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.
Over the years, we’ve learned that being an “out and about mom” requires more than just a penchant for adventure. We also need to create a home environment that supports our active lifestyle. In our Out and About Mom Lifestyle series we’re sharing our best tips, tricks, ideas and advice for managing our home life in a way that leaves us plenty of time and energy for what we love most: experiencing new things with our families! Check out these ideas…
Whether you’re packing lunches for school, camp, picnics or other adventures, check out our favorite gear for keeping those meals fresh & tasty for hours. Because what good is packing the perfect lunch if your kiddos won’t eat it?
Is 2025 the year you finally declutter your living space? Find the motivation to streamline your stuff in these books by inspiring authors and bloggers.
These three simple tools have completely changed our dinnertime game.
Want to connect with Connecticut families? Out and About Mom can help grow your business, organization or destination!
Welcome more visitors with Out and About Mom! We can help you get the word out about your latest offerings and happenings in real time. Our dedicated readers count on Out and About Mom to give them information on things to do with kids in (and around) Connecticut. Put your destination front and center with our budget-friendly sponsorship program, giveaways, and more!
Want to keep up with things to do with kids in Connecticut?
Check back every week as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your kiddos. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send outing ideas straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.