Things to do / Travel Guide
Known for being family-friendly and laid back, the Missouri and Arkansas region has a factory tour for that's right for everybody. Tours of a brewery, monster truck factory, smokehouse, pottery and glassworks studio, and more await your arrival. And if you're just driving through the region in your car, truck, or RV, and wishing you could feel the wind blowing through your hair on a hog, pay a visit to the Harley Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain.
Factory Tours in Kansas City, Missouri
On a free factory tour of the Harley Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain, in Kansas City, you can witness the birth of a brand new motorcycle. You'll view a short video about the manufacturing process, and then go to the factory floor where you'll see the assembly lines in action. Advance reservations are required for this tour which is open to anyone over the age of 18. Afterwards, you can venture on into the site's gift shop, where you can buy some appropriately-themed souvenirs.
What's a birthday without getting a Hallmark card? Also in Kansas City, at the Hallmark Visitors Center you can take a behind-the-scenes look at the process that goes into producing these special gems. You'll hear accounts from the company's writers and designers as well as learn about the technology and craftsmanship that goes into making each and every card.
Bigfoot Factory Tour in St. Louis, Missouri
For the monster truck fan in the family, walking into BIGFOOT 4X4, Inc. is nothing short of entering heaven. On a free behind-the-scenes tour of this factory you'll see some of the biggest, tallest, and widest trucks on earth. Videos and tons of other monster truck paraphernalia will give you a better understanding of why millions of fans fill up arenas across the country to hear the engines roar.
Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour in St. Louis, Missouri
Also in St. Louis, you can get a feel for beer at the Anheuser Busch plant. You'll get to see their beechwood aging cellars, historic brewhouse, and taste some free brew in the site's Hospitality room. In addition to the tour and free beer samples, visiting this factory gives you a chance to catch a glimpse of the Budweiser Clydesdales in their home. And did we mention the free beer? If you're underage, however, you'll have to make do with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Factory Tour of Burgers' Smokehouse in Central Missouri
Just about midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, close to the Missouri state capital of Jefferson City, you can take a factory tour of Burgers' Smokehouse. You'll learn about the art of meat curing as you walk around the premises and see various exhibits on display, including ingredients, pictures, and company artifacts. If you start to hear your stomach rumble while on the tour, sampling some of the company's products for free should quell your hunger pangs.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours in Arkansas
Who hasn't been to a Wal-Mart? Go behind-the-scenes of one of the biggest retailers in the United States as you visit the company's original store at the Wal-Mart Visitors Center in Bentonville, Arkansas. In addition to seeing the amazing variety of products in stock that has always been a company trademark, on this free tour you'll also learn about Wal-Mart's history and growth over the last few decades.
A bit further south, in Durham, sits Terra Studios. While taking a behind-the-scenes tour of this pottery and glassworks studio, you'll watch as skilled artisans create unique gifts and fine art pieces - you just might end up taking one home as a souvenir. And a beautiful mural garden makes an excellent setting in which to take a pleasant stroll while on your tour or the premises.
Behind-the-scenes and factory tours are typically family-friendly activities good for a short and interesting diversion from a region's mainstream tourist activities. Note that, while all factory and behind-the-scenes tours in this region are free, some tours have irregular hours and admission restrictions. Click on the individual icons for more practical information.
Behind-the-Scenes and Factory Tours in Kansas City, St. Louis, Branson and the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas
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