Pennsylvania still has places where a root beer float comes from a real fountain and you can grab a stool at the counter. These seven soda fountains range from a bow-tie-staffed parlor in Old City Philadelphia to a plant-filled soda cafe in Bucks County.
Each one pairs classic treats like sundaes, egg creams, and hand-mixed sodas with a setting that pulls you back a few decades. Save this list for your next drive across the state, because a scoop and a fizzy drink make any road trip better.
1. The Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia, PA
Bow ties are part of the uniform at The Franklin Fountain, and that small detail sets the tone for everything else. The staff serve classic parlor treats in an old-timey space at 116 Market St, just steps from the historic heart of Old City.
The menu leans traditional in the best way. Root beer floats, hot fudge sundaes, and Dr. Dovey’s Banana Split share the board with flavors like butter pecan, vanilla bean, rum raisin, and pumpkin.
For something bigger, the Mt. Vesuvius Sundae is the showpiece.
Vegan options are on hand too, and some treats arrive in containers styled after the 1870s.
Lines can stretch out the door, especially Saturday afternoons and evenings, but they tend to move quickly. Seating is outdoors and there is no restroom, so plan accordingly.
The shop is open daily from 11 AM to midnight, which makes it an easy late-night stop after a day of sightseeing.
2. The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor, Boyertown, PA
Half candy shop, half soda counter, this Boyertown stop on East Philadelphia Avenue gives you two reasons to walk through the door.
One side holds an old-school soda fountain. The other is packed with classic confections, so it is hard to leave with just one treat.
At the counter, the staff make sodas, sundaes, floats, and ice cream orders to order. Egg creams are on the menu, which is a rare find these days.
During the holidays, homemade hot cocoa made with real cream joins the lineup. That makes this a smart winter stop too.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and it is closed Mondays. Weekday mornings are the calmest time to visit.
3. Hinkle’s Restaurant, Columbia, PA
Breakfast, lunch, and a soda counter all under one roof is a road-trip trifecta, and Hinkle’s in Columbia covers it well.
The restaurant sits in a beautifully remodeled diner on Locust Street. Inside, an old-fashioned soda parlor lets you grab a seat right at the counter.
I like this one because you can make a full meal of it. The menu covers homestyle comfort food like chicken and waffles, burgers, and crab cakes, plus a kids’ menu and vegetarian choices.
Then comes dessert from the fountain. There is also a gift shop for browsing before you head back to the car.
Prices typically fall around $10 to $20 per person. Hinkle’s opens early most days, closes at 2 PM on Mondays and Sundays, and has a free parking lot.
Columbia sits along the Susquehanna River, making this an easy break on a Lancaster County drive.
4. Strasburg Creamery & General Store, Strasburg, PA
Ice cream nachos are not something you expect at a vintage soda shop, which is exactly why this Strasburg stop sticks in your memory.
The creamery sits at 1 W Main St in a restored building with a charming old-style soda fountain. Shelves of candy and trinkets give it a general-store flavor.
Soda floats, milkshakes, and hot fudge sundaes cover the classics. Vanilla mint chocolate chip is a standout flavor, and sandwiches and pretzels are available if someone wants something savory.
Families stopping in Lancaster County’s train country will find it easy to work into the day. There is seating, a restroom, free Wi-Fi, and free parking.
Hours run noon to 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday and noon to 9 PM Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sundays.
5. Chantilly Goods Ice Cream Shoppe, Weissport, PA
Fifty soda flavors. That number alone makes Chantilly Goods in Weissport a serious contender for any soda fan’s itinerary.
The shop pairs a vintage soda fountain with chalkboard tabletops and a big selection of old-fashioned candy. It is a short hop from Jim Thorpe, making it a natural add-on for a Poconos day trip.
The menu goes well beyond a simple scoop. Look for soda floats, soda milkshakes, banana splits, homemade waffle sundaes, and a flavor called Rocky Tow Path with wet walnuts.
Planning a picnic or party? Old Fashioned Soda Growlers let you bring the fizz home.
Weekday hours start at 3 PM, while weekends open at noon, and everything closes at 9 PM. Dogs are welcome inside, which is a nice perk for traveling pups.
6. The Weldon Fountain, Glenside, PA
Glenside’s Keswick Avenue has a sweet secret for anyone heading north of Philadelphia.
The Weldon Fountain is a throwback parlor serving homemade ice cream along with roughly ten handmade soda flavors. Sundaes and shakes are made by hand, and the topping selection is large.
Prices here are reasonable, which helps when you are treating a whole carload. It works best as a quick stop, with takeout and a casual setup.
Afternoon and evening hours make it a good after-dinner idea. It opens at 3 PM on weekdays and 1 PM on weekends, staying open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dogs are allowed inside and out, and free street parking is available nearby.
7. The Fizzy Fern, Sellersville, PA
Old-fashioned does not have to mean stuck in the past, and The Fizzy Fern proves it with a fresh take on the soda fountain.
This Sellersville cafe on North Main Street is filled with plants and serves inventive custom sodas alongside bagels. If you miss the fountain vanilla cokes of years past, the menu here scratches that itch.
The shop also hosts on-site workshops and classes, so a soda stop can turn into an activity. It is a morning-friendly option too, opening as early as 8 AM on weekends.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM, Friday and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday 8 AM to 3 PM. It is closed Mondays, and parking is free.
From a big-city parlor to a fern-lined cafe, these seven stops show Pennsylvania’s soda fountain tradition is alive and fizzing. Pick one on your route, or plan a whole trip around a few.
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