The factory is run by the Tillamook County Creamery Association that is a farmer-owned cooperative that was established in 1909. The visitor center opened in 1966 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state with nearly a million visitors a year. The visitor center is ADA compliant and there is RV parking available on site.

Tips: Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes when visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and give yourself some extra time. During the summer months the visitor center is packed to capacity from people looking to escape the heat and enjoy the dairy offerings.

What to bring: Your appetite, as there are a number of food offerings at the factory. Flash cameras don’t work too well when trying to get pictures of the cheese-making process, so make sure you are familiar with how you camera works in low-light conditions.

Season: The visitor center is open year-round. From Labor Day through Mid-June hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. From mid-June through Labor Day hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The center is closed Christmas and Thanksgiving. There is no fee for entering the visitor center.

Getting there: Located at 4175 Highway 101 north of Tillamook.