Find a factory to tour for fun and learning!

South Carolina factories to visit and tour

South Carolina 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 South Carolina and contact information and tips about visiting them.

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

  • BMW Spartanburg - automobile factory
    1400 Highway 101 South, Greer, SC. BMW Manufacturing employs 11,000 people at the eight million square-foot campus. The Spartanburg plant is the BMW Group producer of the BMW X3, X3 M, X5, X5 M and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles and X4, X4 M, X6 and X6 M Sports Activity Coupes; and the all-new BMW XM.  Tours range from 1 to 2 hours Prices in 2023 are modest, $5-15. 12 and older. Register ahead.
  • Charleston Tea Plantation - tea plantation and tea factory
    6617 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487. Phone: 843-559-0383. Email: info@charlestonteagarden.com. Open: The Factory tour begins every 15 minutes on the quarter hour and can be accessed at the top of the stairs in the Gift Shop.
    Here's your chance to tour America's only tea factory. You'll learn all about how tea is made. We designed our tea production building with a glassed in, air conditioned gallery that runs down virtually the entire length of the facility. As you walk along the gallery, you will be looking out onto our factory floor at all the equipment it takes to make tea. Three large TV screens will introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow as well as explain in great detail each and every teamaking process. there is no charge for the tour. It's absolutely free. Please come and enjoy the rare opportunity to learn how tea is made.  Groups of 9 or more traveling in a van or bus must make reservations! The cost for large groups does differ so please e-mail us.
  • Freightliner Custom Chassis - custom RV chassis manufacturer
    552 Hyatt St, Gaffney, SC 29341. Phone: (864) 487-1700. Email: fcccservice@daimler.com. Open: tours on Monday to Friday with registration beginning at 9:45 am in the main lobby. Tour the factory to see how our chassis come together! At approximately 200,000 sq. ft., the FCCC Factory is a must-see for Freightliner Chassis Owners. Just 4 miles from our Service Center and 6 miles from the KOA Campground, the FCCC Factory offers a daily tour. Each tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and you will see everything from an engine being up-fitted with accessories to a completed chassis ready to roll out the door to the body builder. For your safety, we ask that no open toed shoes be worn. Located in Cherokee County, South Carolina.
  • Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum - tour an aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a submarine and see a museum and jets
    40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.  Phone: (843) 884-2727. Open: see their website, as it varies during each season. Directions: Patriots Point is located on Charleston Harbor at the base of the Ravenel Bridge and just 5 minutes from downtown Charleston.
    Eastbound on I-26 / Northbound on Hwy 17: Hwy 17N to Mt. Pleasant exit and cross over the Ravenel Bridge, at foot of Bridge, merge right onto Coleman Blvd (703). At first traffic light on Coleman, turn right onto Patriots Point Road.
    Southbound on Hwy 17: Hwy 17S to Mt. Pleasant. Continue on 17S and turn left at traffic light onto McGrath Darby Blvd. Continue straight on McGrath Darby Blvd to next traffic light. Continue straight at traffic light to Patriots Point Road.
    Admission to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum includes access to three historic ships, the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Laffey, 28 historic aircraft, as well as the three-acre Vietnam Experience, and more.  General admission includes ALL exhibits:
    USS YORKTOWN Aircraft Carrier; this WWII-era aircraft carrier has old jets on board.
    USS LAFFEY Destroyer
    3 Acre Vietnam Experience
    Medal of Honor Museum
    28 Historic Aircraft
    Tickets can be purchased online or on-site at our ticket window. Tickets purchased online are valid for one full year from the date of purchase and can be used any day you decide to visit.
  • The Kazoo Factory Tour Experience -
    12 John Galt Road, Beaufort, SC, 29906. Phone: (843) 982-6387. Email: kazoos@kazoos.com. Open: Fully Guided Tours are offered Monday to Friday at 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 2:00PM. This tour includes a short video presentation, kazoo demonstrations, a walk through of the kazoo factory with explanations of how everything works, and the opportunity to make your own kazoo to take home at the end of the tour. Cost, checked in 2023: $14.50 per adult, $11.50 per child age 4-12, and children 3 and under are free. Group discounts are available. Contact us for more information.  Our fully guided tours generally last from 45 to 60 minutes. Pick your parts and make your own kazoo to keep.
  • Dark Corner Distillery - Permanently closed
    14 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601.

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

South Carolina 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

South Carolina Seasons, bugs, topography and climate

South Carolina's tends to be hot, humid and subtropical in the summers, but winters are very mild.  Palm trees grow along the coast. There is little (if any, snow) but loads of rain, mostly during the Spring and Summer. Snow when it happens is just in the mountains and upper Piedmont. Just be sure to bring DEET from April to first hard freeze (November)!

Climate data for South Carolina
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31)		 89
(32)		 99
(37)		 99
(37)		 106
(41)		 113
(45)		 110
(43)		 110
(43)		 111
(44)		 103
(39)		 93
(34)		 89
(32)		 113
(45)
Record low °F (°C) −19
(−28)		 −11
(−24)		 −8
(−22)		 17
(−8)		 28
(−2)		 37
(3)		 45
(7)		 45
(7)		 28
(−2)		 16
(−9)		 −1
(−18)		 −6
(−21)		 −19
(−28)

Camping in South Carolina

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.

South Carolina’s state parks have more than 3,000 campsites and 220 cabins and lodging facilities from the mountains to the sea.