…White people…cleared the forest. They dug up the land. They gave us the flu. But they also brought us penicillin, power tools, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
—Marilyn Whirlwind, a Native character in Northern Exposure, Season 4, Thanksgiving episode

Our next stop on our Epic New England Road trip was Vermont, also known as the place where Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream originated in 1978. The store and factory are no longer in a renovated gas station in Burlington, but in a modern facility in Waterbury (also St. Albans, VT, and the Netherlands). We made our factory tour reservations two weeks ahead of time (the farthest ahead you can book) to ensure our visit.

The factory was a must-see for this trip because I’d been to Vermont before but didn’t have a way to reach the factory. Both Russ and I love the ice cream brand with its quirky flavor names and corporate social conscience. My favorite flavor is Chunky Monkey, which features banana ice cream loaded with fudge chunks and walnuts.  Russ’s is Cherry Garcia, which has cherries and fudge flakes.

The tour began with a video that outlined the company’s development and philosophy. Then we climbed up a floor to viewing windows that overlook the factory floor where they mix the flavors and fill the ice cream containers. (No photos allowed, though.) Our tour ended with a free sample. I can’t recall now what it was, but like all Ben & Jerry’s flavors, it was great! Afterward, we toured the gift shop and bought a puzzle that shows the lids from all the flavors that the company has produced.

Word to the wise: if you want to buy an ice cream cone at the factory store, be prepared for a long wait in line.

What’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor?

Next up: Camel’s Hump Mountain and the Von Trapp Family Lodge