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 Sportster®, Softail®, Touring, CVO™ model motorcycles, and LiveWire™ electric 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. Before you go, check to make sure tours are scheduled since they temporarily halt them for various reasons throughout the year.
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 during one of their in-depth, one-hour behind the scenes tours. Afterwards, head to the Pickin’ Parlor where you can summon your inner Ed Sheeran or Dierks Bentley (both play Martins) and try out some of the high-end and limited-edition models. Please note: You must pre-register and book a tour ($5.00 per person) ahead of time.
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 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! Before you go, check to make sure tours are scheduled since they temporarily halt them for various reasons throughout the year.
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. Check their website before you go to see the dates and times tours are being offered.
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.
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 a trip to Highland Chocolates is definitely warranted where you can watch as workers handcraft chocolate confections. Tours are held throughout the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on a first-come basis and are free!
10. HERR’S®
Nottingham
Ever wonder which potatoes make the perfect chip or how cheese curls get their curl? Even if you haven’t, the Herr’s® Snack Factory Tour is ready and waiting to expand your snack food knowledge base. Tours are held Monday through Wednesday and you can reserve your spot in advance on their website. 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 along with their brewery tour, which has been ranked the best in the entire nation for the past several years in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. Don’t just take our word for it, take their one-hour tour to find out for yourself! Their highly popular, adults-only production tour starts out with a welcome beer and includes a behind-the-scenes look at the fermentation cellars, mill room, hop cooler, brewhouse deck, and packaging lines. Plus, a souvenir glass and three additional samples of Troegs favorites are part of the experience.
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. Take a free, self-guided tour to 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. Sorry, but there are no free samples!
14. WENDELL AUGUST FORGE
Grove City
There’s immense pride and workmanship in every piece produced at the Wendell August Forge. The company celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2023 and is the nation’s oldest and largest forge. Their product line is on full display at the company’s Flagship Store in Grove City where you’ll find their hand hammered designs in aluminum, copper, pewter, bronze, and silver for every occasion. Look closely at the finished products to see if you can find the signature of the master die engraver hidden within the design.
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. Here you’ll get to see the original ovens built by Julius Sturgis himself in 1861 and try your hand at pretzel twisting with your own piece of dough as you 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. While reservations aren’t required, they are highly recommended.
16. CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE
Easton
Learn how crayons are made in a fun and entertaining way with a trip to the Crayola Experience in Easton. Watch as a resident “Crayonologist” along with Scarlet & Turk (Turquoise), two animated crayons, offer a colorful, educational tale about how crayons are made. You’ll want to make a day of it and get to maneuver your crayon-shaped boat along an 85-foot water table, create your own crayon, 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 VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, 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 PA travel e-newsletter.