Kilwins Factory Tour – A Sweet Tradition
Every year we spend at least one (sometimes two) weekends at Boyne Mountain skiing. We’ve been doing this for over ten years, so it really feels like a second home. One of our annual traditions during this ski trip is to head to Petoskey for the Kilwins factory tour.
To anyone who isn’t familiar with Kilwins, they began their journey in Petoskey, Michigan as a bakery in 1947. Don and Katy started developing candy and chocolate recipes that are still used today. In 1985, they added ice cream to the line-up.
Some of my favorite things about Kilwins are their attention to detail, the fact that they use local ingredients when possible (and when they can’t they are incredibly particular about getting the best ingredients possible), and that they require all franchises to go through extensive training.
Another example of their concern with creating the best product experience is that the company decided to buy their own trucks to deliver ice cream so that they could ensure it would arrive at the proper temperature.
The Kilwins factory tour is available every half-hour Monday through Friday from 10 – 4:30 and it is FREE! It’s fun to watch the candy being made, taste the delicious chocolate and learn more about the history of Kilwins.
Even though I’ve done this Kilwins factory tour multiple times, I learn something new each year. Much of the equipment being used to create the chocolates has been around since the beginning – and is still going strong.
On this particular tour, we watched truffle filling being mixed, caramel and peanut butter filling being spread out to cool, marshmallows being prepared and sea foam being covered in chocolate. Lots going on and plenty of human interaction.
Since I have a tree nut allergy my family always makes me take a picture by these doors – they think it’s hilarious so I oblige.
👉 Looking for more fun things to do in Petoskey? Check out this Fun Family Day in Petoskey post for ideas!
All the chocolates sold in Kilwins stores nationwide are made right here in Petoskey at THIS location. The individual Kilwins stores (which are franchises) create hand-dipped items (like chocolate-covered strawberries, apples, etc.) and the Mackinaw City fudge themselves.
The flagship Kilwins store is HUGE and you can purchase any kind of chocolate you’d like along with all of the ice cream flavors and a variety of fudge.
We always go home with a few caramels and some chocolates. I’ll often purchase my all-time favorite “drinking chocolate” from the ice cream counter, and my son almost always gets his favorite sea foam. Yum!
Taking an hour out of our ski trip to enjoy Kilwins has always been the perfect way to learn something new, enjoy delicious chocolates and create a fun family tradition that we all look forward to.
Next time you see a Kilwins, stop in and know that you’re purchasing a sweet treat that was created with plenty of history and love for good candy!
Do you have any fun traditions like this when you travel? Something that you always make a point to stop and check out? I’d love to hear about it in the comments, so please share.
Looking for some tasty restaurants nearby? Here are three of our favorites!
👉 Ready to book your trip to Petoskey? Find the best selection of hotels on Booking.com!
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