It should shock absolutely no Wisconsinites that the most prolific factory tour here in the Dairy State is a cheese factory tour. But since we can’t actually get enough of the delicious stuff, it’s not a problem that cheese factories absolutely dominate this list. Wisconsin is home to some pretty awesome food factory tours. Check out these 12 the next time you’re feeling a big peckish:
1. Carr Valley Cheese - La Valle
These folks celebrate 100 years of old-fashioned, family-owned cheesemaking this year. And while you're probably familiar with their cheddars and curds, one of the big reasons to visit is to find all the aged goodies you didn't know they were hiding.
Located at S3797 County Rd G, La Valle, WI 53941.
2. Twig's Beverage - Shawano
If you'd like a tour, you have to call ahead and schedule it here; otherwise it's just a viewing area and museum. But it's totally worth it to plan ahead and learn about this awesome old-fashioned beverage company. They're open 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Located at 711 S Washington St., Shawano, WI 54166.
3. Schopf Hilltop Dairy - Sturgeon Bay
An up-close look at a working dairy that ends with ice cream is pretty much a Wisconsin dream. These folks have a 400-stall cow barn and state-of-the-art milking facilities that allow for the milking of 80 cows per hour. Located at 5169 Co Rd I, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.
4. Jelly Belly - Pleasant Prairie
This location is now only a storage facility, so you ride a train around and watch some videos, but it's still a fun way to spend some time, especially on a rainy summer afternoon. The free tour is about 25 minutes long. Plus, the shop you spend time in before and after the tour is a sweet-tooth's dream. Located at 10100 Jelly Belly Ln., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158.
5. Widmer's Cheese Cellars - Theresa
The "make room" is right off the retail store, and cheesemakers will answer questions about the process as you see the open-vat process happening right in front of you. Plus there are free samples. Located at 214 W Henni St., Theresa, WI 53091.
6. Palermo's Pizza - Milwaukee
You can come for a simple factory tour or choose from a variety of special tours that include drink pairings and pizza tastings alongside. There are a variety of options and cost levels. Located at 3301 W Canal St., Milwaukee, WI 53208.
7. Union Star Cheese - Fremont
Started by a group of upstart farmers that included Great Grand Uncle Henry Metzig, this place has been solely his since 1911. Old-school processes and the kind of history you can't fake make this a spectacular stop. Located at 7742 County Rd II, Fremont, WI 54940.
8. Roth Cheese - Monroe
These folks make some of the most award-winning cheeses in the state. There's large viewing windows to see the cheese-making process as well as a tour and so many samples! Located at 1325 7th Ave,. Monroe, WI 53566.
9. Sprecher Brewery Tour - Glendale
These folks may be more well-known outside of Milwaukee for their soda than anything else, so while the tour is partly about beer, the sampling station as the end gives unlimited soda, so it's totally getting a spot on the list. The honey-sweetened root beer is the soda star, but Sprecher has a whole menu of soda flavors to choose from! Located at 701 W Glendale Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53209.
10. Springside Cheese Corporation - Oconto Falls
There's something so cool about how open the cheese-making process is and how the factories invite you in to keep an eye on the process. One of the last few cheese factories in Northeast Wisconsin, Springside Cheese has been making hand crafted, rich and creamy cheese since 1908.
Located at 7989 Arndt Rd., Oconto Falls, WI 54154.
11. Cedar Grove Cheese - Plain
On this tour, you will see the premium cheese being made the old fashioned way. Cedar Grove tours also feature a first-of-its-kind "Living Machine" water treatment system - a greenhouse full of tropical plants and animals that clean the water. Located at E5904 Mill Rd., Plain, Wisconsin 53577.
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