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Travel Picks: Top 10 sweetest U.S. attractions

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-16 09:10

Travelers with a sweet-tooth can indulge as they take in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of these sweet spots, which include chocolate fountains, ice cream empires and jelly bean feasts.

Travel web site TripAdvisor has come up with a list of the 10 sweetest U.S. attractions. Reuters has not endorsed this list:

1. Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania

At Hershey's Chocolate World, chocoholics can hop on a free tour ride for a simulated journey through Hershey's chocolate making process, package their own Hershey's Kisses, or be immortalized on their very own chocolate bar.

2. Jelly Belly Factory Tour, Fairfield, California

No. 1 Jelly Belly Lane is home to the Jelly Belly factory which offers free 40-minute walking tours of the candy-making process. Enrol in Jelly Belly University and earn a degree in Beanology then round off the experience with a pizza or hamburger -- Jelly Belly-shaped, naturally -- at the Jelly Belly cafe.

3. Food on Foot Tours, New York City, New York

"The World Famous Sweet Tooth Tour" is a three-hour guided expedition taking in some of the city's greatest spots for cookies, cupcakes, candy and more.

4. M&M's World, Las Vegas, Nevada

Situated next to the MGM Hotel and Casino, this 28,000 square-foot, four-story retail-entertainment emporium could be just the ticket for travelers who have had their fill of slot machines. Candy dispensers contain every color of M&M's imaginable and a wide range of M&M merchandise.

5. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Waterbury, Vermont

A 30-minute experience begins with a movie about the company's history before heading to the production room where a guide shares details of the ice cream-making process. From May through October, travelers can also visit the Flavor Graveyard in the grounds and pay their respects to dearly de-pinted flavors such as Peanut Butter and Jelly and Purple Passion Fruit.

6. Gourmet Walks, San Francisco, California

San Francisco is at the center of a new wave of artisan chocolatiers and this three-hour guided tour lets travelers sample local flavors and receive tips on tasting. Stops are subject to change, but can include a Swiss chocolatier loved by Oprah Winfrey for its champagne truffles, a deluxe boutique featuring treats made by "the Dali of Chocolate Art" and even a newsstand that carries 225 chocolate bars from 15 countries.

7. New World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia

Situated in downtown Atlanta's Pemberton Place, which takes its name from John S. Pemberton -- the local pharmacist who invented Coca-Cola in 1886. Visits last 90-minutes on average, during which time travelers can explore the history of the world's best-known brand, sample over 60 different products from around the globe, and check out Coca-Cola memorabilia.

8. Bellagio Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada

While Bellagio's famous dancing fountains are a sight to behold, an altogether different type of drool-inducing fountain lies within the hotel. Jutting out from Jean-Philippe Patisserie is the world's tallest chocolate fountain, as certified by Guinness World Records. The mesmerizing fountain of cascading chocolate stands at 27-feet tall and uses more than 2,100 pounds of dark, white and milk chocolate, to spellbinding effect.

9. Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, Daytona Beach, Florida

A free tour of Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, open since 1925, gives visitors the opportunity to see candy-makers doing things the old-fashioned way then tuck into free samples of freshly made chocolates while perusing the goodies for sale.

10. Eli's Cheesecake World, Chicago, Illinois

The company's Chicago-style baked cheesecake has been making its mark across the U.S. and beyond for 30 years, and during the course of a short guided tour of the award-winning bakery, visitors can learn about the history of Eli's and its dessert-making process, in addition to seeing the decorating department at work.