20 American Towns Where Candy Shops Still Feel Like Magic

Step inside a candy shop and suddenly you’re a kid again, eyes wide at jars filled with rainbow swirls and shelves stacked with chocolates.

Some towns across America have kept this magic alive, where old-fashioned candy stores still bubble with fudge, spin fresh taffy, and wrap treats by hand.

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan (Ryba’s Fudge Shops, Original Murdick’s Fudge)

Fudge-making windows line the streets here, where copper kettles bubble and marble slabs cool creamy batches right before your eyes.

Ryba’s and Original Murdick’s have been perfecting their craft since the 1800s, turning simple ingredients into melt-in-your-mouth masterpieces.

Cars aren’t allowed on this island, so you’ll stroll past horse-drawn carriages while clutching a warm slice of chocolate walnut or peanut butter fudge.

Address: Ryba’s Fudge Shops, 7273 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen)

Mountains surround this candy wonderland where taffy machines stretch ribbons of color and workers twist them into perfect pillows.

Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen has been a Gatlinburg treasure since 1950, serving up saltwater taffy in flavors you never knew existed.

Watch through giant windows as candy makers pull and fold the taffy by hand, a mesmerizing dance that’s been perfected over decades.

Address: Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, 167 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

3. Helen, Georgia (Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen)

Bavarian architecture meets Southern charm in this Alpine village where Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen looks straight out of a fairy tale.

Gingerbread houses aren’t just decorations here; they’re edible works of art stacked alongside handmade chocolates and European sweets.

Cobblestone streets lead you to this whimsical shop filled with imported German treats and house-made confections. The smell of fresh waffle cones and roasted nuts greets you at the door.

Address: Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen, 8718 North Main Street, Helen, GA 30545

4. Leavenworth, Washington (The Gingerbread Factory)

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, this German-themed village hides a candy shop that smells like Christmas year-round.

The Gingerbread Factory specializes in handcrafted cookies decorated with such precision they look too pretty to eat.

Beyond gingerbread, shelves overflow with caramels, toffees, and chocolate-dipped treats made fresh daily.

Address: The Gingerbread Factory, 828 Commercial Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

5. Savannah, Georgia (River Street Sweets)

Cobblestone streets along the Savannah River lead to this candy institution where pralines are made the old-fashioned way.

River Street Sweets has been perfecting their Southern pecan pralines since 1973, stirring copper pots over open flames.

Giant windows let you watch sugar transform into golden discs while the buttery scent floats onto the historic street.

Address: River Street Sweets, 13 East River Street, Savannah, GA 31401

6. Cape May, New Jersey (The Original Fudge Kitchen)

Victorian homes and ocean breezes set the scene for this boardwalk classic that’s been churning out fudge since 1970.

The Original Fudge Kitchen keeps traditions alive with recipes passed down through generations and techniques that haven’t changed in decades.

Salt air mixes with chocolate as you watch fudge makers work their magic on marble slabs. Take your treat to the beach and let the waves provide the perfect soundtrack to your sweet moment.

Address: The Original Fudge Kitchen, 513 Washington Street Mall, Cape May, NJ 08204

7. Solvang, California (Swedish Candy Factory, Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates)

Windmills and Danish architecture transport you to Scandinavia without leaving California, and the candy shops match the Old World charm.

Swedish Candy Factory and Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates offer imported treats and European-style confections rarely found elsewhere.

Licorice lovers rejoice here, with shelves dedicated to salty and sweet varieties from Sweden and Denmark. The town itself feels like a storybook village where every building could house a fairy tale.

Address: Swedish Candy Factory, 1628 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA 93463

8. Hershey, Pennsylvania (Hershey’s Chocolate World)

Built by the chocolate king himself, this entire town smells like cocoa and celebrates all things sweet.

Streetlights shaped like Hershey’s Kisses line the avenues, and the air genuinely carries hints of chocolate from the nearby factory.

Sample everything from classic milk chocolate to experimental flavors you won’t find anywhere else.

Address: Hershey’s Chocolate World, 101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA 17033

9. Lititz, Pennsylvania (Wilbur Chocolate Store)

America’s oldest chocolate company calls this quaint town home, and their store feels like stepping into a chocolate museum.

Wilbur Chocolate has been crafting treats since 1884, and their original recipes still guide today’s candy makers.

Antique equipment sits alongside modern displays, showing how chocolate-making evolved over centuries.

Address: Wilbur Chocolate Store, 48 North Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543

10. Huntsville, Alabama (Pizelle’s Confections)

Rocket City hides a sweet secret where Italian traditions meet Southern hospitality in every handcrafted truffle.

Pizelle’s Confections combines Old World techniques with innovative flavors, creating chocolates that taste like edible art.

Named after the delicate Italian waffle cookie, this shop takes its craft seriously without taking itself too seriously.

Space engineers and candy lovers alike line up for seasonal flavors and custom gift boxes that make perfect souvenirs.

Address: Pizelle’s Confections, 120 Jefferson Street North, Huntsville, AL 35801

11. Garfield, Arkansas (Martin Greer’s Candies)

Hidden in the Ozark Mountains, this family operation has been making candy the same way since 1932.

Martin Greer’s Candies specializes in divinity, a fluffy Southern confection that melts on your tongue like sweet clouds.

Copper kettles and wooden paddles remain the tools of choice here, where recipes written in faded notebooks guide each batch.

Address: Martin Greer’s Candies, 1608 Highway 62 West, Garfield, AR 72732

12. Jacksonville, Florida (Sweet Pete’s Candy)

A century-old building transformed into a candy wonderland where history and sugar collide in spectacular fashion.

Sweet Pete’s occupies a former chocolate factory, keeping the industrial charm while filling it with colorful modern confections.

Watch candy being made in the open kitchen, then explore three floors of treats ranging from nostalgic classics to wild new creations.

Address: Sweet Pete’s Candy, 400 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

13. Louisville, Kentucky (Muth’s Candies)

Since 1921, this Louisville institution has been pulling bourbon balls and modjeskas with the same dedication Derby horses show at Churchill Downs.

Muth’s Candies remains family-owned, with recipes locked in a safe and techniques taught generation to generation.

The modjaska, a marshmallow dipped in caramel and chocolate, was invented here and remains their signature creation.

Address: Muth’s Candies, 630 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202

14. New Orleans, Louisiana (Southern Candymakers)

Jazz music drifts through the French Quarter while pralines cool on marble slabs in this NOLA institution.

Southern Candymakers has been sweetening the Big Easy since 1978, turning local pecans into creamy pralines that practically define Louisiana dessert.

Watch candy makers stir giant copper pots, then grab a sample fresh off the cooling table. The shop captures New Orleans’ spirit: traditional yet playful, serious about flavor but never stuffy.

Address: Southern Candymakers, 334 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

15. Ocean Springs, Mississippi (The Candy Cottage and Gourmet)

Gulf breezes blow past this charming cottage where homemade fudge and saltwater taffy share space with gourmet chocolates.

The Candy Cottage looks exactly like its name suggests: a storybook house filled with sweet surprises. Local artists design custom chocolates that reflect coastal life, from seashells to pelicans.

After grabbing treats, stroll through this artsy town known for galleries, live oaks, and a laid-back vibe that makes every visit feel like vacation.

Address: The Candy Cottage and Gourmet, 1000 Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

16. Lexington, North Carolina (The Candy Factory)

What once produced textiles now creates something much sweeter, as this converted factory spins sugar instead of thread.

The Candy Factory maintains its industrial bones while filling the space with handmade chocolates, fudge, and nostalgic penny candy.

Original factory equipment decorates the space, reminding visitors of the building’s past life. Kids love the old-fashioned candy bins where they can scoop their own mix, just like their grandparents did decades ago.

Address: The Candy Factory, 15 South Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292

17. Davis, Oklahoma (Bedré Fine Chocolate)

Chickasaw Nation tradition meets European chocolate-making in this unexpected Oklahoma gem.

Bedré Fine Chocolate combines Native American heritage with Belgian techniques, creating unique flavors that honor both cultures.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center houses this chocolate shop, where you can learn tribal history before sampling chocolates infused with local ingredients.

Pecan and honey varieties reflect the region’s agricultural bounty, while smooth ganaches compete with any European chocolatier.

Address: Bedré Fine Chocolate, 867 Cooper Memorial Drive, Davis, OK 73030