Could you eat ice cream daily? I’m weak for ice cream, often eating it after dinner several times per week, so it’s no surprise that I pull over for a cup or cone whenever I’m traveling.
The smell of freshly baked waffle cones. Chrome stools. A cooler filled with colored ice cream or gelato flavors. What’s not to love?
Discover Kansas ice cream and gelato shops serving unforgettable scoops from my list of favorite sweet spots.
Coolest Ice Cream Shops in Kansas to Add to Your Road Trip Itinerary
Pace E Bene – Atchison
At Pace E Bene (503 Commercial Street), the family-run café is situated in the back of a Catholic-based bookstore, a hidden gem that serves baked goods, panini at lunchtime, and imported gelato.
CuppaYo – Andover
Save room for dessert at CuppaYo (626 S. Andover Road), where self-serve frozen yogurt is available in numerous flavors, and the toppings are nearly endless. To me, frozen yogurt is just as tasty as ice cream but with less fat.
CuppaYo’s topping stations include chunky bites of chocolate, cookies, and gummy candies, but for more health-conscious customers, you’ll also find fresh sliced fruit and nuts available.
Olde Mill Ice Cream Shop – Bonner Springs
Take your choice of over a dozen Blue Bell ice cream flavors at Olde Mill Ice Cream Shop (611 W. 2nd St.) A sucker for comfort food, I chose a cup of Blueberry Cobbler. They can also serve scoops of your favorite flavor inside a plain or flavored waffle cone.
If ice cream floats are more your thing, they’ve got you covered. Choose from one of eight flavors from the Stubborn Soda fountain. Open during evening hours, the dessert shop also serves customers milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches.
Cardinal Drug Store & Gifts – Chanute
Step back in time and sip on some nostalgia at Cardinal Drug Store & Gifts (103 E. Main Street), where the historic soda fountain is stocked with the best-tasting ice cream and fudge. There’s nothing like an old-fashioned ice cream float from a classic soda fountain—bubbly, creamy, and oh-so-dreamy.
My cherry vanilla ice cream soda was so yummy I closed my eyes upon first sip.
Soul Sister Scoops – Courtland
A super cute ice cream shop, Soul Sisters Scoops (328 Main Street) was definitely worth pulling over. Not only do they serve Wisconsin ice cream, but you can order multiple flavors for a big waffle cone or cup.
The shop is connected to Soul Sisters Ceramics, where the owner hosts ceramic paint parties and the retail space is stocked with home decor goods. Located in a renovated gas station, it’s adorable.
Traditions Soda & Sandwich Shop – Garden City
To visit Garden City without stopping at Traditions Soda & Sandwich Shop (121 W. Grant Avenue) would be a crime. A Garden City original since 1925, a throwback menu showcasing 5-cent root beer, tin ceilings, and an old-fashioned soda fountain are nostalgic throwbacks.
Claim a booth or a counter barstool during lunch or dinner hours to order a made-to-order burger with fries and a thick chocolate malt or shake. I recommend sitting at the counter to see a view of the bustling kitchen staff.
Hunter Drug Soda Fountain – Greensburg
Be sure to visit the restored Hunter Drug Soda Fountain, located inside the Kiowa County Historical Museum (320 S. Main Street). It’s a great place to order a tasty Vanilla Coke or banana split. I nestled into a sunlit booth and enjoyed the view of the outdoor pond and landscaping.
Tell them you want to try the EF5 Challenge ($40). If you can eat 15 scoops of ice cream and 10 toppings in 30 minutes, you get your photo on the Wall of Fame.
Holton Mercantile – Holton
Holton Mercantile (415 New York Ave.) is a general store that carries everything from cards and seasonal decorations to kitchen tools and puzzles. They operate an old-fashioned soda fountain counter in the rear of the store.
The store often hosts an Ice Cream Bar Day during Second Saturday downtown shopping events. Choose from seven ice cream flavors and endless toppings.
Hildebrand Farms Dairy – Junction City
Hildebrand Farms Dairy (5210 Rucker Rd.) offers guided tours of its cattle farm and milk production facility, and every visitor is welcome to sample homemade soft serve ice cream available exclusively at the farm store.
An employee will serve vanilla ice cream in a cup, and you have a choice of crumbled cookies, nuts, or sprinkles for toppings.
Frost and Flour – Junction City
When you’re craving dessert after enjoying dining downtown, Frost and Flour (725 N. Washington St.) serve imported Bliss Artisan ice cream by the scoop and homemade baked goods. The sweet smell of freshly baked cookies (the size of small plates!) fills the space.
I was offered tastings of any ice cream and ultimately decided on Brown Sugar Maple in a small cup. The ice cream was creamy and rich in a cinnamon roll-like flavor.
Indigo Moo’d Ice Cream – Lindsborg
Considering all of the Kansas ice cream shops I’ve visited, Indigo Moo’d Ice Cream (125 N. Main Street) exceeds many of the in quality of homemade ice cream. Besides, the unique seasonal flavors keep me returning for more.
Indulge in a classic waffle cone treat or a single dip in a cup at the Swedish-themed shop or sit outdoors on the patio. Try the Lingonberry Vanilla ice cream.
Sweet Thang Café – Olathe
Opened in 2019, Sweet Thang Cafe (1088 W. Santa Fe) the dessert destination is incredibly popular with locals. The moment I walked in, I knew I was in the right place. “Welcome!” the staff exclaimed.
Ice cream, baked goods, and candy dominate the menu, and the place smells like freshly made waffle cones. I opted for a double scoop of Rocky Road ice cream, but seriously, you can’t go wrong no matter your menu choice. I recommend taking a few minutes to view the Flavor Wall before committing to your ice cream order.
Dagney’s Ice Cream – Salina
Word on the street is that Dagney’s Ice Cream (105 E. Iron St.) serves some of the best tasting ice cream around.
With 29 flavors on the menu, I was determined to select the best one. I sampled the Maple Bacon (it was incredible!), but eventually settled on Rocky Road, a flavor recommended by a local.
Thick, chunky, and dense in flavor, it satisfied. Word to the wise! Order a smaller size than you’re craving. The ice cream is filling. If you love it, they sell to-go pints.
Bogey’s – Salina
After a trip to Salina, people often ask me if I stopped at Bogey’s (1417 S. 9th St.) for ice cream. It’s a Salina mainstay. The fast food restaurant serves over 100 different shake flavors, and is known for its chili cheese fries and burgers. My chocolate-vanilla twist ice cream cone hit the spot.
Bogey’s is a busy place. Consider dining outside on the patio where fewer people are seated. In a hurry? Order via the drive-thru window.
Cornerstone CoffeeHaus – Seneca
Cornerstone CoffeeHaus (431 Main Street) is an architectural gem. When shopping along Main Street, step inside the 1874 bank building, which is now part coffee shop, and part old-fashioned soda fountain.
Forget your cares as you sip a latté or enjoy an ice cream sundae or ice cream flight at the horseshoe counter, an original from Harsh Drug Store.
Pop’s Sweet Shop – Spring Hill
A day with ice cream is more delightful at Pop’s Sweet Shop (115 S. Main Street). The owners, originally from New York, opened an old-fashioned ice cream counter in historic Spring Hill to provide the community with a gathering place.
They serve Blue Bell Ice Cream by the scoop, in a malt, or as a shake, along with homemade fudge and organic cotton candy. Nana’s homemade Italian cannoli are a local favorite.
Gibsons’ Health Mart Pharmacy – WaKeeney
The secret ingredient to WaKeeney’s charm? The people…and an ice cream treat at Gibson Health Mart Pharmacy (125 N. Main St.), an old-fashioned soda fountain in business since 1892.
One of about forty authentic soda fountains still in operation in the state, Gibson’s includes seating for nine patrons. Thirsty? Flag down any employee who is ready to happily whip up an malt, shake, or soda drink for you.
Old Mill Tasty Shop – Wichita
Diners of all ages have enjoyed ice cream sundaes and authentic drinks at Old Mill Tasty Shop‘s (604 E. Douglas Avenue) old-fashioned soda counter since 1932. I’ve been visiting it since the early 1980s.
Take a step back in time and order one of the restaurant’s most popular desserts, an turtle sundae. Watch a consistent flow of customers arrive and listen to the shake machine whizz as you sit at the marble counter enjoying each bite of your sundae.
Papa’s Ice Cream & Treats – Wichita
Go to Papa’s Ice Cream & Treats (Two Locations) if you’re an ice cream lover who likes to add unique toppings and mix-in ingredients to sundaes or shakes.
Known as the Home of the Extreme Shake, I’d recommend bringing a fellow ice cream fan with you to help you finish a towering Cinnamon Crunch Love or Monster Cookie Mania, which is topped with a mountain of whipped cream and cookies with drizzle.
Of course, if you want a single dip cone or cup after a Coney Island hot dog lunch, the staff is happy to serve it.
Bonus Stops
If you’re traveling to Kansas City, Missouri, I highly recommend visiting the ever-popular Betty Rae’s Ice Cream. They also have locations in Nebraska and four in Northeast Kansas.
Additionally, stop in Newton at Prairy to pick up several pints of Kansas-made Salted Creamery Ice Cream. Once you try the Key Lime Pie, you may never be the same.
Of course, this list does not include every spot on the Kansas ice cream trail, but it’s a good reference for finding a shop near you to curb your cravings.
I hope to add Sylas and Maddys in Lawrence to my next road trip agenda. What other sweet shop would you recommend?
Once you’ve stocked your reusable bag with Kansas-made products, I recommend taking a walk around Madison Avenue Central Park and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. If you’re a parent with kids in tow, visiting the like-new playground is a must.
What makes this museum special? It has more unique and hard-to-curate items than I’ve seen in a Kansas museum. For example, they don’t just have one antique typewriter or camera – dozens of all sizes and colors. I told everyone I’ve met since I visited the museum about its impact on me. And I must admit, the more I learned about the town’s history, the more I wished I had gone to school in Derby. “Go, Panthers!” I’ll return to the museum with friends and family in tow.
During my visit, the park hosted youth softball and baseball tournaments. With every crack of a bat and roar of the crowd, the atmosphere erupted with a competitive spirit. It was a good day to visit the park for the first time. The energy was infectious, and it was certainly a place to enjoy the sounds of summer.
I devoured tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders on King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls served with perfectly crispy tater tots. Seated in the cool air conditioning while enjoying a scrumptious meal was just what I needed to escape the summer heat.
Touring the park is an immersive experience. Where else can you walk amongst life-sized prehistoric creators and hear their natural sounds? Don’t miss visiting all of the activity stations. Each one keeps novice paleontologists learning and engaged.
I visited the pool on one of the hottest days on record in Derby. It was the best place to wind down and relax in the shade near the water. It made for great people-watching, too! Everyone was smiling and enjoying the day. If you want to learn more about Rock River Rapids Aquatic Center, the premier water park in South-Central Kansas, view their hours and events via their F
Once the blackberries are completely smashed, scoop the fruit goop (that’s a yummy word!) into the cocktail glass. (Instead of muddling the mint leaves, I tore them into super small pieces with my hands releasing their herbal aromatic flavor before dropping them into the glass.) Then add the sugar.
