The best part of an RV road trip is that you can go almost anywhere! Visits to national parks, family visits, or visits to bustling cities. If you can drive to it, you can visit it! But have you ever thought of trying some more unusual RV trips? We’ll take a look at some unique RV vacation ideas that are a little off the beaten path.
Unusual and Interesting Tours
Whether you want to tour a delicious candy factory, sample some ice cream, or learn where the iconic John Deere green tractors are manufactured, there are some unique tours to take at companies across the U.S.
Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Factory – Fairfield, California
A kid favorite, this 40-minute tour is available every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Learn about jelly bean making from a covered suspended walkway, and you can watch videos and participate in interactive exhibits. The tours are ADA and stroller accessible. More information at jellybelly.com.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Fort Worth, Texas
Take this 45-minute tour to see U.S. currency being printed as you walk a catwalk above the printing floor. You’ll also learn about the printing process, and there are funny money-themed gifts at the gift shop. Tours are held Tuesday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, on a first-come first-served basis. You can find out more here.
Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory – Brenham, Texas
This delicious tour is available every weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. After securing your spot on the tour, you have eight educational DVDs to choose from in the tour center. You can watch as you wait for the tour to begin. During the 45-minute tour a guide will take you to three different observation decks overseeing the production floor and different parts of the ice cream making.
It starts with the homogenization process, continues with the particularities of creating the Rainbow Freeze Bars and the Ice Cream Sandwiches, and ends with filling the Blue Bell cartons with the finished ice cream. The tour costs $4 for children age 5 and under, and $6 for adults. It includes a big serving of your favorite Blue Bell ice cream flavor at the end, just before being guided to the gift shop, where you can buy even more ice cream.
There is an additional location in Sylacauga, Alabama, and you can learn more at bluebell.com.
John Deere – Iowa & Illinois
Factory tours are available at several John Deere locations in Iowa and Illinois. Tours are between 1 1/2 – 3 hours long and are for anyone aged 13 and up. You do need to make a reservation ahead of time. Depending on which location you choose, you may see how tractors, balers, windrowers, or other machines are made.
Learn more about the factories at: www.deere.com.
Ben & Jerry’s – Waterbury, Vermont
Sign up for a guided tour of the famous ice cream facilities! You’ll begin with a “MOO-vie” sharing the company’s humble beginnings and learn how the iconic ice cream is made. You can look over the production floor and, if it’s a production day, you’ll see the factory floor in action! The tour ends in the Flavor Room with a tasting and a few cow-related puns. And, of course, don’t miss the Flavor Graveyard which showcases past ice cream flavors that were discontinued. Tours are $7.
Tillamook Creamery Tour – Tillamook, Oregon
This factory allows visitors to take a free self-guided tour. You’ll begin at the Grand Entrance and head through the Farm Exhibit and Viewing Gallery before ending at the Dining Hall and shop. Learn about the Tillamook Creamery process and treat yourself to some ice cream along the way!
If you’d like an even more in-depth experience, you can take a guided tour through the Viewing Gallery, with an emphasis on the cheesemaking process. You’ll get cheese samples on this tour, featuring Maker’s Reserve. This tour and tasting cost $15. Finally, you can also try the Exclusive Ice Cream Experience. This isn’t a tour, but it is an interactive experience focusing on Tillamook’s ice cream and ending with ice cream swag. This experience costs $45.
Visit tillamook.com for more information.
SAS Shoe Factory – San Antonio, Texas
Take a free factory tour at the SAS Shoe Factory, then stop by the General Store with its gift shop at the end. Tours are Monday to Thursday at 9:15 am and 12:30 pm, lasting about 45 minutes each. They are free, and prior reservations are highly recommended. Tours are for anyone aged 6 and up.
You can find out more information at sasshoes.com.
Hammond Candies – Denver, Colorado
Free tours of this candy-making factory are a popular option, so you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time. Master candy makers demonstrate how to craft traditional candy canes, colorful lollipops, and plenty of hard candies, all from scratch. Learn more here: hammondscandies.com.
Boeing Factory – Everett, Washington
You can’t take a factory tour at Boeing right now – tours were suspended during Covid and haven’t resumed. However, you can visit the Boeing Gallery and learn about the Future of Flight. You can also walk out on the Sky Deck overlooking a field and see the company testing the latest planes. Don’t miss the Kids’ Zone in the Gallery, and finish with a stop at the Boeing Store.
Learn more here: www.boeing.com.
