Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
4.5(1.8K)google
4.0(2)yelp
FamilyInteractive
Overview
Located just south of Burlington, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory offers a delightful and nostalgic look into the creation of America's premier handcrafted teddy bears. Visitors can take a fun, guided look at the production floor to see how these iconic, lifetime-guaranteed bears are designed, cut, sewn, and stuffed by hand. The colorful gift shop allows guests to customize their own bears, complete with outfits and accessories, making it a heartwarming and highly memorable destination for families and collectors alike.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM –4:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2 hours
Best TimeA whimsical fully indoor plush toy artisan sanctuary perfect for any season. Booking their famous behind-the-scenes guided factory tour for a weekday morning at 10:30 AM sharp is highly advised; this lets you watch the master crafters cutting and sewing teddy bears comfortably and explore the Bear Hospital archives in quiet comfort before peak weekend crowds form.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in Shelburne at 6655 Shelburne Rd along the primary US Highway 7 corridor. Driving is exceptionally efficient: travel south out of Burlington along US-7 S for roughly 15 minutes; the whimsical brick facility's grand colorful signage and expansive, completely complimentary public surface parking lot are immediately visible on your right.
Travel Tips
- Daily [Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tours](https://vermontteddybear.com/pages/come-visit-us) spaces are highly limited at the door. Purchase digital tickets online up to 1 hour before the session to guarantee entry. Groups larger than 20 must book via Factorytours@vtbear.com.
- Children aged 12 and under receive free admission. However, you must still select and book the exact number of free child tickets during online checkout to comply with strict factory tour capacity regulations.
- Ample free outdoor vehicle parking is provided on-site. There are zero formal dining or indoor restaurant facilities inside the factory building, so pack snacks or plan alternative meals nearby in the town of Shelburne.
Reviews
Positive
- The factory tour is highly entertaining, allowing you to see the complete bear-making process firsthand; perfect for families and a true classic attraction.
- The staff are exceptionally warm and approachable; from front desk reception to the tour guides, everyone maintains an excellent service attitude.
- The factory features a large free parking lot, making driving highly convenient, and accessible ramps fully cover the route from shop to factory floor.
- The overall order management is well-organized with appropriate crowd control, ensuring the interior doesn't feel chaotic even during peak tour group times.
Heads up
- The basic guided tour is on the shorter side, ending in about half an hour; if you don't eat or buy a bear, options for self-exploration are limited.
- While the admission tour fee is reasonable, the cost of DIY-customizing your own bear and its accessories is very high, making it easy to overspend.
- Public transit connectivity is weak; without a car, traveling from downtown Burlington by bus involves high time costs and a poor transfer experience.
- The souvenir shop area has a heavy commercial atmosphere, which can create extra spending pressure when traveling with kids who insist on purchases.