Today I am taking you on a “Foodie Field Trip.”
I have wanted to do more “Foodie Field Trips” and restaurant
reviews for a while now. I even wrote in my list New Year’s resolutions that I
wanted these to be more regular features on the blog; since food is my life in
and out of the kitchen. However, those resolutions were for 2011, and if you
haven’t checked the calendar lately it is now 2012. Welp, I guess better late
than never, right?
reviews for a while now. I even wrote in my list New Year’s resolutions that I
wanted these to be more regular features on the blog; since food is my life in
and out of the kitchen. However, those resolutions were for 2011, and if you
haven’t checked the calendar lately it is now 2012. Welp, I guess better late
than never, right?
For today’s field
trip I am taking you to Hammond’s candy factory and store, located in Denver,
Colorado. My sister, Mom, and I visited Hammond’s, err Spring of 2011 (remember
good intentions, right?), and these photos have been sitting on my computer ever
since,
trip I am taking you to Hammond’s candy factory and store, located in Denver,
Colorado. My sister, Mom, and I visited Hammond’s, err Spring of 2011 (remember
good intentions, right?), and these photos have been sitting on my computer ever
since,
So hopefully I remember everything! (I do remember texting
Eric that I felt like Charlie waiting to go to Wanka’s candy factory)
Eric that I felt like Charlie waiting to go to Wanka’s candy factory)
The Hammond family has been had making chocolates and
candies since the early 1920’s in Denver, Colorado. While popular in Colorado
for decades, Hammond Candies have just gained national popularity in recent
years and have been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Every Day with Rachel
Ray.
candies since the early 1920’s in Denver, Colorado. While popular in Colorado
for decades, Hammond Candies have just gained national popularity in recent
years and have been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Every Day with Rachel
Ray.
The first part of the tour is watching a short video on the
history of Hammond’s candy. Then you go into a small room where you see the
factory through glass windows. We went on a Saturday, and while there was
production, it was limited and unfortunately we were only able to see some of
the machines in action. So if you plan on taking a trip to Hammonds the best
days to go to see the most action is during the week.
history of Hammond’s candy. Then you go into a small room where you see the
factory through glass windows. We went on a Saturday, and while there was
production, it was limited and unfortunately we were only able to see some of
the machines in action. So if you plan on taking a trip to Hammonds the best
days to go to see the most action is during the week.
(look at that wad of candy)
Hammonds is most known for their hand spun ribbon candy and
lollipops and that is what we got to see them make that day.
lollipops and that is what we got to see them make that day.
After you view the room where they make the candy you get to
see some of the original candy machines.
see some of the original candy machines.
Then you move into the room where they package the candy.
The candy goes from the first room to the packaging room on a conveyer belt.
The candy goes from the first room to the packaging room on a conveyer belt.
Then the tour is over (pretty short but it is free). At the
end of the tour, each guest gets to pick a few pieces of complementary candy
and then is led into the gift shop and candy store.
end of the tour, each guest gets to pick a few pieces of complementary candy
and then is led into the gift shop and candy store.
There they sold all sorts of candy and chocolate goodies. My
sister and I were in aw of these huge lollipops. (Seriously, where was Charlie)
sister and I were in aw of these huge lollipops. (Seriously, where was Charlie)
The good stuff was behind the counter though. This is where
they had the homemade fudge, bark, and other chocolate goodies. I absolutely loved
their Mitchell Sweets which was a chocolate covered marshmallow. S’mores
anyone?
they had the homemade fudge, bark, and other chocolate goodies. I absolutely loved
their Mitchell Sweets which was a chocolate covered marshmallow. S’mores
anyone?
Even though the tour was short and er sweet; we had a good
time. I think that this is a great foodie field trip for ‘kids’ of all ages,
especially since it was free.
time. I think that this is a great foodie field trip for ‘kids’ of all ages,
especially since it was free.
They even have birthday party packages available for booking
where you can make your very own candy, um fun! Will they let a twenty–something
party there?
where you can make your very own candy, um fun! Will they let a twenty–something
party there?
And if you happen to be there in December check out their
annual (free) Candy Cane Festival, full candy, cookie decorating, visits with
Santa and more!
annual (free) Candy Cane Festival, full candy, cookie decorating, visits with
Santa and more!
Additional Information:
Hammond’s Candy Store and Factory
(888) 226-3999
Cost: Free
Ages: 2+
Hours: Tours run every Half Hour, Monday-Friday 9:00am –
3:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am – 3:00pm.
3:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am – 3:00pm.
Time: approximately 30 minutes
Location: 5735 N. Washington Street
Denver, CO 80216
Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored
post. Just a fun foodie experience I wanted to share!
So YEARS ago (like probably 15 years) I went on a tour there! (At least I think that's where it was – it was a candy factory in Denver). Just a couple of weeks ago, we went on a tour of a candy factory here, but sadly, they don't allow any photographs… Very fun, though!!
@Deborah- Was the one you went to in Utah Sweets (that make the salt water Taffy)? I remember my Grandmother always had that taffy when we came to visit her growing up and she always wanted to take us on the tour but we never made it there.