If you've ever dreamed of stepping inside Willy Wonka's world (minus the golden tickets and chocolate rivers), real-life chocolate factory tours might be the next best thing. Across the globe, passionate makers are opening their doors to share the sights, smells, and flavors behind every decadent bite.
For those seeking easy ways to travel more on a budget, the following list highlights 13 chocolate tours that are absolutely worth the admission price, offering behind-the-scenes access, generous tastings, and authentic experiences.
Askinosie Chocolate Factory Tour (Springfield, MO)
/images/2024/02/06/broken-chocolate-pieces-at-table.jpeg)
Price: $8 per person
Tour time: 45 minutes
Step inside one of the most respected craft chocolate producers in the U.S. and see how raw cocoa beans are transformed into award-winning bars. The guided tour walks you through every step of the process (roasting, grinding, molding) and includes generous tastings along the way.
You'll leave with new insight into ethical sourcing, a discount at their shop, and maybe a new favorite bar or two.
Cadbury World (Birmingham, England)
/images/2025/07/01/chocolate-cream-with-pieces-adobe.jpg)
Price: $24.13 per person
Tour time: Two to three hours
This is a self-guided, multimedia-rich exploration through interactive zones, including the history of cocoa, the Cadbury family legacy, a new "Chocolate Quest" laser-ride, tempering demos, and multiple tastings and play areas.
There's also a discount on adult tickets when you take the train, and the attraction is a 15-minute walk from Bournville Rail Station. Make sure to prebook for the reduced price, or it's $28.58 to $35.56 once you're there.
ChocoVivo Chocolate Factory Tour & Tasting (Culver City, CA)
/images/2025/07/01/crushed-dark-chocolate-adobe.jpg)
Price: $125 per person
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Discover the world of ChocoVivo in a private, intimate setting a few minutes from the beach. A cacao expert will lead you through their stone-grinding process and explain the differences between Mayan and European methods, tracing the journey of cacao from farm to bar.
Seven single‑origin tastings and a full‑size hot chocolate drink are included in the price.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Blanxart Chocolate Factory (Barcelona, Spain)
/images/2025/07/01/an_opened_pack_dark_chocolate-adobe.jpg)
Price: $10.60 to $16.05 per person
Tour time: One to two hours
Discover bean-to-bar European craftsmanship in their historical El Prat de Llobregat facility. Guided through cocoa bean selection, roasting, and conching, you'll witness traditional techniques.
Workshops include tasting single-origin bars and creating a filled bonbon, perfect for chocolate enthusiasts. You can also pay a little more to go on a full factory tour.
Creo Chocolate Make‑A‑Bar Tour (Portland, OR)
/images/2025/07/01/pile-of-dark-chocolate-adobe.jpg)
Price: $40 per person
Tour time: 90 minutes
This experience invites you into a small artisan chocolate workspace in Portland's Lloyd District. You'll witness each craft step using quirky, repurposed equipment (like a beer-grain grinder). You also design and create your very own chocolate bar, including a choice of mix-ins, and then wrap it to take home.
Along the way, you sample award-winning heirloom-origin chocolate and learn about ethical sourcing from the passionate Straub family.
Trending Stories
Dandelion Chocolate Factory Tour (San Francisco, CA)
/images/2025/07/01/mix-of-chocolate-candies-adobe.jpg)
Price: $20 per person
Tour time: 45 to 60 minutes
Tour the working factory at Dandelion's 16th Street location in a 40-minute guided session led by a chocolate educator. You'll explore each step of the bean-to-bar process while sampling everything from cacao pulp to molten chocolate and single-origin bars.
Tours include behind-the-scenes access, factory-floor sounds (earplugs optional), and a hot chocolate gift card to use at the on-site cafe.
Ethel M Chocolates Factory & Botanical Cactus Garden (Las Vegas, NV)
/images/2025/07/01/dark-chocolate-with-cocoa-powder-adobe.jpg)
Price: Free with optional add-ons
Tour time: 30 to 45 minutes (self-paced)
Here, you can walk around and view Henderson-made, preservative-free chocolates. Enjoy complimentary samples and optional tasting events featuring chocolates paired with wine, mimosa, or spirits.
Add-on experiences include a chocolate tasting ($25 for adults, $20 for students, and $15 for children under 10). A chocolate and wine pairing is available for guests 21 and older at $35, and groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.
Quick tips: How to travel or dine out without going broke
/images/2025/05/31/woman-holding-a-credit-card-and-phone.jpg)
Thoughtful planning can help you maximize your travel experience without draining your wallet. Here are some tips on how to balance your adventure with a budget:
- Visit restaurants during happy hour or lunch for lower prices
- Use cashback dining apps like Seated or credit cards with travel/dining rewards
- Use price comparison tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track airfare drops
- Book accommodations with kitchens to prepare some meals yourself
You never know where your most memorable moments will come from. So consider both the emotional and financial value of an experience to find the things that are truly worth your money.
Callebaut Chocolate Workshop (Wieze, Belgium)
/images/2024/02/06/heap-of-broken-chocolate-pieces.jpeg)
Price: $23.22 per person
Tour time: One to three hours
Step into the world of couverture chocolate at Callebaut's home in Wieze. Watch experts use whole‑bean roasting techniques, then participate in professional tempering demonstrations.
Optional masterclasses offer hands-on molding and truffle making, accompanied by a generous tasting of premium Belgian chocolate.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Experience (San Francisco, CA)
/images/2025/07/01/ghirardelli-square-chocolate-shop-adobe.jpg)
Price: Free self-guided tour
Tour time: 30 to 45 minutes
Stroll among restored historic equipment and glean insight into Ghirardelli's chocolate-making process from the 1800s to the 1900s. Enjoy free square samples and indulge in their legendary hot fudge sundaes. It's laid-back but rich in flavor and history.
Tasting and sundae options are available for an additional $5 to $10 per person.
Hershey's Chocolate World (Hershey, PA)
/images/2025/07/01/hersheys-chocolate-world-retail-store-adobe.jpg)
Price: Free entry and ride‑along tour
Tour time: 30 to 45 minutes for the main ride
Hershey's Chocolate World offers guests a free animatronic ride capped with chocolate sampling. The facility also offers additional things to do if you pay a bit extra, including a trolley ride and a make your own candy bar experience.
Szamos Chocolate Museum (Budapest, Hungary)
/images/2025/07/01/chocolate-pralines-prepared-for-degustation-adobe.jpg)
Price: $2.89 per person
Tour time: 60 to 90 minutes for the museum and workshop
Upstairs from Szamos Cafe in Kossuth Square, this compact museum blends chocolate history with edible art. Tour vintage equipment and a restored 1920s workshop, then see lifelike marzipan sculptures, including a 170-pound "Chocolate Girl" and a Parliament replica.
Seniors can enjoy discounted entry.
Vosges Haut‑Chocolat (Chicago, IL)
/images/2025/07/01/woman-eating-chocolate-adobe.jpg)
Price: Tasting events from $35 to $50
Tour time: Depends on the class/event
Step into the "Chocolate Temple" in the Windy City. You can expect a guided tour led by expert chocolatiers, where you'll learn about rare ingredients, fair-trade sourcing, and the craft behind each blend.
It's a refined, educational, and indulgent tasting experience in a richly decorated Moroccan-inspired setting.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
/images/2025/07/03/woman-on-a-shopping-spree.jpg)
July is in full swing, bringing the height of summer. That also means peak season for hot deals and unbeatable savings. Now’s the time to save big on:
- Grills, coolers, and outdoor living upgrades
- Travel must-haves for road trips and beach days
- Swimwear and summer fashion
- For grocery savings, grab seasonal produce like watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes
While you're enjoying the sunshine, retailers are quietly making room for back-to-school inventory. That makes July a prime opportunity to scoop up summer favorites while the deals are still blazing.
York's Chocolate Story (York, England)
/images/2025/07/01/chocolates-prepared-for-degustation-adobe.jpg)
Price: $21.80 to $27.20 for a classic guided tour per person
Tour time: One to two hours
A fully guided, three-floor journey through 4,000 years of chocolate history, from cacao's origins to York's iconic Rowntree and Terry brands. Your visit includes a live chocolate demonstration, multiple samples, and a make-your-own lolly finish.
Bottom line
/images/2023/09/29/dark-chocolate-chips-bowl-on-table.jpeg)
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world one bite at a time, chocolate factory tours offer a memorable (and mouthwatering) way to connect with local culture, support artisan makers, and indulge your sweet tooth.
Best of all, many of these tours are budget-friendly or even free, making them a smart addition to any itinerary. So if you're looking to save money on travel without sacrificing rich, rewarding experiences, these chocolate adventures are a truly delicious place to start.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential
- Apply Now
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
/images/2024/12/16/bofa-travel.png)
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.
- Apply Now
Subscribe Today
Learn how to make an extra $200
Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.