Patrick Oconnell
The Tillamook Cheese Factory offers free self-guided tours, where visitors can learn how their cheese is made and sample the produce. The factory has been remodelled to be more open, airy, and modern, and now includes a breakfast and coffee bar, restaurant, and ice cream counter. The Tillamook Creamery is also family-friendly, offering an accessible space with wheelchairs available to rent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Self-guided tours | Free |
| Reservation | Not required |
| Wheelchair accessible | Yes |
| EV charging stations | Available |
| Food | Cheese, crackers, deli meats, ice cream, grilled cheese sandwiches, creamy tomato soup with cheese curds, pizza, baby kale salad |
| Retail | Dairy-themed gear, cookbooks, souvenirs, clothing, blankets, hats, tour books, cheese, foodstuffs |
| Awards | Best Cheddar in the World at the 2024 World Cheese Awards |
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What You'll Learn
Self-guided tours are free
If you're a cheese lover, the Tillamook Creamery is a must-visit destination. And the best part? Self-guided tours are completely free! You read that right—you can explore the cheese factory at your own pace without spending a dime. No reservations are needed, so feel free to stop by anytime during their opening hours, which are currently 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Sunday.
The Tillamook Creamery offers a delightful experience for cheese enthusiasts of all ages. As you wander through the factory, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how their award-winning cheddar is crafted. You'll be amazed as you discover the journey from high-quality milk to the final product, which is then aged for anywhere from 3 months to 5 years. And that's not all—along the way, you'll encounter a viewing gallery, a sample counter, and a gift shop filled with dairy-themed delights.
The self-guided tour is a wonderful way to learn about the rich history of the Tillamook Creamery. You'll be immersed in the world of cheese-making, witnessing the magic that happens on the factory floor. The Tillamook County Creamery Association, which operates the factory, has created a modern and airy space that is 50% larger than the previous visitor center, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.
During your self-guided tour, make sure to stop by the sample counter to indulge in a variety of cheeses. You might even discover a new favorite! And if you're looking for a more substantial meal, the Creamery has you covered. Their menu features an American Classic twist with cheesy delights, including fried cheese curds and grilled cheese sandwiches. For those with a sweet tooth, the ice cream counter is a must-visit, offering iconic, extra-creamy flavors, as well as exclusive releases that you won't find anywhere else.
As you explore the Tillamook Creamery, keep in mind that it's more than just a factory. It's a place where the community comes together. The Creamery is committed to being good stewards of their cows and farms, people, products, communities, and the environment. They even work on projects like restoring fish habitats and revitalizing streams in Tillamook County. So, as you enjoy your self-guided tour, you can feel good about supporting a brand that cares about more than just cheese.
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There are cheese and ice cream tastings
The Tillamook Creamery offers self-guided tours that are free and can be enjoyed at your own pace. The factory has been remodelled to be open, airy, and modern, with a new visitors' centre that is 50% larger. Visitors can watch the cheese-making process from behind a glass barrier and enjoy cheese tastings and ice cream tastings. The ice cream counter offers iconic, extra-creamy scoops, and visitors can sometimes even sample new flavours before they hit the stores.
The Exclusive Ice Cream Experience is an option for those who want to indulge in a lot of ice cream and perhaps sample unreleased flavours. The Tillamook Cheese Factory Store also offers cheese curds, crackers, deli meats, and other snacks. Visitors can also purchase grilled cheese sandwiches, creamy tomato soup with cheese curds, and pizzas from the restaurant.
The Tillamook Creamery is more than just a factory tour; it's an immersive experience with fun activities for all ages. The gift shop features dairy-themed gear, cookbooks, and souvenirs, while the viewing gallery provides a behind-the-scenes look at the cheese-making process. Visitors can learn about the rich history of the creamery and watch as high-quality milk is turned into award-winning cheddar.
The Tillamook Creamery is family-friendly and wheelchair accessible, with wheelchairs available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a place where all are welcome to indulge in their favourite cheesy treats and create lasting memories.
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The centre is modern and interactive
The Tillamook Cheese Factory offers a modern and interactive experience for visitors. The centre underwent a remodel in 2018, resulting in a 50% larger space that is open, airy, and fun. The new building is designed by the Seattle-based architect duo Olson-Kundig, who fashioned it after a modern barn. The centre now boasts a variety of interactive and unique features for guests to enjoy.
Upon entering the centre, visitors are greeted by a beloved Tillamook dairy cow. The tour then proceeds to the upstairs tour area, where guests can watch the mechanized cheese-making process from behind a glass barrier. This offers a more sanitary viewing experience compared to the past. In addition to the manufacturing process, visitors can enjoy a fun, informational movie and other displays.
The tour also includes a stop at the sample counter, where guests can taste a variety of cheeses, including the famous Tillamook Cheddar. For those with a sweet tooth, the ice cream counter offers iconic, extra-creamy flavours, sometimes even featuring unreleased flavours. Opposite the ice cream counter is a new breakfast and coffee bar, alongside a restaurant with fan favourites like grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy tomato soup with cheese curds. The menu also includes healthier options, such as a baby kale salad with Oregon hazelnuts and sharp vintage cheddar.
The gift shop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory has been revamped, offering a wide range of souvenirs, including colourful tees and sweatshirts, warm Pendleton blankets, hats, and Oregon Coast tour books. Visitors can also purchase exclusive Tillamook Cheddar Cheese Curds, which are only available at the factory, the Tillamook Market at PDX Airport, and seasonally in their online shop. These cheese curds are not available in grocery stores due to their freshness requirements.
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It's family-friendly and wheelchair accessible
The Tillamook Creamery is a family-friendly place where all are welcome. The self-guided tours are free and can be enjoyed at your own pace. You don't need a reservation to stop by or take a tour. The Tillamook Cheese Factory is open, airy, and modern, and visitors can watch the cheese-making process from behind a glass barrier. The factory has a fun, informational movie and displays for visitors to enjoy. The tour ends with a sampling of the cheese.
The Tillamook Creamery also has an ice cream counter with exclusive, limited ice cream releases only available to visitors. Opposite the ice cream counter is a breakfast and coffee bar, along with a restaurant that serves grilled cheese sandwiches, creamy tomato soup with cheese curds, and pizza. There is also a baby kale salad with Oregon hazelnuts, fresh apples, dried cranberries, and sharp vintage cheddar with apple cider vinaigrette on the side.
The Tillamook Creamery is wheelchair accessible and has wheelchairs available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. The facility also has 12 Tesla Supercharger stations and four general EV charging stations in the main parking lot, also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Tillamook Creamery has a gift shop with dairy-themed gear, cookbooks, and souvenirs. The shop features items such as colourful tees and sweatshirts, warm Pendleton blankets and hats, and Oregon Coast tour books.
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There's a gift shop with dairy-themed gear
The Tillamook Creamery is a must-visit for anyone who loves cheese. Not only can you learn about the rich history of the brand and watch the cheese-making process, but you also get to indulge in delicious cheese samples and other treats. And, of course, there's the gift shop with dairy-themed gear!
The gift shop at the Tillamook Creamery offers a wide variety of souvenirs and merchandise to remember your visit by. You'll find colourful t-shirts and sweatshirts, perfect for staying cosy during those chilly winter months. If you're looking for something more traditional, they also offer warm Pendleton blankets and hats, a great reminder of your trip to the Oregon Coast.
For those who love to cook, the gift shop has you covered with cookbooks and all the ingredients you need to create your own cheesy masterpieces at home. Stock up on a variety of wonderful Tillamook cheeses, crackers, deli meats, and more. You can even find limited-edition cheeses like the artisan Tillamook Aged Cheddar, exclusive to the Tillamook Cheese Factory Store.
The gift shop also has fun Oregon Coast tour books, perfect for planning your next adventure or simply remembering your time in Tillamook. And, of course, you can always shop online if you don't have time to stop by the store. So whether you're looking for fashion, functionality, or a bit of culinary inspiration, the Tillamook Creamery gift shop has something for every dairy enthusiast.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Tillamook Creamery offers free self-guided tours. You can also opt for a guided tour, which includes cheese and ice cream tastings.
Visitors can watch the cheese-making process from behind a glass barrier. There is also a fun, informational movie and displays to enjoy. The tour ends with cheese samples and a visit to the gift shop.
Yes, the Tillamook Creamery is wheelchair accessible. They also have wheelchairs available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
