11 Tasty Pennsylvania Factory Tours Worth Adding To Your Bucket List
Pennsylvania is famous for rolling hills and rich history, but step inside one of its working factories and you discover a whole new kind of adventure.
Imagine the scent of warm chocolate drifting through the air, the rhythmic twist of fresh pretzels, or the satisfying crunch of snacks straight off the line.
Behind every beloved treat and handcrafted product is a story waiting to be seen up close.
Call it a backstage pass to your favorite flavors, a front row seat to craftsmanship, a chance to see how everyday icons come to life.
Factory tours across Pennsylvania turn ordinary outings into memorable experiences.
Machines hum with purpose, skilled hands move with precision, and guides share stories that make each bite or product feel personal.
Curiosity gets rewarded with samples, surprises, and a deeper appreciation for what fills your pantry.
First time I toured one, I thought it would be a quick stop. Instead, I stayed longer than planned, left with a bag of fresh goodies, and caught myself smiling at how something so simple could feel so fascinating.
1. Hershey’s Chocolate World, PA
Walking through the doors at 101 Chocolate World Way in Hershey feels like stepping into a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
The free chocolate tour ride takes you through the tour process of how cocoa beans transform into Hershey’s Kisses, and you get a complimentary sweet sample at the end.
I visited on a rainy Tuesday afternoon and still had to wait in line, which tells you everything you need about its popularity.
The attraction includes interactive exhibits where you can create your own candy bar wrapper and even star in your own Reese’s commercial.
Beyond the tour, the massive retail store sells every Hershey product imaginable, including items you won’t find in regular stores.
The building sits right in the heart of Hershey, surrounded by streetlights shaped like Kisses and the sweet smell of chocolate production wafting through the air.
2. Utz Potato Chip Factory Tour, PA
Watching potatoes become chips used to be the big draw at 900 High Street in Hanover.
Public guided tours are no longer offered in the way older visitors remember, but the warm, salty aroma still hits you the moment you enter the building.
Displays and staff tips can walk you through how raw potatoes get washed, sliced paper-thin, and fried to golden perfection in massive industrial fryers.
The speed of the production line is mesmerizing, and seeing the seasoning get applied in huge rotating drums makes you appreciate the engineering behind your favorite snack.
The visit still concludes at the outlet store where you can buy factory-fresh chips and other Utz products at discounted prices. Hours can change, so plan accordingly before making the trip to this York County gem.
3. Asher’s Chocolate Retail Store – Souderton, PA
Stepping into 80 Wambold Road in Souderton means entering a world where chocolate still gets made the old-fashioned way.
This retail location connects to the production facility, and on most days you can watch chocolatiers hand-dipping treats through viewing windows while you shop.
The smell alone makes the visit worthwhile, with rich chocolate and sweet caramel scents filling every corner of the store.
Asher’s has been crafting chocolates since 1892, and their commitment to quality shows in every piece they produce.
My personal favorite is watching them make the chocolate-covered pretzels, which somehow taste even better when you know they were made just feet away from where you’re standing.
The staff offers samples generously, and the selection includes seasonal specialties you won’t find anywhere else.
Located in Montgomery County, this stop makes a perfect addition to any Pennsylvania road trip focused on sweet destinations.
4. Kreider Farms Farm Tour, PA
Rolling up to 1463 Lancaster Road in Manheim introduces you to one of Pennsylvania’s largest dairy operations.
Kreider Farms produces millions of gallons of milk annually, and their farm tours show you exactly where that milk comes from and how it gets processed.
You’ll meet the cows that make everything possible, learn about sustainable farming practices, and see the bottling facility where milk goes from cow to container.
The tour guides are actual farmers who can answer every question you throw at them about dairy production.
I brought my kids here last spring, and they talked about the baby calves for weeks afterward.
The farm sits in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish country, surrounded by scenic farmland that makes the whole experience feel authentic and connected to Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage.
Tours need advance booking, but the schedule can be seasonal, so the planning effort becomes completely worthwhile.
5. Perrydell Farm and Dairy, PA
Pulling into 90 Indian Rock Dam Road in York Springs feels like visiting your grandparents’ farm, except this one bottles its own milk on-site.
Perrydell operates as a small, family-run dairy where you can watch the entire process from milking to bottling during your visit.
The farm offers self-guided tours where you can peek into the milking parlor and the bottling room through large viewing windows.
Everything happens on a smaller scale than the big commercial dairies, which actually makes it easier to understand each step of the process.
Their farm store sells fresh milk in glass bottles, ice cream, and other dairy products that taste noticeably different from grocery store versions.
Located in Adams County, the farm sits just a short drive from Gettysburg, making it easy to combine with other historical attractions in the area.
The family that runs Perrydell genuinely loves sharing their operation with visitors, and that enthusiasm makes every tour feel personal and welcoming.
6. Middleswarth Potato Chips, PA
Arriving at 250 Furnace Road in Middleburg takes you to a chip company that’s been family-owned since 1942.
Middleswarth operates a small factory store where you can buy their famous BBQ chips and other varieties straight from the source, though formal tours aren’t regularly offered.
These chips have a cult following throughout central Pennsylvania, and people drive from hours away just to stock up at the factory store.
The BBQ flavor has a unique taste that’s become legendary among chip enthusiasts, with a seasoning blend they’ve kept secret for decades.
The building itself looks like it hasn’t changed much since the mid-century, which adds to the authentic, old-school Pennsylvania charm.
Located in Snyder County, the factory sits in a quiet town where chip-making remains a serious local business.
Even without a formal tour, visiting the store and buying chips that were likely made that same morning makes the trip feel special and worth adding to your Pennsylvania factory tour bucket list.
7. Dieffenbach’s Snacks, PA
Finding 51 Host Road in Womelsdorf leads you to a snack company that’s been making chips and pretzels since 1964.
Dieffenbach’s runs a factory outlet store where you can purchase their full line of products at reduced prices, and occasionally they offer glimpses into the production area.
The outlet carries everything from classic potato chips to pretzels and cheese curls, all made in the attached facility.
Factory seconds and overstock items sell for significantly less than retail prices, which means you can load up your cart without guilt.
I always grab a few bags of their sour cream and onion chips because they nail the flavor balance better than most national brands.
The facility sits in Berks County, surrounded by Pennsylvania Dutch country where snack food production has deep roots in local culture.
While they don’t offer regular public tours, the friendly staff often shares information about their production process if you ask, and buying chips this fresh makes any snack lover’s heart happy.
8. Herr’s Snack Factory Tour, PA
Driving to 20 Herr Drive in Nottingham brings you to one of Pennsylvania’s most comprehensive snack factory tour experiences.
Herr’s offers paid guided tours that take you through their entire production facility, where you can watch chips, pretzels, and cheese curls get made on industrial-scale equipment.
The tour includes a video presentation, a walk through the production floor with viewing windows, and plenty of free samples of products right off the line.
Seeing the raw potatoes get transformed into chips in just minutes demonstrates the impressive efficiency of modern food production.
The gift shop sells exclusive products and factory-fresh snacks at great prices, plus Herr’s merchandise for the true chip fanatic.
Located in Chester County near the Maryland border, the facility requires advance reservations but welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
The guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making even the technical aspects of chip production interesting and accessible for visitors of all ages who want to understand their favorite snacks better.
9. Martin’s Potato Chips, PA
Heading to 5847 Lincoln Highway in Thomasville means visiting a chip company that still hand-cooks small batches the traditional way.
Martin’s has been making kettle-cooked chips since 1941, and their factory store lets you buy products straight from where they’re made, though tours aren’t regularly scheduled.
The chips have a distinctive crunch and authentic potato flavor that comes from their old-fashioned cooking method and high-quality ingredients.
Their waffle-cut chips have developed a devoted following among people who appreciate traditionally-made snacks.
The factory store offers their full product line at wholesale prices, including flavors that are hard to find in regular stores.
Sitting in York County along a historic highway, the location feels like a throwback to when every town had its own local chip maker.
Even without a formal tour, buying chips this fresh and seeing the small-scale operation through the store windows gives you an appreciation for how quality snacks get made when companies refuse to cut corners or compromise on tradition.
10. Snyder’s of Hanover, PA
Arriving at 1350 York Street in Hanover takes you to the pretzel capital of America.
Snyder’s operates one of the largest pretzel bakeries in the world, and the visitor focus is now the outlet experience rather than a public factory tour.
The visit still includes a strong sense of the brand’s history, plus plenty of chances to stock up.
Watching production inside the plant is not currently part of a regular public tour schedule, so plan the stop around shopping instead.
The outlet store sells everything Snyder’s makes, from traditional pretzels to pretzel pieces and flavored varieties, all at discounted prices.
I once bought so many bags that I had to rearrange my trunk to fit them all, and I regret nothing. Located in York County, the facility welcomes visitors year-round, but factory tours are no longer offered.
The combination of buying fresh snacks and grabbing rare items still makes this stop essential for anyone serious about Pennsylvania’s snack food heritage.
11. Turkey Hill Experience, PA
Pulling up to 301 Linden Street in Columbia means entering an interactive celebration of ice cream and iced tea.
The Turkey Hill Experience isn’t a traditional factory tour but rather a hands-on attraction where you can create your own virtual ice cream flavor, taste unlimited samples, and learn about dairy production.
The facility includes exhibits about the company’s history, the science of ice cream making, and even a virtual factory tour that shows how their products get made.
You can design custom ice cream flavors on touchscreens and then receive a commemorative card with your creation.
The unlimited tasting station lets you sample every Turkey Hill flavor currently in production, which alone makes the admission price worthwhile.
Located in Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River, the attraction sits in a beautifully restored building that adds historical charm to the modern exhibits.
Whether you’re an ice cream fanatic or just looking for a fun, delicious way to spend an afternoon, this experience delivers sweet memories and full stomachs in equal measure.