11 Informative AND Fun Factory Tours in Michigan

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Whether you’re in the mood to tour a chocolate facility or visit a hat production line, these factory tours in Michigan pack plenty of fun and education. 

Factory tours are a fun way to learn more about the products your state produces. Michigan has long been known as a factory state, with manufacturing facilities that have produced the largest majority of the country’s auto products than any other state. But automobiles aren’t all that Michigan makes—there are plenty of other products that the mitten state produces for both Michiganders and the rest of the nation to enjoy. 

For instance, Michigan is also home to factories and facilities that make everything from chocolate to wooden shoes to hats to ice cream. And the best part? You can take factory tours to visit all these great places. Keep reading to learn more about the factory tours you can take in Michigan. 

1. Ford Rouge Factory Tour 

Visitors to Dearborn, MI can enjoy an immersive 5-part factory tour at the Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn Truck Plant. The factory tour covers everything from the history of the Ford vehicles to what the future holds. Tour attendees can even step on the plant walkway and step onto the factory’s roof, one of the world’s largest living roofs. 

“I highly recommend touring this place!” raved one Google reviewer. “It is a neat piece of history and innovation. We were there on a holiday weekend, so we did not get to see the factory in full operation, but it is still very worthwhile. Overall a very worthwhile place to visit!”

Visitors are encouraged to check the website ahead of time for any possible disruptions to their visit—because the tour takes place in a real working auto plant, it is possible that interruptions or restrictions can happen. (The plant also isn’t in production on weekends, so you may be able to see more action with a weekday tour.)

  • Where: The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, 20900, Oakwood, Blvd., Dearborn, MI
  • Cost: $24/person
  • Tour length: 90 minutes
  • Suggested ages: 8-14 years
F-150 assembly inside Factory Tour. (The Henry Ford Museum)

2. Morley Candy Makers Factory Tour

Fans of Sanders Candy may be in luck because word on the street has it that their Clinton Township, Mich. location gives out free tours to watch some candy-making in action. (We haven’t heard if the tour also includes samples, but here’s hoping!) We weren’t able to confirm the details of the tour, so we recommend calling ahead before you plan a visit, just to be sure.

  • Where: 23770 Hall Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036
  • Cost: Free 
  • Tour length: 1 hour (self-guided also available)
  • Suggested ages: All ages
  • How to book: Call the Clinton Sanders store location at (586) 464-5372

3. Bell’s Brewery

Love beer? Or just interested in the beer-making process? Schedule some time to visit Kalamazoo or Comstock for a full factory tour of two beer-making facilities. There are different tours to choose from, such as a shorter brewery tour or a longer two-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing facilities.

The tours are a fun way to spend the afternoon and include free beer samples at the end too. (Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes to participate in the tour.)

4. Veldheer’s DeKlomp Wooden Shoe Factory

Every Michigander (or Michigan visitor) needs to plan a trip to Holland, Mich. during their annual tulip festival. Our family finally got a chance to visit a few years ago and it was stunningly beautiful. The chance to be outside together and marvel at the rows and rows of colorful tulips was well worth the trip.

While we were there, we stopped at the Veldheer’s DeKlomp Wooden Shoe Factory and had a chance to learn more about how they make their wonderful wooden shoes—the shoes are produced on authentic Dutch machines, still in use today in Europe, and sold in the store. Our kids even got to try on wooden shoes while we were there. The experience was a fun one we will never forget and Jacob Veldheer, one of the owners told me via email that the Delft factory—which produces the unique Dutch pottery sold in the shop—is open for people to walk through on a self-guided tour. 

“We do have people that can answer any questions you may have,” Veldheer notes, adding that the garden center and gardens remain closed every year until spring.   

  • Where: 12755, Quincy Street, Holland, MI
  • Cost: Free 
  • Tour length: As long as you want but takes about 20 min
  • Suggested ages: All ages
  • How to book: Stop into the store from 9-5
Pottery and other artifacts are displayed through the window of the Veldeer DeKlomp store. (Veldheer’s DeKlomp Wooden Shoe Factory)

5. Lego Factory Tour

Lego lovers rejoice, because every visit to Legoland inside the Great Lakes Mall in Auburn Hills, Mich. includes an automatic pass to a digital behind-the-scenes experience to see how the famous Lego bricks are made. (There’s no physical factory to tour, but as avid Legoland fans, trust me when I say that there is plenty of other hands-on experiences to enjoy!) 

  • Where: 4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI
  • Cost: $21.99 for general admission
  • Tour length: 2-4 hours
  • Suggested ages: 3-10 years 
  • How to book: Buy tickets online for general admissions and the digital factory tour is included.

6. Stormy Kromer Factory Tour

Did you know that the original Stormy Kromer cap, known for its rugged warmth, ideal for anyone spending time or working outdoors, is made right here in Michigan? The story of Stormy Kromer dates back to 1903 when George “Stormy” Kromer, a railroad engineer, asked his wife Ida to make him a head cap that wouldn’t blow away while working on a windy locomotive. 

Hence, the signature pulldown earband of the signature cap was born, and today, the products are still known for their high quality, durability, and warmth. Plus, many of the product bearing names like “Ida” in honor of their founders. 

Today, the Jacquart family continues the line of rugged outdoor apparel and accessories in their sewing factory, Jacquart Fabric Products. The tours run Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and are limited to 10 people per tour. 

  • Where: 1238, Wall Street, Ironwood, MI
  • Cost: Free 
  • Tour length: 45-60 min
  • Suggested ages: All ages
  • How to book: Reserve your spot online
Parts are laid out to be assembled in the factory. (Stormy Kromer)

7. Gilbert’s Chocolate Factory Tour

It was news to me that Michigan was home to a chocolate company with a proud 100-year history, but after perusing their website, I want to buy everything on it immediately. And if you’re a chocolate lover like myself, what could be better than a tour of a chocolate and candy factory right here in Michigan? Well, if that tour happened to be free and included the opportunity to watch real treats be made in front of you—which is exactly what the Gilbert’s Chocolate Factory Tour in Jackson, Mich. offers.

The free tour includes information about the choclate-making process, the history of the company, and of course, the chance to watch the chocolate makers in action. Tours are limited to 30 people at a time and reservations are required. 

  • Where: 233 N Jackson St, Jackson MI
  • Cost: Free
  • Tour length: 45 min
  • Suggested ages: All ages 
  • How to book: Call (517) 764-3141‬ to arrange a tour

8. Parade Company Tour

America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner-White takes place in downtown Detroit every year. It’s one of the biggest in the country and what’s even more fascinating is that the parade’s floats and balloons are constructed right here in Michigan too. And visitors can get a full experience to see how the floats are made, learn about the history of the parade, and even explore 200,000 square foot of the storyland of floats. 

The entire tour takes place indoors, so it’s a great year-round activity, and it’s guided and family-friendly, along with wheelchair and stroller accessible. 

  • Where: 9500 Mt. Elliott, Studio A,  Detroit, MI 48211
  • Cost: $8-$12/person (cost varies by age)
  • Tour length: 1 hour 
  • Suggested ages: All ages 
  • How to book: Book online or call for larger groups. 
Props from the Parade Company tour. (The Parade Company)

9. Michigan Sugar Factory Tours

As a wife who married into a sugar beet farming family, I’m well acquainted with the Michigan Sugar Company. In fact, I lived near the Bay City factory during my first year of marriage and can still smell that unique sugar beet processing scent in the air! The company has been around since 1901 and was originally named the German-American Sugar Company.

Michigan is proud of its sugar beet farming and processing, and anyone interested in learning more about the process can schedule a tour of the Bay City factory during sugar beet slicing season starting next fall. (Tours have temporarily been placed on hold for this year.) Tour participants have to be at least 18 years old, wear appropriate clothing (no shorts, skirts, or sleeveless shirts and sturdy, closed footwear), and be able to walk at least one mile and handle stairs. 

  • Where: 600 S Euclid Ave, Bay City, MI 48706
  • Cost: Free
  • Tour length: 1 hour
  • Suggested ages: Must be 18 years or older
  • How to book: Reserve online or call for larger groups. 
Bay City, Mich. sugar beet factory. (Michigan Sugar Company)

10. MSU Dairy Store

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Spartan fans will be proud to hear that anyone can tour the MSU Dairy Foods Complex, which includes a trip to the Dairy Store location in Anthony Hall with the self-proclaimed “best ice cream and cheese in existence,” as well as a self-guided tour of the actual dairy plant observation deck. The self-guided tour includes a multimedia presentation and information about milk, cheese, and ice cream processing. 

  • Where: 474 South Shaw Lane East Lansing, MI 48824
  • Cost: Free
  • Tour length: Self-guided
  • Suggested ages: All ages
  • How to book: You can preorder ice cream for large groups. 
A cup of ice cream in front of the MSU Dairy Store. (Kailey Grooms/MSU Dairy Store)

11. The Whiskey Factory

As a working distillery, the Whisky Factory in Detroit, Mich. creates small-batch artisanal whiskies, gins, and voldkas from local ingredients. The distillery is housed in what was once Goebel’s Brewery and Stroh’s Ice Cream and offers two different tours weekly. 

The walking tour occurs every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and  provides a firsthand look at the distilling process, a history of the company and factory, and of course, samples of all small batch spirits. The second tour option is the Blend Your Own Bourbon Tour, which occurs only on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. as well as on select Saturday evenings. This tour allows participants to craft their own recipe and take home their unique bottle. 

  • Where:  1000 Maple St. Detroit, MI 48207
  • Cost: $20-$100
  • Tour length: 1-1.5 hours
  • Suggested ages: 21+
  • How to book: Choose and book your tour online. 
  • The Whiskey Factory in Detroit, Mich. bourbon whiskey bottle and cup. (Michelle Gerard and Jenna Belevender/@gerardbelevender)

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Author

  • Chaunie Brusie is a mom of five, a native Michigander, and a Registered Nurse turned writer and editor. She specializes in health and medical writing. Her work has appeared everywhere from The New York Times to Glamour to Parents magazine.

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