Chocoholism has been a craze spreading across the nation for many years and continues to grow. And this is a good thing. So for chocoholics everywhere (myself included), we have put together a comprehensive list of the top destinations that will satisfy your sweet cravings. Please feel free to add your own favorite destinations in the comment section below.
Hershey, PA
Since its opening in 1894, The Hershey Company has been the undisputed king of chocolate in the U.S. Hershey is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America and home to Chocolate World. Chocolate World guests can try samples of Hershey’s chocolates and even make their own candy bar. If you are visitng Southeastern PA, you can also check out chocolate tours at Wolfgang Candies in York and Wilbur Chocolates in Lilitz, PA. Wilbur features the Candy Americana Museum.
Come to Hershey’s Chocolate World! Photo courtesy of Vishal via Flickr
Burlington, WI
Known as “Chocolate City, USA”, Burlington is a small Wisconson town with a big taste for chocolate! Burlington’s penchant for chocolate is enabled by the local Nestle factory. Chocoholic attractions in Burlington include Chocolate Experience Museum – where guests see the history of chocolate dating back to Azteca culture – and ChocolateFest, an annual Memorial Day weekend extravaganza with live music, carnival rides and of course…chocolate!
Chocolate City, USA – Photo Courtesy of Shore West
Henderson, NV
Gambling and concerts are not the only things drawing tourist to the Las Vegas. Nearby Henderson, Nevada, is home to the choco emporium, Ethel M. Chocolates. This factory is an outlet for the famous Mars brand of chocolate (M&M’s, Milky Way, Snickers). Ethel M. mixes their chocolatier passion with the surrounding desert environment by featuring a chocolate tour and the Botanical Cactus Garden!
Ethel M. celebrates the holidays as well as chocolate. Photo courtesy of Jill via Flickr
New York City
It only makes sense the “City that Never Sleeps” would have something to offer in the ways of chocolate. No chocoholic should miss out on NYC’s Chocolate Tour of New York. This guided tour takes you to all the best confectionaries and chocolate shops throughout the Meatpacking District and Greenwich Village. With eight tastings, an infinite amount of chocolate dreams come true on this tour! Don’t forget to check out the Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory tour in Brooklyn, and the Hot Chocolate Festival hosted by The City Bakery (an NYC favorite).
Jacques Torres is a popular NYC chocolatier. Photo courtesy of Dan Pupius via Flickr.
Orange County, Calif.
Relatively new to the chocolate scene is the Orange County Chocolate Festival in Southern California. Founded in 2010 in Fountain Valley, the O.C. Chocolate Festival has grown in popularity and demand, drawing thousands of chocoholics in Southern Cal and the Southwest. Currently, the festival occurs in October in the town of Garden Grove.
Try chocolate desserts at Disneyland’s Napa Rose restaurant. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Galle via Flickr.
San Francisco
San Francisco takes a back seat to no one when it comes to dining and tastes; this includes chocolate. Home to the ever-popular Ghirardelli factory, San Francisco draws tourists (and locals) to the annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival in September and the factory’s ice cream shop. Chocoholics must try Ghirardelli’s ice cream sundae at least once in their lives. SF also features chocolate tours at TCHO at Pier 17 and Dandelion Chocolates in the Mission District.
The World-Famous Ghirardelli Square! Photo Courtesy of River & Sky Ramirez via Flickr.
Denver
Every year in May, the Mile High City hosts the Colorado Chocolate Festival. Vendors from all over the Mountain West bring their samples for festival attendees to enjoy. There’s even a Miss Colorado Chocolate Queen pagaent. Among the vendors is the popular Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. If you’re a fan of Rocky Mountain, drive an hour south to Colorado Springs, home of the company’s first franchise, founded in 1982.
Livin la vida chocoloca at Hammond’s in Denver! Photo courtesy of hkatee via Flickr.
Kailua, HI
Kailua is home to chocolate stalwarts: Manoa Chocolate and Madre Chocolate. Since Hawai’i is the only state in the Union to grow cacao, both Manoa and Madre can proudfully boast their “bean-to-bar” candies to chocoholics everywhere. Manoa offers tours of the factory, located on the 2nd floor of the Kailua Square building, while Madre offers chocolate-making classes on the island of Oahu.
In Kailua, all roads lead to chocolate! Photo courtesy of Patrick Benny via Flickr.
Hilo, HI
Not to be outdone by their Hawai’i brethren, the Big Island offers chocolate tours of their own at Big Island Candies. Known for their chocolate-covered macademia nut treats, Big Island is a stop on the chocoholic tour you don’t want to miss. The factory in Hilo welcomes visitors and allows them to take self-guided tours.
Big Island Candy Factory is a must stop on the Big Island. Photo courtesy of Clark Realty via Flickr.
Coral Gables, FL
Every year, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Coral Gables hosts the 8th Annual International Chocolate Festival. This three-day event offers classes in making chocolates, chocolate-making demonstrations and rainforest cacao tour. You can even buy a cacao plant to make your own chocolate, much to the delight of chocoholics everywhere!
Fairfield has lots of love and chocolate. Photo courtesy of Paul Michaels via Flickr.