Stowe, Vermont is one of our favorite destinations for a family ski trip. Did you know that this remote VT resort area is also home to the very first Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory??
On our first family visit to Stowe back in 2022, COVID-19 restrictions kept the factory closed to visitors, but on a more recent trip–with the factory back to business as usual–we made it a priority to check it out!
Forget the fact that is was a freezing, snowy, wintry day– ice cream was calling 🙂
The night before our visit I went online to book a tour and was disappointed to see that all the time slots we could make work with out travel schedule were already filled. But we decided to stop anyway, at the very least we could have some delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on the spot where the ice cream is actually made!
I’m so glad we decided to stop by because as it turns out, just because all the online tours are booked, it doesn’t mean there aren’t a few walk-in tickets still available (good tip!). So we were able to get tickets for the very next tour for all 5 of us. Which of course means that I am able to give all of you a little tour too 🙂
Okay, so let’s back up to our arrival. The Ben & Jerry’s Factory is located in VT. It’s about a 30-minute drive from where we were staying near the Stowe Mountain Ski Resort.
We arrived and parked in the spacious parking lot. From where we parked, the easiest way up to the factory was a long set of covered stairs. But I’m sure there are non-stair access routes as well.
At first we thought we would just be poking around on our own, enjoying a scoop from the ice cream shop and wandering through the Flavor Graveyard (more on that later). But as I mentioned, it turned out we were able to score tickets for the official tour.
We weren’t allowed to take any photos on the tour (ice cream making is a top secret business LOL), but suffice it to say you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the inner workings of the factory floor.
If you happen to be traveling to Vermont this ski season (or any other season!), the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury is definitely worth a stop!
In the meantime, we have some suggestions for a delicious scoop closer to home 🙂
What’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor (current or retired)? We’d love to know!
See you out and about!
Ben & Jerry’s Factory
1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, VT
Information line 802-337-1201 or Email Them
Hours (2025):
Open every day, 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m. The last tour leaves at 5:00p.m. PLEASE NOTE: No manufacturing 2/16-2/18. Tours will still be offered but there will be no activity on the production room floor.
Advanced online ticket purchase highly recommended. Tickets are released 2 weeks in advance. Book now.
Pricing (2025):
Guests 13 and over: $6
Guests 12 and under (Infants are FREE and do not require a ticket): $1
Guests over 65: $5
Military: $3
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES, there is an elevator. But the tour is pretty short so toddlers should be able to walk and if you’ve got a wearable baby carrier for your little non-walker, that’s probably best.
Coffee Mug Friendly: N/A
Restroom: YES
Baby Changing Station: YES
Parking: YES
Food for Sale: Ice cream 🙂
Outside Food Allowed: N/A
Cash Required: NO
Age Recommendation: All ages!
Dress Code: N/A
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Birthday Party Venue: N/A
Find a list of helpful FAQ’s HERE.
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