Orbix Hot Glass
Orbix Hot Glass
5
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Hand blown glass fine art.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
53 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Chris R
Fidalgo Island, WA17 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
Who knew there would be such a cool place tucked away in Northern AL? We went with the family and they showed us how they make their incredible art in the glass blowing shop out back. Really was incredible. It's out of the way but worth the trip. Bought a beautiful glass pitcher. Very unique. They have beautiful, unique glass artwork to buy or just admire. Oh and stop by the McDonald's in the town nearby to see their artwork proudly displayed. Certainly the most beautiful McDonald's interior I've ever seen.
Written 14 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda T
Fort Payne, AL16 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Had some friends from Nashville come to visit for the weekend and we took them to Little River Canyon and drove around the gorge. We drove past Orbix and turned around and went to check it out. My friend had been wanting a special piece of glass to put in a special place in their home. We toured the shop and were "wowed" by the beautiful pieces. We also watched a demonstration of glass-blowing and bowl making at the ovens. The grounds are very peaceful and I told the owner that they should serve wine there because it was so peaceful. He agreed but added that wine & hot glass might be dangerous. I can agree. Neither my friend or I bought any pieces because they were pretty pricey. A tiny vase that would have been my choice was priced at about $65. That's about as low as they go except for refrigerator magnets which might have been about $15. I enjoyed the visit and the hospitality. My friend texted a picture to me this week of a beautiful glass piece that she found for her home. She got it at a garage sale for $5.00. It might not have a special nostalgic feeling from buying it while on a trip to a beautiful place, but you can't beat $5.00.
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard M
Priceville, AL30 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
We went in December and made our own custom ornaments. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. There are other opportunities during the year to make paperweights or glass flowers. My wife and I plan to be back.
Oh, and then scenery on the drive is worth it also. The falls on Johnnie's Creek as you drive in are a great photo opportunity!
Oh, and then scenery on the drive is worth it also. The falls on Johnnie's Creek as you drive in are a great photo opportunity!
Written 16 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Partyof5FL
Wellington, Florida, USA173 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
It takes just minutes but what fun it is to blow your own glass Christmas ornament. We enjoyed it and wished we had the kids with us. TIPS: 1. opens at 9 but come about 8:45 and get yourself first in line. The line gets long and each ornament takes about five minutes to blow. When we left quite a line had formed. 2. You can choose two colors from their display board. I kind of got confused because the ornaments are all so unique. Basically, if you pick "cupcake" and "cobalt blue" your ornament is not had of each. So think of color selection as what two colors do you want your ornament to be with some of the selections already having more than one color in them. So a "holiday mix" plus "cobalt blue" would end up red, green and blue. Not half and half of what you see on the board. All in all, worth the drive for this unique attraction.
Written 3 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amosdog11
Fort Payne, AL51 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
Late one afternoon we stopped in at Orbix Hot Glass after a day of exploring Little River Canyon National Preserve. What a find! Although it was time for them to be closing up shop, an artisan was working on a piece and invited us to stay and watch. In the blink of an eye an hour and a half had passed as we watched this intricate dance between the artist and the incredible process of molten glass being turned into a piece of artwork. This was a highlight of our day.
Written 31 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrsbarnett1012
Denton, TX55 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
My husband and I visited this week and had a great time even driving to the Orbix location. Then when we arrived Cal and the other guys were in the process of blowing a water bowl. We were able to stand outside with them and watch them as they work. Such a cool experience! They have a great little gallery inside too and we couldn't leave without a couple small pieces from our visit. Very cool! They even to blow your own ornaments!
Written 18 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lobowolf
Mint Hill, NC218 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
If you get a chance to drive to Orbix Hot Glass from Route 273, up the hill to the facility, you will understand why it is located at a special place.
The trip up the hill from route 273, near Canyon Mouth Park, to Orbix is not only breathtaking, but adventurous and fun. From the low country to atop Lookout Mountain, it is a wonderful drive. And, the prize is arriving at the bucolic site of Orbix Hot Glass! The shop is not the largest, but it certainly has some of the finest glass blown items around! The small, but wonderful showroom is the perfect size to display some of the finest hand-blown glass products in several states; and at the perfect location! You will not be disappointed!
On glass blowing days you may also be invited to see the artisans in action, which is always a treat. We take our guests there whenever they come to visit us in NE Alabama, and they cannot believe the beauty and charm of our part of Alabama!
The trip up the hill from route 273, near Canyon Mouth Park, to Orbix is not only breathtaking, but adventurous and fun. From the low country to atop Lookout Mountain, it is a wonderful drive. And, the prize is arriving at the bucolic site of Orbix Hot Glass! The shop is not the largest, but it certainly has some of the finest glass blown items around! The small, but wonderful showroom is the perfect size to display some of the finest hand-blown glass products in several states; and at the perfect location! You will not be disappointed!
On glass blowing days you may also be invited to see the artisans in action, which is always a treat. We take our guests there whenever they come to visit us in NE Alabama, and they cannot believe the beauty and charm of our part of Alabama!
Written 22 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CherokeeCounty C
Centre, AL28 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
Located atop Lookout Mountain in Cherokee County. Orbix Hot Glass was an AWESOME experience. I took 9 family members up on a Saturday afternoon to blow our own Christmas ornaments. It was a wonderful family holiday outing. We were all amazed watching Cal work and thrilled to participate in making our own beautiful Christmas Ornament.
Written 18 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smokymntfan
Morton, MS6 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
We went to Orbix Hot Glass on our anniversary trip to Fort Payne.. and it was awesome.. its a little out of the way, but well worth the trip.. loved it...
Written 23 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff S
11 contributions
Sept 2019
We had the opportunity to visit the great people at Orbix Hot Glass. They are genuinely great people and very talented. While watching a demo of their skills, they took the time to explain the steps they were going through and the reasons for each step. This group has worked together for a very long time and truly operate as such. The art that is created in this shop is absolutely beautiful and amazing. We walked out with several pieces that we will cherish for a long time.
Written 5 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The best thing to do is go online to Orbix Hot Glass. It costs nothing to watch, but if you want to make something, there are different things to choose from and there are dates that you need to sign up. The best choice for food is either to go on in to Fort Payne, Gallery Hours
Tuesday through Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 9am – 2pm (Jan through Sept) and 9am-4pm (Oct through Dec).
We are closed Sundays and Mondays.
Note: Gallery is open on days that classes are held
Hot Shop Hours: These times vary; call in advance. We typically blow glass Tuesdays through Fridays (10am – 4pm) and Saturdays (10am – 2pm). Many times you can watch, but there are times when the level of focus for our artists is extremely high and for success of the piece and safety for everyone we must close off viewing to the public. Please be considerate of this request if that occurs during a time of your visit.
Lookout Mountain and Little River Canyon are beautiful at all times of the year, so plan to make a weekend of it.
Christmas in July and 2nd’s Sale
July 14, 2018
9am-4pm
Every August we shut down our furnaces for a bit of a breather from the summertime heat. Just before this break, we want to offer one more opportunity for everyone to step into the mesmerizing world of glassblowing. Watch as we craft many of our favorite Christmas items, including candy canes. We pull long twisted canes of glass across the studio floor that later become bent and polished to our final glass treats. Also, we offer the last Blow You Own Ornament of the summer. Finally, if you want to get a jump on holiday shopping, visit our 2nd’s table for some discounted prices on slightly flawed pieces.
Blow Your Own Ornament
July 14th (9am – 4pm) Christmas in July
This is our most popular event at Orbix Hot Glass! Come design and literally “blow” your own ornament with the help of one of our glass artists. For this we welcome people of all ages (okay you have to be at least 5 years old). Sign up for our newsletter under the “Contact Us” section of our website, and we’ll keep you up-to-date on days when we’ll be having this event. No reservations needed! If you have a group who wants to make at least eight ornaments, call (256.523.3188) You may come on our BYOO Event days or we’ll schedule a special time or day just for you! Cost – $38/ornament. Shipping $8. each, or you may pick the pieces up on the following Tuesday or later.
Written 11 July 2018
How bad is the drive to get there? The website directions say “extremely steep hill.” Thanks!
Written 31 May 2018
The drive is not bad at all. There is a really steep drive up the side of the mountain on one road, but if you come through Sand Rock, it is not bad at all.
Written 1 June 2018
No you don’t-check their website for dates they are having this event. Later in the season it gets more crowded & wait times can be very long (hours) so plan accordingly!
Written 8 July 2018
Can you see the gorge from a car? Would like to take my mom who is in her eighties.
Written 2 November 2016
Yes you can! LOts of pull offs also.
Written 11 October 2017
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