factory tour houston

TAXA Factory Tours - Houston, TX

We build every TAXA habitat to put you right where nature intended, outside. Every TAXA product is made with proven, durable materials that last. Drawing on our NASA roots, we’re proud to manufacture exclusively in our home city, Houston, Texas. 

We invite you to tour the manufacturing facility to see how our team takes quality materials and turns them into mobile human habitats built to last for generations.

TAXA Outdoors HQ 7930 Blankenship Drive Houston, TX, 77055

Book a Tour

Things to Know

• Anyone under the age of 18 must be with a guardian.
• Closed-toe shoes are required.
• A safety vest and safety glasses are required and provided.
• The tours take approximately 30 Minutes to 1 hour.

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10 Best Businesses to Tour in and Around Houston

Jef Rouner October 23, 2014 6:00AM

Maybe you were one of those kids who resented a trip to tour factories and other proud bastions of industry in and around the city of Houston. If so, have fun, hippies, because nothing says masterhood like carving the natural resources of Mother Earth into mechanical submission! Me, I love a good look 'round at how things are made. I still have a program on the history and manufacturing of concrete on my DVR after three years because it's bloody fascinating.

If you share this love, then come on with me. We've got some great places to take tours through.

Blue Bell Creameries Though it's a drive out to Brenham to do so, one of the best tours available within reasonable distance is of the Blue Bell Creameries. The price is very affordable, $6 for adults and $4 for kids and seniors. It's a 45-minute walk through the plant with a well-versed staff regarding the history of the company and the exact ice cream making process. Plus at the end they give you free samples of any flavor you like. It's a trek, but if for some reason you're taking a trip to Austin, it makes for a fun and informative stopover. But warning: It's not open on weekends.

Hamilton Shirts Technically you don't actually tour the workroom at Hamilton Shirts. However, you are able to watch the work being done on the luxury men's wear products through a large picture window, and the showroom also contains plenty of information and pictures of the company from its more than a century of business. It's a testament to the old-fashioned but hands-on and caring way they continue to make their product.

Mrs. Baird's Bread There is pretty much nothing in the world like the wondrous smell of fresh-baked bread, and the Mrs. Baird's factory will show you how it's done. At the end you even get free bread and butter, and unlike a lot of other tours in Houston, this one is completely free.

South Texas Nuclear Generating Station Down in Bay City, you can actually tour a nuclear power plant, and I can't think of anything more science fiction than that. It can be a little more of a hassle than most other tours. You have to fill out a form and get approval, for instance, but that's a small price to pay to put a face on one of the most frightening industries in the world.

Wortham Theater Center Houston First offers a backstage tour of the Wortham Theater Center, and it is not to be missed if you can make it. The cavernous labyrinth that hosts our ballets and operas is full of history and interesting trivia, to say nothing of the fact that you experience the sheer scale of the place. It really is like a cathedral to art, and checking out backstage only enhances the magic.

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Color Factory: The Expert’s Guide to Houston’s “Rainbow Wonderland”

By Stephanie Bartels October 5, 2022

Image: Color Factory

Situated along Kirby Drive and Richmond Avenue , a white building with colorful stripes stands out against a block of restaurants and businesses. The stripes could be mistaken as another one of Houston’s vibrant murals , but really, the rainbow  hints at the world of color that comes to life inside the building. The Color Factory is a fully immersive and interactive art experience that originally launched in 2019 with the intention of being a temporary pop-up, but the popularity of the exhibit has allowed it to stick around longer. Local artists and institutions curate the displays, and the city of Houston inspires the colors throughout the rooms. Considering a visit to Houston’s most colorfully curated experience? Here’s what to know:

Where do you park?  

Parking isn't an issue—there's a garage with paid parking across the street, attached to Pinstripes.

What do you do at the Color Factory?

The Color Factory has 10 rooms filled with the colorful visions of local artists. Among the rooms are installations that inspire human connection with your fellow patrons. One room requires you to hold hands to power an animated and musical display that reads “You Are Magic”, another requires that you hold eye contact with the person sitting across from you while sketching a portrait of them. Other installations allow you to disconnect from adult life and connect with your younger self by diving into a giant ball pit (created in partnership with NASA to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing), or dancing under a downpour of confetti.

Is there food at the Color Factory? 

Yes! Each installation is tactile and stimulates all senses thanks to an array of scents, textures, sounds. Samples of cookies, candy, and ice cream are included in the price of  your ticket. (Fun fact: you can flip your ice cream upside down without losing a single drop because it’s flash frozen.) 

Image: Stephanie Bartels

How long does it take to go through the Color Factory?

It takes about 90 minutes to experience all the rooms. 

Can you take photos at the Color Factory? 

You can take your own photos or use any of the photo booths spread throughout the exhibits. Staff will provide you with a token to scan at the booths, which allows the Factory to email you a link to download all your snaps from the day. 

Is the Color Factory good for kids?  

The Color Factory is perfect for all ages, however, strollers are not permitted in the exhibits and can be checked in at the lobby. Currently, the Color Factory is transformed into a limited-time spooktacular Halloween experience called Haunted Hues . Visitors get access to ghoulish sweets, pumpkin-painting, and pumpkin displays through November 1. 

How much does it cost to go to the Color Factory?

Tickets are $36 Sunday through Friday and $39 on Saturday. Children ages 3–12 are $28 and ages 2 and under are free. 

What are the hours?  

The Color Factory is open almost everyday except Monday. 

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Thursday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Are there other Color Factory locations?

If you happen to love the Color Factory in Houston, consider a trip to New York City or Chicago (or both) to visit the other Color Factory locations and experience the exhibits unique to each city. 

Where is the Color Factory in Houston? 

The Color Factor is located at 3303 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098. 

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Factory Tours

Celebrating american imagination and industry, 21 tours in texas.

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Mrs. Baird's Factory Tours

Updated 2016

• Each tour must complete the required paperwork sent prior to the tour date.
• Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in a tour.
• One adult (18 or older) must be present for every 10 children on the tour.
• Your legs need to be covered
• For safety reasons, NO open-toed shoes are allowed, no "heel-out" shoes like flip-flops or sandals, no "heelys" (tennis shoes on rollers) and no jewelry
• No VIDEO cameras are allowed inside the bakery
• Please contact the bakery a minimum of two weeks in advance.
• During hot weather months, scheduling a tour in the morning is recommended

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9 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Texas

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

More by this Author

Seeing how things are made is pretty cool, especially when said things are Texas-based companies that have grown to national or even international popularity (think Dr Pepper). From beer to blown glass, here are nine incredibly interesting factory tours you can take right here in Texas.

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Have you ever taken any of these tours? What’s your favorite factory tour in Texas?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Way to the Little Creamery

Plan a trip to see how we make ice cream at our production facilities located in Brenham, Texas and Sylacauga, Alabama. You can also treat yourself to a scoop of ice cream and shop our Country Store!

Blue Bell Creamery

Brenham, texas.

Visit us in our hometown of Brenham, Texas! Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor, shop in the Country Store and learn more about us in our Visitor Center.

Plan Your Visit Get Directions

1101 South Blue Bell Road, Brenham, Texas 77833

(800) 327-8135

Plan Your Visit

Welcome to The Visitor Center

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm (CST)

Take a self-guided tour through more than 100-years of our company’s history at the Blue Bell Museum.

Welcome to The Ice Cream Parlor

Enjoy a scoop, or two, of your favorite flavor of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Our Ice Cream Parlor offers a wide selection of our top-selling ice cream and a few you can only find in ice cream parlors! We also offer Blue Bell Frozen Snacks and bottled water.

Welcome to Country Store

Shop our Country Store during your trip for Blue Bell-inspired items like t-shirts, magnets, gift certificates, mugs and more!

You can also find unique items inspired by your favorite brand of ice cream anytime online on the Country Store website.

Welcome to The Observation Deck

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 2pm (CST)

View how we make what some say is, “the best ice cream in the country”. Each day we produce different flavors to keep up with consumer demand.

You can watch as half gallon, pint, quart, and cup containers are filled, as well as 3-gallons tubs that are used at ice cream parlors and restaurants. A Blue Bell employee is available in the Observation Deck to answer questions about our company and the production process.

Your questions, answered.

Frequently asked questions.

We offer a self-guided experience. The Visitor Center, Parlor and Country Store are open to the public. Please check hours posted on our website or call before your visit. Hours are subject to change. Hope to see you soon!

We are open on Saturdays ONLY during the months of June, July and August. Please check hours posted on our website or call before your visit.

The Observation Deck allows visitors a view of our products being made. We also invite you to watch How We Make Ice Cream. It is an up-close look at a day at Blue Bell Creameries. The video is shown continuously in our Ice Cream Parlor area.

Yes, our facility is wheelchair accessible.

Since we are a food manufacturer, pets are not allowed in our facilities unless it is a service animal.

At our Ice Cream Parlor we offer a great selection of hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream flavors (some that are only available at our Ice Cream Parlor!), Blue Bell single-serve snacks and bottled water.

Please visit www.visitbrenhamtexas.com for more information about the surrounding area.

Blue Bell Tip:

Have any questions before you visit the creamery? Give us a call ahead of time at 1-800-327-8135 and we’d be happy to assist you!

Sylacauga, Alabama

Visit us in Sylacauga, Alabama! Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor and grab a souvenir in our Country Store.

423 North Norton Avenue Sylacauga, Alabama 35150

(256) 249-6100

(888) 573-5286

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm (CST)

Enjoy a scoop, or two, of your favorite flavor of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Our Ice Cream Parlor offers a wide selection of our top-selling ice cream and a few you can only find in ice cream parlors!

Welcome to The Country Store

We do not offer guided tours of our facility. But, we do invite you to spend time at the window that overlooks our Production area. Please check hours posted on our website or call before your visit. Hours are subject to change. Hope to see you soon!

Our facility is not open on weekends.

Since we are a food manufacturer pets are not allowed in our facilities unless it is a registered service animal.

At our Ice Cream Parlor we offer a great selection of hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream flavors…and a few that are only available at our Ice Cream Parlor!

Please visit www.sylacaugachamber.com for more information about the surrounding area.

Bring Belle to life!

Download our coloring page of belle and bring her to life with your own unique colors, download coloring page.

Sweet Moments

Use the hashtag #visitbluebell on your visit and you may be featured here.

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Welcome to Color Factory Houston

Take a journey through 14 immersive art exhibits as stunning as they are colorful. Fun for all ages, Color Factory Houston is the place for celebrations, reunions, or just a family day out! Our interactive art museum celebrates the many shades of Texas – from the dazzling violet of wild bluebonnets to the rich red of famed Viet-Cajun crawfish.

Each visit to Color Factory includes surprise giveaways, sweet treats, and complimentary digital photos that capture every step of your journey through the experience. From the ball pit to the confetti room, each colorful room is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators, this multi-hued homage to the Lone Star State will leave you inspired. Ready to jump into color?

Take a peek at some of the colorful experiences inside Color Factory

Space walk into our moon-shaped ball pit, which was created in partnership with NASA and honors the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing.

Get swept into orbit with these floating, colorful spheres! This installation uses the Bernoulli Principle to allow balloons to levitate over columns of high flow, low pressure air.

Tap into your power! This interactive light and sound installation inspires wonder, delights the senses, and celebrates teamwork.

Let your inner party animal loose in our colorful confetti room, where every moment is cause for celebration.

Sit opposite a partner (just like colors in the color wheel) and participate in a guided exercise that encourages connection and creativity. 

Included (free!) with every visit:

Color Factory Houston

3303 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX 77098

We’re located in the Upper Kirby neighborhood. The closest cross streets are Richmond Avenue and Kirby Drive. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the paid public parking garage conveniently located directly across from us at the Kirby Collection building. Please follow all parking garage signage and use the self park option which is located on the 2nd floor and above. We do not validate parking. If you choose not to utilize this option, please read local parking signage closely. Color Factory is not responsible for towed vehicles.

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Color Factory

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Color Factory - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Plan Your Visit

Admission prices, reservations are not required for museum admission. tickets are not sold online..

General Admission: $10 4 Years and Under: Free

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Saturday 10 AM to 5:30 PM

Sunday 12 PM to 5:30 PM

The Dr Pepper Museum is open year-round except on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Free Drink with Paid Admission

Visitors who pay General Admission get a free Dr Pepper in our Soda Fountain.

Admissions staff will give you a printed ticket along with your payment receipt to turn into the Soda Fountain.

You can use the ticket to get your free Dr Pepper or use it as $1 towards an upgrade to something else on the menu – we recommend the Dr Pepper Float!

Free drinks are only redeemable on the date you purchase your admission tickets.

Free admission vouchers, free events, library passes, and free child admission (4 years old and younger) do not include a free drink. Drink vouchers can be purchased at Admissions for $1.

Make a reservation for one of these special programs:

Our Location

Dr Pepper Museum 300 South 5th Street Waco, TX 76701

Get Directions

Call: 254-757-1024

Email:  [email protected]

Text:  254-294-2399

Email and text message are the best way to have your question answered quickly. These are not automated systems – they are monitored by staff, who respond as soon as possible. Staff are not available to answer the phones at all times during business hours.

Paid public parking is available across 5th Street from the main Museum building. There is also street parking on all streets surrounding the Museum, and other paid public parking lots nearby. Attractions such as Spice Village, Mary Street Market, and Magnolia Market at the Silos are all within walking distance of the Museum.