If you’re a big fan of the Science Channel show “How It’s Made,” then we have a travel suggestion that’s right up your alley. Pack up the family and head to southeastern Pennsylvania for some fun factory tours featuring your favorite munchies. The best part of all, the tours are FREE!
Our suggested factories are all concentrated in the towns of York and Hanover, which are in the southern part of the state not far from the Maryland border (about 100 miles west of Philadelphia). Also, there are plenty of state parks nearby if you need a campground for your motorhome rental, RV rental or travel trailer, or check into one of the many hotels in the area.
Snyder’s of Hanover (Hanover, PA)
Products: Pretzels and potato chips
Guided tours take you through the manufacturing facility, including the raw materials warehouse, oven room, packing room and finished product warehouse. Tours end with a free bag of pretzels at the Factory Store, where you’ll get a chance to indulge in more salty goodness. No photos allowed.
Tours: Tuesday – Thursday at designated times; one hour long; walking and stair climbing involved; 24-hour advance reservations required.
Utz Snacks (Hanover, PA)
Products: Potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese curls, pork rinds and more
A self-guided tour with push-button audio and video monitors leads you past a wall of glass windows as you watch the snack making process in this 600,000 square foot facility. No photos. The Utz Outlet sells both snacks and apparel, and is open seven days a week.
Tours: Monday – Thursday at designated times (call ahead to confirm production schedule); Friday tours by special advanced request.
Wolfgang Candy (York, PA)
Products: Candy bars, truffle cookies, peanut butter bears, chocolate covered pretzels and other confections
Ranked in the Top 5 Tasty Tours by Food Network, the Wolfgang Candy company offers guided tours that will make your taste buds melt faster than the chocolate. To keep everything super clean and safe, all visitors must wear hair nets, beard nets and closed toe shoes (no tank tops, either). After the tour, reward yourself with a treat from Das Sweeten Haus candy store, or get a dip from the old fashioned ice cream soda fountain.
Tours: Monday – Thursday at designated times; tours last 45-60 minutes; reservations required; walking and climbing two flights of stairs involved.
Let us know if you’ve enjoyed some munching on a snack factory tour in Pennsylvania. We welcome your suggestions on other Pennsylvania travel destinations and activities as well!
