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Cerreta Candy Company chocolate factory in Glendale, AZ
Photo: Cerreta Candy Company
View of Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale, AZ
Photo: Savannah Corredor
View of Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale, AZ
Photo: Teresa Walker

Cerreta Candy Company

4.7(1,463 reviews)FreeActivity
🕑 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (including tour and shopping time)👶 Best for ages 3 and up. Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids are mesmerized watching the candy-making machinery and love the taste-testing, while older kids and teens appreciate learning about the production process and chocolate artistry. Toddlers can enjoy the experience but may have shorter attention spans during the tour.

About

Cerreta Candy Company offers a sweet adventure for families with free, behind-the-scenes tours of their working chocolate factory where kids can watch candy makers craft delicious treats in real-time. The tour includes generous samples throughout, and the visit ends in a charming shop filled with handmade chocolates, caramel apples, and other confections that make perfect souvenirs or treats.

Highlights

  • Free guided tours showing real candy-making in action
  • Generous chocolate and candy samples throughout the tour
  • Watching chocolate artisans hand-decorate treats
  • Enormous copper kettles and vintage candy-making equipment
  • Sweet shop with freshly made chocolates, caramel apples, and seasonal specialties

Pro Tips

  1. 1.Call ahead to confirm tour times as they run throughout the day but schedules can vary; arriving mid-morning on weekdays typically means smaller crowds and more interaction with staff
  2. 2.The factory can be warm due to the chocolate-making equipment, so dress in light layers and bring water bottles
  3. 3.Budget extra time (and money) for the retail shop,kids will definitely want treats after all those samples, but prices are reasonable for handmade chocolates
  4. 4.Tours are free but tipping your guide is appreciated if your family enjoys the experience
  5. 5.Visit during holiday seasons (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day) to see special themed chocolates being made and decorated

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM) offer the best experience with smaller tour groups and full production in action. Avoid Saturday afternoons when crowds peak, and note they're closed Sundays.

What to Know

Tours are completely FREE with generous sampling included throughout. The facility has easy parking in their lot, and the shop accepts cards and cash. The factory floor can be warm, so dress accordingly.

Seasonal Notes

Closed Sundays year-round. Visit during major holidays (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter) for special themed candies and decorations. Summer months may have reduced production due to heat, so fall through spring offers the most active candy-making viewing.

Nearby Eats

Head to The Arrogant Butcher or Scramble (both about 10 minutes away in downtown Glendale) for kid-friendly American fare, or grab lunch at nearby In-N-Out Burger on Glendale Avenue for a quick, budget-friendly option kids love.

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