Looking for a way to fill up an empty weekend day or a school holiday? Or, need a short side jaunt on an upcoming road trip? Why not stop and see how the candy is made? Plan to take one of these Eight Candy Factory Tours (okay, six candy and two ice cream because...ice cream) and accomplish three objectives in one: keep your kids busy, learn something new, and get a sweet treat at the end. What could be better than that?
PEZ Visitor Center, Orange, CT:
At the PEZ Visitor Center, you’ll experience over 4,000 square feet of memorabilia, a PEZ motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers, and the world’s largest PEZ dispenser. Monday – Friday, you’ll also be able to view the production floor through their glass wall and watch the candy being made. Visits are self-guided with interactive stops through the center. Groups of 10 or more can schedule a time for a candy demonstration and birthday parties are able to make a fresh batch of PEZ. (Visitor Center hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm and Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm. $5 for adults, $4 for kids ages 3 – 12 and seniors (60+). Under 3 are free. 35 Prindle Hill Road, Orange, CT. 203.298.0201)
Mast Brothers Chocolate, Brooklyn, NY
Mast Chocolates are made with organic ingredients that have been sustainably sourced. They’re made with less sugar, minimal processing and then wrapped in eco-friendly packaging. Watch the whole process from bean to bar in their Williamsburg flagship. Munch some chocolate or enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate while you watch. (Open daily from 11 am – 7 pm. 11 North 3rdStreet, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 718.388.2625)
Peeps & Company, Center Valley, PA
Peeps aren’t just for Easter anymore. Those who love them are thrilled that the product line has been expanded to include every holiday imaginable. Visit this Peeps store and stock up on your favorite marshmallow treats along with Hot Tamales, Mike & Ikes and tons of candy themed merch. (Store Hours are Monday – Friday, 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday10 am – 9 pm, and Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm. 3060 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley, PA. 610.625.5353)
Taste the difference unroasted cacao beans make. Raaka chocolate is bold, bright and fruitier than the traditional chocolate that relies on roasted cacao beans. At Raaka, you can take a 45-minute factory tour, tasting along the way. Or you can take a chocolate making class – the beginner class lasts for 2 hours, advanced 2.5 when you can make your own chocolate. Kids must be 8 years old to take the tour and 12 years old to take the advanced chocolate making class. Tours and classes must be booked in advance. (Tours are Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm and cost $75/pp. Visit the website for chocolate making times and prices. 64 Seabring Street, Brooklyn. 855.255.3354)
Cross your fingers that they’ll be making your favorite flavor the day you visit. Pack a picnic, enjoy the view, let your kids play on the playground, then take a guided tour with a peek at the manufacturing floor and enjoy an ice cream sample. Or, book a Flavor Fanatic experience where you and your fellow VIPs will enjoy the tour, visit the Flavor Lab to help whip of a batch of ice cream, enjoy a treat at the scoop shop and receive a tie dyed lab coat as a souvenir. Cost for Flavor Fanatic experience is $175/pp. Guided tours depart every 30 minutes. (Visit the website for daily hours and hours for the Flavor Fanatic experience. Cost for guided tours is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors. Kids 12 and under are free. 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, VT. 802.882.2040)
Asher’s Chocolates, Souderton, PA
Sure they make candy, but you’ll really love their chocolate covered pretzels and graham crackers. Take your family on a self-guided self-guided video journey through a viewing corridor that looks out upon our production facility. See their famous chocolates being made right in front of your very eyes. Plus: FREE samples! Ask the store staff for a taste of your favorite treat, fresh out of the candy case! (Factory tours run Monday – Friday 10 am – 3:30 pm. Please call ahead for groups larger than 5 people. 80 Wambold Road, Souderton, PA. 215.721.3276)
Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington, VT
Watch the chocolate being crafted, learn how it’s made and enjoy the sample of the day. Tours are “through the window” and seated. You watch while they talk. Or, enjoy a tasting where you’ll discover the flavor profiles of four chocolates. (Tours are free of charge and held on the hour Monday through Friday from 11 am – 2 pm. Tours are self-guided after 3:00. 750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT. 802.864.1807.)
Turkey Hill Experience, Lancaster, PA
Plan to spend a few hours here enjoying the interactive exhibits that expose users to the dairy culture and allow you to create your own virtual ice cream flavor. Or, reserve your spot in the Taste Lab where you’ll take an ice cream base, add flavors and mix-ins to create your own unique treat, all while getting the download with an Ice Cream 101 presentation. Or, if tea is more um,…your cup of tea, indulge in the Tea Discovery experience and learn from the Turkey Hill tea experts. (Visit the website for dates, times and prices for each experience. 301 Linden Street, Columbia, PA, 844.847.4884.)
