Columbus, Ohio: Tour a Whistle Factory

This is American manufacturing at its best. It is a working factory and they are taking time out of their day to lead you around for an hour. My 10 year old grandson had a blast. Pay the $2 to make the plastic whistle, and customize the whistle they give you for taking the tour.

It's a nifty one-hour tour around the American Whistle Corporation factory, as a guide demonstrates how metal pea-whistles are made, from start to finish. Stamp-punch machines have been adorned with googly eyes for effect as they chomp out bits of metal; a long-time employee racks up piles of lanyard-threaded whistles faster than an automated system could; and each visitor can try out the sonic bonding machine.

Tours are booked online and cost $6 per person, but the cost includes a complimentary metal whistle. If you choose to keep the plastic one you make (and you can customize it, right down to the color of the ball inside), it's an extra $2. They welcome kids, but some are more sensitive to the high-pitched noises, so foam earplugs for young children might help. One of the better Columbus factory tours.