Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne is the flagship production facility of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, which has handcrafted bears in the state since 1981 and became nationally known through its Bear-Gram direct-mail gift service. Factory tours guide visitors through the full production process, from the cutting and sewing of bear components to stuffing, quality control, and the operating table where guests can give their own bear a whimsical checkup. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes and is led by costumed Bearmasters who narrate the manufacturing steps with humor suited to families. Children are particularly engaged by the life-size bear characters and the hands-on elements built into the tour experience. At the factory's Make-a-Friend workshop, visitors can design and stuff their own bear on-site — choosing from a range of sizes, fur types, and accessories — a hands-on activity that turns a factory visit into a personalized keepsake. The retail store is one of the largest in the company's portfolio, carrying the full range of bears, seasonal limited editions, and Vermont-made gifts. The factory sits next door to the Shelburne Museum, and many visitors combine both in the same day along US-7. Free parking is available in the factory lot. The factory tour admission is modest at around $7 for adults, while the Make-a-Friend bear-stuffing experience is priced separately starting at around $30 per bear with accessories additional. The factory is located five miles south of downtown Burlington, making it a practical stop between Burlington and other Shelburne-area destinations.