Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour

About

Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Waterbury, Vermont is one of the state's most popular attractions, and for good reason. This is where the magic happens - where iconic flavors like Cherry Garcia and Half Baked go from concept to carton. A visit here is part factory tour, part ice cream education, and part pure fun.

The Factory Experience is broken into three parts. You'll start with a short film about the company's history and its famously quirky culture. Then comes the highlight: a guided look at the actual production floor, where you can watch ice cream being made in real time (production schedules vary, so call ahead if seeing the lines in action matters to you). The tour wraps up with the best part - a generous sample of a flavor fresh off the line.

Beyond the tour itself, there's plenty to enjoy on the grounds. The Flavor Graveyard is a must-see, a hilarious hillside cemetery honoring retired flavors with real headstones and witty epitaphs. Kids and adults alike get a kick out of it. The gift shop is stocked with Ben & Jerry's merchandise you won't find anywhere else, and the scoop shop serves up the full lineup of current flavors.

Tickets are very affordable. Adults pay $6, seniors (65+) pay $5, and children ages 2-12 are just $1 plus a small service fee. Infants don't need a ticket. Tours run regularly throughout the day, but booking online in advance is a smart move, especially during summer and fall foliage season when crowds peak.

The factory sits along Route 100, one of Vermont's most scenic drives. Waterbury itself is a charming small town with great restaurants and craft beverage spots, making it easy to build a full day trip around your visit. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just passing through, the Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour delivers a sweet, memorable experience that's well worth the stop.

Accessibility

Ben & Jerry's confirms that the factory is ADA accessible. Accessible parking spaces are available in both the main and upper parking lots. The upper lot features a ramp leading to the brick entryway with double doors. Visitors can also be dropped off at the end of the boardwalk at the top of the hill, which provides a convenient alternative to parking.

The tour involves minimal walking, making it manageable for visitors with limited mobility. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at the factory. The tour is also stroller-friendly, which is a good indicator of smooth, paved pathways throughout the experience.

The Factory Experience is divided into three parts - a film viewing area, the production floor observation area, and the tasting room. Each section is designed to be accessible.

The Flavor Graveyard is located on a hillside outside the main building. Visitors with mobility concerns should be aware that the terrain there may be uneven or sloped, and it's separate from the main tour route.

For visitors with sensory sensitivities, note that the factory floor can be noisy during active production, and the environment includes strong food smells. The film portion takes place in a darkened room.

The scoop shop and gift shop are located on the ground level and are accessible. Restroom facilities are available on-site, though specific details about accessible restroom features should be confirmed directly with the venue.

Contact Ben & Jerry's at their Waterbury location (1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road) for the most current accessibility details, including any seasonal changes or temporary modifications to the tour route.

More accessible places in Vermont

• Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home (Manchester)
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (Woodstock)
• ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Burlington)
• Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium (St. Johnsbury)
• Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich)
• VINS Nature Center (Quechee)