10 Florida Factory Tours That Make For A Surprisingly Fun Day Trip
Two women started a chocolate business on Michigan’s Mackinac Island in 1925, long before bringing their sweet creations to sunny Florida. Their company eventually found a permanent home in Daytona Beach, where the chocolate-making tradition continues today.
That shop still makes candy today. Elsewhere in the state, workers hand-roll premium cigars, cook citrus jellies, and build interactive amusement rides.
Some of these tours even end with a free sample or two.
I love that these spots let you peek behind the curtain. You get to see real machines, real people, and real products taking shape.
It feels a little like sneaking backstage at a concert, minus the security guard.
Most of them fit nicely into a single afternoon. A few tours are even free, which leaves more room in the budget for souvenirs.
So which one would you visit first: the candy kettles, the cigar benches, or the ride workshop?
1. Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory
Riddell Angell and Cora Phelps founded their chocolate business on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in 1925. Around the beginning of World War II, the company relocated permanently to Daytona Beach, where its sweet tradition continues.
You’ll find the store on South Beach Street, close to the Halifax River. Inside, the space feels bright and simple, so the candy cases get the spotlight.
The real fun happens when you take a self-guided walk past the factory’s production-viewing windows. From there, visitors can watch chocolate makers at work.
Instead of following a tour guide, you can explore the viewing area at your own pace and catch a glimpse of the candy-making process.
The experience offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look without requiring a lengthy guided tour.
After watching the chocolate-making process, check with the shop about any samples available during your visit.
Timing matters if you want a calmer visit. Afternoons from Tuesday through Saturday tend to get busy, while Monday mornings and Sunday afternoons run quieter.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. On Sundays, the doors open at noon and close at 5 PM.
Parking is simple, with a free lot and free street spots nearby. That’s one less thing to stress about on a sugar-fueled day trip.
Address: 154 S Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
2. J.C. Newman Cigar Company
Tampa once earned the nickname Cigar City, and one brick factory still keeps that title honest. J.C.
Newman Cigar Company has been crafting premium cigars since 1895.
The building in Ybor City is known as El Reloj, which means the clock in Spanish. Look up and you’ll spot the clock tower that gave it that name.
You don’t have to smoke to enjoy this stop. The tour treats cigar making as living history, so it works for curious visitors of many kinds.
Inside, a three-level museum lets you explore at your own pace. Old cigar films play in a small theater, which adds a fun, old-timey flavor.
Then comes the rolling room. Skilled workers shape cigars by hand, and watching their speed is oddly hypnotic.
A guided factory tour goes even deeper behind the scenes. Guides explain how tobacco is prepared and aged before it’s rolled, banded, and packed.
It’s a great peek at how a family business kept an old craft alive. Four generations of the Newman family have kept the place running.
Plan your trip for a weekday. The factory is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and closed on weekends.
Parking comes in several flavors, including free lot and street spaces. Pair the tour with a stroll through Ybor City’s historic streets afterward.
That neighborhood has plenty of old brick buildings and cigar history of its own. Your camera will stay busy.
Address: 2701 N 16th St, Tampa, FL 33605
3. Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tour
Homework never tasted this good. Whetstone Chocolates turns a tour into a crash course on chocolate, and the quizzes come in bite-size pieces.
The family-run company has been making sweets in St. Augustine since 1967. Its factory store on King Street is where the guided tasting tours begin.
Guides share the history of chocolate along the way. You’ll also learn about the factory’s machines and how the treats get made.
The tasting part is the star. You’ll compare dark, milk, and white chocolate, plus cocoa nibs, and start noticing details you never caught before.
Fun flavors pop up too, including key lime. It’s a very Florida twist on a classic sweet.
Tickets usually land in the budget-friendly range. That makes this an easy add-on during a day of exploring the oldest city in the country.
After the tour, the store keeps the party going. Shelves hold a wide mix of chocolates, and you’ll also find ice cream, drinks, and cakes.
Hours run daily from 9:45 AM to 5:30 PM. Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings tend to be calmer.
Free parking is available, including an on-site lot. That’s a real perk in a town where parking can be a puzzle.
Bring a small cooler if the day is hot. Florida sunshine and chocolate are not exactly best friends.
Address: 139 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
4. Davidson of Dundee
Copper kettles and wooden paddles sound like props from a storybook. At Davidson of Dundee, they’re simply how the candy gets made.
This family-owned shop sits right on US Highway 27 in Central Florida citrus country. It’s known for handcrafted citrus candies and jellies.
The kitchens are behind glass, so you can watch the cooking happen. Recipes trace back to the early 1900s, which gives the whole place an old-school charm.
Seeing candy stirred by hand feels oddly calming. It’s a nice change from the beeping machines most of us picture in a factory.
You’ll spot jellies made with Florida fruit flavors on the shelves. Orange shows up a lot, which makes sense in a region famous for groves.
Free samples let you taste before you commit. That’s helpful, because picking just one jar is harder than it sounds.
A stop here doesn’t take long. It fits well into a road trip through Polk County or a drive toward Lake Wales.
Gift shoppers, take note. Jellies and citrus candies travel well and make easy presents for friends back home.
The shop opens Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Saturday hours run 10 AM to 4 PM, and it’s closed on Sunday.
Parking is easy, with a free lot on site. Pull in, watch the kettles bubble, and leave with a sticky-sweet souvenir.
Address: 28421 US-27, Dundee, FL 33838
5. Wicked Dolphin Distillery
Sugarcane fields are practically neighbors to this Cape Coral operation. Wicked Dolphin Distillery opened in 2012 with the goal of making a true Florida product.
The idea was simple and very local. The team uses 100 percent Florida sugar along with local ingredients.
The centerpiece is hard to miss. An American copper pot still towers over the production floor, and it’s the largest in South Florida.
Copper gear like that is fun to see up close. It shines, it hums with purpose, and it makes a great photo backdrop.
Everything is handcrafted in small batches. The tour explains how raw Florida sugar turns into a finished product step by step.
Guides keep things light and informative. You’ll learn about the process without feeling stuck in a science lecture.
Cape Coral is known for its huge network of canals. After the tour, you can explore the waterfront or grab a bite nearby.
Plan around the schedule before you drive over. Hours run Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Saturdays open later, from 11 AM to 5 PM. The facility is closed on Sundays.
Free parking is available, which keeps things easy. Visitors of all ages can join the tour when accompanied by adults, but rum tastings are reserved for guests aged 21 and older.
It’s a smart pick when you want something different from the beach. Southwest Florida has more industry than most visitors realize.
Address: 131 SW 3rd Pl, Cape Coral, FL 33991
6. Saint Augustine Distillery
Long before freezers sat in every kitchen, St. Augustine depended on a big brick ice plant. That building now houses the Saint Augustine Distillery.
The former ice plant dates to 1917. It has been carefully restored, preserving much of its historic industrial character while giving the building a new purpose.
Walking through feels like a two-for-one history lesson. You learn about the ice business and the modern production happening inside today.
The tour shows the working equipment up close. Guides explain how the process unfolds from start to finish.
Brick walls and big windows make the space fun to photograph. Even the hallways have character.
The location on Riberia Street sits near the city’s historic core. That makes it easy to pair with sightseeing downtown.
You could start your morning with the old Spanish fort, then head here after lunch. The drive between them is short.
Hours run daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Saturday afternoons get the busiest, and Tuesday mornings tend to be the calmest.
Arrive early on weekends to avoid a long wait. Tours can fill up when the town is packed with visitors.
Free parking is available on site. That’s a gift in a city where narrow streets can test your patience.
This stop is best for adults. It’s a great pick for a grown-up day trip with a side of local history.
Address: 112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
7. Sweet Pete’s Candy
Candy for lunch is usually a bad idea. At Sweet Pete’s, you can grab a real meal first and then wander into a rainbow of sweets.
This downtown Jacksonville favorite sits in a restored historic building on North Hogan Street. It’s part candy shop, part factory, and part restaurant.
The tours give you a look at how gourmet treats get made. Chocolates, lollipops, and caramels are part of the lineup.
Field trip groups love this place for good reason. The candy making, the food, and the tour appeal to kids and adults alike.
The shop itself is a feast for the eyes. Bulk candy, retro sweets, and gourmet chocolates fill the shelves.
There’s also an ice cream counter. On a hot Florida afternoon, that might be the most important room in the building.
The on-site American eatery is a handy bonus. You can turn a quick sweet stop into a full outing.
Check the calendar before you go. The building is closed on Mondays.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday hours run 10 AM to 6 PM. Thursday through Saturday, it stays open until 8:30 PM.
Saturday afternoons are the busiest time to visit. Weekday mornings usually feel more relaxed.
Street parking is free nearby, and paid lots are close too. Save a little room in your bag for souvenirs.
Address: 400 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
8. Key West Legal Rum
Key West has always had a colorful past, and this spot leans right into it. Key West Legal Rum operates on the site of a former saloon.
The location on Simonton Street sits close to the busy heart of Old Town. You can easily walk here while exploring the island.
Tours explain how the product gets made from start to finish. Guides also share fun facts about Key West history along the way.
That mix of island stories and production details keeps things lively. You’ll leave knowing more about the island than you expected.
The name itself is a nod to the old days. It hints at a time when making this kind of product was not always so legal.
Key West is famous for its quirky character. This stop fits right in with the town’s playful spirit.
Hours run daily from 11 AM to 6 PM. That late start pairs nicely with a slow island morning.
Friday and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Monday and Thursday mornings tend to be quieter.
Parking in Key West can be tricky. Paid lots and street spots are your options here, so walking or biking is smart.
This experience is meant for adults. Pair it with a sunset stroll toward Mallory Square for a classic Key West evening.
Address: 105 Simonton St, Key West, FL 33040
9. Sally Dark Rides
Ever ride an interactive attraction and wonder who dreamed it up? Some of those rides start life in a workshop in Jacksonville.
Sally Dark Rides designs and builds interactive dark rides. These are the indoor rides where you travel through scenes, often aiming at targets as you go.
The company offers behind-the-scenes tours of its facility. It’s a rare chance to see how amusement attractions take shape.
Guides share the history of the company. They also explain what goes into making the rides in house.
That in-house part is the cool twist. Instead of one tiny piece of the puzzle, you see many parts of the creative process.
Guides are known for being friendly and knowledgeable. They keep the energy fun, which suits a place that builds entertainment for a living.
Theme park fans will feel like they snuck backstage. Even casual riders will look at their next dark ride a little differently.
The facility sits on West Forsyth Street near downtown Jacksonville. That puts it close to other city attractions for a fuller day out.
Behind-the-scenes tours are available by reservation only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with hourly departures from 9 AM to 1 PM. Tours are not offered from June through August, so be sure to book ahead before planning your visit.
Kids who love roller coasters may leave dreaming of a new career. Honestly, so might the adults.
Address: 745 W Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
10. Siesta Key Rum
Bragging rights don’t come much bigger than this one. Siesta Key Rum calls itself Florida’s oldest craft distillery.
The facility sits on Industrial Boulevard in Sarasota. It’s not on the beach, but the name still brings sandy vibes.
Tours here are free. That alone makes it an easy add to any Sarasota itinerary.
Guides walk you through the company’s history. They also explain the production process in clear, simple terms.
The team focuses on real ingredients. Their products have won awards, which says a lot about the care behind them.
Seeing the equipment in person makes the process click. Charts and words only go so far.
There’s a tiki-themed spot on site too. It adds a tropical touch that fits Southwest Florida perfectly.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Sundays open at noon and close at 5 PM.
Afternoons tend to be busy, especially on weekends. Thursday and Saturday mornings are usually calmer.
A free parking lot makes arriving easy. No circling the block or feeding a meter.
This tour is aimed at adults. After your visit, the white sand of Siesta Key Beach is only a short drive away.
That combo makes a pretty great day. Learn something new, then let the Gulf breeze finish the job.
Address: 2212 Industrial Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234