If you don’t mind a longer drive (1.5-2 hours), there are two unique places to visit in Pennsylvania that the kids won’t soon forget. Unfortunately, they’re in opposite directions in the state, so you’d have to do these trips on different days. That just means you get to spread out the fun!
Starting in Southern Pennsylvania is the Herrs Factory Tour. It’s only about a 90 minute drive, but my son thought the drive was really cool- the route my GPS took us on brought us through Delaware, Maryland, and then back into Pennsylvania. We hit four states in one day! Reserve your timed tickets online so you know you will have a spot on the tour. A table is set up in the lobby with samples of a lot of their new and limited edition products. The employee really knew his stuff- we tried some crazy-flavored potato chips, cheese curls, and corn puffs.
A tour guide takes you through several buildings where products are being made in real-time. You see how they make and package all kinds of snacks, and at the end, the guide gives you potato chips fresh off the production line! This tour only takes about 45 minutes and you end in the gift shop that’s full of their limited-edition products, some that are on deep sale. There isn’t a whole lot in the immediate area surrounding the factory, but there is a nice restaurant across the street.
Address: 271 Old Baltimore Pike Nottingham, PA 19362
Cost: $4 for adults (18+), $3 for children (4-17), free for children under 3
Important to Know: Production happens Monday-Wednesday, so those are the best days to go. Wear closed-toed shoes. Photos are prohibited inside the factories.