8 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Kentucky
Kentucky has plenty of claims to fame with many unique items made right here in the Bluegrass State. If you’re curious or fascinated by how things are created and then end up on your store shelves, we have the perfect list for you. Here are 8 fantastic factory tours throughout Kentucky that will show you how talented our community is and how we know how to create just about anything.
Watch the fascinating process of the classic Louisville Slugger baseball bat being made from start to finish. Smell the wood chips and watch them fly as crafters shape these sport legends. Tours are guided and ongoing and each visitor receives a miniature bat at the end of the tour!
Located in Georgetown, Toyota Kentucky is America’s first and the world’s largest Toyota manufacturing facility. Climb aboard an open air tram for this free tour that takes you through the extensive plant and gets you up close to amazing technology. Tours are about an hour long and held during the week. Children must be in first grade or older and if you'd like to reserve a spot, give them a call at 1-800-866-4485.
Spend time on this gorgeous property and get an up close and personal look at Jim Beam Bourbon and how it’s made. Guided tours take you through the entire process, starting with the natural limestone water well and all the way through the mashing, distilling, barreling, aging, and bottling. Tours are held Monday - Saturday and reservations must be made at least two days ahead of time.
Go behind the scenes to see how Kentucky's favorite beverage is made and distributed. The tour lasts 30 - 45 minutes and is free, but reservations must be made ahead of time by calling 859-744-3484. You can also look forward to the surprise at the end - your very own bottle of Ale-8 to enjoy.
Experience amazing talent and beautiful artwork up close on a tour of Louisville Glassworks. The hour-long tour will teach you the history of glass blowing and you'll also see firsthand how these amazing creations are made. Both guided and self-guided options are available, so be sure to check out their website, linked above, for all of the options.
Have you ever wondered where all of the barrels come from that store the spirits made throughout Kentucky? Well, you can tour behind the scenes of the Kentucky Cooperage where they have mastered the craft of barrel making. Walking tours are 30-45 minutes and should be booked online ahead of time; just click on the bold name above.
What's better than touring a chocolate factory and visiting the home of the infamous Bourbon Ball? Rebecca Ruth Candy is a Kentucky tradition and you'll love this unique and family-friendly tour. Tours are $5 per person, children 5 and under are free. They are held Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM. No reservations are required for small groups.
For a unique experience, visit the American Printing House for the Blind, where you will see the production of braille publications, the recording of talking books, and a demonstration of special educational aids for visually impaired students. There is also an interesting museum to explore. Tours are approximately one hour long and take place Monday - Thursday at 10am and 2pm. No reservations are needed.
All of these tours are unique to Kentucky and provide an intriguing way to spend a few hours. Have you taken any of these fantastic factory tours? Share your favorite with us in the comments!
And for more on the Rebecca Ruth Candy Tour, check out our previous article here.
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