Midwest · 50 stops · 38 towns

Illinois Fountains

Every counter we've walked into in Illinois — pharmacy fountains, checkerboard parlors, dirty soda bars and bottle shops, in one place.

The map auto-frames Illinois

Illinois routes on Bubbles & Byways

Illinois towns with a fountain

Every stop in Illinois

50 counters listed

Al's Cafe & Creamery in Elgin, IL

Al's Cafe & Creamery

★ 4.6 (975)

Step back in time: Elgin’s 1892 gem serves creative eats and delightful old-fashioned ice cream treats.

SundaesWaffle cones

Elgin, IL

American Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor in Galena, IL

American Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor

★ 4.2 (86)

Delight in generous scoops of ice cream within a historic apothecary, maintaining its original charm on Main Street.

SundaesRoot beer floats

Galena, IL

Aunt Diana's Old Fashioned Fudge in Riverside, IL

Aunt Diana's Old Fashioned Fudge

★ 4.8 (134)

Aunt Diana's fudge: A luscious, old-fashioned escape, handcrafted perfection in every rich bite.

Saltwater taffyBulk bins

Riverside, IL

Batavia Creamery in Batavia, IL

Batavia Creamery

★ 4.8 (403)

Batavia Creamery: Cozy parlor swirling 100+ rotating, creative scoops – a sweet, kid-friendly dream.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Batavia, IL

Black Dog Gelato in Chicago, IL

Black Dog Gelato

★ 4.7 (791)

Step into Black Dog Gelato for dreamy, daring scoops in a charming pink parlor.

SundaesWaffle cones

Chicago, IL

Cap's Ice Cream in Mt Prospect, IL

Cap's Ice Cream

★ 4.8 (1097)

Charming nook with a front porch featuring a rotating selection of clever ice cream flavors.

Mt Prospect, IL

Charlie's Creamery in Aurora, IL

Charlie's Creamery

★ 4.8 (282)

Aurora's Charlie's Creamery: Timeless sundaes, fizzy floats, and malt shop magic transport you straight to the soda fountain's golden age.

MaltsSoft serve

Aurora, IL

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream in Chicago, IL

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

★ 4.6 (1434)

Chicago's vibrant scoop shop swirls classic ice cream, sorbets, and sherbets in a dazzling, ever-fresh setting.

Penny candyGlass-bottle soda

Chicago, IL

Cone Gourmet Ice Cream in Chicago, IL

Cone Gourmet Ice Cream

★ 4.2 (778)

This family-run neighborhood ice cream parlor with a retro vibe offers many sweet treats & snacks.

Chicago, IL

Cool Creations Homemade Ice Cream in Lockport, IL

Cool Creations Homemade Ice Cream

★ 4.9 (314)

Lockport's retro gem, serving cheerful, hand-scooped homemade ice cream and cakes, April to October.

MaltsSoft serve

Lockport, IL

Country Style Ice Cream in Creve Coeur, IL

Country Style Ice Cream

★ 4.8 (72)

Creve Coeur's Country Style Ice Cream: Timeless scoops, sundaes, and malts for a sweet taste of yesteryear.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Creve Coeur, IL

Covered Bridge Creamery in Long Grove, IL

Covered Bridge Creamery

★ 4.7 (313)

Long Grove's Covered Bridge Creamery: A scoop of nostalgic bliss, serving up sundaes and smiles from a bygone era!

MaltsSoft serve

Long Grove, IL

Creamery Ice Cream in Orland Hills, IL

Creamery Ice Cream

★ 4.3 (316)

Orland Hills' Creamery dishes up classic scoops and frosty malts, a timeless treat straight from the soda fountain's glory days.

SundaesWaffle cones

Orland Hills, IL

Dairy Star Ice Cream of Lincolnwood in Lincolnwood, IL

Dairy Star Ice Cream of Lincolnwood

★ 4.6 (1551)

Veteran ice cream shop serving up soft-serve cones, floats, slushies, milkshakes, sundaes & splits.

Lincolnwood, IL

Dairyhaus in Rockton, IL

Dairyhaus

★ 4.8 (1054)

Quaint counter-serve in an old stone building featuring homemade ice cream & waffle cones.

Rockton, IL

Docs Just Off 66 in Girard, IL

Docs Just Off 66

1884

An 1884 Route 66 drugstore fountain, museum and lunch counter in one.

Soda fountain museumPhosphates

Girard, IL

Emo's Dairy Mart in Peoria, IL

Emo's Dairy Mart

★ 4.4 (953)

Peoria, IL

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Chicago, IL

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop

★ 4.5 (3691)

Iconic chocolatier selling chocolate gifts galore, including chocolate squares, bars & baskets.

Chicago, IL

Greg's Frozen Custard in Mundelein, IL

Greg's Frozen Custard

★ 4.8 (909)

Blast off to Greg's: retro space-age custard, daily special, pure out-of-this-world delight!

MaltsSoft serve

Mundelein, IL

Homer's Ice Cream in Wilmette, IL

Homer's Ice Cream

★ 4.5 (843)

Homer's: Wilmette's bright, retro haven scoops dozens of classic flavors from a welcoming counter.

SundaesWaffle cones

Wilmette, IL

Ice Cream Shack in Peoria, IL

Ice Cream Shack

★ 4.5 (539)

Peoria's Ice Cream Shack: Classic sundaes, shakes, and frozen treats, served walk-up style for sunny outdoor enjoyment.

MaltsSoft serve

Peoria, IL

Johnny’s Dirty Soda & Snacks in Chicago, IL

Johnny’s Dirty Soda & Snacks

★ 4.8 (76)

Johnny's: Chicago's sweet escape, mixing classic sodas with modern dirty twists and crave-worthy snacks, a true retro delight!

Dirty Dr PepperCoconut cream

Chicago, IL

Lagomarcino's Confectionery in Moline, IL

Lagomarcino's Confectionery

★ 4.8 (553)

Step back in time to this Moline gem, where the charm of yesteryear makes every ice cream and soda feel extra special.

Root beer floatsFresh fudge

Moline, IL

Lickity Split Frozen Custard & Sweets LLC in Chicago, IL

Lickity Split Frozen Custard & Sweets LLC

★ 4.7 (1509)

Experience old-timey charm with modern energy at this bustling hub for frozen custard, retro candies, and unique treats.

Hand-spun maltsMilkshakes

Chicago, IL

Little Popcorn Store in Wheaton, IL

Little Popcorn Store

★ 4.8 (443)

Wheaton's gem: classic popcorn, sweet sodas, and retro charm, served with a smile since way back when.

MaltsSoft serve

Wheaton, IL

London Ice Cream Shop in Riverside, IL

London Ice Cream Shop

★ 4.9 (319)

Step into sweet nostalgia: London Ice Cream serves up classic scoops and timeless charm in Riverside.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Riverside, IL

Maple Avenue Creamery in La Grange Park, IL

Maple Avenue Creamery

★ 4.6 (61)

Step into Maple Avenue Creamery for nostalgic scoops, sundaes, and shakes, a sweet step back in time.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

La Grange Park, IL

Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville, IL

Marcoot Jersey Creamery

★ 4.9 (379)

Old-school sundaes and farm-fresh cheese: a delicious, down-home taste of yesterday's dairy delights!

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Greenville, IL

Margie's Candies in Chicago, IL

Margie's Candies

★ 4.6 (1389)

Longtime, old-fashioned ice cream parlor serving up ice cream sundaes & homemade candies.

Chicago, IL

Margie's Candies in Chicago, IL

Margie's Candies

1921

The Beatles ate here: Chicago's 1921 candy palace and sundae temple.

Terrapin sundaeHot fudge in a pitcher

Chicago, IL

Minooka Creamery in Minooka, IL

Minooka Creamery

★ 4.6 (655)

Step back in time: Minooka Creamery serves up classic malts and smiles, just like the good old days!

SundaesWaffle cones

Minooka, IL

Neon Cow Creamery & Sub Shop in Hampshire, IL

Neon Cow Creamery & Sub Shop

★ 4.8 (122)

**Neon Cow: Hampshire's bright spot for classic subs, scoops, and a blast of vintage Americana.

SundaesWaffle cones

Hampshire, IL

Old Fashioned Candies in Berwyn, IL

Old Fashioned Candies

★ 4.8 (342)

A true Berwyn gem where nostalgic atmosphere meets an incredible selection of handmade and hard-to-find sweets.

Berwyn, IL

Pete's Castle Marathon & Get The Scoop Ice Cream Shoppe in Genoa, IL

Pete's Castle Marathon & Get The Scoop Ice Cream Shoppe

★ 4.6 (124)

Fill up on gas, then get your just desserts at Pete's, Genoa's sweetest roadside stop!

MaltsSoft serve

Genoa, IL

Petersen's Ice Cream in Oak Park, IL

Petersen's Ice Cream

★ 4.3 (476)

Petersen's: Step back to 1919 for classic sundaes, rich fudge, and timeless soda-fountain charm in Oak Park.

Saltwater taffyBulk bins

Oak Park, IL

Plush Horse Palos Park in Palos Park, IL

Plush Horse Palos Park

★ 4.8 (2591)

Step back in time for colossal scoops and countless flavors in this charming, old-fashioned ice cream haven!

SundaesWaffle cones

Palos Park, IL

Poogan's Creamery in Raymond, IL

Poogan's Creamery

★ 5 (82)

Poogan's Creamery: Savor sweet scoops and timeless sundaes at this charming retro stop.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Raymond, IL

Rocket Fizz St. Charles in St. Charles, IL

Rocket Fizz St. Charles

★ 4.6 (517)

Blast off to Rocket Fizz St. Charles for a galaxy of wild sodas and nostalgic candy treats!

Saltwater taffyBulk bins

St. Charles, IL

Scooter's Frozen Custard in Chicago, IL

Scooter's Frozen Custard

★ 4.7 (884)

Frozen custard shop with sundaes, floats, concretes (thick shakes) & loads of different toppings.

Chicago, IL

Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain in Chicago, IL

Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain

2014

Humboldt Park's bakery-fountain hybrid, reviving Chicago phosphate culture.

Handmade phosphatesPie

Chicago, IL

Sunrise Cafe in Springfield, IL

Sunrise Cafe

★ 4.3 (1033)

Sunrise Cafe: Grab a booth for classic diner comfort, from hearty breakfasts to their legendary chicken-fried steak and soda fountain treats.

PhosphatesLime rickeys

Springfield, IL

TATES Old Fashioned Ice Cream in La Grange, IL

TATES Old Fashioned Ice Cream

★ 4.7 (457)

Relive the good old days in a nostalgic parlor overflowing with eclectic Americana and scrumptious frozen delights.

Hand-spun maltsHouse-made ice cream

La Grange, IL

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor in Forest Park, IL

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor

★ 4.6 (968)

Step back in time: The Brown Cow crafts classic sundaes, shakes, and legendary homemade root beer in a charming, old-school parlor.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Forest Park, IL

The Milk House Ice Cream in Pingree Grove, IL

The Milk House Ice Cream

★ 4.8 (1230)

Pingree Grove, IL

The Original Walt's Ice Cream in Joliet, IL

The Original Walt's Ice Cream

★ 4.7 (1010)

Joliet, IL

The Shake Shack in Lexington, IL

The Shake Shack

★ 4.7 (307)

The Shake Shack: Old-school vibes, classic burgers, and comfort food galore await in this charming roadside stop.

SundaesWaffle cones

Lexington, IL

The Sweet Shop in Minonk, IL

The Sweet Shop

★ 4.7 (89)

A cozy, inviting stop where hand-dipped ice cream and legendary cinnamon rolls create sweet memories.

Hand-spun malts

Minonk, IL

The Sweet Shoppe in Canton, IL

The Sweet Shoppe

★ 4.7 (100)

Discover sweet delights and savory bites in a historic pharmacy building, boasting an authentic soda fountain experience.

Hand-spun maltsSundaes

Canton, IL

Top Hat Creamery in Lincoln, IL

Top Hat Creamery

★ 4.8 (139)

Step into sweet nostalgia: Top Hat Creamery serves up classic treats and smiles, the perfect Lincoln, IL, scoop.

Hand-dipped conesBanana splits

Lincoln, IL

Windy City Sweets in Chicago, IL

Windy City Sweets

★ 4.5 (292)

Windy City Sweets: A vibrant wonderland brimming with colorful candies, creamy fudge, and old-fashioned ice cream delights.

Nostalgia candyChocolates

Chicago, IL