Ohio factories to visit and tour

Ohio 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 Ohio and contact information and tips about visiting them.

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

• Airstream - RVs
  Jackson Center, OH. Phone: 877-596-6111 . The Airstream factory is 40 miles northwest of Marysville. Open: Free tours are offered at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, close-toed shoes required. Go behind the scenes and get an up-close view of how we build our travel trailers and touring coaches. Tours of our Travel Trailer, Touring Coach, and Basecamp manufacturing facilities are available.
• American Whistle Company - whistle factory
  The American Whistle Corporation, 6540 Huntley Rd, Columbus, OH 43229. Phone: (800) 876-2918. Email: info@americanwhistle.com.
  take a guided tour of their factory. The American Whistle Corporation is the ONLY manufacturer of metal whistles in the United States! For approximately 45 minutes, they will show you a thriving, small, American manufacturing plant and entertain you with interesting information about whistles and fascinating machinery, some state of the art, some dating back to the beginning of the company. All ages are welcome on their tour - from preschoolers to senior citizens. Tours are tailored to suit any & all age groups.
  TOURS ARE SCHEDULED IN ADVANCE ONLINE.
  Click here for more information on the American Whistle what to expect page.
• Anthony-Thomas Chocolate - Chocolate factory
  1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228. Phone: (877) 226 3921. Email: CUSTOMERSERVICE@ANTHONY-THOMAS.COM. Open: or groups of 4 to 16 people every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Please click the link on their website to schedule your tour. In about an hour, tour groups can experience candy making from start to finish in our 152,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art candy factory. Opened in May 1995, it is conveniently located off I-270 at 1777 Arlingate Lane in Columbus, Ohio. Walk along our comfortable, glass-enclosed suspended "Cat-Walk" and observe nine lines producing 30,000 pounds of chocolates per shift. Our experienced tour guides explain each process step-by-step from our kitchens to the final packaging. View interesting sights such as our huge copper kettles where the centers of some of the candies are created and our unique silver-wrapped pipes that carry liquid chocolate throughout the factory. The tour finishes in our beautiful 2,500 square-foot retail shoppe. Best of all, everyone will leave with a free sample!! In 2023, the Admission Fee is 18 years and older - $4.00 per person, 2-17 years old - $2.00 per person.
• Columbus Washboard Co - washboard and laundry equipment manufacturer
  4 E Main St, Logan, OH 43138. Phone : 740-380-3828. Email: info@columbuswashboard.com. The Columbus Washboard Company has been manufacturing hand-made washboards since 1895 and continues to offer a range of vintage laundry items and Appalachian gifts. Open: Tours are offered at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round, plus 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays May through October. 2023 Cost is $4.
• Fannie May Chocolate Factory - Chocolate Factory
  5353 Lauby Road, North Canton, OH 44720. Phone: 800-333-3629. Email: customerservice@fanniemay.com. Open: Tours are free and depart hourly: Mon - Thurs 11am to 3pm ET For reservations, call (800) 321-0444, Ext. 119. Approximately 45-minute guided tour and video Tour availability subject to production schedule* Limited accessibility for wheelchairs. Chocolate factory is open for in-person tours. During your guided tour you will learn about how chocolate is made, Fannie May history and of course taste and experience delicious chocolate.
  At Fannie May, the health and safety of our team members and guests is our top priority. We offer tours Monday-Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the top of each hour. Reservations are preferred to accommodate your tour group. Group reservations are limited to 15 guests.
• French Broad Chocolate Factory & Cafe - Chocolate Factory
  821 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC 28801. Email: tours@frenchbroadchocolates.com. Open: book on their website. They offter chocolate Factory Tours & Tastings. Tours take about 44 to 55 minutes and take place at French Broad Chocolate Factory & Cafe, 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC 28801 and require a reservation. This tour includes education on how cacao is grown, harvested, & processed (and how they transform it into chocolate). You'll have a guided tasting of our bean-to-bar chocolate and handcrafted bonbon and then tour the factory.
• KitchenAid - kitchen appliance manufacturer
  They no longer have tours: Please note that our retail center and factory tour are no longer open. Although other sources may state that these locations are open to the public, please refer to this page as the official source for the KitchenAid^® Retail Experience.
• Phoenix Bats - baseball bat factory
  7801 Corporate Blvd. Suite E Plain City, Ohio 43064. Phone: 877-590-6675. Email: customercare@phoenixbats.com. Phoenix Bats makes its all-wood bats here. 1 hr tours Open: Monday and Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 2023 Cost is $10 and includes a mini bat souvenir.
• Spangler Candy Company - candy factory
  400 North Portland Street, Bryan, OH 43506. Phone: 419-636-4221. Email: info@spanglercandy.com. Open: their store, museum and tours are permanently closed; However, SPANGLER CANDY WORLD coming to downtown Bryan, Ohio, will open in late 2023. It sounds like this will be similar to "The World of Coke" in Atlanta, not a tour of the actual factory, but rather a self-promotional museum and store. They say: Spangler Candy World will feature:
  • retail store with candy and merchandise
  • interactive historical displays that will reflect Spangler Candy Company’s 117-year history as a family-owned candy manufacturer
  • games and activities for all ages
  • a big screen theater tour of the factory
  Their candy brands include: Dum Dums®, , Spangler® Candy Canes: Airheads®, Jelly Belly®, Lifesavers®, M&Ms®, Skittles®, Sour Punch®, Starburst®, SweetNature® and 7Up®, A&W®, and Dr. Pepper® candy cane, Saf-T-Pops®, Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers®, Sweethearts® Candies, Bit-O-Honey®, Canada Mints® and Spangler Candy.
• Wilson Sporting Goods - football factory
  217 N. Liberty St., Ada, OH. Phone: 419-634-9901. They make 700,000 a year since the 1950s. Open: Book tours in advance (216-431-7373). Tours are offered only once per week; dates and times vary.
  

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

• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, Dayton, OH.
  

  Three exceptional men from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar, found their creative outlet here through accomplishments and failures, and finally success. However, these men offered the world something far greater, they offered the world hope, and the ability to take a dream and make it a reality.

  
  • Alerts and Current Conditions
  • Info about the park
  • Park event calendar
  • Park maps
• Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, Chillicothe, OH.
  

  Nearly 2000 years ago, American Indians built dozens of monumental mounds and earthen enclosures in southern Ohio. These earthwork complexes were ceremonial landscapes used for feasts, funerals, rituals, and rites of passage associated with an American Indian religious movement that swept over half the continent for almost 400 years. Come walk among the earthworks and experience the past.

  
  • Info about the park
  • Park event calendar
  • Alerts and Current Conditions
  • Park maps

Ohio 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

• Great SealStates Park -The history of the Shawnee nation and Ohio's early statehood is centered in the rugged hills of Great Seal State Park. The COVID-19 State Memorial is also located at Great Seal.
• Hocking Hills StatePark - Located in southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park has received national and international acclaim as a top park to visit.
• PymatuningStates Park -On the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, Pymatuning Lake is one of the finest walleye and muskellunge lakes in the country. The park offers cozy cabins, large campground plus a variety of land and on-the-water fun.

Ohio Seasons, bugs, topography and climate

Ohio's weather goes from one extreme to the other. Summer are hot, with temperatures reaching up to 90°F (32°C) and moderate humidity. Winters are cold with snow in northern Ohio, especial lake-effect snows near Lake Erie. Year round, the southern part of the state experiences slightly warmer temperatures.

Camping in Ohio

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.

Ohio State Parks (866-OHIOPARKS or reserveohio.com)

Many state park campgrounds are open year-round for four seasons of fun. Reservations, which can be made up to six months in advance, are required to book your cozy campsite. Rates and amenities vary by park.

Visit the reservation site to choose a campground, type of campsite, and dates of arrival.

Although facilities may differ at individual state parks, each campsite includes level parking pad, a picnic table, and a fire ring.

Make, Cancel or Change a Reservation

Login at reserveohio.com
or call
866-OHIOPARKS
(866-644-6727)

Contact an Office

State Park Offices

Watercraft Offices

There are both state parks and private campgrounds in Ohio.