3 Ice Cream Tours for your Family Vacation this Summer
Ask your kids what they think is better than ice cream. Chances are you won’t get a straight answer. And who can blame them? Ice cream is every child’s indulgence – and many adult’s guilty pleasure as well! With that in mind, read on to find what could be the most amazing family vacation idea of all time – an ice cream tour family vacation.
It might sound too good to be true, but we swear these are for real. From ice cream dairies to family farms, explore not only delicious, creamy ice cream, but make it an experience your family will never forget.
Here are just a few of the most popular ice cream tours around the United States.
Hansen Dairy, Hudson Iowa
You can’t be afraid to get your hands dirty on this ice cream tour! This family-run dairy farm offers you the chance to feed a calf, milk a cow by hand, make homemade butter, or pet one of the domesticated wallabies that live on the farm.
The walk-through tour is only $6, whereas the hands-on experience is a measly $10! Each includes a complimentary cup of ice cream, which is made on site. The best time to visit Hansen Dairy is generally between late March and early November.
Ben & Jerry’s, Waterbury, Vermont
See where it all began at the company of one of the most well-known ice cream brands in the country. Begin the guided 30-minute tour at the Cow Over the Moon Theater and learn about the company history founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. Then, learn about the manufacturing process as you walk across the ice cream production room. Of course, the end treat to this sweet ride is a sample of the flavor of the day in the Flavoroom.
If you happen past during the summer, outdoor activities include visiting cows in the pasture, picnicking, and visiting the Flavor Graveyard. Kids under 12 are free, $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens.
Hilmar Cheese Company, Hilmar, California
Although the name says cheese, the product is cold, sweet treats! The Hilmar tour offers you the chance to see the manufacturing process of cheese while enjoying a cup of ice cream! Another tour option – the ice cream experience – is called the Family Fun Ice Cream Activity. Participants create their own ice cream, and then get to enjoy the final result!
The tour is free, although the ice cream activity is $3.
