Whetstone Chocolates of St. Augustine

The basics

The Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tours is a local, family-run chocolate factory with deep roots in St. Augustine. It began when the Whetstones opened an ice cream shop on St. George Street in 1966 (now called Tedi’s Olde Tyme Ice Cream), then started experimenting with fudge. Fast forward to the 1980s when their second factory opened, and some of their major wholesale customers included Nestle’s, Hershey, and M&M Mars. Today, this small yet spectacular factory continues to draw in chocolate lovers from around the world.

You’re welcome to visit Whetstone’s on a whim, though most visitors tend to book a chocolate tasting tour in advance. Tours typically include learning how to distinguish between different types of chocolate by sight, ingredients, and of course, taste. Along with samples throughout the tour, you’ll also receive a coupon at the end, to take some of this delicious, locally made chocolate home.

Things to know before you go

• The Whetstone Chocolates Store is not in the historic district, though it’s accessible by foot from St. George Street.

• Children under 5 can take the chocolate tour for free, but must be accompanied by a paying adult.

• Save time by prebooking your chocolate tour, as daily slots are limited and fill up quickly.

• Tours are wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The Whetstone Chocolates Store and Tasting Tour is located at 139 King St., about 0.5 miles from the entrance to the pedestrian-only area of St. George Street. From Interstate 95, head east, connect to US Highway 1, then find it almost immediately after turning onto King Street. Walking or biking, you can head south of St. George Street, then follow the sidewalks west on King Street to Whetstone.

When to get there

St. Augustine draws a crowd throughout the year, but the weekends, summer, and the winter holidays are the busiest times in town. It’s best to visit Whetstone either on a weekday or early in the day on a weekend. Tours take just under 1 hour, and it’s best to purchase tickets in advance.

Food for thought

It’s great to indulge in chocolate, but if you arrive hungry, consider grabbing a bite before your Whetstone tour next door at Gringos Tacos or St. Auggie’s Pizza. Some culinary tours also offer treks through the historic district, allowing you to taste the Ancient City’s best dishes before treating yourself at Whetstone’s.