Whether you’re looking for educational fun or kid-friendly entertainment on a rainy day, consider a visit to The Turkey Hill Experience in York County's Columbia. Here, you’ll get to taste and experience all things made by the family-owned dairy company, including their signature ice cream and iced tea!
Although not an actual factory, the Experience is located just six miles from the Turkey Hill dairy farm, inside an historic, three-story factory building that once housed the Ashley & Bailey Silk Mill. Today, you’ll find an interesting activity center that combines the history of the company, antiques, interactive exhibits designed to duplicate a factory experience, free samples, a yummy tasting lab and a cafe’ featuring homemade Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.
The young ones will especially enjoy the experience. They’ll learn about the mechanics and processes of making ice cream while enjoying interactive activities like climbing inside a 20th-century milk truck "milking" a life-size fiberglass cow that squirts water from its plastic udders and even star in their own TV commercial. Other kid-friendly activities include sliding boards and a ball pit. Exhibits and photographs throughout the building feature Lancaster County's rich agricultural history.
If you include the Taste Lab in your visit (extra cost), you’ll be guided through the creation of your very own ice cream flavor and gobbling it all up when you’re done!
National Ice Cream Day
Although July is National Ice Cream Month, July 20th is National Ice Cream Day. To celebrate, all paid admission visitors get to spin a special prize wheel to win “Callie Cash”, redeemable in the gift shop.
The Inside Scoop
Time Factor - Allow one-to-two hours for the Experience and another hour for the Taste Lab. Ticket prices vary, depending on your age, military status and whether or not you include the Taste Lab (advance reservations recommended) in your visit. Get the detailed skinny after the jump.
The Scene
Free Samples - Even if you skip the Taste Lab, all ticket-holders have access to the freebie sample counter, where a dozen or so different ice cream flavors are offered with free refills. Sweet!
If You Go - Be sure and take a walk or ride around this sweet, Susquehanna River town. Columbia is brimming with other attractions, shops and restaurants.
The Turkey Hill Experience
308 Linden Street, Columbia, PA 17512
888-986-8784
