Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory
add photosThere is a 30-minute tour with a cost of $3 per adult, $2 seniors, and free for kids 12 and under.
6 Reviews for Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory
71
60
'10, '11, '12
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"Get the Scoop!"
I took our 8 & 11 yr old kids on this short tour. It begins in the main lobby, adjacent to the gift shop. As soon as you hear the cow bell ring follow your tour guide upstairs for a 6 and 1/2 minute movie explaining the history of the company and what it's mission is today. Both of my children commented they learned alot about the company's founders - Ben and Jerry. Next stop is view from the top. You are over the actual factory where you can watch them make the ice cream. On any given day, at any given moment what is going on in that room can be different. On the day we were there they were packaging.
As a parent I loved that the tour is only $3 for adults and free for the kids. Plus at the end they do nice sized samples. They were super accommodating for my tree nut allergy kid and had an alternate sample of sorbet available for him.
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"Love Ben and Jerry's!"
When my family and I went to Stowe, VT for Thanksgiving we were thrilled to hear that the B&J Factory was so close! We decided we couldn't pass it up. When you first get in there you can buy your tickets for the tour. Over the counter they have a clock that lets you know when the next tour is. Each tour is about 20 minutes from the next. The next tour was coming up, but since we didn't go to the counter right away we knew we were going to get on the following tour (the people ahead of us were). However, when our turn came the guy behind the counter was so great, and because we had 3 kids in tow he gave us tickets for that first tour. He even took the time to interact with the kids. He was an older gentleman, and he asked the kids the old joke, "Why do cows have bells? Because their horns don't work." I loved that he took even that small amount of time to joke with them and talk with them after that.
When the tour begins the guide rings the bell and everybody lines up to go through the door with the ice cream cone handle. Then it's a walk up the stairs (but they do offer an elevator for those with strollers, wheelchairs, or those who just can't make it up the stairs). In the first room we were shown a video about how B&J came into being, etc. I don't think the kids really cared about that part, but the next part had their attention.
The next part was the factory itself. Because of when we went, no one was working in the factory, so we were unable to see it in action, but they do accommodate for that. You are taken into a room right over the production room itself that has windows on two sides so you can see everything (or most everything). Then as our guide explained everything to us the stations he was talking about would light up, and we got to see a video of what would be going on. The kids loved pressing their noses up against the large windows and seeing how everything was done.
Of course the favorite part of everyone's tour was the free sample at the end. This time we were able to sample their newest flavor, Peppermint Schtick. Yum! They dole that out in nice sized portions (perfect for the kids! mine are 7, 6 and 3), and tell you to PLEASE eat more! They want to finish it up, so they encourage seconds (we stuck with one each).
When we went it was cold, but we still made the walk up to the Flavor Graveyard. It was fun to see all the flavors that either didn't make it (and why), and the ones that they just decided to retire. It was fun reading the tombstones to the kids, and there were some flavors that my husband and I had completely forgotten about until then such as Rainforest Crunch. If you do go to the factory (which I highly recommend if you're in the area), you HAVE to make the trip up the hill to the graveyard. It's not scary! If you're there in the warmer weather they do have a playground near it as well.
Definitely don't pass this one up if you're in town!
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"Delicious tourist trap"
We HAD to stop at the Ben & Jerry's factory while visiting Vermont. In fact, we went twice just because we love the ice cream. The tour, however, was not all that exciting. The guide was a little over-the-top cheesy, and the tour itself was not very interesting. The saving grace is the ice cream sample at the end! We did this without children, and I think my preschoolers would have been bored had they been with us.
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"Love Ben & Jerry's!"
Although it's not the healthiest vacation, it is SO fun! After a trek up lots of stairs from the parking lot, you will need some extra calories! Once you get there, there is a gift shop, rest room, factory, and a place to order ice cream in a cup or cone, even a milk shake and more! There is a funny board set up where you pose as Ben & Jerry by sticking your head through the empty space. A tour of the factory is available. I don't think it was too expensive, however when I got there so did three tour buses. So I didn't get a chance to go. The place was completely packed, so much that it was hard to move. As long as no tour buses show up when you're there, I think your whole family will really enjoy it. I had a great time even though it was raining.
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"Yum!"
Ben & Jerry's is the best ice cream. They are so creative and fun. This is a definite for stopping by when in Vermont. You can order any flavor that they make and also get a free sample when you take the tour. Even toddlers will enjoy the visit! There are cows to see, a flavor graveyard and activities to take part in.
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"Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory"
Who doesn't love ice cream? Come see where the best ice cream is made! Enjoy a great factory tour and taste test ice cream being manufactured the day you are there. Waterbury is a beautiful area of Vermont and there are additional destinations available close by. Check out the website for special events like movies during the summer.
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