York County in Pennsylvania certainly lives up to its name as “Factory Capital of the World.” Today, visitors far and wide are drawn here in pursuit of so many public touring opportunities featured at locally based companies and facilities all throughout the county. From tours of the area’s most renowned snack companies to other special interests, there’s certainly a wide range of options to choose from. Here are just four fun and free tours worth checking out at York-based companies.
Bluett Bros. Violins
Are you a music lover of stringed instruments specifically? Then this small and intimate touring experience was practically made for you. Offered on location at their quaint little shop on residential Hill Street, Bluett Bros. Violins is a small business with a reputation for grandeur that precedes it. Founded four decades ago by expert luthier Mark Bluett, the shop business is primarily that of crafting stringed instruments like mandolins, guitars, and violins (of course) among many others. Bluett and his onsite apprentices are master experts in handling all instruments with care and precision, whether a newer creation or a fragile antique.
While the size of the store makes this pursuit debatable as to whether or not it constitutes as a full-fledged “factory tour” per se, it is still a tour offering nevertheless, if on a much smaller scale. But this allows for a more customizable and intimate experience in which you can ask any and all questions one-on-one along the way, honing in on all the specifics. Tours of Bluett Bros. Violins are offered by appointment only. To learn more, visit their website at www.bluettbros-violins.com.
Perrydell Farm Dairy
Serving the greater York area since 1963, Perrydell Farm and Dairy is the place to find fresh dairy products of all kinds. As a premium operation situated on 170 acres of scenic landscape, visitors are always welcome to stop on by during regular business hours and enjoy all that this massive working farm has to offer. And that of course includes going on a self-guided tour of the grounds. Get up-close and personal with the dairy’s resident cows, see milking and bottling in progress, and even enjoy some delicious ice cream while you’re at it. Comfort and sanitation stations are located throughout the touring site. Find out even more by visiting their website at www.perrydellfarm.com.
Sunrise Soap Company
Sunrise Soap Company operates three different shops, but it is their Downtown York location where you can take a tour of the kitchen and watch the soap-making process in action. Again, this is a small facility to explore, but it packs plenty to see and do.
All of the soap produced by Sunrise Soap Company are all-natural and are free of artificial ingredients. Most are vegan and gluten-free as well. And they produce over 700 pounds of soap every week from their in-house kitchen.
In addition to tours, the store features an in-house creation station where you can even custom-make your very own products. And don’t forget to check out the hundreds of different soap varieties for sale, as well as shampoos, lotions, fizzes, deodorants, and more. Get all the details, including special events information and even soap-making party reservations at www.sunrisesoapco.com.
Utz Quality Foods
If you’re into a grander factory tour experience, and a tasty one at that, then perhaps a visit to one of the area’s most renowned major snack company facilities will do. There are several in Hanover and surrounding locales, some of which previously offered public tours in the past but, sadly, no longer do. The one that still does, however, is Utz Quality Foods. What’s even better is that all of the tours at Utz are self-guided, meaning you get to go at your own pace.
The touring route largely takes place through a second-floor hallway viewing area overlooking the expansive factory operations below. Upon entering the factory, narration through the loud speaker welcomes you and directs you on your journey. You get to see it all, step-by-step, beginning with a company history and overview before getting to see all the actual production works in action. In all, the tour includes 11 different sections. For processes that cannot be conveniently viewed by the public, television screens are available to demonstrate what is taking place.
Self-guided tours of Utz Quality Foods in Hanover are offered Monday through Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Again, tours are self-paced but generally last around 30 to 45 minutes for most. Learn more by visiting their website at www.utzsnacks.com.
York County is home to countless other touring opportunities in addition to the four highlighted here. Some are catered to special interests, while others may require advance reservations to be made. There are also many tours that are temporarily halted or only offered seasonally, so it’s always best to inquire at any facility that may appeal to you directly.