9 Pennsylvania Ice Cream Stands Still Scooping The Classics

Nothing beats the nostalgic joy of a classic ice cream stand on a hot summer day. Pennsylvania’s beloved ice cream parlors have been perfecting their craft for generations, serving up scoops that taste like childhood memories. I’ve spent years sampling cones across the Keystone State, and these nine spots still dish out the same timeless treats that have kept locals coming back for decades.

1. Bassetts Ice Cream

Step into Reading Terminal Market and you’ll find America’s oldest ice cream company still churning away since 1861! The marble counter has witnessed generations of Philadelphians enjoying their super-premium scoops.

What makes Bassetts magical isn’t fancy mix-ins or wild flavors; it’s their unwavering commitment to rich, velvety perfection. Their vanilla recipe hasn’t changed in over a century, and that first lick instantly transports me back to simpler times.

Pro tip: Their butter pecan is legendary among locals who know the real deal.

2. The Franklin Fountain

Brothers Ryan and Eric Berley created this Old City time capsule that feels straight out of 1915. Soda jerks in bow ties and paper hats craft sundaes and phosphates with theatrical flair that’ll make your Instagram followers drool.

Every spoonful of their handmade ice cream tells a story; recipes researched from historical cookbooks and crafted with local ingredients. The tin ceiling, antique fixtures, and vintage music create an atmosphere that’s impossible to resist.

My personal obsession? Their Franklin Mint Chip, made with chunks of house-made peppermint patties.

3. Penn State Berkey Creamery: Campus Legend With Dairy Science Cred

Who knew college could taste so sweet? Since 1865, this university creamery has been teaching future dairy experts while serving up some of Pennsylvania’s most beloved scoops. The line often stretches out the door, but trust me; it moves quickly.

The ice cream journey here begins with cows grazing just a mile away at the university’s dairy barns. That farm-to-cone freshness explains why their flavors pack such a punch.

Former football coach Joe Paterno loved their peachy paterno flavor so much they named it after him!

4. Ballyhoo Ice Cream & Candy

Hidden in a charming old house in West Pittston sits this gem that locals try (unsuccessfully) to keep secret. Walking through Ballyhoo’s doors feels like visiting your coolest grandmother; if she happened to make incredible ice cream and stock every candy from your childhood.

Owner Lori runs this place with infectious enthusiasm, remembering regulars’ orders and telling stories about the building’s history. The homemade waffle cones will ruin you for store-bought forever.

For maximum happiness, try their signature teaberry flavor; a regional pink treat with a minty-wintergreen kick.

5. Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor

Originally a 1920s pharmacy, Klavon’s survived the Great Depression, devastating floods, and nearly closed forever in 2013. Thank goodness local families rescued this Strip District landmark!

The original marble countertops, wooden phone booths, and authentic soda fountain equipment create a museum-like experience. But unlike museums, you can devour their Penn State Creamery-sourced ice cream while sitting on the same stools your grandparents might have used.

My favorite tradition? Watching them make a real ice cream soda; a vanishing art form performed with expert precision.

6. Eder’s Ice Cream

Don’t let the humble exterior fool you: Eder’s has been Montoursville’s summer highlight since 1964. This family-run stand doesn’t waste time on fancy decorations when they could be perfecting their homemade recipes instead.

The portion sizes here should come with a warning label. Even their “small” could feed a small family! On hot summer nights, the line stretches down the block with locals who’ve been coming for generations.

Their butter brickle flavor haunts my dreams all winter; buttery ice cream loaded with crunchy toffee bits that somehow never stick to your teeth.

7. Casey’s Ice Cream & Candies

Walking into Casey’s feels like stumbling into a 1950s technicolor dream. Opened in 1982 but designed to channel mid-century nostalgia, this Meadville staple serves up both classic and creative flavors alongside handmade chocolates.

Owner Tom Casey greets regulars by name while scooping generous portions into freshly made waffle cones. The walls are covered with vintage ice cream advertisements and local sports memorabilia that tell Meadville’s story.

Their black raspberry chocolate chip delivers the perfect balance of fruit and richness; I’d drive an hour just for one scoop!

8. The Cow

You’ll spot The Cow from a mile away; literally! This roadside stand shaped like an enormous black-and-white Holstein has been stopping traffic since 1966. Travelers along Route 56 can’t resist pulling over for what locals know is Bedford County’s finest frozen treat.

Despite its kitschy exterior, The Cow takes its ice cream seriously. Each batch is made with local dairy in small quantities to ensure freshness. Their signature flavor changes weekly based on what’s in season.

Bonus: Their hand-cut french fries make the perfect salty companion to your sweet scoop.

9. Shaffer’s Frosty Freeze

Summer evenings in Johnstown have one essential soundtrack: the happy chatter from Shaffer’s picnic tables. This unpretentious stand has survived floods, economic downturns, and changing food trends since opening in 1954.

What’s their secret? Consistency that borders on stubborn dedication. Their soft-serve recipe remains unchanged, and regulars would revolt if they dared alter their signature chocolate dip that hardens into a perfect shell.

My childhood ritual lives on: a chocolate-vanilla twist in a cake cone, eaten quickly before it melts down your arm on a hot July night.