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Interesting Tours


Colorado


Boulder - Celestial Seasoning Tea factory

We invite you to see, taste and smell the world of Celestial Seasonings Guest Tours.  Join us for a Sensational Experience!

The tour is FREE and takes 45 minutes.

     Introductory video - hear the Celestial story from its roots to full bloom!

     Walk through our Art Gallery and view original paintings from our tea boxes, created by some of the country's most famous illustrators.  And visit our eclectic collection of very Celestial teapots and teacups.

     Entertain your taste buds with our Tea Sampling.  Taste a new flavor or savor your favorite.  There are over 80 varieties to choose from.

     Stroll through the Celestial Herb Garden, and see herbs and botanicals growing in a beautiful garden setting.

     Venture into our "rocking and rolling" Factory, where 8 million tea bags are produced daily.

     Experience The Mint Room, and encounter the mind-clearing power of peppermint and spearmint.  "Stored in the enclosed room are crates of mint; visitors are bombarded with peppermint and spearmint.  It really clears your sinuses."

     Please note that children must be five years old and up to go into the factory, including the Mint Room.

To get tour information or to make a reservation for 8 or more, call 303-581-1202.

Denver - U.S. Mint

Reservations are required for all tours.  Tour reservations can be scheduled through this web site, or by visiting the Reservations Booth at the United States Mint Visitor Center located on Cherokee Street between 14 Avenue and Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado.  If space is available, walk-up tour reservations will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.  As such, there may be days when walk-up tours are not available.

All United States Mint tours are free of charge.  Guided tours start on the hour and are available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays).  We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available.  All visitors should call the 24-hour tour information line at (303) 405-4761 to determine if any last minute changes have been made to the tour schedule.

Tours for Individuals or Small Groups (15 or fewer).

Tour reservations for individuals or small groups of up to 15 people can be scheduled through our web-based tour reservation system.  Reservations are accepted up to two months in advance.

Tours – Large Groups (16-50 visitors)

We welcome large group tours for students, youth groups, seniors, military, veterans and other organizations, (16-50 people).  Large group tours may be arranged by calling the Office of Public Affairs at the United States Mint, Denver, (303) 405-4759. Group tours must be scheduled at least two weeks before the tour date requested.  To schedule tours for the busy spring and summer months, we recommend calling at least 6 weeks in advance.

The maximum number of visitors in any tour is 50 people.

Instructions for Visiting the Denver Mint

You must be at the tour entrance no later than 15 minutes before your tour time.  Late arrivals will not be admitted.

Tour policies are subject to change without notification.  If the Department of Homeland Security level is elevated to CODE ORANGE, the United States Mint at Denver will be CLOSED to the public unless otherwise noted.  The United States Mint reserves the right to deny access to anyone at any time; in addition, members of the public wishing to tour the facility may be subject to search by the United States Mint Police.  All visitors are required to enter through a metal detector.

The United States Mint is a secured facility.  All visitors, including children, are subject to a security screening before entering the building.  Photography, smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed in the building.  In addition, the United States Mint prohibits the carrying of certain items into the facility.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cameras or camera cell phones

Handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, fanny packs, diaper bags

Packages of any type

Strollers

Food or beverages of any kind

Video recorders or any type of recording device

Tobacco products

Personal grooming items (makeup, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.)

Any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, umbrellas, etc.)

Mace, or aerosol containers

Guns, or ammunition

Fireworks

Electric stun guns

Martial arts weapons/devices

Knives of any size

You may bring a 'palm' sized wallet/change purse (about the size of a man's folded wallet) that can fit in your pocket, to hold money, identification, credit cards etc.  No checkbook, organizers/day timers, or larger wallets will be allowed in the building.

The United States Mint at Denver does NOT provide storage for any items.

All necessary medications must be identified, and will remain in the custody of an adult chaperone for the entire tour.


Hawaii


Honolulu - Dole Pineapple Factory

Dole Plantation

64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy.

 Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786

 (808) 621-8408

 (808) 621-1926 FAX

 www.dole-plantation.com

Location: Just north of Wahiawa on Highway 99.

Plantation Hours

Open daily: 9:00am-5:30pm

Pineapple Maze

Open daily: 9:00am-5:00pm

The Dole Pineapple Canning Operation was closed in 1993.  The cannery and associated property has been converted into a retail and office complex.  The Shops at Cannery Square are located inside a portion of the original Dole Cannery.  Exhibits and memorabilia throughout the shops help tell the Dole story.  Also located on the property is Signature Theaters' 18 screen state-of-the-art, multiplex theater and Home Depot.


Missouri


York - Harley-Davidson, Pennsylvania  (USA)

See where the beasts are made first-hand at the Harley-Davidson facility in York.  Tours are free, but first come, first served.  Security is extremely tight (wear your close-toed shoes), but it's worth it when you sit astride a freshly minted Hog.

Vehicle & Overtrain Operations

11401 N. Congress

Kansas City, MO 64153

 

Tour Schedule

Tours are free and last approximately one hour.

Tours begin at regular intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  It is recommended that you arrive early in the day for best availability.

Tours are not offered on weekends, major holidays, or during production changes and year-end maintenance.

Tour schedule is subject to change.  Please call 1-877-883-1450 (toll free) or 414-343-7850 prior to your visit for up-to-date tour information.

Tour Center & Gift Shop

Tour Center and gift shop hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Kansas City Tour Center will offer extended hours on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. beginning June 2nd through September 8th.  The Tour Center will feature video presentations, extended gift shop hours, display motorcycles and photograph opportunities.

Group Tours

Groups of 10 or more must make reservations at least 14 days in advance.


Nevada


Las Vegas - Ethel-M Chocolate factory

Factory Store

2 Cactus Garden Drive

Henderson, NV 89104

Telephone: 702.435.2655

Hours: Sat. - Sun. 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.


Oklahoma


Sapulpa - Frankoma Pottery


Pennsylvania


Hershey - Hershey Chocolate factory

Our new tour experience features updated scenes, animated characters, innovative special effects and a spectacular finale!

Your tour begins in the tropical rain forest where cocoa beans grow.  As the beans are harvested, follow their journey across the ocean to America, where they are delivered to THE SWEETEST PLACE ON EARTH —Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Then, engage your senses as the cocoa beans continue through a simulated HERSHEY'S Chocolate Factory.  Here you will see, feel, and hear the processes that deliciously transform the beans into milk chocolate.  This fun and informative ride concludes with a free sample of HERSHEY'S great American chocolate!

CHOCOLATE THE EXPERIENCE

Learn the art of chocolate tasting as our Chocolatier guides you through an interactive discussion of chocolate lore!  Enjoy many samples of our chocolate ranging from creamy milk to robust dark and everything in between.  Available at Monday - Friday at various times.  Call (717) 534-4900 for more details.  Admission can be purchased at the 3D Theater Box Office inside HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD.

York - Harley-Davidson, Pennsylvania  (USA)

See where the beasts are made first-hand at the Harley-Davidson facility in York.  Tours are free, but first come, first served.  Security is extremely tight (wear your close-toed shoes), but it's worth it when you sit astride a freshly minted Hog.

Vehicle Operations

1425 Eden Road

York, PA 17402

Tour Schedule

Tours are free and last approximately one hour.

Tours begin at regular intervals between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  It is recommended that you arrive early in the day.  Tours are not offered on major holidays, or during production changes and year-end maintenance.

The York Tour Center will be open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. beginning June 2nd through August 18th. Factory tours will be offered from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tour schedule is subject to change.  Please call 1-877-883-1450 (toll free) or 414-343-7850 prior to your visit for up-to-date tour information.

Tour Center & Gift Shop

Tour Center and gift shop hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Group Tours

Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.

Important Visitor Guidelines and Safety Requirements

Children under the age of 12 are welcome in the Tour Center, but are not allowed on the factory tour.  Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Cameras or recording devices are not allowed in the plant.  Photography is permitted in the Tour Center.

Bags or packages such as knapsacks, luggage and camera bags are not allowed in the facility.

Fully enclosed shoes are required.

Please notify us if you have disability-related needs.  Every effort will be made to accommodate you.


Texas


Brenham - Antique Rose Emporium, 10,000 Hwy 50, Brenham, TX 77833

Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 11:30am-5:30pm - 979-836-5548

Brenham - Blue Bell Creameries

1101 South Blue Bell Road, Brenham, Texas

800-327-8135

Tours are weekdays only.

Please check with hostess upon arrival.

Visitors are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admittance token required.

Tours last 45 minutes.

No cameras permitted on tour.

Limit 45 people per tour.

Tours limited to 800 visitors per day.

Groups of 15 or more must make reservations.

All visitors need reservations during Spring Break.

Please call October through February as tour times and days may vary.     

Closed most holidays.

Weekday Tour Times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

Admission Costs (Includes a serving of Blue Bell ice cream):

General Admission $3.00

Senior Citizens (55+) and Children (6 to 14) $2.00

Schools and MHMR groups Free (September 1 thru February 28)

Dallas - Mrs. Baird's bakery

Fort Worth Bakery

7301 South Freeway

Fort Worth, TX 76134

(817) 615-3050

Tours available Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday every hour beginning at 10:00 a.m.

TWO WEEKS NOTICE REQUIRED.

Know Before You Go

We look forward to seeing you during your tour of Mrs. Baird's bakery.  Please note the following:

Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in a tour.

One adult (18 or older) must be present for every 10 children on the tour.

Your legs need to be covered

For safety reasons, NO open-toed shoes are allowed, no "heel-out" shoes like flip-flops or sandals, no jewelry

No VIDEO cameras are allowed inside the bakery

Please contact the bakery a minimum of two-three weeks in advance.

During hot weather months, scheduling a tour in the morning is recommended.

Fort Worth - Western Currency Facility (paper money)

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION

The free, 45-minute guided tours are available Monday through Friday.  Tour features include displays and exhibits showing the history of U.S. paper currency, the production process and its technology, an informative 15-minute film of the production process, a quarter-mile long elevated walkway tour overlooking the currency production floor, the Moneyfactory Gift Shop, and three live demonstration exhibits; a turn-of-the century spider press, a mutilated currency redemption desk, and an engraver's bench.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Walkup visitors are welcome on a first come, first served basis.  Visitors unable to make a tour time, may view the film, enjoy the exhibits and displays, or visit our retail sales area.  Visitors are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of time to clear security.  The Bureau of Engraving & Printing is closed on weekends, Federal Holidays, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.  Tour hours are subject to change without notice.

During the months of August through May, the Tour and Visitor center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with group and general public tours being conducted every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors on the 2:00 p.m. tour, our last tour, should be checked in at the visitor center by 2:00 p.m. to be on that tour, numbers permitting.

In the months of June and July only, the Tour and Visitor Center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with group and general public tours being conducted every 30 minutes from 11:00a.m.  to 5:00 p.m. Visitors on our 5:00 p.m. tour, our last tour, should be checked in at the visitor center by 5:00 p.m. to be on that tour, numbers permitting.

GROUP TOURS

Groups of 10 or more must schedule in advance by calling 817-231-4000 local or toll-free at 1-866-865-1194.  Groups are limited to seventy-five (75) visitors per tour.  Chaperone guidelines are enforced for school groups.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a secured facility.  All visitors, including children, are subject to a security screening prior to entering the Tour and Visitor Center.  Cell phones or any electronic equipment, backpacks, cameras, weapons, food, and drinks are prohibited.

ACCESSIBILITY

Tours are available in American Sign Language and Spanish upon request.  Assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired are available for use in the theater.  Audio description devices have been added for use by persons of low vision for use on the two floors of interactive displays and exhibits.  Wheelchairs may be requested for guided tours.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Western Currency Facility Tour and Visitor Center

9000 Blue Mound Road

Fort Worth, TX 76131

(817) 231-4000 (local)

1-866-865-1194 (toll-free)

Fredericksburg - Wildflower Farm

Harlingen - KGBT-TV 4

Go behind the scenes at KGBT-TV 4 News Center.  Call Monica at 365-4444 to schedule a free tour.

Harlingen - The Valley Morning Star

Houston - Houston Ship Channel boat tour

The tour is free; however reservations are required in advance.  Enhanced port security measures require photo identification for passengers, ages 18 and older.  Register online anytime, or call 713-670-2416, Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

We advise that you arrive at least 15 minutes, preferably half hour, before your tour launches to assure that you have plenty of time to check in through security and to board the vessel.

Tour Times

Monday                    Closed

Tuesday                   10 am & 2:30 pm

Wednesday               10 am & 2:30 pm

Thursday                  2:30 pm only

Friday                      10 am & 2:30 pm

Saturday                  10 am & 2:30 pm

Sunday                    2:30 pm only

Holidays                   Closed

September                Closed for maintenance

 

Directions to M/V Sam Houston Pavilion:

Leave East Loop 610 at Clinton Drive (exit # 28).  Proceed west (right) on Clinton, pass McCarty to Gate 8. Enter Gate 8 and stay to the right.  A security guard and signs will direct you to the pavilion.

Kerrville - James Avery

James Avery Craftsman, Harper Road (tel. 830/895-1122), where you can watch artisans work on silver and gold jewelry designs, many of which incorporate Christian symbols.

San Antonio - SAS Shoe factory

South Padre Island - Coast Guard tour

Waco - M&M Mars candy factory


Vermont


Ben & Jerry's

Head to Waterbury, Vermont, and hear it straight from the cow's mouth – how to make it big in ice cream, that is.  Tours are regular and affordable featuring a short movie, factory floor tour and some good ol' free tastings.  Sugar rush guaranteed.

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour

 I-89 Exit 10 to Route 100 North

 Waterbury, VT


 Washington


Frito-Lay, Vancouver WA

Ruffles, Tostitos, Doritos, Cheetos – do you REALLY want to know? If so, check out this free tour and watch millions of pounds of corn and potatoes fry to death.  Samples so fresh they may burn your fingers.


Australia


Cadbury, Tasmania

Don your hair net and white coat.  It's time to visit the Oompa Loompas.  Located in Claremont, you'll get free samples and discounts at the factory shop.  In the UK, visit the Cadbury factory at Birmingham.  Or go to both and compare the difference!

 


France


Airbus, Toulouse

Watch the A380, the biggest plane in the world, being assembled and test-flown right at the factory door.  Airbus offers 3 different tours, including the Concord.  Security is tight - register in advance, take your passport along but forget the camera.

Tours are organized at the main factories in Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany).

For Toulouse, contact: Taxiway

Village Aeroconstellation, rue Frantz Joseph Strauss, 31700 Blagnac, France

Tel: +33 (0) 5 34 39 42 00

Fax: +33 (0) 5 34 39 42 05 or reservation@taxiway.fr

For Hamburg, contact Globetrotter 

Tel: +49 4101 5400 or http://www.airbus-werksbesichtigung.de

 

Tours are not daily.


Italy


Ferrari, Modena

Maranello, outside Modena, is a town dedicated to Ferrari.  The plant is more a museum than factory tour, but it is worth the trip just to see and hear the piercing whine of F1 engines being put through their paces at the nearby Fiorano test track.

Arranging a Factory Tour

The factory is located just outside the small town of Maranello south and a bit west from Modena.  You can arrange a tour by contacting your local dealer.  This is the easiest route.  Otherwise you can contact the factory directly by phone or fax.  Dialing from the USA put a 011 in front of the 39 and dial all the rest of the numbers.

Ferrari S.p.A.

Via Abetone Inferiore 4

41053 Maranello (MO) Italia

Tel. +39 0536 941-161

Tel. +39 0536 949-111

Postal address:

Via Emilia Est 1163

P.O.Box 589

41100 Modena (MO) Italia

Tel. +39 0536 949-111

Fax. +39 0536 949-259

Internet: http://www.ferrari.it

It is pertinent that an appointment is made because otherwise they will not allow a factory tour.

Good luck and enjoy your visit to Modena!


Tasmania


Claremont - The Cadbury Factory Tour

A tour of the famous Claremont Chocolate Factory is a rewarding experience.  You'll see our delicious chocolates being made – and enjoy free samples. 

The Factory Tour includes entry to the Visitor's Centre.  You will encounter fascinating insights into the history of Cadbury Claremont - and some of the characters and products that have made Cadbury a part of growing up in Australia.

On the tour, you will see how some of your favorite Cadbury products are created, and learn the secret of 'that great Cadbury taste'.

As well as being a modern facility with computerized and robotic production lines, the Cadbury Claremont Factory has 18 heritage-listed buildings.

The historic Conching Machines, featuring solid granite rollers, were installed sixty years ago and still operate.  


Also


Breweries

I'd like to see book binding, how Frito Lay makes the chips, how flake cereal is made, what's paint made of, see how sheets, towels, carpet is made, etc.

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