Post by dnrcincinnati on May 19, 2009 20:12:59 GMT -5
From jet planes to jelly beans, there are countless fun factory tours across the country to quell every one of your curiosities.
By Shiwani Srivastava for MSN City Guides
With all the talk of outsourcing to India and importing from China, it’s easy to forget about all the products still made in the U.S.A. But the manufacturing industry and its bizarrely intriguing processes are certainly no secret. As the Web site Factory Tours USA notes, there are over 500 factory tours in the U.S. and far more Americans who are fascinated by seeing “imagination and industry” in action.
In fact York County, Pa.—home to a variety of plant tours ranging from Hershey’s Chocolate to Harley-Davidson—put itself on the map (not too far from Philadelphia) by claiming the title “Factory Tour Capital of the World.” Alison Smith, public relations coordinator for the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, has seen a growing interest in factory tours: “People really want to see things being made in America—they want their kids to experience something that’s been lost in a lot of urban and suburban areas across the country.” And that explains the popularity of York County’s Made in America event, which takes place from June 17-20 this year.
But you don’t have to live near York County to tour the nation at work, and you certainly don’t have to be an engineer to want an answer to that nagging question we all ask from childhood: “How’d they make that?” Here’s a look at several notable tours—some for kids, some for adults and some for the whole family. Got a favorite factory tour of your own? Be sure to let us know in the message boards.
CONTINUED: Alaskan Brewing Co. - Juneau, Alaska
Alaskan Brewing Co. – Juneau, Alaska
Sure, you might know it comes from barley, but do you really know your beer? The Alaskan Brewing Company gives complimentary tours complete with beer samples (that’s right, free beer). But even cooler, you can witness how they brew your favorite suds from start to finish, including the fermentation, brewing and bottling systems. The brewery produces a wide variety of ales and seasonal beers, so you can get the story behind what makes a stout, porter or pale ale. On the tour, you’ll also hear about Juneau’s fascinating history with beer, which traces all the way back to the Gold Rush. Can’t make it to Alaska anytime soon? Check out your local breweries—many are likely to have similar tours.
Boeing – Everett, Wash.
Just outside Seattle is the town of Everett, home to the Boeing Factory, which boasts the largest building in the world by volume (472,000,000 cubic feet). On the Boeing Tour, visitors over four feet tall can set foot inside this impressive hangar, which dwarves the jumbo jets being assembled inside. The tour includes admission to the kid-friendly Future of Flight gallery, where you can design your own airplane. Make sure you arrive a bit early for the tour, especially during the busy season between June and September. “This is a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Future of Flight Marketing Director Sandy Ward. “You can go to lots of zoos and science centers, but where else can you touch the vertical fin of a 747?”
Crayola – Easton, Pa.
Pennsylvania has as many choices as, well, a box of crayons when it comes to factory tours. One of the most popular is the family-friendly Crayola Factory tour, which features live demos of how crayons and markers are made, as well as a variety of hands-on displays. Sadly, Crayola eliminated the manufacturing plant tour because “people were put on a waiting list for over two years before they could see how Crayola Crayons were made and visitors had to be six years of age” due to safety standards. Now, coloring aficionados can see the crayon manufacturing process at the Crayola manufacturing theater. And anyone who has seen the legendary ‘How People Make Crayons’ piece on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” can tell you that the process is still pretty amazing to watch, even if it is on a screen.
Cuban Cigar Factory – San Diego
When it comes to Cuban cigars, the first thought that pops into your head probably isn’t “Made in America.” But at the Cuban Cigar Factory in San Diego—which bills itself as the West Coast’s largest manufacturer of hand-rolled cigars—the art form comes alive in America through cigar-makers with years of experience and deep-rooted knowledge, passed down over generations. The word “factory” is used loosely here, but some of these makers are on hand for demonstrations, offering an opportunity to see a cigar roller perform his craft up close and personal. As you may have guessed, this isn’t one for the kids—but it’s ideal for cigar enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship.
CONTINUED: Jack Daniel's Distillery - Lynchburg, Tenn.
Jack Daniel's Distillery – Lynchburg, Tenn.
About an hour outside of Nashville is Moore County, which has been dry since the days of Prohibition. Ironically, Moore County is also home to the oldest registered distillery in the U.S. —Jack Daniel's. You can’t sip the whiskey, but what the tour lacks in liquor it makes up in liveliness. The tour, led by a guide as well-seasoned as a good scotch, covers every step of the process including the barrels, sour mash, mellowing and fermentation. True whiskey devotees will also delight in the chance to learn about Jack Daniel himself and hear the storied legends and histories surrounding the distillery and the town of Lynchburg, where you can still dine at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House and shop at the General Store.
Jelly Belly – Fairfield, Calif.
Jelly Belly certainly knows how to attract visitors with this enticing hook on their Web site: “Learn the secrets to how they create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean, and discover why it takes more than a week to make a single bean.” But a chance to visit a candy factory and take a tour through the sights and smells of jelly beans, taffies, chocolates and gummies doesn’t seem like a hard sell to begin with. You can even earn your degree in “Beanology” by registering for a special in-depth, “on the floor” tour. If you want to make a day out of the trip, there’s also a visitor’s center with activities and a café with jelly bean-shaped fare. Be sure to check out the site for scheduled shutdown dates and special events.
Shelby Automobiles – Las Vegas
Shelby Automobiles has been around since the good old days of American manufacturing, becoming a household name in the 1960s with the production of muscle cars like the Cobra and Mustang. But these cars certainly aren’t a thing of the past, and car-lovers will revel in the chance to see the Cobra and special editions of the Mustang (among other Shelby models) on the assembly line. The tour also includes admission to the museum, which houses the first Cobra CSX2000 and a number of other prototypes. It’s a great way to get away from the strip and do something for free—a rare feat in Vegas. If you time your trip right, you can also go check out the famous Las Vegas Motor Speedway nearby.
CONTINUED: Steinway Pianos - Queens, N.Y.
Steinway & Sons – Queens, N.Y.
You may not often wonder how a grand piano is made, perhaps because it keeps its complexity neatly hidden away under a lid. But if you dare to take a peek, it’s certainly a feat of engineering and the Steinway Pianos tour illustrates that music and science really do go hand in hand. The tour is also a look back in time, as the factory still uses methods patented by Theodore Steinway in 1878. Be sure to schedule a time in advance and remember there are no tours from June through August. After going on this tour, you might not laugh the next time you see that famous movie gag where hapless piano movers inevitably smash a finely-crafted grand piano to bits on a concrete sidewalk.
Stuffington Bear – Phoenix
Want your kids to appreciate that nice toys don’t grow on trees? Take them on the Stuffington Bear Factory tour, which kicks off with a history of the teddy bear, followed by a tour of the production facilities. “Guests get to actually see what type of material is used to make the fur, the cutting and sewing process, the eyes, the noses, the thread – full detail,” says spokeswoman Angelica Murrieta. Founded in 1959, Stuffington prides itself in being one of two stuffed animal factories in the country and on using materials that are 100% made in the U.S.A. The best part? At the end of the tour, kids of all ages can make a stuffed animal, including coyotes, snakes, horses and javelinas from the Southwestern line.
Utz Potato Chips – Hanover, Pa.
The Utz Chip Trip in York County, Pa. is a foray into snack lover’s heaven, with a chance to see and smell the chip-making process from start to finish. If you can’t resist temptation, there’s an outlet store where you can stock up on Utz products galore. You can also continue on to a number of snack factories or take to the Sweet Treats and Tasty Eats Snack Food Trail, which has earned York County another title: “Snack Food Capital of the World.” Alison Smith at the Visitors Bureau recommends making a day of it. “Revonah Pretzels is still hand-rolling their pretzels. It’s an interesting perspective to go from there to Snyder’s, which also makes great pretzels, but on a much larger scale.”
Still not convinced that plant tours are a great way to spend a weekend afternoon, educate kids or entertain a visitor? Catch an episode of the Discovery Channel’s "How It’s Made" and you just might find yourself frantically searching for fun factory tours nearby.
Shiwani Srivastava is a Web producer and freelance writer living in Seattle.
By Shiwani Srivastava for MSN City Guides
With all the talk of outsourcing to India and importing from China, it’s easy to forget about all the products still made in the U.S.A. But the manufacturing industry and its bizarrely intriguing processes are certainly no secret. As the Web site Factory Tours USA notes, there are over 500 factory tours in the U.S. and far more Americans who are fascinated by seeing “imagination and industry” in action.
In fact York County, Pa.—home to a variety of plant tours ranging from Hershey’s Chocolate to Harley-Davidson—put itself on the map (not too far from Philadelphia) by claiming the title “Factory Tour Capital of the World.” Alison Smith, public relations coordinator for the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, has seen a growing interest in factory tours: “People really want to see things being made in America—they want their kids to experience something that’s been lost in a lot of urban and suburban areas across the country.” And that explains the popularity of York County’s Made in America event, which takes place from June 17-20 this year.
But you don’t have to live near York County to tour the nation at work, and you certainly don’t have to be an engineer to want an answer to that nagging question we all ask from childhood: “How’d they make that?” Here’s a look at several notable tours—some for kids, some for adults and some for the whole family. Got a favorite factory tour of your own? Be sure to let us know in the message boards.
CONTINUED: Alaskan Brewing Co. - Juneau, Alaska
Alaskan Brewing Co. – Juneau, Alaska
Sure, you might know it comes from barley, but do you really know your beer? The Alaskan Brewing Company gives complimentary tours complete with beer samples (that’s right, free beer). But even cooler, you can witness how they brew your favorite suds from start to finish, including the fermentation, brewing and bottling systems. The brewery produces a wide variety of ales and seasonal beers, so you can get the story behind what makes a stout, porter or pale ale. On the tour, you’ll also hear about Juneau’s fascinating history with beer, which traces all the way back to the Gold Rush. Can’t make it to Alaska anytime soon? Check out your local breweries—many are likely to have similar tours.
Boeing – Everett, Wash.
Just outside Seattle is the town of Everett, home to the Boeing Factory, which boasts the largest building in the world by volume (472,000,000 cubic feet). On the Boeing Tour, visitors over four feet tall can set foot inside this impressive hangar, which dwarves the jumbo jets being assembled inside. The tour includes admission to the kid-friendly Future of Flight gallery, where you can design your own airplane. Make sure you arrive a bit early for the tour, especially during the busy season between June and September. “This is a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Future of Flight Marketing Director Sandy Ward. “You can go to lots of zoos and science centers, but where else can you touch the vertical fin of a 747?”
Crayola – Easton, Pa.
Pennsylvania has as many choices as, well, a box of crayons when it comes to factory tours. One of the most popular is the family-friendly Crayola Factory tour, which features live demos of how crayons and markers are made, as well as a variety of hands-on displays. Sadly, Crayola eliminated the manufacturing plant tour because “people were put on a waiting list for over two years before they could see how Crayola Crayons were made and visitors had to be six years of age” due to safety standards. Now, coloring aficionados can see the crayon manufacturing process at the Crayola manufacturing theater. And anyone who has seen the legendary ‘How People Make Crayons’ piece on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” can tell you that the process is still pretty amazing to watch, even if it is on a screen.
Cuban Cigar Factory – San Diego
When it comes to Cuban cigars, the first thought that pops into your head probably isn’t “Made in America.” But at the Cuban Cigar Factory in San Diego—which bills itself as the West Coast’s largest manufacturer of hand-rolled cigars—the art form comes alive in America through cigar-makers with years of experience and deep-rooted knowledge, passed down over generations. The word “factory” is used loosely here, but some of these makers are on hand for demonstrations, offering an opportunity to see a cigar roller perform his craft up close and personal. As you may have guessed, this isn’t one for the kids—but it’s ideal for cigar enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates fine craftsmanship.
CONTINUED: Jack Daniel's Distillery - Lynchburg, Tenn.
Jack Daniel's Distillery – Lynchburg, Tenn.
About an hour outside of Nashville is Moore County, which has been dry since the days of Prohibition. Ironically, Moore County is also home to the oldest registered distillery in the U.S. —Jack Daniel's. You can’t sip the whiskey, but what the tour lacks in liquor it makes up in liveliness. The tour, led by a guide as well-seasoned as a good scotch, covers every step of the process including the barrels, sour mash, mellowing and fermentation. True whiskey devotees will also delight in the chance to learn about Jack Daniel himself and hear the storied legends and histories surrounding the distillery and the town of Lynchburg, where you can still dine at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House and shop at the General Store.
Jelly Belly – Fairfield, Calif.
Jelly Belly certainly knows how to attract visitors with this enticing hook on their Web site: “Learn the secrets to how they create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean, and discover why it takes more than a week to make a single bean.” But a chance to visit a candy factory and take a tour through the sights and smells of jelly beans, taffies, chocolates and gummies doesn’t seem like a hard sell to begin with. You can even earn your degree in “Beanology” by registering for a special in-depth, “on the floor” tour. If you want to make a day out of the trip, there’s also a visitor’s center with activities and a café with jelly bean-shaped fare. Be sure to check out the site for scheduled shutdown dates and special events.
Shelby Automobiles – Las Vegas
Shelby Automobiles has been around since the good old days of American manufacturing, becoming a household name in the 1960s with the production of muscle cars like the Cobra and Mustang. But these cars certainly aren’t a thing of the past, and car-lovers will revel in the chance to see the Cobra and special editions of the Mustang (among other Shelby models) on the assembly line. The tour also includes admission to the museum, which houses the first Cobra CSX2000 and a number of other prototypes. It’s a great way to get away from the strip and do something for free—a rare feat in Vegas. If you time your trip right, you can also go check out the famous Las Vegas Motor Speedway nearby.
CONTINUED: Steinway Pianos - Queens, N.Y.
Steinway & Sons – Queens, N.Y.
You may not often wonder how a grand piano is made, perhaps because it keeps its complexity neatly hidden away under a lid. But if you dare to take a peek, it’s certainly a feat of engineering and the Steinway Pianos tour illustrates that music and science really do go hand in hand. The tour is also a look back in time, as the factory still uses methods patented by Theodore Steinway in 1878. Be sure to schedule a time in advance and remember there are no tours from June through August. After going on this tour, you might not laugh the next time you see that famous movie gag where hapless piano movers inevitably smash a finely-crafted grand piano to bits on a concrete sidewalk.
Stuffington Bear – Phoenix
Want your kids to appreciate that nice toys don’t grow on trees? Take them on the Stuffington Bear Factory tour, which kicks off with a history of the teddy bear, followed by a tour of the production facilities. “Guests get to actually see what type of material is used to make the fur, the cutting and sewing process, the eyes, the noses, the thread – full detail,” says spokeswoman Angelica Murrieta. Founded in 1959, Stuffington prides itself in being one of two stuffed animal factories in the country and on using materials that are 100% made in the U.S.A. The best part? At the end of the tour, kids of all ages can make a stuffed animal, including coyotes, snakes, horses and javelinas from the Southwestern line.
Utz Potato Chips – Hanover, Pa.
The Utz Chip Trip in York County, Pa. is a foray into snack lover’s heaven, with a chance to see and smell the chip-making process from start to finish. If you can’t resist temptation, there’s an outlet store where you can stock up on Utz products galore. You can also continue on to a number of snack factories or take to the Sweet Treats and Tasty Eats Snack Food Trail, which has earned York County another title: “Snack Food Capital of the World.” Alison Smith at the Visitors Bureau recommends making a day of it. “Revonah Pretzels is still hand-rolling their pretzels. It’s an interesting perspective to go from there to Snyder’s, which also makes great pretzels, but on a much larger scale.”
Still not convinced that plant tours are a great way to spend a weekend afternoon, educate kids or entertain a visitor? Catch an episode of the Discovery Channel’s "How It’s Made" and you just might find yourself frantically searching for fun factory tours nearby.
Shiwani Srivastava is a Web producer and freelance writer living in Seattle.
