Theo Chocolate Factory, which opened in 2006 as the country's first organic fair trade-certified cocoa producer, makes award-winning chocolates in the quirky Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. The company is a true chocolate maker, handling every step from bean to bar. This fabulous hidden gem offers tours, tastings, a retail shop and a variety of events hosted by expert Theo chocolatiers. It's an ideal attraction for chocolate lovers of all ages, popular with locals as well as visitors.
Parking and public transportation at Theo Chocolate
You'll find lots of street parking throughout the neighborhood, though you may want to arrive before 10 a.m. if you come on a Sunday, as the Fremont Market is held just a few blocks away. U-Park also offers 12 secure parking lots nearby. The factory is easily accessible via public transportation from downtown Seattle and other points throughout the area. Metro Transit Route 28 from 3rd Avenue and Madison Street downtown offers a direct trip that will get you there in 20 minutes.
Best and worst time to go to Theo Chocolate
If you'd like the opportunity to see the factory in full operation, you'll want to go on a weekday, ideally just after it opens to the public at 10 a.m., though there is no guarantee that it will be running at any given time. The worst time to go is on the weekend during June, July, and August, as the factory is not likely to be running and you'll have to contend with a fairly big crowd of visitors as well.
Admission to Theo Chocolate
Admission for a public tour is less than $12 for visitors of all ages. Private tours are also available for groups of up to 25 people with a similar cost for admission per person.
Must see/do at Theo Chocolate
When visiting Theo Chocolate, taking the tour is really a must as you'll get a fascinating look at how chocolate is made, including everything from how the cacao beans are processed to how it becomes a chocolate bar as well as how the company started the revolution for fair trade and organic ingredients for its products. Don't miss out on the samples of ganache as it's the only place you can try it straight out of the kitchen. Purchasing some of the high quality chocolate products in the retail shop is also a must as it makes for ideal souvenirs and gifts to bring back home.
Other places to visit nearby Theo Chocolate
If you arrive on a Sunday, the Fremont Sunday Market is just around the corner, offering the chance to purchase all sorts of treasures, including antiques, artisan goods, fresh produce and more. You can also sample some of the city's very best food trucks here. In between the market and the chocolate factory, you'll see the neighborhood's dinosaurs – a pair of friendly topiary Apatosauruses. If you want to work off all of those chocolate samples, take a stroll on the Burke-Gilman Trail which follows the north bank of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
Insider tip for visitors to Theo Chocolate
When you enter the first room on the tour, try to sit near the entrance. When your guide hands out samples, not only will you get first pick, but you can be sure other visitors haven't handled any of the chocolates.
Author's bio: K.C. Dermody is a travel writer living in the Seattle area with hundreds of travel articles both online and in print. She has traveled the world and is the author of 'Best Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to Ireland,' but especially loves showing off the beautiful region she resides in.
This elegant chocolate shop offers a wide variety of chocolate truffles (20+ flavors), caramels, dipped fruits and seasonal chocolates, which are sold individually or by the box. They do catering, private events and other special occasions.
