Fun Factory Tours in the Southern USA: From Bourbon to Space and Aviation
Have you ever wondered how your favorite bourbon gets its smooth taste, or what goes into making that iconic Coca-Cola flavor? The Southern United States offers some of the most fascinating factory tours and industrial experiences in the country. From world-famous distilleries in Kentucky to aerospace museums in Texas, these destinations provide an incredible behind-the-scenes look at America’s most beloved brands and industries.
In this post, I’ll introduce some factory Tours in the southern USA I personally visited, including my own travel experiences, helpful tips, and a detailed comparison table at the end. Whether you love food, history, aviation, or just quirky roadside stops, you’ll find a tour worth adding to your itinerary!
Four Roses Distillery - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Four Roses Distillery is a true gem in Kentucky’s bourbon trail. Even if you only visit the visitor center like I did, you’ll be amazed by the gorgeous interior design that perfectly matches the brand’s elegant rose theme. The facility offers an excellent introduction to bourbon-making processes and the rich history of Four Roses.
What makes this place special is the attention to detail – I was delighted to discover their rose-shaped ice cube trays in the gift shop. The ice cubes I made at home were absolutely beautiful and added such an elegant touch to my husband’s bourbon tastings!
Jack Daniel's Distillery - Lynchburg, Tennessee
The Jack Daniel’s factory tour is an absolute must-do experience. Walking through the actual production areas where they craft their world-famous whiskey is incredible. The distinctive smell of the distillery is something I’ll never forget – it’s a unique blend of charcoal, oak, and aging spirits that really brings the process to life.
The tour is highly educational and showcases Jack Daniel’s famous charcoal mellowing process. Even if you’re not particularly interested in alcoholic beverages, I highly recommend this tour for its educational value and fascinating glimpse into American whiskey heritage.
Maker's Mark Distillery - Loretto, Kentucky
At Maker’s Mark, you can learn the fascinating process behind creating those iconic red wax caps that seal every bottle. The visitor center offers plenty to explore even if you’re short on time and can’t join the full factory tour. It’s a perfect stop for bourbon enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
Wild Turkey Distillery - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
While I didn’t take the full tour at Wild Turkey, the distillery shop offers an excellent selection of bourbon varieties. It’s worth a stop if you’re touring the bourbon trail and want to sample some distinctive Wild Turkey expressions.
Jim Beam Distillery - Clermont, Kentucky
Jim Beam is one of America’s most iconic bourbon brands, and their distillery is a beautiful sight to behold. Even if you only visit the exterior grounds like I did, you’ll be impressed by the picturesque setting and historic buildings. The distillery offers tours that showcase their time-honored bourbon-making traditions, and as one of the most famous bourbon brands worldwide, it’s definitely worth including in your Kentucky bourbon trail adventure.
2. Corporate Museums & Heritage Sites
World of Coca-Cola - Atlanta, Georgia
This attraction is pure fun! The World of Coca-Cola offers fascinating exhibitions about the brand’s history and global impact. The highlight is definitely the tasting room where you can sample dozens of different Coca-Cola flavors from around the world. Some international flavors might taste strange at first, but it’s an amazing experience to explore how taste preferences vary globally.
Pro tip: The World of Coca-Cola is conveniently located near CNN’s headquarters, making it easy to plan a dual visit to both Atlanta attractions.
TABASCO Factory - Avery Island, Louisiana
Tabasco Factory requires some travel effort (it’s quite a journey from major airports), but it’s absolutely worth it! From the outside, the facility looks more like a beautiful park than a factory, and the grounds are huge and we can looking around every facilities on our own even if you don’t join any tours. You will notice the distinctive tangy aroma throughout the production areas.It’s a unique sensory experience that really brings the hot sauce-making process to life.
At the shop, we can taste various TABSCO flavors. From super hot one to mild one you can enjoy tasting. We don’t have so many variety of TABASCO in our home , so this might be a good opportunity to try them! Of cause we tried almost all flavors.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - Louisville, Kentucky
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, the giant baseball bat outside this building will stop you in your tracks! Inside, you’ll discover the rich history of America’s pastime and see how these legendary bats are made. The gift shop offers authentic baseball bats and gloves, making it a perfect spot for sports memorabilia collectors.
Dr Pepper Museum - Waco, Texas
Walmart Museum - Bentonville, Arkansas
Don’t let its small size fool you – this museum packs in a wealth of information about Walmart‘s transformation from a single store to a retail giant. It’s fascinating to learn about the company’s humble beginnings and rapid expansion across America.
Harland Sanders Café & Museum - Corbin, Kentucky
Harland Sanders Café & Museum holds special significance as the birthplace of KFC. The museum exhibitions about Colonel Sanders are genuinely interesting (you can see the video which Colonel Sanders are cooking. This is my fun part of this place.), and having dinner here is a treat – the food is absolutely delicious! It’s particularly meaningful for international visitors, as KFC’s global presence makes this a surprisingly familiar yet uniquely American experience.
CNN Studio Tours - Atlanta, Georgia (Note: Currently Closed)
While the tour is closed, the building of CNN itself is still interesting to walk through. You can peek at some old studio sets and enjoy the vibe. It was a quick, fun detour from World of Coca-Cola.
3. Aviation & Space Centers
Johnson Space Center - Houston, Texas
NASA’s Johnson Space Center is simply impressive and incredibly informative. This world-class facility attracts many visitors, so plan to spend adequate time exploring the extensive exhibitions. The center offers an unparalleled look at America’s space program and ongoing space exploration efforts.
Delta Flight Museum - Atlanta, Georgia
Conveniently located next to Atlanta’s airport, Delta Flight Museum is easily accessible and offers extensive exhibits about Delta Airlines’ history. Since I frequently fly with Delta, it was particularly interesting to learn about the airline’s evolution and see behind-the-scenes aspects of commercial aviation.
Factory Tour Quick Reference Guide
Click the facility name then you can go to the official HP.
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Facility
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Factory Tour
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Address
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Yes
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1224 Bonds Mill Road
Lawrenceburg, KY
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Yes
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182 Lynchburg ,TN
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Yes
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3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto, KY
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Yes
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1417 Versaille Rd,
Lawrenceburg, KY
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Yes
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568 Happy Hollow Rd Clermont, KY
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Self-guided experience
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121 Baker Street NW
Atlanta, GA
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Yes
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329, Avery Island, LA
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Yes
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800 West Main St.
Louisville, KY
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Self-guided
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300 South 5th Street
Waco, TX
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Self-guided
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05 N. Main St, Bentonville, AR
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Self-guided
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688 U.S. Highway 25 West
Corbin, KY
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Tram tours available
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601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX
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Self-guided
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1060 Delta Blvd.
Bldg. B, Dept. 914
Atlanta, GA
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Final Thoughts
Factory tours in the Southern USA are a unique blend of education, culture, and just plain fun. Whether you’re sipping bourbon in Kentucky or trying exotic sodas in Atlanta, these places offer something different from the usual tourist stops.
I hope this guide helps you plan your next trip—and inspires you to add a few factory tours to your travel bucket list. If you’ve visited any of these places or have recommendations of your own, I’d love to hear in the comments!
