Find a factory to tour for fun and learning!

Minnesota factories to visit and tour

Minnesota has factories to visit and tour. Below, first are the active, working factories. The next section has historical operations which often have demonstrations or renactments. These incluse both large and small operations, from several person chocolate factories and cheesemakers to large manufacturers making paper towels, wood products, beverage cans and bottles, are open to the public with real tours, exhibitions and fun education.

In some cases, such as a manufacturing process that is no longer in use, the only way to see it and learn about it is a museum or living history center. So, we also provide information about engineering facilities and museums, dinosaur digs, even government facilities, like NASA, astronomy oberservatories and more that are open to the public on certain days and times. And if there is some place that is just plain fun to visit, we add that, too!

These are perfect for homeschooling, for STEM and for fun! Kids love visiting these places! They're learning and getting an education without even realizing it. And most of these are either free or under $10! What's better then fun, entertaining, good for children and families, educational and free?

Here are some of the top factory tours in Minnesota and contact information and tips about visiting them.

Factories, Engineering, Museums and other fun demonstrations and exhibits to visit in Minnesota

  • Amazon Fulfillment Center - tour of the facility
    MSP1: Amazon Fulfillment Center, 2601 4th Avenue East, Shakopee, MN 55379.
    BOOK ON THEIR WEBSITE. Each tour is approximately 60-90 minutes long. On the tour you may walk up and down at least one flight of stairs and walk approximately 1 mile. Amazon says "Ever wondered what happens when you shop on Amazon? Book a free walking tour of an Amazon warehouse and see how our people and technology deliver for customers." The also have the following recommendations and requirements:
    Arrive Early - arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour.
    Attire - All guests must wear flat, closed-toed, and closed-heeled shoes (no sandals, clogs or high heels). We recommend wearing comfortable shoes or sneakers. Additionally, long hair must be pulled at or above shoulder length. Loose fitting clothing (long-hanging jewelry, scarves, or ties) are not permitted. Headscarves worn for religious reasons are permitted but must be tucked in securely.
    Identification - Upon your arrival, your tour leader will ask for a government issued photo ID. Please ensure that guest information submitted during sign-up matches the guest ID.
  • Polaris Experience Center -
    Suite #2, 205 5th Ave. SW, Roseau, MN 56751. Phone: (218) 463-4999. Open: Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 6:00 pm, Friday 11:00 - 7:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 - 5:00 pm, Sunday Closed. Polaris Factory Tours are available Monday-Friday at 2:00 pm during regularly scheduled production. Group tours of 15 or more should be arranged ahead of time by calling (218) 463-4999. Please call ahead of time to ensure tour availability.
    Know Before You Go
    No children under 6 are permitted.
    No cell phones or cameras allowed.
    No open toes shoes or sandals allowed to be worn.
    Located just south of the Canadian border, our Roseau facilities are currently home to research and development, engineering, product testing and manufacturing. The facilities focus on production of our snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and military vehicles.

Minnesota Historical Forts and Sites, Famous buildings, Active Federal facilities to tour, Geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

 

Minnesota State historic sites and parks

These are state-run parks, museums and historic sites that present the history of some manufacturing process, industry, or living settlement


Afton State Park

Kilen Woods State Park

Banning State Park

La Salle Lake State Recreation Area

Bear Head Lake State Park

Lac qui Parle State Park

Beaver Creek Valley State Park

Lake Bemidji State Park

Big Bog State Recreation Area

Lake Bronson State Park

Big Stone Lake State Park

Lake Carlos State Park

Blue Mounds State Park

Lake Louise State Park

Buffalo River State Park

Lake Maria State Park

Camden State Park

Lake Shetek State Park

Carley State Park

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Cascade River State Park

Maplewood State Park

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

McCarthy Beach State Park

Crow Wing State Park

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Minneopa State Park

Father Hennepin State Park

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area

Flandrau State Park

Monson Lake State Park

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Moose Lake State Park

Fort Ridgely State Park

Myre - Big Island State Park

Fort Snelling State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Franz Jevne State Park

Old Mill State Park

Frontenac State Park

Red River State Recreation Area

Garden Island State Recreation Area

Rice Lake State Park

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

St. Croix State Park

Glacial Lakes State Park

Sakatah Lake State Park

Glendalough State Park

Savanna Portage State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Scenic State Park

Grand Portage State Park

Schoolcraft State Park

Great River Bluffs State Park

Sibley State Park

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area

Split Rock Creek State Park

Hayes Lake State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Hill Annex Mine State Park

Temperance River State Park

Interstate State Park

Tettegouche State Park

Iron Range OHV State Recreation Area

Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Itasca State Park

Whitewater State Park

Jay Cooke State Park

Wild River State Park

John A. Latsch State Park

William O'Brien State Park

Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Zippel Bay State Park

Minnesota Seasons, bugs, topography and climate

Minnesota has bitterly cold winters and hot, humid summers. In the winter, people move from building to build via underground tunnels and enclosed skyways to avoid stepping outside.

Camping in Minnesota

If you're looking to save money on your trip, camping may be a fun alternative to hotels and motels, especially, if you already have the gear, or are looking to get some. BTW, this websites ( https://RoadTrippingAndCamping.com ) explains everything you need to know about camping gear and where to the best gear at the lowest prices.

State forests have 46 campgrounds with 1,000 campsites, or you can try dispersed camping anywhere in the state forest. State parks and state recreation areas offer more than 5,000 campsites and a variety of cabins, guesthouses and other lodging. Plus, there are thousands of miles of rugged or paved state trails and state water trails that can lead you there.

Purchase a vehicle permit and get a year of unlimited visits to all 75 state parks and recreation areas.

If you're not from Minnesota, you may not realize that There are both state parks and private campgrounds in Minnesota.