Located an hour south of Cannon Beach, right in the heart of Oregon Coast dairy country, sits the charming town of Tillamook. Home to the famed Tillamook Cheese Factory, this century-old creamery has made the small community a household name! If you’re looking for something fun and unique to add to your vacation itinerary when you visit Cannon Beach, visiting the Tillamook Creamery has to be at the top of your list.
In this article, we’ll give you the scoop on how to spend the perfect day at the Tillamook Creamery. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions, and offer some tips for other fun activities to enjoy on your day trip from Cannon Beach.
Read More: Unique Places to Visit Near Cannon Beach, Oregon in Winter
History of Tillamook Creamery
The history of Tillamook Creamery is one of ingenuity, determination, and deliciousness. When cows grazing the lush coastal landscapes began producing excess milk, locals turned to making butter and cheese for trading with neighboring towns. But Tillamook’s remote location posed a significant challenge, forcing residents to find a creative solution to bring their products to the masses.
After two failed attempts at boatbuilding ended in shipwrecks, their persistence paid off. On their third try, they successfully built the Morning Star of Tillamook, launched in 1855, which delivered the county’s first dairy products to Portland. The ship’s legacy lives on, proudly represented in Tillamook’s logo and celebrated by a 38-foot replica outside the creamery.
Quality control became paramount in the early 1900s, with Fred Christensen inspecting cheese and Guy Ford ensuring top-notch milk production. Tillamook trademarked its name and encouraged consumers to “Look for Tillamook on the rind,” creating widespread recognition and boosting sales in cities from Portland to Los Angeles.
In the 1940s, Tillamook expanded into ice cream, quickly becoming popular across Oregon. By 1949, the creamery had modernized with a new plant, introducing innovative packaging and efficient production methods. Their commitment to quality paid off—by 1960, Tillamook cheeses and ice creams had earned more than 270 awards, a tradition of excellence continuing today, most recently winning “Best Cheddar in the World” in 2024.
Planning Your Tillamook Creamery Visit
Now that we’ve covered how Tillamook became so popular let’s talk about planning your perfect visit. For starters, you’ll want to allow two to three hours so you can take in all the sights. Luckily, the creamery is open seven days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Tillamook Creamery Facts at a Glance:
- Address: 4165 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, Oregon 97141
- Admission Cost: Free to the public for self-guided tours
- What to See: Farm Exhibit Hall, Viewing Gallery, Dining Hall, and the Ice Cream Counter
The Creamery receives more than 10,000 visitors per day to its 38,000-square-foot facility. As you explore the grounds, you’ll find entertaining exhibits at every turn.
See how fast you can milk a cow with their interactive stations in the Farm Exhibit Hall. You can also feed a model calf, learn fun facts about farming, and see the unique technology farmers use to monitor the health of their herd.
In the Process Hall and Viewing Gallery, you’ll get a birds-eye look at the cheese-making process. The facility receives 1.6 million pounds of milk every day that they expertly process and turn into your favorite dairy delicacies.
In the Dining Hall, you can try free samples of everything from squeaky cheese curds to Monterey Jack, but don’t fill up – there are also baked goods like Dutch babies, and, of course, all the Tillamook ice cream flavors you could want!
As you explore, don’t forget to keep a lookout for the Hidden Tillies! Throughout the creamery, six mini-versions of the Tillamook mascot, Tilly the Cow, are hidden at children’s eye level. Look for the arrows pointing to tiny viewing holes and see if you can spot them all.
Tillamook Cheese Factory Tours
If you’d like a more guided experience, Tillamook Creamery also offers official tours you can take for a more curated visit.
The Tour + Tasting
Learn all about the cheesemaking process and enjoy a special tasting starring Maker’s Reserve on this fan-favorite experience.
- Tickets: $15.00 for ages four and up
- Time: 40 minutes
Exclusive Ice Cream Experience
Learn how decadent Tillamook Ice Cream goes from milk to market with an interactive tour that lets you play the part of expert ice cream taster!
- Tickets: $45.00 for ages four and up
- Time: 75 minutes
FAQs About Tillamook Creamery
When is the Tillamook Creamery Open?
The Creamery is open every day of the week from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tillamook Plant Packing schedule runs Monday – Saturday.
What’s so special about Tillamook ice cream?
With a dedication to natural flavors and only the highest-quality ingredients, Tillamook ice cream outperforms other brands on both taste and texture.
Is Tillamook worth visiting?
Yes! Not only is Tillamook surrounded by beautiful rolling fields and rivers, it’s also full of fun things to do! Beyond the Tillamook Creamery, you can check out charming shops, delicious restaurants, and even visit the Tillamook Aviation Museum. Â
Need some recommendations? Check out the top Tillamook Restaurants.
Book Your Tasty Escape to the Oregon Coast
After a day in Tillamook, come home to your gorgeous Cannon Beach vacation rental from Beachcomber Vacation Homes.
Our selection of oceanfront vacation rentals in Cannon Beach, Oregon, is second to none, providing you with everything you need for an incredible getaway. Enjoy fully equipped kitchens, plush furnishings, beautiful views, and all the amenities that guarantee a comfortable trip. Plus, by booking directly with us, you bypass the third-party fees of places like Airbnb or Vrbo!
Browse our complete inventory of Cannon Beach vacation rentals and reserve your trip directly with us! We can’t wait to see you on the wild Oregon coast.