By Vanessa Whiteside on July 11, 2024
3 Ice Cream Parlors in Kansas You Can’t Miss
A homemade ice cream treat or fizzy soft drink on a hot July day is a tasty way to seek relief from the heat. Since the 1920s, soda fountains, often located inside drug stores, have been the go-to summer destination for families. This iconic tradition, deeply rooted in the history of Kansas, continues to provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Bring the family to an old-fashioned soda fountain near you to celebrate National Ice Cream Month and take a step back in time one scoop at a time.
1. Gibson Health Mart - WaKeeney
Since 1892, Gibson Health Mart’s soda fountain has continued the long-standing tradition of serving refreshing drinks and ice cream concoctions in the community. Patrons sit shoulder-to-shoulder on barstools, watching staff prepare Vanilla Cream Cokes or hand-squeezed lemonade. The soda fountain’s youngest visitors frequently request the brightly colored Green River with lemon-lime flavoring. A towering milkshake or two-scoop cone is a cure for whatever ails you.
Gibson Health Mart
125 N. Main, WaKeeney
(785) 743-5753
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2. Holton Mercantile - Holton
Locals have walked up to the old-fashioned ice cream shop at Holton Mercantile to order happiness in a cup or cone since it was a drug store in the 1940s. Now a variety store on the downtown square, it remains a must-visit stop where shoppers pick up everyday supplies plus a sweet treat. Hand-dipped cookies and nostalgic candy turn a standard sundae into a full-flavor, one-of-a-kind dessert. The classic flavored ice cream cones stacked with Kansas City-made Belfonte ice cream will leave you eager to try them all.
Holton Mercantile
415 New York Avenue #1708, Holton
(785) 364-3321
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3. Old Mill Tasty Shop - Wichita
Children have climbed barstools at Old Mill Tasty Shop’s soda fountain counter to watch employees drizzle caramel on sundaes or mix a malt since 1932. Like a blast from the past, the ice cream counter maintains its old-school character. A polished marble counter and shiny chrome soda dispensers create the scene where employees busily prepare ice-cold treats. The family-friendly eatery is the quintessential place to order a Very Cherry Sundae and shareable banana split — two spoons and extra napkins are a must.
Old Mill Tasty Shop
604 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita
(316) 264-6500
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