Here in Ohio, we make more things than you likely realize.

If you’re looking for unique day trip ideas for the summer, consider touring one of Ohio’s fascinating factories. From ice cream production to automobile manufacturing, there are so many national products being made right here in Ohio. Here are 10 fantastic factory tours you can only take in Ohio:

  1. Velvet Ice Cream Factory (Utica)

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. It is located at 11324 Mt Vernon Rd., Utica, OH 43080.

  1. Wilson Football Factory (Aada)

Wilson Football/Facebook Most people don’t know that all the footballs for NFL games and other leagues are actually made in small town Ohio in an unassuming building along Liberty Street. Be sure to schedule your tour of this fascinating factory in advance. You’ll find it at 217 Liberty St., Ada, OH 45810.

  1. Anthony-Thomas Candy Company (Columbus)

Morgan D./Yelp Ohio is home to a delicious chocolate factory and shop that will satisfy your sweet tooth and make all your chocolate-covered dreams come true. Tours are open to the public for just $2 a person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anthony-Thomas Candy Company is located at 1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228.

  1. American Whistle Corporation (Columbus)

American Whistle Corporation/Yelp You’ll find the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the entire country right here in Ohio. Each factory tour lasts about 45 minutes and guests get to leave with a newly made “American Classic” whistle. Be sure to call ahead to check for availability and reserve a tour. American Whistle Corporation is located at 6540 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229.

  1. Spangler Candy Company (Bryan)

Dum Dums/Facebook Tucked away in northwest Ohio in the small town of Bryan, you’ll find the Spangler Candy Company. It’s a privately-owned candy store, museum and factory you can tour via trolley on select days of the week. (On average, the factory produces 12 million Dum Dums per day!) You’ll find it at 400 N Portland St., Bryan, OH 43506.

  1. Airstream Factory Service Center (Jackson Center)

BuckeyeBob44471/Trip Advisor Observe firsthand how Airstream Travel Trailers are made with a free and fascinating tour of the Airstream Factory Service Center. Tours are held every Monday - Friday, beginning at 2 p.m. in the lobby. Each tour lasts approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. You’ll find Airstream Factory Service Center at 419 W Pike St, Jackson Center, OH 45334.

  1. Heini’s Cheese Chalet (Millersburg)

Steve1362/Trip Advisor A cheese lover’s dream come true, this charming store and factory sits in the heart of Ohio Amish Country. You’ll learn all about the history of cheesemaking and enjoy free samples of cheese among more than 50 varieties of cheeses. Heini’s Cheese Chalet is located at 6005 Co Hwy 77, Millersburg, OH 44654.

  1. KitchenAid Experience (Greenville)

Kathy F./Yelp See where every KitchenAid(R) Stand Mixer in the world is assembled during this unique factory tour. Tours are free and last approximately 1 hour. Be sure to call ahead for availability and tour reservations. You’ll find it at 423 S Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331.

  1. Honda Heritage Center (Marysville)

Honda Heritage Center/Facebook The Heritage Center and Auto Plant Tour at the Honda Heritage Center takes you on a journey to not only see the history of Honda, but the manufacturing in action as well. Tours are available on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, last about 2.5 hours and are free. Reservations are required, so be sure to call ahead. Honda Heritage Center is located at 24025 Honda Pkwy, Marysville, OH 43040.

  1. Columbus Washboard Company (Logan)

Columbus Washboard Company/Facebook Did you know the last remaining washboard manufacturer in America is right here in Ohio? Take a 30-minute tour to see antique machinery and presses that have produced washboards for more than 100 years. Columbus Washboard Company is located at 14 Gallagher Ave., Logan, OH 43138.

Have you taken any of these tours before? If so, please share your photos and experiences with us!

J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. It is located at 11324 Mt Vernon Rd., Utica, OH 43080.

Wilson Football/Facebook

Most people don’t know that all the footballs for NFL games and other leagues are actually made in small town Ohio in an unassuming building along Liberty Street. Be sure to schedule your tour of this fascinating factory in advance. You’ll find it at 217 Liberty St., Ada, OH 45810.

Morgan D./Yelp

Ohio is home to a delicious chocolate factory and shop that will satisfy your sweet tooth and make all your chocolate-covered dreams come true. Tours are open to the public for just $2 a person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anthony-Thomas Candy Company is located at 1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228.

American Whistle Corporation/Yelp

You’ll find the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the entire country right here in Ohio. Each factory tour lasts about 45 minutes and guests get to leave with a newly made “American Classic” whistle. Be sure to call ahead to check for availability and reserve a tour. American Whistle Corporation is located at 6540 Huntley Rd., Columbus, OH 43229.

Dum Dums/Facebook

Tucked away in northwest Ohio in the small town of Bryan, you’ll find the Spangler Candy Company. It’s a privately-owned candy store, museum and factory you can tour via trolley on select days of the week. (On average, the factory produces 12 million Dum Dums per day!) You’ll find it at 400 N Portland St., Bryan, OH 43506.

BuckeyeBob44471/Trip Advisor

Observe firsthand how Airstream Travel Trailers are made with a free and fascinating tour of the Airstream Factory Service Center. Tours are held every Monday - Friday, beginning at 2 p.m. in the lobby. Each tour lasts approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. You’ll find Airstream Factory Service Center at 419 W Pike St, Jackson Center, OH 45334.

Steve1362/Trip Advisor

A cheese lover’s dream come true, this charming store and factory sits in the heart of Ohio Amish Country. You’ll learn all about the history of cheesemaking and enjoy free samples of cheese among more than 50 varieties of cheeses. Heini’s Cheese Chalet is located at 6005 Co Hwy 77, Millersburg, OH 44654.

Kathy F./Yelp

See where every KitchenAid(R) Stand Mixer in the world is assembled during this unique factory tour. Tours are free and last approximately 1 hour. Be sure to call ahead for availability and tour reservations. You’ll find it at 423 S Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331.

Honda Heritage Center/Facebook

The Heritage Center and Auto Plant Tour at the Honda Heritage Center takes you on a journey to not only see the history of Honda, but the manufacturing in action as well. Tours are available on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, last about 2.5 hours and are free. Reservations are required, so be sure to call ahead. Honda Heritage Center is located at 24025 Honda Pkwy, Marysville, OH 43040.

Columbus Washboard Company/Facebook

Did you know the last remaining washboard manufacturer in America is right here in Ohio? Take a 30-minute tour to see antique machinery and presses that have produced washboards for more than 100 years. Columbus Washboard Company is located at 14 Gallagher Ave., Logan, OH 43138.

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