The Tillamook cheese factory offers free tours of the process to create 171,000 pounds of cheese daily. A perfect stop along the Oregon coast.
We knew the name Tillamook from the award-winning cheeses we had purchased so many times when we lived in California. What we discovered was an ice cream, creamy fudge, and cheese factory tour that blew our mind. Each day they make 171,000 pounds of cheese.
Tillamook County is along the Oregon coast. Its high rainfall, rivers, and ocean create a fertile region that naturally grows nutrient-rich grass, perfect for dairy cows.
The first Tillamook County cheese to win an award did so at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Since that time, they have earned over 750 awards. Being farmer-owned, the milk goes from farm to cheese in less than 24 hours. The cheese is then aged from 60 days to over 3 years. And the best part, all products are made as naturally as possible.
Our Tillamook Cheese Factory tour
Stepping inside was a sharp contrast to the natural coastline we had been enjoying. It was bright, lively, and filled with happy people. No wonder it draws over a million visitors each year. The self-guided factory tour is fascinating. Best shared in photos (shot through the glass observation windows):
After the tour
The self-guided tour ends with samples. Then you are in the shop, more specifically, you are standing in front of a refrigerated cheese counter. You can pick up whichever cheeses have inspired you.
I imagine we are not the only ones who left that day with a sampling of cheeses and crackers. We also ordered sandwiches and enjoyed a picnic at our next coastal stop.
What you need to know for your free Tillamook Cheese Factory tour
- You can’t miss it if you are on driving along the Oregon coast on Highway 101 through Tillamook, but just in case, it does have an address: 4175 Highway 101 North.
- Open at 8 am every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas), closing at 6 pm in the winter, 8 pm during summer.
- The factory tours are free and self-guided.
- There is plenty of free parking.
- Learn more at their official website.
- Cheese fans can pick up a copy of The Tillamook Cheese Cookbook: Celebrating Over a Century of Excellence.
- Tillamook can also be visited as a Portland day trip.
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Have you visited the Tillamook factory? Have you enjoyed any of their products?
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Rob+Ann
How cool! I didn’t know there were tours – but the samples are probably a bad thing as some of us (Rob!) have no self control. We’ll have to make the detour next time we’re in the area!
Rhonda Albom
Free, self guided tours. And the sample bins have only toothpicks, so you can’t over eat. Of course the ice creams they sell are huge.
Suze - Luxury Columnist
I’m a bit of a cheese fanatic so I’d love this, did you have a favourite?
Rhonda Albom
The pepper jack was my favorite. I don’t know if they have any variety of pepper jack here in New Zealand, I should take look.
Barbara Radisavljevic
I’ve missed this because I always stayed on I-5 on my way to Oregon. Looks like I’ll have to take 101 next time.
Rhonda Albom
It is a fantastic drive, well worth the extra time, if you have it.
Elaine J Masters
So many memories of visiting Tillamok cheese factory as a kid with my parents! In those days we were allowed on the factory floor. I can still imagine the smell! Thanks for taking me back.
Rhonda Albom
Getting to go out on the factory floor would be so interesting, but probably dangerous with all those moving parts. I can see why they closed it off as they became more popular.
Kathe W.
Love Tillamook cheese and YES! we have been to the factory! Have a lovely day!
Rhonda Albom
Did you get ice cream when you visited?
Anda
What in interesting tour, Rhonda. I’ve always wanted to visit a cheese (or chocolate) factory, but never had a chance. This is most likely Cheddar cheese, isn’t it?
Rhonda Albom
We lived in San Francisco for 15 years and never made it up here – don’t make our mistake, hope in the car on your next adventure and head north, at least to Astoria. It is incredible.
Marcelle
Wow, that’s something else such a cheese factory than my puppy little Swiss mountain cheese production rooms at the farmers which I visited 😉
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I would imagine this is bigger than most cheese producing places in the world, however it is still farmer owned and operated. Amazing, isn’t it?
Eileen g
I love cheese. All kinds, shapes and sizes. I’m not sure I want to see it made though. Industrial cheese making, even on a small scales takes away the romance somehow.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – Actually, it was pretty impressive, and then hubby and I purchased some cheese and crackers – bringing back the romance of it.
Rachael@safari254
I feel like I’ll be judged for this but I one of those people who only likes cheese when it’s on a pizza or in a burger or a sandwich
Rhonda Albom
There is no judgement here. Since I have been loosing weight I barely eat any cheeses. But I do love them.
Ruth
Kind of crazy to think those big block are cheese. That is fascinating! I would love to stop by the factory. I have tried TIllamok’s ice cream and it is delicious.
Rhonda Albom
Can you imagine 42 pound blocks of cheese?
Jackie
We fell in love with Tillamook cheese on a trip to Oregon years ago and always look for it when we are in the States.
Rhonda Albom
I will be looking for it on my next trip to the states as well.
Katy
I love watching food production processes especially when the outcome is so delicious. This cheese looks similar to a cheddar – delicious!
Rhonda Albom
I am pretty sure it is cheddar.
Jeanna
A cheese factory, woo hoo a girl after my own heart. It’s been a while since I’ve seen cheese made, and it wasn’t anything as fancy as this. There’s a shop that sells the best veggies and cheese not too far from here, I often go to “sample” the merchandise. Many samples, their cheese samples are the highlight.
Rhonda Albom
I had never seen cheese made in this quantity before, it was pretty impressive.
Lexa Cain
“Each day they make 171,000 pounds of cheese.” WHAT??? Holy cow!!!! (Didja get the pun? lol) I adore cheese! I’m a real Northern girl at heart and would put cheese on everything if I could. Those cheeses look fabulous. There are so few cheeses I can get in Egypt. And those that are marked as Cheddar or Gouda, really don’t taste like it. It’s kinda depressing. 🙁
Rhonda Albom
That’s exactly what I thought, and yes I got the pun and even laughed. Sorry you can’t get good cheese. I am one of the lucky ones, I live in a dairy country.
Michelle | michwanderlust
I’m not a fan of artisan cheese (the taste is a little overpowering for me) but I do like seeing how it’s made! I especially like supporting these traditional businesses. No food tour would be complete without samples!
Rhonda Albom
The cheeses you are looking at here are everyday products, most likely a cheddar.
shere
those blocks are huge!! in The Netherlands cheese are also huge, but instead of blocks, they are round. It seems less industrial 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Can you believe it, 42 pound blocks of cheese.
Yolanda Renee
The coast of Oregon is such a lovely, lovely place. And a place for cheese lovers too! We used to vacation there every summer. Miss it much!
Rhonda Albom
I was only there once, last month, and I already miss it.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor
I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s a fun and tasty outing!
Rhonda Albom
It’s a perfect break for a tasty snack.
L. Diane Wolfe
We drove through Tillamook so many times but never stopped at the factory. How fascinating.
Rhonda Albom
Not even for ice cream?
Comedy Plus
Yes I have visited the cheese factory in Tillamook. Huge and wonderful place.
We eat a lot of Tillamook cheese too.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I am glad you made it here. I can’t believe how long I lived in the SF bay area and never visited Oregon.
Molly
That is very cool…
Mollyxxx
Rhonda Albom
I thought so too.
Paula McInerney
You did do well shooting through glass, which is never easy. I love, love, love cheese and have been through factories in Emmental in Switzerland.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
I love Tillamook cheese and ice cream. Would love to visit this great factory one of these days. Factory tours are so fun to do to get the behind the scenes stories. I know I wouldn’t have left empty handed.
Rhonda Albom
There was a queue for ice cream the entire time we were there, the cones looked huge, and everyone looked like they were really enjoying it.
kelleyn rothaermel
My favorite! So delcious!
Rhonda Albom
You would love the sample line at the end 🙂
Denyse
This was great to see, and it looks like it would be delicious tasty cheese. My favourite! I’ve seen cheesemaking at a local NSW University and it was ‘not behind a glass wall’ so it was very mmmmm ‘stinky.’ I love cheese!!
Rhonda Albom
The cheese was smooth and creamy, and I hadn’t thought about the smell, so I am guess I am no thankful for the glass.
Cascia Talbert
We used to get Tillamook cheese all the time when we lived out west. It looks like you had a lot of fun touring the plant. Have a terrific weekend.
Rhonda Albom
I am sure I would visit again if I lived nearby.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I’d want one of those big blocks of cheese!
Really cool shots of the factory.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – Could you eat it all before it goes off? It’s 42 pounds of cheese.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I wonder how much one of those super big blocks would go for?
Rhonda Albom
A lot 🙂