Fascinating Factory Tours You Can Take in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Factory Tours
Discover how your favorite products are made!
Massachusetts, a state rich in industrial heritage and bustling with modern innovation, invites you to step inside and explore the fascinating processes behind everyday products. From delicious chocolates to iconic snacks and craft beverages, these factory tours offer a unique glimpse into the world of manufacturing, often with a tasty reward at the end!
A Sweet Escape: Chocolate and Confectionery Tours
Taza Chocolate Somerville
For chocolate aficionados, the Taza Chocolate factory tour is a bean-to-bar delight. Renowned for its stone-ground, Mexican-inspired chocolate, you'll learn about their direct trade sourcing, unique stone grinding process, and enjoy plenty of samples. Reservations are required. They offer public tours, private tours as well as a Taza Cacao Scout scavenger hunt for kids.
Location: 561 Windsor St, Somerville, MA 02143
Experience: Bean-to-bar process, stone grinding, samples.
Note: Online Tour Reservations required.
Harbor Sweets (Salem)
In the historic city of Salem, Harbor Sweets offers a chance to see artisanal chocolates being crafted. Contact them directly to inquire about their current tour offerings. Their commitment to quality makes it a worthwhile stop for any sweet tooth.
Location:Harbor Sweets, 85 Leavitt Street, Salem, MA 01970
Experience: Artisanal chocolate crafting.
Note: Contact directly for tour info.
Raise a Glass: Brewery & Winery Experiences
Samuel Adams Boston Brewery (Boston)
Immerse yourself in the world of craft beer. This iconic brewery offers tours detailing the entire brewing process, from hops to fermentation. The highlight is the guided tasting of their signature Boston Lager and exclusive brews. They also have weekly live music.
Location: 30 Germania St Building M, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Experience: Brewing process, guided tasting, exclusive brews.
Note: 21+ for sampling. Tours can be booked online.
Harpoon Brewery (Boston)
Located in Boston's Seaport District, Harpoon offers daily guided tastings and tours for only $5. Enjoy their European-style beer hall atmosphere and learn about their craft.
Location: 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Experience: Guided tastings, brewery tours, beer hall atmosphere.
Note: 21+ for sampling. Tours can be booked online.
Nashoba Valley Winery (Bolton)
Located in Bolton, Nashoba Valley Winery offers weekend guided tours where you'll be able to see the areas where the wine is produced and stored. Along the way you'll be able to enjoy 5 tastings of wine.
Location: 100 Wattaquadock Hill Rd, Bolton, MA 01740
Experience: Guided tastings.
Note: 21+ for sampling. Tickets for minors or people that don't want to participate in the tastings can't be purchased on-line.
Beyond the Brew: Diverse Manufacturing and Agricultural Tours
Benson's Pond (Middleborough)
Explore a working cranberry bog! This family-owned farm offers guided tours where you'll learn about cranberry cultivation, see farming equipment, and enjoy a cranberry drink and a snack.
Location: 6 Pine St, Middleborough, MA 02346
Experience: Cranberry cultivation, farm equipment, samples.
Seasonal, and only available a few times a year.
Mason & Hamlin (Haverhill)
Step into the legacy of American piano craftsmanship. This historic factory offers an insightful tour detailing the meticulous process of handcrafting their renowned pianos, from the selection of premium woods to the intricate assembly of thousands of parts. The highlight is witnessing skilled artisans at work and experiencing the rich, resonant sound of a Mason & Hamlin piano firsthand.
Location: 350 Merrick St, Haverhill, MA 01835
Experience: Piano craftsmanship, live demonstrations, rich sound experience.
Tours are offered on Wednesdays, but you can request an alternative tour date on-line. Check their website for availability and scheduling.
Cape Ann Artisans (Gloucester & Rockport)
Embark on a self-guided journey through the vibrant art scene of Cape Ann. The Cape Ann Artisans offer unique open studio tours, inviting you into the personal workspaces of talented artists across Gloucester and Rockport. Witness a diverse range of disciplines, including pottery, painting, sculpture, photography, mosaics, jewelry, and more. The highlight is the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes, and see the exquisite natural surroundings that inspire their work. Many studios also offer live demonstrations during the tours.
Location: Various studios throughout Gloucester and Rockport, MA (check website for maps and participating locations)
Experience: Self-guided studio tours, diverse artistic disciplines, artist interaction, live demonstrations.
Tour dates are typically scheduled a few times a year (e.g., Spring, Fall, and a Mini-Tour in August). Many individual studios are also open year-round by appointment. Check their website for current tour dates and details.
Nantucket Looms (Nantucket)
Discover the enduring legacy of handcrafted textiles and island-inspired design at Nantucket Looms. This iconic establishment offers a glimpse into the meticulous art of handweaving, a tradition they've upheld since 1968. The highlight is visiting their second-floor weaving studio, where you can hear the rhythmic beat of the looms and witness skilled artisans creating exquisite pieces from natural fibers like mohair, cashmere, alpaca, and cotton. Beyond the weaving, explore their curated collection of home furnishings and local artwork that embody the timeless, relaxed elegance of Nantucket.
Location: 51 Main Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
Experience: Handweaving demonstrations, artisanal craftsmanship, curated home decor, island-inspired art.
Nantucket Looms also offers interior design services. Check their website or call for information on tour availability.
Lowell National Historical Park & Boott Cotton Mills Museum (Lowell)
Step back in time at this historical park. The Boott Cotton Mills Museum showcases the early factory system with active power looms, highlighting Massachusetts' industrial revolution.
Location: 67 Kirk Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Experience: Industrial history, power looms, "mill girls" stories.
Pairpoint Glass Works (Sagamore)
Witness the ancient art of glassblowing at America's oldest operating glass company. Contact them directly to inquire about observing their skilled artisans at work.
Location: 851 Sandwich Rd, Sagamore, MA 02561
Experience: Glassblowing artistry.
Note: Contact directly for tour info.
Island Alpaca Company (Martha's Vineyard)
Visit this charming alpaca farm on Martha's Vineyard. Take self-guided tours, interact with alpacas, visti the farms store, and learn about transforming their fleece into products.
Location: 1 Head of the Pond Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Experience: Self-guided farm tour, alpaca interaction, fleece processing insights.
Before visiting, always check the official website or call ahead for the most current tour schedules, reservation requirements, and any age restrictions. Enjoy your Massachusetts factory adventure!
Published 6/29/25