What do crayons, guitars, chocolate, violins, chips, brews, and baseball bats all have in common? You guessed it! They’re all made right here in Pennsylvania. So, stop by, take a tour, and perhaps even snag a free sample or two.
1. HARLEY-DAVIDSON VEHICLE OPERATIONS FACTORY
York
If you’ve ever pictured yourself flying down a deserted highway atop a Harley, this is the tour for you. Watch Touring, Trike, and CVO™ model motorcycles being assembled on the free Classic Factory Tour at the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations Factory or sign up for the Steel Toe Tour for a true behind-the-scenes experience of some of the factory’s “employee only” areas. Sorry, no free samples! But you will get a chance to sit on some current production motorcycles.
2. MARTIN GUITAR
Nazareth
Whether you love the sweet sounds of classical guitar, the soulful sound of a country or blues musician, or some rollicking rock ‘n roll, Martin Guitar invites you to see firsthand how their magical instruments are crafted. Take the free factory tour or opt for a truly in-depth, behind the scenes tour. Afterwards, head to the Pickin’ Parlor where you can summon your inner Ed Sheeran or Dierks Bentley (both who play Martins) and try out some of the high-end and limited-edition models.
3. UTZ QUALITY FOODS
Hanover
Craving snack food? You’ll want to take an “Utz Potato Chip Trip” at the Utz Quality Foods factory. There, you’ll perch high above the manufacturing process in a special glass-enclosed observation gallery and get to watch the production process from start to finish on the free, self-guided tour. Afterwards, go to the Utz Outlet Store for some free samples and where warm chips, pretzels, chocolate covered chips, and gift items await.
4. ZIPPO/CASE MUSEUM
Bradford
Come see why Zippo lighters and W. R. Case and Sons handcrafted knives are recognized throughout the world as two true Made-In-America icons at the Zippo/Case Museum. You’ll be able to watch Zippo repair technicians fix all but the most mangled Zippo lighters, honoring the company’s unconditional lifetime guarantee "It works, or we fix it free™”, as well as see hundreds of Zippo lighters from the past 86 years on display.
5. MARTIN'S POTATO CHIP FACTORY TOUR
Thomasville
For an up-close-and-personal factory tour, the Martin’s Potato Chip Factory Tour can’t be beat! Donning hairnets and closed toes shoes; the guided tour will take you right onto the factory floor. You’ll get to see every aspect of the chip manufacturing process — from the moment the trucks arrive and are lifted off the ground to gently dump their load of potatoes onto a conveyor belt to the peeling, slicing, frying, cooling, salting, and packaging. Best yet: you get to sample the fresh, warm chips right out of the fryer!
6. STRAUB BREWERY
St. Mary’s
Do you consider yourself a beer aficionado? Then you’ll definitely want to make a pilgrimage to St. Mary’s for a tour of the Straub Brewery where for close to 150 years the Straub family has been making its small-batch beer. You’ll get to see the entire brewing process up close and personal, so closed-toe shoes are a must, especially as you climb the three flights of metal stairs of this gravity-fed brewery. Your tour ends at the Eternal Tap, where if you’re at least 21, you’ll get to taste two free samples.
7. BYERS' CHOICE LTD
Chalfont
You’ll experience the joy and wonder of the winter holidays all year round with a trip to Byers' Choice Ltd.. Your holiday spirit is sure to be rekindled as you watch 80 skilled artisans craft the company’s signature Carolers® Figurines from start to finish. Make a day of it and stroll down a cobblestone street scene reminiscent of Dickens’ London, tour the award-winning flower and sculpture gardens, or visit the gift shop for that one-of-a-kind special find.
8. CALLIE'S CANDY KITCHEN
Mountainhome
Nothing beats chocolate covered creations and handmade candies, and a trip to Callie’s Candy Kitchen does not disappoint! You can watch the candy making process from start to finish and then enjoy some free samples. You can also explore the candy museum, dedicated to the history of candy making and celebrate the lives of founders, Harry and Carol, who opened the shop in 1952.
9. HIGHLAND CHOCOLATES
Wellsboro
Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Would some melt in your mouth, truffle-filled peanut butter cups fit the bill? How about mint Oreos smothered in chocolate? Or Cinna-Grahams, Fluff, and Pretzel Bark S’mores coated in rich milk or dark chocolate? Then head to Highland Chocolates where you can watch as workers handcraft chocolate confections. A stop in the shop is guaranteed to satisfy even the sweetest of sweet tooth's!
10. HERR’S®
Nottingham
Ever wonder which potatoes make the perfect chip or how cheese curls get their curl? Even if you haven’t, stay on the lookout for the Herr’s® Snack Factory Tour to return. The experience is fun, educational, and mighty tasty. Visitors get a sneak peek into the entire production line through three buildings – from slicing and frying to bagging and boxing. Check out the gift shop to buy some hard-to-find flavors and super-discounted “oops” snacks.
11. TRÖEGS BREWING COMPANY
Hershey
Scratch beers are the specialty at Tröegs Brewing Company. In 2019, this local favorite among craft beer connoisseur was ranked 4th best brewery tour by USA TODAY 10Best. Once reopened to the public, their popular production tour includes a behind-the-scenes look at the wood-aging cellar, mill room, hop cooler, brewhouse, fermentation cellar, and packaging line. Plus, a welcome beer is included!
12. BLUETT BROS. VIOLINS
York
If you love the sound of stringed instruments, a tour of Bluett Bros. Violins is a must for your #PABucketList. There, you can watch Master Luthier Mark Bluett and his small team of apprentices expertly transform the wood into world-class violins, mandolins, cellos, guitars, and other stringed instruments, all by hand. Mark himself will show you around the shop, walking you through the entire process — from how he chooses the finest wood from around the world to carving, “tap toning,” and the finishing. This is a small working shop, so reservations are required.
13. UNITED STATES MINT
Philadelphia
Ever wonder where all those coins jangling in your pocket come from? Chances are they were produced at the United States Mint. In fact, for nearly 230 years the production of U.S. coins has taken place in Philadelphia. Stroll through the visitor's gallery and view the modern coin-making process: huge machines that work 24 hours a day, five days a week. Then see the original coining press used in 1792.
14. WENDELL AUGUST FORGE
Mercer
Come watch the pride and workmanship of the craftworkers of the Wendell August Forge, the nation’s oldest and largest forge, as they work their magic, hand hammering designs in aluminum, copper, pewter, bronze, and silver at the company’s Flagship Store in Grove City. Look closely at the finished products to see if you can find the signature of the master die engraver hidden within the design. Bonus: children can create their own work of metal art for just $2.
15. STURGIS PRETZEL BAKERY
Lititz
Take a step back in time to learn how pretzels were made back in the 1850s with a trip to the original Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. You’ll get to see the original ovens built by Julius Sturgis himself in 1861, try your hand at pretzel twisting with your own piece of dough, and learn the history of pretzel baking in the U.S. Bonus for history buffs: the building is one of the original structures in Lititz, built in 1784 from stones dug from the street itself and timber hewed from the surrounding forest.
16. CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE
Easton
Learn how crayons are made in a fun and entertaining way with a trip to the Crayola Experience in Easton. During a live theatre show, a resident “Crayonologist” along with Scarlet & Turk (Turquoise), two animated crayons, offer a colorful, educational tale. You’ll want to make a day of it and get to name and wrap your own Crayola crayon, star in your own coloring page, and loads of other creative and fun activities.
17. HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD
Hershey’s
Hershey’s really doesn’t employ singing cows on its assembly line, but you’ll still come away with a great understanding of how those delectable treats are made on the free chocolate-making tour at Hershey's Chocolate World. You’ll get to see, feel, hear, and smell the transformation of cocoa beans and the many steps it takes to produce a chocolate bar. Everyone gets a Hershey’s treat at the end!
To find even more factory tours in Pennsylvania, check out the visitPA website. Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don't forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly Happy Thoughts e-newsletter.