Photo: Jeff
Photo: Shawn Seidel
Photo: Justin Evans
Schimpff's Confectionery
★4.8(1,674 reviews)$Ice Cream
🕑 1-2 hours👶 Best for ages 3 and up. Preschoolers are mesmerized by watching candy being made, while older elementary kids enjoy learning about the history and trying unique vintage candies they've never seen before. Tweens and teens appreciate the nostalgic Instagram-worthy atmosphere.🧡 Saved by 100+ families
About
Step back in time at Schimpff's Confectionery, a beloved Jeffersonville institution that's been delighting families since 1891. Kids' eyes light up watching live candy-making demonstrations of old-fashioned treats like Red Hots cinnamon candies and Modjeskas, then sipping classic sodas at the vintage marble soda fountain that's been serving sweet treats for over a century.
Highlights
- ✓Live candy-making demonstrations showing traditional techniques from the 1800s
- ✓Original 1891 marble soda fountain serving old-fashioned sodas, phosphates, and ice cream treats
- ✓Free candy museum with antique equipment and confectionery history
- ✓Unique candy varieties you won't find elsewhere, including hand-dipped chocolates and Modjeskas
- ✓Beautiful vintage atmosphere perfect for family photos
Pro Tips
- 1.Check their schedule in advance for candy-making demonstration times,these are the highlight and happen at specific times throughout the day, not continuously
- 2.Bring cash for easier transactions, especially if you're letting kids pick out individual candies from the old-fashioned display cases
- 3.Visit on weekday mornings for a quieter experience with more personalized attention during demonstrations
- 4.Don't miss the small museum upstairs showcasing candy-making history and antique equipment,it's free and fascinating
- 5.Let kids try a Modjeska (marshmallow covered in caramel),it's their signature candy that you can't find anywhere else
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-11:30 AM) offer the best experience with smaller crowds and guaranteed candy-making demonstrations. Saturdays can get busy with tourists, especially around lunch when the soda fountain sees peak traffic.
What to Know
Entry to the store and museum is free; you only pay for candy, ice cream, and soda fountain treats you purchase. Street parking is available on Spring Street, and the historic building has stairs to the upstairs museum area.
Seasonal Notes
Closed Sundays year-round. The shop is especially festive during Christmas season with holiday-themed candies and decorations. Summer can be warm inside the historic building, as air conditioning is limited. Valentine's Day and Easter bring special candy selections.
Nearby Eats
Walk two blocks to Red Yeti Brewing (family-friendly with burgers and wood-fired pizza) or try Big Four Burgers + Beer nearby, which has a great kids' menu and connects to the Big Four Bridge pedestrian walkway for post-lunch exploring.
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