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5 best chocolate factory tours around the U.S.
If you really want to impress a chocoholic on Valentine's Day, consider stopping by one of these chocolate factory tours in San Francisco, New York City, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Vermont. Most of these tours are free, plus you'll score complimentary samples -- and extra brownie points for creativity.But even if you can only give your sweetheart a box of chocolates this year, these tours are available year-round (not that you really need an excuse to indulge on your next vacation).
TCHO
Where: Pier 17, San Francisco
Move over, Ghirardelli. TCHO launched a free factory tour just after Thanksgiving. Though each tour includes complimentary samples of chocolate, cocoa nibs, and biscotti, few people will be able to resist buying the best-selling chocolate-covered mango pieces ($4 for four ounces). And for chocolate lovers who can't make it to the factory, TCHO is expected to unveil a virtual tour soon.
When: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily; factory operation may not be in production on all weekends.
Cost: Free tour. Walk-ins are accepted, but there's a limit of 30 people per tour, so you'll want to reserve tickets through www.brownpapertickets.com.
Info: www.tcho.com
Big Island Candies
Where: Hilo, Hawaii
Large glass windows let you watch rows of workers as they hand-dip macadamia nuts in milk or dark chocolate. More adventurous chocolate lovers may want to try Ika, dried cuttlefish dipped in chocolate. You'll also be able to help yourself to chocolate and cookie samples, all of which you can wash down with a complimentary cup of Kona coffee.
When: Factory operation is viewable 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays
Cost: Free admission; two-ounce box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts from $4.
Info: www.bigislandcandies.com
Lake Champlain Chocolates
Where: Burlington, Vermont
The 25-minute factory tour includes free tastings of dark, milk, and white chocolate, plus a featured sample that varies by day. The company's bestseller? Truffles ($2.25 each; $12 for a four-piece gift box).
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays on the hour; in the summer, there is typically a tasting session and a video demo on Fridays instead of the tour.
Cost: Free tour. Walk-ins are accepted; limit 30 people per tour.
Info: 800/465-5909 for reservations; www.lakechamplainchocolates.com
Ethel M Chocolates
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
If you're going to be addicted to something while visiting Vegas, it might as well be to chocolate. The free self-guided tour lets you peer into the factory and learn about the chocolate-making process. End the tour with a sample of white, dark, milk, or various seasonal chocolates. Considering that the factory receives about 700,000 visitors per year, that's a lot of free samples.
When: The factory -- in Henderson about a 15-minute drive from McCarran airport -- is open daily, but the machinery tends to operate Mondays-Thursdays only.
Cost: Free tour
Info: www.ethelm.com
Mast Brothers Chocolate
Where: Brooklyn, New York
Of these five chocolate factories, this is the only tour that charges for a behind-the-scenes look. Then again, this craft chocolate factory is a much smaller operation than some of the other companies. Made from organically farmed cacao from Madagascar, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, the exquisitely wrapped chocolate bars come in equally delicious flavors like Fleur del Sel ($7).
When: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $9.99 per person for a tour; reserve tickets through www.brownpapertickets.com
Info: www.mastbrotherschocolate.com
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
If you're going to be addicted to something while visiting Vegas, it might as well be to chocolate. The free self-guided tour lets you peer into the factory and learn about the chocolate-making process. End the tour with a sample of white, dark, milk, or various seasonal chocolates. Considering that the factory receives about 700,000 visitors per year, that's a lot of free samples.
When: The factory -- in Henderson about a 15-minute drive from McCarran airport -- is open daily, but the machinery tends to operate Mondays-Thursdays only.
Cost: Free tour
Info: www.ethelm.com
Mast Brothers Chocolate
Where: Brooklyn, New York
Of these five chocolate factories, this is the only tour that charges for a behind-the-scenes look. Then again, this craft chocolate factory is a much smaller operation than some of the other companies. Made from organically farmed cacao from Madagascar, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, the exquisitely wrapped chocolate bars come in equally delicious flavors like Fleur del Sel ($7).
When: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $9.99 per person for a tour; reserve tickets through www.brownpapertickets.com
Info: www.mastbrotherschocolate.com
Gallery: 5 chocolate factory tours around the U.S.
Filed under: Food and Drink, North America, United States, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Conner G Jan 28th 2011 2:26PM
Excellent post but on the Big Island, Kailua Candy Company trumps Big Island Candies (even the caramel for the chocolate-macnut-caramel honu or turtles are handmade) and the cheescake....wow. The variety is amazing too, with stuff like dark chocolate covered crystallized ginger and chocolate-passion fruit truffles.
Im also surprised you overlooked the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory near Kona - this is the only US company growing, harvesting, processing and packaging chocolate.
Al Schrader Jan 30th 2011 7:38AM
I invented a real chocolate factory where you pay an admission fee, then everything is edible like in the film only much better. Besides the candies there are the items I invented. Ever had rose flavored soda dispensed from a giant flower ? Ever had round French fries ? Ever ride a bicycle with 8 wheels ?
Ever had waffles shaped like a cube ? Someday if I have time & somebody comes up with half a billion to cover the construction cost, I'll build it....Alfred-
April Jan 28th 2011 7:27PM
I'm surprised Taza Chocolate in Somerville, MA wasn't mentioned. Taza makes stone ground organic chocolate, all of it hand wrapped, and they practice Direct Trade. www.tazachocolate.com
Rachael Keith Jan 29th 2011 5:52PM
Theo Chocolate in Seattle deserves a place on this list too!
Also Organic fair trade, bean to bar!
The Bread & Chocolate bar is to die for!!! Chai Chocolate too!
http://www.theochocolate.com/
Phil Jan 29th 2011 9:03AM
Ethel M chocolate, what a joke. We went there for a tour, took all of 5 minutes to see the entire factory. We were given one small chocolate piece to eat. The candy store where tourists can buy chocolate is nothing more than a big advertisement for M & M's brand which owns Ethel M chocolates. This place is a joke.
James Jan 29th 2011 8:51PM
I was going to say the same thing till I saw your comment. Nothing special about Ethel M Chocolates except for being in Vegas. I'm not sure how it could ever be in the top 5 best candy tours. Their prices are also way too high.
ajschrod Jan 30th 2011 12:22AM
Agreement #3--Ethel M is hardly worth consideration. But where, oh where is chocolate city USA on the list? How can Hershey, Pa. be omitted when the entire town is based on that one item: CHOCOLATE-- It is a destination by itself!
Roxanne Browning Jan 29th 2011 11:05AM
Ethel M is not a true chocolate maker, they are re-melters. They don't roast cocoa beans. Mast Brothers in NY is a true chocolate maker and roasts single origin direct trade beans. TCHO is another true chocolate maker using the same ethical standards. Can't comment on the others since I have not visited.
Boomer Jan 29th 2011 8:24PM
"The Chocolate Tree" in Beaufort, SC is a can't miss.
sulshe Jan 29th 2011 8:50PM
I am not big on chocolate, but am big on SUGAR. Eating a Hershey or Lindt (sp?) bar, one never thinks of the science that goes into the process. THANK GOD FOR THE SCIENCE because you can melt chocolate into everything - including chicken stew.. Or rum toddies. I think my favorite was always Cadbury (was that the first one to go commercial?) , but that is probably akin to processed American cheese stuff. But that's okay,I am not a snob. Whoever, KEEP DOING IT! thankee thankee thankee. Dieters, you are on your own.
hattie54 Jan 29th 2011 8:56PM
I finally got to take the Hershey tour last spring.It was ok but I really enjoyed their zoo.The rides weren't open yet tho as I was there in early April.
Mc Jan 29th 2011 9:13PM
Ethel M is in Henderson, Nevada.
The next town to Las Vegas.
Just a point of order.
Bob Jan 29th 2011 9:23PM
Here's a good place in Ohio
http://www.coblentzchocolates.com/
kleigh Jan 29th 2011 10:26PM
the 5 chocolate factorys are im sure wonderful high end very expensive chocolate with a great tour of their factorys..but i happen to like hershey pa.. they have a wonderful tour there also..and its not just for adults, its for kids too. with awsome chocolate..it dosnt have to be expensive to be good chocolate and have great tours!!!
cheryl malinowski Jan 29th 2011 10:49PM
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates in Throop,Pa. Has a unique tour every other year on the saturday before Thanksgiving. Unfortunatly they had one this past year so the next tour will not be until 2012. Workers decorate departments and dress as characters.This past year was The Polar Express,Toy Story, among others. Complete with scenery, Well over 5,000 people attended the tour this past year, free samples given out and also a tent with deeply discounted candy and an outlet store up the street. Free admission to tour the factory.
Eric Hanson Jan 30th 2011 8:44PM
My grandchildren prrefer the cholate kisses from Wilbur in Lititz, PA and the plant is interesting--but no foil wrappers and I don't recall any tasting.
tgrl Jan 30th 2011 12:50AM
Sorry but I still think See's is the best candy out there!
AshburnStadium Jan 30th 2011 12:57AM
To the poster who said that Hershey, PA is a great destination, you are sadly mistaken. There is a small phony "factory tour", which is nothing more than a small ride through a fantasy land (which is actually 2 miles from the factory) that is nothing like touring the actual factory, which I did as a kid. I should know - I live 9 miles from the Hershey chocolate factory. All Hershey has going for it is a great hospital complex run by Penn State University, a great private school started by Milton S. Hershey, several non-chocolate museums (including two devoted to antique cars and buses) and an amusement park, which is operated by the same non-profit (that's a joke!) organization that operates the chocolate factory. That same trust closed the West Hershey plant, sending 1,500 jobs to a new factory in Monterrey, Mexico, and they also sent 1,500 Canadian jobs there as well, and cut another 250 jobs in Reading, PA.
Cal Orey Jan 30th 2011 1:20AM
Chocolate tours are cool but there are other ways to enjoy chocolate, too. Ever go to a spa and indulge in a decadent chocolate bubble bath, facial, and manicure? Or, how about a chocolate bar, complete with chocolately cocktails, truffles, cookies, and so much more. The chocolate world is big, not just tours.
author of The Healing Powers of Chocolate (Kensington)
www.calorey.com
betty Jan 30th 2011 3:42AM
How could you not list Ghiradelli's chocolate? Fabulous and the best hot chocolate ever!!!!