Factory Tours Mean Fun

While it's terrific to hit the hot spots for a family vacation - like San Francisco, New York City, or Orlando - sometimes the trips to the off-the-beaten-path spots, like Grandma and Grandpa's hometown, can be the most fun.

Though the kids may groan at spending another week in the middle of nowhere, with a little research you just might find some nearby attractions that will make the trip a family favorite. For instance, many companies offer tours of their manufacturing facilities - and what can be better than seeing how chocolate's made in Hershey, Penn., and then getting your own taste test? Now that's something the whole family can enjoy.

Here's a list of some of the best company tours in the country. And most are far from the bright lights of a big city:

Hershey's Chocolate World Hershey, PA Open year-round Free www.hersheys.com/chocworld/

Ben & Jerry's Waterbury, VT Open year-round $2.00 for adults; kids free http://www.benjerry.com/tourinfo.tmpl

Vermont Teddy Bear Shelburne, VT Open year-round $1.00 for adults; kids free http://store.yahoo.com/vtbear/store.html

The Flower Fields Carlsbad, CA Check website to see what's growing and what's in bloom Free http://www.theflowerfields.com/start.htm

Saturn Spring Hill, TN Open year-round, weekdays only Free, but kids must be at least 6 years old to tour the plant http://www.saturnbp.com/company/welcome_...

Celestial Seasonings Tea Boulder, CO Open year-round Free, but kids must be over 5 to attend the factory portion of the tour http://www.celestialseasonings.com/whowe...

Don't stick just to this list. Once you know where you're headed, check with the local Chamber of Commerce to see what nearby companies might be open for tours. You just might be surprised at what's right around the corner from Aunt Sally's house.

For even more ideas on family travel, see the online courses
Travel Planning at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18488...
Family Travel at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18576... and
Archaeological Vacations at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18626/
or the online topics
Traveling on a Budget at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1448;
Archaeological Vacations at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1889... and
Travel Book Reviews at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1893...

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