44 Manufacturing Destinations Worth the Detour

From teddy bear factories to aircraft manufacturing facilities, join us on a Great American Factory Road Trip that’ll take you inside some of our nation’s most historic and unique sites!

The Alliance for American Manufacturing is burning rubber as we visit three of the most important sites in our manufacturing history for a special series of The Manufacturing Report podcast. (Don’t miss our conversation with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Ranger Allison Horrocks for an inside look at the birthplace of American Manufacturing!) We’ve got two more visits planned for the series, but there’s no lack of places we’d love to visit to learn more about our nation’s incredible factories and the people who keep them strong. We put together this guide to 44 factory tours so you can join in on the fun.

Summer road trips often take folks to national parks, quirky roadside attractions, and scenic overlooks. But some of the most memorable places to visit are tucked behind factory walls, where skilled workers transform raw materials into products we use every day. There’s just something about seeing how things are made, whether it’s a guitar, a baseball bat, a motorcycle, a wool blanket, or even a box of crayons.

Pack your bags, stock up on snacks, and get in! Here are 44 manufacturing tours and museums you should add to your summer road trip!

Midwest Manufacturing Adventures

The Midwest has been making things for generations, and these stops offer a look at everything from motorcycles and musical instruments to tractors, wool blankets, and household products.

SC Johnson, Racine, Wis.
Explore the company’s iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed campus and learn the story behind one of America’s most recognizable household brands.

Kohler, Kohler, Wis.
See how bath tubs, sinks, and toilets are made at one of the country’s best-known manufacturers of kitchen and bath products. The tour includes a walk through its foundry.

Harley-Davidson, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Walk the factory floor during the Powertrain Operations Tour and learn how the motorcycle engines are made.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Dearborn, Mich.
Get an up-close look at modern vehicle manufacturing at one of the most famous factories in the country and see the F-150 truck in production. And while you’re here, check out the Henry Ford Museum.

Stormy Kromer, Ironwood, Mich.
See where wool caps and outdoor apparel that have become a northern tradition are made.

Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, Ishpeming, Mich.
Explore the mining heritage that helped fuel American industry for generations.

Fox Products, South Whitley, Ind.
See how bassoons, oboes, and clarinets are made by skilled instrument makers at one of America’s leading woodwind manufacturers.

John Deere, Waterloo, Iowa & East Moline, Ill.
Experience the manufacturing story behind one of America’s most recognizable agricultural brands.

Faribault Woolen Mill, Faribault, Minn.
Discover one of America’s oldest woolen mills and the work that goes into making its iconic blankets.

Wilson Football Factory, Ada, Ohio
Watch as the leather NFL footballs are sewn at the facility responsible for producing some of the most famous footballs in the game.

Northeast Manufacturing Trail

From crayons and chocolate to guitars and baseball bats, the Northeast offers a surprising variety of factory tours and manufacturing experiences.

Crayola Experience, Easton. Pa.
Get a closer look at the company behind the crayons, markers, and coloring supplies found in homes and schools across America. Kid friendly!

Hershey’s Chocolate, Hershey, Pa.
Take a sweet journey through the story of one of America’s most beloved chocolate companies. Samples at the end of the tour!

Wendell August Forge, Mercer, Pa
This stop offers a chance to see how decorative trays, ornaments, and keepsakes are created from sheets of metal.

Zippo, Bradford, Pa.
Explore the history of the iconic lighter that has been made in Pennsylvania for decades.

Bethlehem Steel Plant Site, Bethlehem, Pa.
Walk through one of the most significant industrial sites in American history.

Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, Doylestown, Pa.
See tiles produced using methods that have been passed down for more than a century.

U.S. Mint, Philadelphia, Pa.
Visit the nation’s first U.S. Mint and see where coins are produced while learning about the history of American currency.

Carrie Blast Furnaces, Rankin, Pa.
Experience a powerful reminder of the steel industry that helped build modern America. Stay tuned for our podcast visit to this amazing site!

Cooperstown Bat Company, Cooperstown, N.Y.
Baseball fans can see how wooden bats are crafted while visiting the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Golden Artist Colors, New Berlin, N.Y.
Learn how professional-grade paints are manufactured for artists around the world.

Ben & Jerry’s, Waterbury, Vt.
See how one of America’s favorite ice cream brands got its start and enjoy a sample after the tour.

Vermont Teddy Bear, Shelburne, Vt.
Watch teddy bears come to life at this unique Vermont destination. Kid friendly!

Taza Chocolate, Somerville, Mass.
Follow the journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar and see what makes Taza’s stone-ground chocolate unique.

Thomas Edison Laboratory Museum, West Orange, N.J.
Step into the workshop of one of America’s most influential inventors.

University of Delaware Oyster Hatchery, Lewes, Del.
Learn how science and aquaculture work together to support healthy coastal ecosystems.

Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Guitars, Stevensville, Md.
This stop offers a closer look at how PRS guitars are made, from raw wood to finished instrument.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Halethorpe, Md.
Go behind the scenes at Guinness’ Maryland brewery and discover how one of the world’s most recognizable beers is made.

Southern Factory Finds

Some of America’s most recognizable products are made in the South, making it a great region to explore behind-the-scenes manufacturing.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Louisville, Ky.
Watch the famous bats used by generations of baseball players take shape.

Corvette Assembly Plant, Bowling Green, Ky.
See America’s iconic sports car assembled just steps away from the National Corvette Museum.

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Ky.
Tour one of America’s oldest bourbon distilleries to learn about its long history and enjoy a tasting before you leave.

Tabasco Factory Tour, Avery Island, La.
Discover how the famous pepper sauce has been made on Avery Island for generations.

Airbus Flight Works, Mobile, Ala.
Get a glimpse into modern aircraft production at one of America’s newest aerospace manufacturing hubs.

Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Fla.
Spend the entire day learning about space and hop on the Kennedy Center Bus Tour for a drive past the Vehicle Assembly Building where flights are prepped for launch. Kid friendly!

Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, D.C.
See where U.S. currency is produced and learn about the process behind the bills in your wallet.

Western Workshop Tours

The western United States combines beautiful scenery with destinations that showcase everything from candy and dairy products to aerospace and outdoor gear.

Jelly Belly Candy Company, Fairfield, Calif.
Take a look at how the company’s famous jellybeans are made. Kid friendly!

Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford, Calif.
Explore one of Napa Valley’s most historic wineries.

Intel, Santa Clara, Calif.
Learn how microchips are designed and manufactured at one of America’s leading semiconductor companies.

Boeing Future of Flight, Mukilteo, Wash.
Witness the scale and complexity of modern aircraft manufacturing. Worth the trip!

Filson, Seattle, Wash.
See how bags, jackets, and outdoor gear are made by a company that has been outfitting adventurers for more than a century.

Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook, Ore.
See how dairy products are made while enjoying one of the Northwest’s most popular destinations.

Coors Brewery, Golden, Colo.
Tour one of the largest brewing operations in the country. Stay for the cold beer after.

United States Mint, Denver, Colo.
Learn how coins are produced and distributed throughout the nation.

Mountain Meadow Wool, Buffalo, Wyo.
See American wool transformed into yarn and finished products at this family-owned mill.

PING Golf, Phoenix
See how golf clubs are designed, tested, and fitted for players.

The next time you’re mapping out a road trip, consider adding a factory tour to your itinerary. You might be surprised by what you learn and what ends up becoming the most memorable stop of the trip.

Did we miss your favorite factory tour? Email us at info@aamfg.org, so we can add it to the list.

Happy road-tripping!

The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.

Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.

For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.