintage Star Wars PEZ and a PEZ motorcycle can all be found in the 4000 sq ft visitor’s center of the company’s candy-making factory . From floor-to-ceiling windows, see the tiny tabs being packaged. (Along with its sister candy-making factory in Traun, Austria, the company produces 5 billion candies each year).

Take time to explore the decades of memorabilia packed into the two-story center, and go on a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a sweet prize at the end.

Ben & Jerry’s – Waterbury, Vermont 

Every ice cream lover should add a Waterbury, Vermont , pilgrimage to their bucket list. The Ben & Jerry’s factory tour gives guests a front-row peek into the ice cream-making process, an overview of the company’s colorful history, and – the best part – a sample of the flavors. Finish the visit with a stroll around the company’s outdoor Flavor Graveyard, an ode to discontinued pints.

If a 30-minute tour isn’t enough, opt for the Flavor Fanatic Experience; the $225, two-hour package includes a private guided factory tour, a tie-dyed lab coat, and a hands-on mixing and tasting session in the Flavor Lab, led by one of the company’s Flavor Gurus.

Cape Cod Chips – Hyannis, Massachusetts

In Hyannis, Massachusetts, find the Kennedy compound, the fast ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory. More than 250,000 visitors each year take the free, self-guided tour, which includes a walk through the facility to see potato chips made in custom kettles, plus relics from the first factory dating back to the 1980s.

At the end of the tour, break open your complimentary chips at an umbrella-shaded table on the sunny patio. (The tour is available Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.)

US Mint – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you have coins in your pocket, there’s a good chance they were minted in Philadelphia . (You can tell by the tiny “P” stamped on one side.) In the city of brotherly love, the US Mint has been producing coins for over 225 years, and visitors can see the process during the self-guided, 45-minute tours available to the public most days.

See the coining operation from 40ft above the factory floor, check out the historic artifacts, like the press used to make the nation’s first coins in 1792, and see the series of seven, 5ft-tall Tiffany glass mosaics created to commemorate the opening of the third US Mint building in 1901. While the Mint sadly doesn’t offer free samples, you can buy commemorative coins and other collectibles in the gift shop.

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Jelly Belly Factory – Fairfield, California

The sixth-generation family-run candy company has been in business since 1898, and making the beloved Jelly Beans since 1976. At the Jelly Belly Factory , self-guided tours lead visitors through a quarter mile-long elevated path, with interactive exhibits and a view of the factory floor. For a flat fee of $39 for groups of up to six, private tour guides will take you through. In the end, everyone gets free samples of the rainbow-hued treat.

Louisville Slugger Factory  – Louisville, Kentucky

You can’t miss the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory , located in downtown Louisville , Kentucky. The 120ft, 68,000 pound, world’s largest baseball bat leans against the side of the building, marking the entrance. Louisville Slugger has been making its iconic bats since 1884, and the factory and museum give visitors an up-close look at how they’re produced. Walk through the line to see the step-by-step process, explore the Bat Vault, with a copy of nearly every bat the company has ever made, and leave with a souvenir mini bat, free for tour-goers.

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Tillamook Creamery Factory – Tillamook, Oregon

Inside the strikingly modern facade of Oregon’s Tillamook Creamery Factory , the milk produced by the cows on the company’s fourth generation farm is transformed into award-winning cheeses. Get a bird’s-eye view from the observation windows, down onto the factory floor, as the process goes from fresh milk to cheese curds to aged cheddars.

The sprawling, state-of-the-art aging warehouse on site houses upwards of 37 million pounds of cheese, which age from 60 days to 6 years before being sent back out to the warehouse to be cut into bricks and packed up for the grocery store. Don’t leave before sampling all the cheese.

Hershey’s Chocolate Factory – Hershey Pennsylvania

In the central Pennsylvania town of Hershey, the lamp posts are shaped like Hershey’s Kisses and there’s usually a faint whiff of chocolate in the air. To find the source, head straight for the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory . During the free, 30-minute tour, visitors can take an immersive journey through the facility to see how chocolate is made, from cocoa bean to foil-wrapped bar, and finish with a Hershey’s treat.

For $26.95, the create-your-own candy bar tour lets visitors make their own confection, and design a personalized wrapper for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Crayola Experience – Easton, Pennsylvania

Crayola has been in business for over a century, making iconic crayons and coloring accoutrements for kids and adults alike. (Color Escapes, ie adult coloring books, were introduced in 2015.) The colorful company has a manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania ’s Lehigh Valley, about halfway between Philadelphia and New York City, and about ten minutes away, visitors can check out the Crayola Experience . Guests can see how crayons are made in a live show, pose for a personalized coloring page, mold a critter or character out of crayon wax, and name a color, taking home a keepsake crayon.

Taylor Guitars – San Diego, California

Seasoned musicians and anyone who appreciates a good Spotify playlist will love the thoroughly educational look into how Taylor Guitars are made. Every weekday at 1pm, free, guided tours are offered at the legendary manufacturer of premium acoustic guitars, used by artists like Taylor Swift, Dave Matthews, and Zac Brown.

The 75-minute tour takes place right on the factory floor, so visitors can soak up each step of the process, from choosing the wood and assembling the pieces to finished product. Don’t miss the guitar room, where myriad models are available to test out. (Tours aren’t offered on weekday holidays, so check the schedule before visiting.)

Boeing – Everett, Washington 

The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is located just north of Seattle , at the company’s Everett factory. Inside the building – which is the largest in the world, by volume – the aircraft design and manufacturing company assembles the 747, 767, 777 and 787 planes. The 90-minute tour is the only one of its kind in North America, offering a look inside a working commercial jet engine assembly plant, and highlights include the factory tour, plus the Boeing gallery that showcases over 150 products the company makes and is developing, including satellites, submarines, and alternative fuels.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the facility offers hands-on robotics workshops, introducing visitors to the basics of coding robots for use in the manufacturing process. Tours are so popular, travelers can book day trips from downtown Seattle that include transportation, hotel pickup and dropoff. (Visitors must be 4, or 122 cm tall, to go on the tour.)

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Tour map & highlights.

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Legacy Theater

Manufacturing innovation theater.

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Observation Deck

Download our visitor guide visitor guide includes map. select language and download:, customize your own with my must-sees select your interest areas to see the best of the henry ford..

Archival Footage of the Rouge

This multi-screen state-of-the-art theater plays a short film with remarkable archival footage telling the story of the Rouge. This fantastic story is sure to delight, inspire and amaze an audience of all ages. Discover the Rouge’s history of innovation, from Henry Ford’s pioneering vision of vertical integration to current-day sustainable manufacturing. Witness stories of triumph, tragedy, and constant reinvention. Film includes rarely seen historic footage from our archives. Approximate time: 13 minutes.

Manufacturing Process Up Close

This multi-sensory film experience comes complete with vibrating seats, gusts of wind, and winking robots as you learn about the production of the award-winning Ford F-150. With jaw-dropping special effects, from “floating” 3D laser projection mapping and high-energy audio to a breathtaking behind-the-wheel finale, you’ll see the manufacturing process up close, from concept to highway. This fascinating exhibit is for anyone who has an eye for innovation. Approximate time: 10 minutes.

Bird's Eye View of the Rouge

Take an elevator ride up to the best seat in the house for a panoramic view of the Ford Rouge Center complex and a spectacular way to see the Living Roof atop the Dearborn Truck Plant’s Final Assembly building. View the Rouge’s environmental innovations: a naturalized habitat, porous pavement, solar arrays and energy saving photovoltaic panels. It’s an excursion into a realm where environmental innovation and industrial production work together. Variable time: 5-15 minutes.

Assembly Plant Walking Tour

View F-150 assembly.

Walk the elevated walkway above the Dearborn Truck Plant’s lean and flexible final assembly line, where the aluminum body F-150 is made. On the tour you'll see the complex web of equipment, robotics, parts delivery and skilled workers that can build one truck per minute at full line speeds. Videos, signs, and interactive displays enhance the experience with educational content. Friendly staff stationed along the tour will help explain the process and answer any questions you may have.

Legacy Gallery

Historic Rouge-Made Vehicles

View historic vehicles made at the Rouge, including the groundbreaking V-8, the classic Thunderbird and the Mustang. Explore the stories and engineering behind these cars with interactive exhibits and kiosks. The cars on display inside the Legacy Gallery include: 1929 Model A, 1932 Ford V8, 1949 Coupe, 1955 Ford Thunderbird, 1965 Ford Mustang, and a 2015 Ford F-150. Of course no trip to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour would be complete without a visit to our Factory Store located next to the Legacy Gallery.

Living Laboratory Walking Tour

Sustainable design in action

Launched in the summer of 2008, the Living Laboratory Walking Tour lets you explore how an industrial brownfield became a flourishing ecological habitat. This unique naturalized area set in the midst of an industrial powerhouse is a model for environmentally responsible land use and redevelopment.

Living Roof

Innovative and green

The Living Roof--at 454 square feet one of the largest in the world--is both environmentally and fiscally responsible. By collecting and filtering rainfall the Living Roof reduces storm water flowing into the Rouge River. The habitat for many birds, the roof also has a longer life span than conventional roofing.

Factory Tours

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Sen. Manchin Tours Construction Progress at Form Energy’s Weirton Plant

WEIRTON, W.Va. –

Thursday, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined Form Energy’s leadership to tour the company’s new iron air battery manufacturing plant, Form Factory 1, which is under construction in Weirton, West Virginia.

Form  broke ground  on Form Factory 1 — its first factory in West Virginia and the company’s first high-volume battery manufacturing plant — in May 2023.

The speed and scale of construction progress on Form Factory 1 in West Virginia has been accelerated by the passing of the  Inflation Reduction Act  (IRA), an energy security law designed to incentivize domestic manufacturing and drive energy innovation. The IRA will help ensure that Weirton and West Virginia remain on the cutting-edge of the energy technologies of the future for years to come. 

Form Factory 1 is being constructed on a site that previously housed the Weirton Steel Mill. In less than a year, Form Energy has nearly completed building construction, started landing manufacturing equipment inside and begun hiring and training its manufacturing workforce. When operating at full capacity, the factory will employ at least 750 workers in Weirton with good-paying jobs. The manufacturing facility represents a total direct investment of $760 million in Weirton, inclusive of an incentive package of $290 million from the State of West Virginia. 

A historic steel community, Weirton is located on the Ohio River with direct access to rail, river and highway infrastructure that will enable Form Energy to transport West Virginia-made batteries across the nation. Form Energy selected Weirton as the home of its first factory after a robust, year-long, nationwide site selection process that included reviewing over 500 candidate locations across 16 states. The company ultimately chose a 55-acre site in Weirton because of the existing transportation infrastructure and the historic steel community’s strong talent base.

“It feels like just yesterday we were gathered here to break ground on this major investment in the Mountain State and seeing the progress today has filled me with tremendous pride and hope for our great state. For generations, West Virginians have done the heavy lifting. We’ve mined the coal that forged the steel that built the tanks and ships that allowed our country to become the greatest industrial might the world has ever known — and soon we can add batteries to that list. The West Virginians who will work in this facility will once again be stepping up to the plate and building on our legacy as America’s energy powerhouse, something all of West Virginia can be proud of,” said Manchin.

Mateo Jaramillo, CEO and Co-Founder of Form Energy, said, “We would not be where we are today – with eager customers waiting for our iron-air batteries, Form Factory 1 well under construction in Weirton, and already hiring for our manufacturing team – without the fantastic leadership of Senator Manchin and other federal, state, and local champions of Weirton. For so many decades, Weirton was the heart of iron and steelmaking in this country, enabling America to become a manufacturing powerhouse. We are so proud to now be building our first factory, and our first iron-air batteries, here in Weirton. Our hope is that Form Factory 1 will help place Weirton at the center of America’s new manufacturing boom, and America’s energy future.”

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‘Serp i Molot’: The HUGE abandoned metallurgical plant 5 km from the Kremlin

In the 19th century, the territory of the western part of modern Moscow was still the outskirts of the city, with a growing number of railways leading to other cities. Some plants had already worked there since the beginning of the century, but improving transport accessibility in the latter half let the place grow into an industrial cluster with major factories.

A topographical map of the location in the 1850s. The big triangle in the middle would eventually be totally taken up by ‘Serp i Molot’

The location attracted an entrepreneur named Julius Goujon. It was there where he founded the ‘Association of the Moscow Metallurgical Plant’ in 1883. It started operating by housing a number of wire workshops. At the same time, Goujon was building a plant there. It was completed in 1890 and the first Martin furnace that ran on fuel oil was installed. By 1913, the number of furnaces melting cast iron had grown to seven.

Goujon’s Plant at the beginning of the 20th century.

The plant was making 90,000 tons of steel a year and employed 2,000 people - and was already the biggest metallurgical factory in Moscow. The plant became popularly known as ‘MMZ’ or Goujon’s Plant. It produced wire, nails and the steel itself. The working conditions were quite rough, so the plant got the folk epithet: ‘bone-breaking’.

‘Serp i molot’ in the 1930s.

After the October Revolution in 1918, the plant was nationalized like many other factories. In 1922, it was renamed by popular demand: from then on, it was called ‘Serp i molot’ (“Sickle and Hammer”). In the 1930s, the plant was expanded: a cast house, a steel rolling shop and calibrating section were built in the place of demolished surrounding buildings.

The plant in 1931.

‘Serp i molot’ was considered to be one of the leading factories. The quality of steel produced there was very high, so, in 1937, the plant was given an order to make the rolled steel for the 24-meter high ‘Worker and Kolkhoz Woman’ sculpture, one of the most famous Soviet monuments. It was a challenge: the chromium-nickel steel type had to be specially invented for the sculpture. But the workers succeeded and the monument impressed the visitors of the International Exposition in Paris the very same year.

‘Rabochiy i kolkhoznitsa’ sculpture standing on a low concrete base. 1939.

When the Great Patriotic War started, ‘Serp i molot’ wasn’t evacuated. It became an armor plant like many other factories. After the end of the war, the plant was awarded with the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

‘Serp i molot’ workers repairing tanks during the Great Patriotic War.

In the 1970s, ‘Serp i Molot’ went through a massive modernization: all the Martin furnaces were removed, as they became an outdated mode of production. They were replaced with electric ones. The plant started to produce stainless and highly alloyed (resistant to different external stress) types of steel. The territory expansion was also continued: after construction of new sections and warehouses, the plant occupied an area of about 60 hectares.

The Martin furnace section in the 1960s.

‘Serp i Molot’ had everything it needed: For example, a laboratory to invent new steel types, a community center and even a museum and pioneer camp. A former worker of the electric casting section remembered: “The section worked in four shifts without days-off and, may it be said, without holidays. All hell was let loose.”

Plant for cold rolled stainless steel.

The fall of the USSR put the glory of ‘Serp i Molot’ to an end. The massive crisis had led to a dramatic decline of steel production. By that time, the plant was employing about 13,000 people and, in the 1990s, they started losing their jobs. The empty sections and warehouses were let out for rent. It led them to abandonment, one by one.

In the beginning of the 2000s, the Third Ring Road divided the territory of ‘Serp i Molot’ into two parts. The authorities of Moscow understood that there should be a better use for this abandoned place that stood just 5 km from the Kremlin, but nothing was done for some more years.

The plant had no samples of architecture, because the old sections were replaced by new ones, so nobody tried to preserve the buildings. The plant was finally closed in 2011.

The Moscow Government has been exploring ways to reorganize the territory since 2007. There was no use in repairing the buildings of ‘Serp i Molot’ after it was abandoned, so it was decided that the location would be rebuilt. The final project includes mixed-use residential areas, business centers, social environments, a concert hall with 3,500 seats and green zones. Nowadays, the majority of the plant buildings have been dismantled. A park called ‘Zelenaya reka’ (“Green River”) was opened there in summer 2019 and the construction of the first stage of residential areas that began in 2015 will soon be completed. There are plans to finish the redevelopment of ‘Serp i Molot’ by 2025.

Visualisation of the ‘Serp i Molot’ territory’s redevelopment once completed.

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