How Things Work Tours

This summer, go exploring in unexpected places!
Take a free tour or two to find out how the businesses and organizations in your area do what they do.

Scottsdale Farms

Ages: All Ages   Tour: 30-45 minutes
Bring a group of five to 10 kids (or just your family) for a tour of Scottsdale Farms. You’ll view the greenhouses to learn about shrubs and trees, and explore other plants including succulents and those that thrive in sun or shade. Peek into the hen house and fish pond, and see what’s growing in the organic veggie garden. Email nancy@scottsdalefarms.com one to two weeks in advance of your preferred date. 15639 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta. 770-777-5875, scottsdalefarms.com

DeKalb County Police Department

Ages: All Ages    Tour: 20-30 minutes
The DeKalb County Police Department offers headquarter tours for children. A police officer guides the group through the offices and communication center with floor to ceiling video screens. Meet with officers to discuss safety and then climb into a police cruiser. Watch out as they have been known to turn on the sirens and lights! Reservations and a minimum of five children are required. Contact Community Education Specialist Al Fowler at 770-724-7600 to schedule a tour. web.co.dekalb.ga.us/dk_police.

Roswell Recycling Center

Ages: 7 and older   Tour: 45 minutes
Learn what happens to the newspapers, plastic bags and other items you recycle on a tour that follows the steps from receiving materials to sorting to what these items become next! Tours also include info about how to be a smarter recycler at home and reduce waste. Any size group can schedule a date by emailing recyclingcenter@roswellgov.com or calling. 11570 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta. 770-442-8822; roswellrecycles.com

CalyRoad Creamery

Ages: 8 and older   Tour: 15 minutes
See how cheese is made from local cow’s milk and regional goat’s milk. Guests can also sample a few varieties of cheese. Tours are by request and for a maximum of 10 participants. 227 Hilderbrand Dr., Sandy Springs. 678-773-0843; facebook.com/pages/Calyroad-Creamery

Johns Creek Environmental Campus

Ages: 7 and older   Tour: 2 hours
Where does the water go once it leaves your house? Take a guided behind-the-scenes tour highlighting the water treatment cycle, water conservation and water purification before it is returned to the Chattahoochee River. Visit the lab to perform experiments and then tour treatment plant. Reservations and a minimum of 10 participants are required. Call Cheryl E. McClellan, to schedule your appointment. 8100 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell. 404-613-3012; Fultoncountyga.gov/exhibits-a-tours-jcec.

Great Harvest Bread Company

Ages: 6 and older   Tour: 45-60 minutes
Take a group of six or more kids to learn the art of bread making! The Great Harvest Bread Company makes bread from scratch daily typically using only five ingredients. Visitors see the stone mill used to grind wheat, the kneading station, and the commercial baking equipment. Each child is given a round of dough to knead while the guide explains the history of bread. The tour concludes with a taste testing session. Reservations are required. Tours only at the Johns Creek and Marietta locations.greatharvest.com.

Papa John’s

Ages: 5 and older    Tour: 45-60 minutes
Step behind the counter and see the pizza preparation stations, how phone and online orders are taken, and make a pizza to eat or take home. Tours are during non-peak hours at select stores and by reservation. papajohns.com.