9 Fun Factory Tours Near Chester County

Local industry is the heart of every community. Touring factories near home is a fun way to support local businesses and learn more about how your favorite products are created. With summer on the way, we’ve compiled a list of nine factories around Chester County, Pennsylvania for families to tour, for a day full of educational fun.

Factory Tours Near Chester County

1. Herr’s Snack Factory
www.herrs.com/visit-us
271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham · (800) 284-7488

Herr’s has been providing Pennsylvania with tasty snacks since 1946. This family-owned and operated company offers walking tours through their production facilities. Starting inside Chipper’s Theater, you’ll be shown a fun film on the history of Herr’s. Then you’ll be treated to some fresh, crisp potato chips as you explore the manufacturing floor. Once the tour is over, head to the gift shop to browse the merchandise.

2. New Holland Haytools Factory
agriculture.newholland.com
500 Diller Ave, Building 30, Lancaster · (717) 355-1588

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country is the New Holland brand headquarters. Here, the latest feats in engineering and research are brought to life to craft top-of-the-line agricultural equipment. Take a stroll through the factory to watch progress in action. Safety equipment will be provided to ensure all guests’ health. Afterward, stop by the New Holland Country Store to grab some branded gear.

3. Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
juliussturgis.com
219 E Main St, Lititz · (717) 626-4354

Everyone loves pretzels! On this tour, you’ll visit the first commercial pretzel bakery in America, founded in 1861. Visitors will be walked through the original factory and shown all the equipment used in the past and present of pretzel making. Hands-on tutorials of pretzel twisting will make you feel like part of the team. Finally, in the bakery, snag some pretzels and sweet treats to take home.

4. Asher’s Chocolate Company
www.ashers.com
80 Wambold Rd, Souderton · (215) 721-3276

This family-owned business has been crafting sweet treats from local ingredients for five generations. On the tour, visitors can explore the grounds at their own pace, through a self-guided tour booklet. The best part is that this tour is free. Once you’ve discovered the art of confectionery, be sure to gobble up your favorite sweets in the shop.

5. Snyder’s of Hanover Bakery
www.snydersofhanover.com
1350 York St, Hanover · (717) 632-4477

Snyder’s of Hanover is the leading name in snack foods across the nation. On the walking tour of their facilities, you’ll be shown through the raw materials warehouse, finished goods warehouse, the high-tech packing room, and the aromatic oven room. Every stage of production is on display for guests to enjoy. This tour is perfect for a day of family fun. Come discover how your favorite snacks are made and leave with an armful of fresh goods.

6. Turkey Hill Experience
www.turkeyhillexperience.com
301 Linden St, Columbia · (844) 847-4884

While not a tour of a factory, the Turkey Hill Experience is an exciting delve into the world of dessert production. Featuring engaging interactive exhibits, the experience will teach you all about dairy culture, the history of Turkey Hill, and how new ice cream flavors are brainstormed and cultivated. Visitors can also visit the milk trucks, learn to milk a mechanical cow, and film their own commercial. Free samples of every ice cream and tea flavor are available, so stop in today.

7. Hershey’s Chocolate World
www.chocolateworld.com
101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey · (717) 534-4900

At Hershey’s Chocolate World, guests will be treated to every aspect of the world of chocolate. For free, all visitors can tour the interactive exhibit that describes the process of turning cocoa beans into creamy chocolate. Interactive 4D movies featuring the Hershey’s Chocolate crew, musical trolley shows, chocolate tasting tours, and create-your-own candy bar stations will keep families thrilled for hours.

8. Kreider Farms
www.kreiderfarms.com
1461 Lancaster Rd, Manheim · (717) 665-4415

The Kreider Farms tour lets guests of all ages discover the inner workings of a modern-day dairy farm. Starting in the welcome center, visitors will move through the Cow Palace maternity barn, milking stalls with over 1700 cows, and the silo observatory. Free samples of farm-fresh milk are handed out to all guests. To see how technology and dairy farming cooperate, stop in today.

9. Utz Potato Chips Factory
www.utzsnacks.com
900 High St, Hanover · (717) 637-6644

Since 1921, Utz has been baking quality potato chips. Through their self-guided tour, you’ll be able to walk through their 600,000 square foot factory. A glass observation deck allows guests to watch over the entire production process at once. As one of the most modern food factories in the country, exciting new technology to see in action is everywhere. Come explore at your own pace to see how your favorite chips are made.

Factory Tours In Pennsylvania

Factories are one of the many ways we remind ourselves of Pennsylvania’s industrial heritage. From potato chips to motorcycles, many of Pennsylvania’s brands offer factory tours. They are perfect family trips for this summer. See how many you can visit to learn all about Pennsylvania industry.

Know before you go: We recommend contacting your destination before your visit for their latest rules and regulations. Reduced hours and other restrictions may still be in effect. Additionally, in an effort to limit the impact of COVID-19, most locations will have additional safety measures. Find up-to-date COVID-19 traveler resources on health.pa.gov.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.