Summer may be over, but it’s not too late to take a short trip and learn how stuff gets made. Go behind the scenes at these factories to get a look at how things like baseball bats, jellybeans, Harleys and whiskey are produced.

Gibson Guitar Factory — Memphis, TN
Go behind the scenes for an intimate viewing of the factory and experience the construction of one of the greatest guitars in the world. For more than 100 years, Gibson’s intricate process of binding, neck fitting, painting, buffing and tuning has been a gold standard in guitar production.

Jelly Belly Factory — Fairfield, CA
Take a look at the factory where more than 150 different sweet treats are cooked up. Looking down on the factory floor, watch beans spin in polishing machines while workers separate imperfect beans (“Belly Flops”) from the premium ones. Learn the secrets of how Jelly Belly creates the legendary jellybean, and discover why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. See taffy, chocolates and wild gummy critters in the making, too.

Harley-Davidson Facility — York, PA
At Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations, the largest Harley-Davidson manufacturing facility, watch as employees machine, polish, chrome-plate, form, weld, paint and altogether assemble the Touring and Softail models, as well as limited production, factory-custom motorcycles. This facility also has a specially designed area for visitors under the age of 12. Visitors to the Harley-Davidson Museum, which opened near downtown Milwaukee in July 2008, can also learn about the motor company’s rich history.

The Crayola Factory — Easton, PA
At The Crayola Factory, visitors can see how Crayola crayons and markers are made. Learn about the history of the Crayola brand, and explore dozens of interactive projects and activities. Kids of all ages can draw on the walls, use sidewalk chalk on the floors and let their imaginations run wild. This is not a real manufacturing plant, but rather a visitor center that “allows the child inside each person to unleash its creative spirit.”

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing — Everett, WA
“Experience the marvel of commercial jet aviation,” the Future of Flight & Boeing Center Tour Web site proclaims. Whether you’re touching the high-tech “skin” of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, riding the multi-passenger XJ5 Flight Simulator at supersonic speeds or digitally designing and testing your own jet, the tour features hands-on exhibits, videos and interactive stations for the whole family. Take the expanded Boeing Tour at the nearby assembly plant where 747, 767, 777 and 787 airplanes are assembled.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory — Louisville, KY
At the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, see how a piece of wood is turned into a perfectly balanced home run hitter. Visitors to the museum will see bats belonging to famous Major League stars and other baseball memorabilia, feel what it’s like to face a fastball and experience other hands-on exhibits. Look for the 120-foot replica of Babe Ruth’s bat leaning against the museum and factory’s exterior.

Jack Daniel Distillery — Lynchburg, TN
The Jack Daniel Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the U.S. It’s where Mr. Jack first crafted the recipe for Old No. 7. It’s where the pure, iron-free, cave spring-water flows. And it’s where every drop of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Sippin’ Whiskey is still made today. Mostly outdoors, the tour takes visitors through the whiskey-making process.

John Deere Pavilion — Moline, IL
The 14,000-square-foot John Deere Pavilion, the world’s largest agriculture museum, celebrates the past, present and future of agriculture, as well as the history of the company. The Pavilion’s walls are made almost entirely of glass. Inside, interactive exhibits mingle with actual Deere equipment — new products and fully restored antique equipment — creating a hands-on (and climb-on) experience for visitors.

World of Coca-Cola — Atlanta, GA
The World of Coca-Cola features more than 1,200 artifacts from around the world, ranging from vintage bottles to a 1939 Coca-Cola delivery truck from Argentina. Around every corner, visitors experience interactive exhibits. Taste more than 60 soft drinks and take home an 8-ounce Coke produced right there on the bottling line.

Bowling Green Assembly Plant — Bowling Green, KY
If you’re into cool cars, check out this General Motors Co. plant to see how one of the coolest is made. Watch as robots and humans assemble the Chevrolet Corvette as it moves down the factory line. The factory’s Web site invites visitors to “witness the birth of new Corvettes at first start and the thrilling drive off the end of the line.” The National Corvette Museum is also located in Bowling Green.

For more U.S. factory tour ideas, check out FactoryTour.com and FactoryTourUSA.com.