If you’ve ever watched Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, you’ve probably dreamed of one day setting foot inside a candy factory. Well, there are many working candy factories today that offer free or low-cost tours! I can’t promise any of Willy Wonka’s chocolate rivers or edible vegetation, but these factory tours are fun anyhow.
Candy factory tours offer an exciting look at how beloved sweets are made behind the scenes, and in addition to seeing the assembly methods, visitors often learn about candy making and the history of the specific candy and candy company. Touring a candy factory is a great family activity, since it appeals to all ages and is affordable—almost all of the tours listed below are free! (If you are a large group, it’s always a good idea to call ahead to schedule a tour that can accommodate you). Best of all, candy tours often end with free samples of the merchandise, right off the assembly line. So browse this listing of candy factory tours, find one in your area, and enjoy!
Jelly Belly Factory Tour
- Location: One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA 94533
- Type of Candy: Jelly beans
- Cost: Free, no reservations required
- Length of Tour: About 45 minutes
- Website: Jelly Belly Website
- Read my review of the Jelly Belly Factory Tour
- Location: 2101 Bert Drive, Hollister, CA 95023
- Type of Candy: Chocolates and truffles
- Cost: Free, but reservations are required
- Website: Marich Website
- Location: 3400 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98103
- Type of Candy: Gourmet chocolates
- Cost: $5 per person ages 5 and up, reservations recommended
- Length of Tour: One hour
- Website: Theo Chocolate Website
- Location: 255 NE Gilman Blvd. Issaquah, WA 98027
- Type of Candy: Truffles, caramels and nut candies
- Cost: $3 per person ages 5 and up, reservations required
- Length of Tour: About 45 minutes
- Website: Boehms Candy Website
- Location: 5735 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO
- Type of Candy: Hard candies
- Cost: Free, no reservations required
- Length of Tour: 30 minutes
- Website: Hammond’s Candies Website
- Location: 3780 West Directors Row (1100 South), Salt Lake City, UT
- Type of Candy: Taffy, gummies and chocolate sticks
- Cost: Free, but by appointment only, Monday-Thursday
- Length of Tour: 40 minutes
- Website: Sweet’s Quality Candies Website
- Location: 5345 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301
- Type of Candy: Caramels, creams and chocolates
- Cost: Free
- Length of Tour: 30 minutes, self-guided tours are also available
- Website: Cerreta Candy Company Website
- Location: 1108 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67214
- Type of Candy: Truffles, caramels, creams, and nut candies
- Cost: Free, but must be scheduled in advance
- Length of Tour: About 45 minutes
- Website: Cero’s Candies Website
- Location: 10100 Jelly Belly Lane, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158
- Type of Candy: Jelly Beans
- Cost: Free, no reservations required
- Length of Tour: A 30-minute train ride through the warehouse, complete with whimsical decorations and jelly bean characters
- Website: Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour Website
- Location: 2070 Eagle Creek Lane in Woodbury, Minnesota 55129
- Type of Candy: A wide assortment of old fashioned, novelty, and fun candies and chocolates
- Cost: Free, but a $10 refundable deposit is required in advance
- Length of Tour: Tailored to the group, most run approximately 30 minutes
- Website: Candy Lane Website
- Location: 701 E. Cherry St, Columbia, MO 65201
- Type of Candy: Chocolates and truffles
- Cost: Free
- Length of Tour: Self-guided through their “candyland” viewing room
- Website: The Candy Factory Website
- Location: 112 East Second Street, Frankfort, KY 40602
- Type of Candy: Liquor candies, especially bourbon balls
- Cost: $1 per person, no reservations required
- Website: Rebecca Ruth Website
- Location: 1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228
- Type of Candy: Chocolates and chocolate-covered candies
- Cost: Free, no reservations required
- Length of Tour: One hour
- Website: Anthony Thomas Website
- Location: 23770 Hall Rd. Clinton Township, MI 48036
- Type of Candy: Chocolates
- Cost: Free, but reservations are required
- Website: Morley Candy Maker’s Website
- Location: 50 East 4th Avenue, York, PA 17404
- Type of Candy: Chocolate-covered pretzels and fruit
- Cost: Free, but reservations are required
- Website: Wolfgang Candy Website
- Location: U.S. Highway 27 North at S.R. 547, Davenport, FL 33837
- Type of Candy: Chocolates, fudge, and citrus Candies
- Cost: Free
- Length of Tour: Self-guided
- Website: Webb’s Citrus Candy Website
