how much is ben and jerry tour

Factory Tour Tickets

Factory tour.

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Ben & Jerry’s Factory

We are delighted to welcome fans to our Waterbury Factory — Ben & Jerry’s very first manufacturing site!

Open daily, 10:00-7:00pm

Tickets Factory Experience tickets are released 2 weeks only in advance. Pre-purchasing your tickets online is highly encouraged due to limited capacity. For groups of 21+ please send us an email including the requested date, time and number of people. Cancellations can be made up to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled experience for a refund minus the service fee.

Tour information Admission includes a 30-minute guided tour with view of manufacturing floor, chunk and ice cream sample, photo ops and retail items. The tour ends in our Flavor Room with a tasting of one of our euphoric flavors and a cow joke, or two! Additional ice cream can be purchased before or after outside from the Scoop Shop. As we are a food manufacturing facility there is no glass or pets (with the exception of service animals) allowed inside. Large bags are not permitted inside the factory.  Manufacturing schedule changes without warning.  Live production is not guaranteed.

Scoop Shop Full service offering cups, cones, milkshakes, sundaes and ice cream cakes.

Group parking RV, Coach  and  Accessible parking located at the top of the entrance driveway hill, with designated drop off at the end of the boardwalk.

Ice Cream Cakes Cause for celebration? Ice cream cakes serve 1-36 people and are available for walk-up window purchase or curbside pick-up: Call the shop to order at (802) 337-1214 or  https://www.benjerry.com/waterbury/cakes.

Drop-Off Catering Parties We can work with you to create a drop off catered event offering your favorite pre-scooped flavors, a variety of toppings and if desired freshly baked cookies and brownies.  To inquire call 802-222-1665 or online .

Contact Information

1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd Waterbury, VT 05676

Toll free: 802-337-1201

Gift shop: (802) 337-1182

Scoop shop & Ice cream cake orders: (802) 337-1214

Ice cream catering: (802) 222-1665

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UponArriving

Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour Review: The Inside Scoop

For Ben and Jerry’s fans, the factory tour is a must-visit attraction when you’re in Vermont. It’s a chance to see how those secret flavors are created and to sample some new and exciting ice cream combinations.

But is the tour really worth it? Especially if you’re driving a long way to get there.

Let’s dive into the details of the tour, so you know what to expect and can make the most of your experience.

Table of Contents

What is the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour?

The Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour is a tour that allows visitors to witness ice cream production taking place in the original Ben and Jerry’s factory.

Visitors have the opportunity to sample and order select ice cream flavors and even witness, with their own eyes, new flavors getting created. It’s also home to the famous “Flavor Graveyard” where tribute is paid to all of the retired flavors from years past.

Where is the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour?

The Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour is located in Waterbury, Vermont, about 30 minutes from Burlington, VT. 

Here is the official address: 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd Route 100, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676.

Note: It is the only Ben & Jerry’s factory open to the public.

How to book a tour to the factory

You have the option to book a tour either online or in person when you arrive. Here are the prices:

• Guests aged 13 and over: $6
• Guests aged 12 and under: $1
• Guests over 65: $5
• Military personnel: $3
• ***There is a $1 service fee

It’s strongly advised that you make a reservation in advance , as certain tours tend to fill up fast. Reservations open up two weeks before your desired date.

At peak times, they offer tours every 15 minutes, and from my own observations, it appears that the early tours are the most sought-after and tend to sell out rapidly. The total tour will last about 30 minutes.

Our experience at the factory tour

We decided to arrive approximately 30 minutes ahead of our scheduled tour time, allowing us ample opportunity to explore the renowned Flavor Graveyard and wander around the premises a bit.

When you first arrive, there are a few parking lots to choose from, but we opted for the main front lot, which offers free electric vehicle parking . However, most vehicles were being directed towards the rear lot, situated only a few steps from the Flavor Graveyard.

The Flavor Graveyard serves as a tribute to the “dearly depinted” ice cream flavors.

Here, you’ll encounter retired Ben and Jerry’s flavors of all kinds.

Each headstone provides a glimpse into when that flavor first made its debut, along with its unique flavor profile.

I personally enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the “graveyard,” allowing myself to reminisce about some of the flavors I once loved and even uncovering some new and intriguing ones.

I couldn’t believe that I missed out on the marzipan flavor although to be honest I didn’t know what marzipan was until visiting Toledo, Spain which was a trip we took well after this flavor had been discontinued.

It’s worth noting that, from time to time, they do bring these flavors “back from the dead.” In fact, you can voice your request and explain why you would like to see a certain ice cream come back.

Following our visit to the Flavor Graveyard, we proceeded to the central factory building and on the way I noticed that there were ample restroom facilities available should you need to go.

One thing I really like about the entire facility is that there are signs that make it really easy to get around.

Another nice thing for visitors is that you will run into a lot of different photo opportunities.

Additionally, there are chairs provided for those looking to take a load off, relish some downtime, and take in the scenic mountain views (which are quite nice).

Notably, there’s a playground on site to keep the little ones occupied as well.

There’s an inviting ice cream shop, the Scoop shop, where they serve up fresh waffle cones and an array of tantalizing flavors (new and old). When we initially arrived, the line wasn’t too daunting, but we were gearing up for our tour, so we decided to hold off.

However, by the time we finished the tour, the line had grown significantly. A sign indicated a 30-minute wait from one point, but the line extended quite a ways beyond that, suggesting that some folks might be in for quite the wait.

Considering the chilly, overcast weather in the 40s (Fº), waiting in a long line for ice cream didn’t quite seem worth it. My advice would be to arrive early for your ice cream fix, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend. Alternatively, you can opt to purchase pints of your favorite flavors directly from the gift shop.

We ventured into the main entrance where the gift shop is situated and took a leisurely browse around.

It’s recommended that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour’s scheduled time in this area . We did notice a few folks joining a tour that was departing before their designated slot, so there’s a possibility of getting in earlier if you’re lucky.

Before the tour commences, you can touch base with the staff member at the podium to check in, though it may not be necessary because they’ll officially check you in just before the tour kicks off.

Nevertheless, if you prefer to double-check that everything’s in order, that’s a good time to do so. While we were provided with QR codes for our tickets, they never actually scanned them; they merely asked us to verify our names.

It’s worth noting that the cell service in this area can be quite unreliable , making it difficult to access your digital tickets. You might want to consider taking screenshots in advance, so you’re not dependent on a data connection for them to display.

When it’s time for your tour to commence, they’ll ring the cowbell to kick off the check-in process. You’ll then ascend a set of stairs to catch a brief, five-minute film about Ben and Jerry’s. (An elevator is also an option.)

The film touches on the company’s history and their dedication to causes like social justice, providing a pretty well rounded overview of the company.

From there, we proceeded to the glassed-in mezzanine, where you can peer through windows down at the factory in action, akin to the experience we had at the Denver Mint .

As you enter this area, you have the chance to snag a small cup with a few delectable morsels of cookie dough, for those who appreciate that classic treat.

Arriving at the viewing floor, I couldn’t help but notice that the factory appeared somewhat smaller than my initial expectations. However, it dawned on me that this was their original factory, so it naturally had a more compact scale.

Our guide offered a wealth of information regarding the various stages of the ice cream-making process, and there’s a screen that illustrates everything he’s discussing in case you don’t have a good view of the factory floor. It’s all pretty fascinating, but it does tend to move at a brisk pace, leaving little room for questions.

Our next stop led us to the “Flavor Room,” where we had the opportunity to sample one of the newer flavors: Butterscotch’d (which made Brad very happy). I’m not a big butter scotch fan so I was not too thrilled about it but it ended up being extremely tasty .

We also had the privilege of observing the creation of a brand-new secret flavor happening right before our eyes!

Following some additional insights into their global production processes, our visit concluded, and it was time to make our exit.

In summary, I’d definitely recommend a visit to the factory. It’s fun to explore the Flavor Graveyard, where you can reminisce about past flavors you might have tried years ago.

As for the tour itself, at $6, it’s a good deal. I personally found it a bit on the fast side and wished for more time to ask questions, but when the tours are departing every 15 minutes, that’s not really possible.

Additionally, that ice cream line was quite the spectacle. If the sign was accurate, people were looking at a minimum 45-minute wait and possibly even a good deal longer, which does seem a bit extreme for a couple of scoops of ice cream.

Perhaps they could consider a priority line for tour-goers, a pre-order system (before your tour), or something along those lines – that’s just a long time to stand in line for some dang ice cream!

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Explore the Ben & Jerry’s Factory: the Sweetest Spot in Vermont

This post may contain affiliate or referral links. Please see our full affiliate disclosure here .

If you’re an ice cream lover who wondered what it might be like to be Charlie Bucket touring the Wonka factory, then a Ben and Jerry’s factory tour is a must-visit destination for your family.

Okay, so there aren’t any creepy boat rides and your child won’t turn into a blueberry, but you will get an up-close look at where it all started for this iconic ice cream brand.

Waterbury, Vermont is about a 45-minute drive from Burlington, VT. and is home to the first Ben & Jerry’s factory and is the only one that allows the public to tour through. So let’s find out everything you need to know about the sweetest spot in Vermont.

Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour

The Ben and Jerry’s factory tour is an interactive and fun experience that takes you behind the scenes of the making their iconic ice cream. The entire tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and ends with the good stuff – an ice cream tasting.

First, you’ll watch a short video presentation where you will learn the interesting history of this one-of-a-kind ice cream company. You will then move onto the production room where you’ll get a glimpse of how the ice cream is made. This is where the magic really happens.

The tour concludes in the flavor room. This delicious room is where you get a sample of the flavor of the day.

Note that photos are NOT allowed inside the production area of the tour.

Tickets and Hours

Tickets for the factory tour can be purchased online or at the gift shop on-site. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance as tours can sell out quickly.

The factory is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Cow Jokes and Brownies

The factory tour is not just informative but also entertaining. The tour guides are known for their cow jokes and puns, making the tour even more enjoyable. You can also enjoy a delicious brownie or ice cream treat on the patio while enjoying the beautiful view.

The Ben and Jerry’s factory tour is a family-friendly, educational, and delicious experience. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Free Cone Day, where you can enjoy a free scoop of your favorite flavor.

Location and Facilities

The Ben and Jerry’s factory is located in Waterbury, Vermont, surrounded by the beautiful Green Mountains. During your visit, take in the beauty of the area and smell that fresh mountain air.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Address: 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury, VT.

The factory has ample parking, a gift shop, and a playground for the little ones. Don’t forget to pose for your picture on the lid of a pint.

There is also a gas station and a convenience store nearby, which is important to note when traveling in small Vermont communities where stops are scarce.

Beyond the Tour

The factory tour is a popular choice, and rightly so, but there is more to do at the factory than just the tour.

Visit the Scoop Shop for a cone or cup of your favorite flavor, and browse the gift shop for fun mementos, ornaments, t-shirts, and more.

Walk the grounds to take in the beauty of the Green Mountains or bring little ones to run around on the playground.

Exploring the Flavor Graveyard

The Flavor Graveyard is a final resting place for discontinued Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors. The company has been creating unique flavors since its founding in 1978, and not all of them have been hits.

Some flavors have been discontinued due to poor sales, while others were limited-time offerings that proved too difficult or expensive to produce on a regular basis.

Dastardly Mash was the first flavor to be retired and buried in the Flavor Graveyard in 1997. Since then, dozens of other flavors have been laid to rest, including Aloha Macadamia, Bovinity Divinity, and Cool Britannia.

The Flavor Graveyard is a small, fenced-in area located on the Ben & Jerry’s factory grounds near the parking area. Visitors can walk through the graveyard and read the humorous epitaphs written for each flavor. The epitaphs often include puns and jokes related to the flavor’s name or ingredients.

Tips for Visiting the Ben and Jerry’s Factory

If you’re planning to visit the factory, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Check the website for tour times – the first step is to check Ben and Jerry’s website for tour times. Tours are offered Monday-Thursday from 10 am-4 pm and Friday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. The factory is closed on major holidays, so check the website before planning your visit.
• Purchase tickets in advance – While walk-ups are welcome, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance, especially during peak season (May-October). This way, you will be guaranteed a spot on a tour and won’t have a long wait. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the factory directly.
• Arrive early – Once you have your tickets, arrive early. Tours fill up quickly, so arriving early will ensure you get a spot on the tour.
• Dress comfortably – Dress for the weather and remember that many of the main attractions are outside. Bring a sweatshirt or jacket if you think you might get cold.
• Wear practical shoes – leave the stiletto heels at home. The grounds of the factory, including the parking area, is dirt and grass, which can be uneven. Sneakers or boots are the best choice of footwear.
• Bring a small bag or purse – large bags aren’t permitted inside the factory, so bring a small bag or just your camera and wallet.

Indulging in Scoop Shop Treats

Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop is the perfect place to indulge in your favorite ice cream flavors. From classic flavors like Chocolate Fudge Brownie to seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Cheesecake, there’s a flavor for everyone.

Flavors and Offerings

In addition to ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops offer a variety of treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Choose from sundaes, shakes, and even an ice cream cake for your next celebration.

Special Events and Promotions

Keep your eyes open for special events and promotions at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop. There’s always something new to try, from free cone day to limited edition flavors.

Final Thoughts

While visiting Vermont , a visit to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory is a must-do for any ice cream lover. The factory tour provides an inside look at how the iconic ice cream is made and is an opportunity to learn about the company’s commitment to amazing ice cream and social and environmental responsibility.

While the factory tour is the main attraction, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Waterbury. The town is home to delicious restaurants , shops, tours, and things to do , making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.

If you’re planning a visit to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, don’t forget to bring your appetite and stretchy pants; there are plenty of delicious flavors to try!

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Ben & Jerry's Factory

https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/factory-tours

802-882-2040

Visit Ben & Jerry’s humble beginnings in Waterbury. The factory tour boasts top-notch hosts to guide guests through the ice cream making process from cow to cone. Starting with a brief MOO-vie on the history of Ben & Jerry’s, and ending with a sample flavor of the day, the tour takes visitors through all the fun and function of the factory.

Continue to enjoy the best of Ben & Jerry’s after the tour in the retail shop or with something tasty from the Scoop Shop. Outdoor experiences include the Flavor Graveyard, playground, restrooms, and fantastic views.

Tickets are required for the Factory Experience. Pre-purchasing tickets online is highly encouraged due to limited capacity. Admission includes a 30-minute guided tour with views of the manufacturing floor, chunk and ice cream sample, photo ops, and retail items. Because this is a food manufacturing facility, glass and pets (except for service animals) are not allowed inside. Large bags are not permitted inside. Manufacturing schedules may change without warning, and live production is not guaranteed.

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Inside the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour in Vermont

Posted on Last updated: 8 September 2023

Home » Food & Drinks » Inside the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour in Vermont

One of my very first road trips was to Waterbury, VT with two of my friends. Our only goal for the trip was to visit the Ben & Jerry’s Factory .

Why did we plan a trip to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory? Well, my friend Kristiann is trying to get to all 50 states before she turned 25. Way more ambitious than my list of 25 Things to do Before Turning 25 .

Regardless, for being FREE, the tour (and road trip, in general) was kinda fun. We were lucky that the day we chose to visit Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont coincided with the Ben & Jerry’s Winter Festival . That meant the factory tour was free.

Getting to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Vermont

Not a lot of people choose to visit the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in winter. But anyone who loves ice cream the way I do, knows that a bit of winter weather isn’t enough to stop me from eating my most favorite dessert!

Highlights from Inside the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour

On the factory tour, you get a sneak peak into their actual factory (photography not permitted because of corporate espionage—they honestly seemed pretty serious about this). Of course, most of the tour is geared for small children (children under 12 can tour for free), but it was still interesting to learn about the ice cream making process.

They make two flavors a day in the Vermont factory. Can you guess Ben & Jerry’s #1 selling flavor?

We were lucky to get a beautiful day for the Winter Festival. Because it was an outdoor festival, there were all sorts of fun things going on. Some of the highlights included maple syrup snow cones (how could you visit Vermont without any maple syrup!), free ice cream samples, and other winter activities.

1. The Corporate History of Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s, the beloved ice cream brand known for its quirky flavors and commitment to social responsibility, has its roots deeply embedded in the picturesque state of Vermont. The story of the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Vermont is a tale of two childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who turned a simple ice cream parlor dream into a global phenomenon.

In 1978, armed with a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making and a passion for crafting the most delicious, unique flavors, Ben and Jerry opened their first scoop shop in Burlington, Vermont. Their mission was clear from the beginning: to create euphoric ice cream experiences while giving back to the community.

This dual commitment to quality and social responsibility became the cornerstone of the Ben & Jerry’s brand.

As their popularity soared, they realized the need for a larger production facility. In 1985, the iconic Ben & Jerry’s Factory was established in Waterbury, Vermont. The factory quickly became a pilgrimage site for ice cream aficionados like myself, offering guided tours that allowed visitors to witness the magic of ice cream being made and to taste freshly churned scoops.

Over the years, Ben & Jerry’s has continued to expand its product offerings, environmental sustainability initiatives, and commitment to social justice causes. Today, the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Vermont remains a symbol of their dedication to crafting ice cream that not only delights the taste buds but also nourishes the soul.

It’s the story of a small-town ice cream shop that grew into a global icon while staying true to its Vermont roots.

2. Maple Syrup Snow Cones during Winter Fest

Maple Syrup Snow Cone at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory

Thankfully the “snow” didn’t come from the ground. If you haven’t poured maple syrup over ice, I’d suggest it. Also, you could add a pickle. Again—these were free samples during the Ben & Jerry’s Winter Fest. It’s a great time to plan a visit to the factory because you get a lot less crowds and still the same experience (and maybe even a better one than during the crowded summertime ice cream season).

3. Free Ice Cream Samples at Ben & Jerry’s

I forgot what we got to try as far as new Ben & Jerry’s flavors, but it was delicious. There were also lots of free Cabot cheeses (their factory is down the street) and free flat-bread pizza slices. Hard to argue with any of that for a simple day trip to an ice cream factory!

Other Things To Do Near the Ben & Jerry’s Vermont Tour

Snowshoe Tours

Okay, so the snowshoe tour wasn’t free, but it’s actually a lot of fun. If only for the novelty. There wasn’t even much snow on the ground when we visited in March, but we learned a little bit about Vermont’s countryside: bears, ponds, and human-attacking grouse.

Vermont State House

Located in Vermont’s capital city of Montpelier, VT, the State House is a really beautiful majestic building. Completed in 1859, it is an architectural masterpiece characterized by its stunning Greek Revival design and gleaming gold leaf dome.

This historic building serves as the seat of Vermont’s government, where lawmakers convene to shape the state’s policies. Its stately halls and chambers are adorned with art, showcasing Vermont’s rich history and culture.

Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and boasting a commanding presence on Capitol Hill, the Vermont State House is a cherished symbol of civic engagement and a must-visit destination for those seeking to appreciate the state’s political heritage—and an easy stop-over on the way to or from the Ben & Jerry’s factory tour.

Also, don’t forget Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day is always in March . ( details )