Family Friendly Behind The Scenes Tours Around Philadelphia

Juan L. said:  These in-house tours of Snyder's of Hanover Factory Store offer an inside look at how these iconic pretzels are made. The tour is free and lasts 30 minutes. At the end of the tour, you get a free bag of pretzels! Kids will especially like the finished goods warehouse, where they'll get to see Snyder's of Hanover's robotics at work.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Turkey Hill Experience is interactive, educational and fun! Kids will explore what it's like to be a Turkey Hill ice cream maker, milk mechanical cows, create their own virtual ice cream flavor, star in their own commercial and sit in their vintage milk truck. Plus, enjoy ice cream and iced tea samples! For an additional fee, The Taste Lab enables kids to create their own ice cream flavor while learning Ice Cream 101.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Visit the Herr's Factory and watch Herr's employees use their unique process for making your favorite snack items. In the Chipper's Theater, you will learn the history of Herr's. You will also learn fun facts about their delicious products. Tours take up to one hour. It is a walking tour between three buildings. After your tour, visit the gift shop for unique gifts and your favorite Herr's snacks.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Enjoy a 90 minute dairy farm tour at Kreider Farms. Experience a high tech view of farming, climb the silo observation tower, see cows being milked and much more. Everyone will receive a free sample of white or chocolate milk at the end of the tour.

Tours are by trolley, or you can use your own vehicle. Advanced registration required.

Monday - Saturday, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Get ready for an exciting trip! Your 30 minute tour at Hershey's begins with exploring the cocoa bean harvesting process. Then, on the simulated factory tour ride, learn about the process for making Hershey's famed chocolates. End your tour with a free sample of creamy chocolate. After your tour, visit the gift shop, bakery, and food court.

For additional fees, guests can create your own candy bar, experience the 4D Chocolate Mystery, indulge in a chocolate tasting experience and take an historic trolley ride.

Offered continuously during operating hours.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  You and your family will experience a touch of history when you tour the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, the first commercial pretzel bakery in America. You can tour the original bakery, learn hands-on pretzel twisting from the experts (dough will be discarded) and discover the history of Julius Sturgis and pretzel baking. Visit their pretzel bakery afterwards to purchase delicious pretzels from their years of baking experience.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Experience the old fashioned technique of twisting hard pretzels at the Intercourse Pretzel Factory. The tour is short at 10-15 minutes, but it will delight children and adults alike to see the work that goes into twisting hard pretzels by hand. After the tour, you can learn to twist your own pretzel, however, the dough is then discarded as there is no hygienic way to bake it.

Visit their store afterwards to take home a fresh baked treat.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The 1 hour Studio Tour at QVC allows fans and guests to see how QVC products are sourced and tested, brought to TV and delivered to millions of customers. Guests can explore the 58,000 square foot studio, see live programming and even see a host out and about.

Monday-Friday, 10:30 AM and 12 PM

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Tour and visit Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center and experience the wonder of glass blowing in the Glass Studio and see the fine work in the Museum of American Glass. You can view artist demonstrations and special exhibitions in the Craft Studio. The museum store offer a wide variety of hand-crafted items for purchase. It is free to shop and stroll the Center. Group tours available.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Take a behind the scenes tour and see the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Tours include visits to the press room, locker room, suites, broadcast booth and field to see the ins and outs of this earth-friendly Green stadium. Tours are approximately 90 minutes.

Shila said:  Visit the ballpark where the Philadelphia Phillies play! Ninety minute public tours guide you through the gates, and make stops at the Dugout, the Diamond Club, the Hall of Fame Club, Broadcast Booth and Media Room. This is a treat for MLB fans of all ages.

Tour tickets must be purchased in advance. Strollers are welcome.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  East Falls Glassworks is the only public access glassblowing studio in Philadelphia. Visitors can see artists working with 2000 degree molten glass and creating unique pieces. This is exciting and magical for children to see real artwork being created right before their eyes!

It is free to visit the studio. Call in advance to make sure someone is there to see them in action, even though they are typically there during the day Monday - Friday.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The nation's first Mint is right here in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Mint makes circulating coins, coin sets, commemorative coins and medals. Tours allow visitors to view the coin making process from 40 feet above the factory floor. See the first coining press, Key to the First Mint and other items of historic significance.

Tours are self guided. Allow at least 45 minutes. Located near the Liberty Bell and other historic attractions, it is a tour not to be missed in Philadelphia.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, you can enjoy a free factory tour at Asher's Chocolates, a family-owned and operated business making delectable chocolates for over 4 generations. A special corridor gives you a sneak peek of their special candy making at their facility in Souderton. After your tour, you can request a free sample and visit their old fashioned candy store and take home some of your favorite treats.

Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 3:30 PM

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  It is always in season to experience the holiday magic at Byers' Choice. On weekdays, you can go on the observation deck to view artisans hand-crafting, painting and decorating carolers and other exclusive Byers' Choice figurines. The museum and display areas are open year round where it always feels like Christmastime. The Creche Room offers over 200 nativity scenes from around the world. Visit the gift shop to purchase your own figurine as a memento of your tour. Note: the display figurines are breakable and within children's reach.

Juan L. said:  These hour-long tours will allow your family to get a behind-the-scenes look at how iconic Martin guitars are made. Kids will get to see how a rough piece of lumber gets turned into a beautiful instrument. There's also a cool Martin Guitars museum and shop.

Monday - Friday, 11 AM - 2:30 PM

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Crayola Experience is a Museum as well as a Factory Tour. Guests of all ages can discover how crayons are made in a live theater show as well as uncover interesting crayon facts. They will learn the history and science of Crayola products as well during this fun and interactive hands-on tour.

Guests can visit 28 hands-on attractions including melting crayon wax to make a keepsake, creating a 4D adventure and make a drip art creation.