Pennsylvania has chocolate shops where you can see giant candy sculptures, explore a museum filled with vintage candy-making equipment, and buy peanut butter treats made by businesses that have been around for generations.
At Sarris Candies in Canonsburg, a 1,500-pound chocolate castle is part of the attraction. Daffin’s Candies in Sharon has an entire Chocolate Kingdom filled with oversized candy creations, while Gardners Candies in Tyrone has been making sweets since 1897.
Other stops specialize in handmade truffles, chocolate-covered potato chips, old-fashioned buttercreams, and peanut butter meltaways. Some even have cafés and ice cream parlors that make the trip more than a quick shopping stop.
These 12 Pennsylvania chocolate shops offer plenty of reasons to plan a day trip, from historic candy counters to unusual attractions you won’t find at an ordinary chocolate store.
1. Sarris Candies, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Some people build sandcastles at the beach, but Sarris built one out of 1,500 pounds of chocolate. The castle sits inside the Canonsburg flagship store and even includes chocolate waterfalls and a mini carousel.
Staff rebuild the castle with new seasonal themes a few times each year. Repeat visitors often stop by just to see what changed.
The family started making chocolates in 1960, and the store now covers an entire city block. Shelves hold chocolate-covered pretzels, peanut butter buckeyes, penny candy, plush toys, and holiday specials.
Look up while you shop. About 65 feet of hand-painted murals show a circus train rolling through Candyland.
Next door, the ice cream parlor opened in 1979 with marble counters, chandeliers, and red and brass booths. The ice cream is made in-house, and the menu covers sundaes, milkshakes, and banana splits.
Weekends get busy, so a weekday visit means shorter lines. Plan for at least an hour, since few families leave after just a quick candy run.
2. Shane Confectionery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Back in 1863, Abraham Lincoln was president, and candy was already being sold at this Market Street address. Shane Confectionery still carries that history proudly in Old City Philadelphia.
The star item is the buttercream. Workers make it with a century-old family recipe and historic equipment that has been kept in service for generations.
Antique display cases and old-style jars line the shop. Visitors often spend as much time reading labels and studying the cabinets as they do choosing treats.
Shane also makes bean-to-bar chocolate, which means the team handles every step from cocoa bean to finished bar. That is rare for a shop with such deep roots.
The adjoining chocolate café serves rich drinking chocolate. It makes a great break after touring nearby spots like the Liberty Bell or Elfreth’s Alley.
Parking in Old City can be tricky. Public transit or a nearby garage will save you from circling the block while your sweet tooth waits.
3. Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store, Lititz, Pennsylvania
One tiny chocolate drop has outlasted horse carriages, rotary phones, and a factory closing. The Wilbur Bud was first introduced in 1893, and its recipe has stayed the same ever since.
Each Bud is shaped like a flower bud. A special mold stamps the WILBUR name onto every piece, and older versions came wrapped in foil.
The Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store sits on North Broad Street in Lititz. Buds are the main draw, but you can also grab chocolate-covered pretzels, boxed candies, baking chocolate, and seasonal goodies.
History fans will enjoy the memorabilia displays. The company began in Philadelphia in 1865, founded by Henry Oscar Wilbur and Samuel Croft, and later became part of Cargill.
The original Lititz factory closed in 2016, yet the Buds still carry the local pride.
Downtown Lititz is right outside the door, packed with small shops and cafés. Grab a bag of Buds for the walk, then pick up baking chocolate so the fun continues at home.
4. Éclat Chocolate, West Chester, Pennsylvania
In 1996, Christopher Curtin became the first American to earn the title of Konditormeister in Cologne, Germany. That means master pastry chef and chocolatier, and he brought those skills home to downtown West Chester.
Curtin also worked in France, Belgium, and Japan before opening Éclat Chocolate. His shop puts a modern spin on Pennsylvania’s long candy tradition.
Expect smart, creative flavors rather than basic boxes. The Chocolate Cubes Collection features geometric pieces in combinations like Coffee Vanilla and Roasted Banana Peanut.
Other favorites include Mondiant medallions, Parallel bars, and chocolate-coated nuts and fruits. Each item is neatly finished and packaged, which makes gift shopping very easy.
The shop also focuses on sustainable and responsibly grown ingredients. Ask staff about sourcing, and you will likely get a thoughtful answer.
Prices run higher than a typical candy counter, so think of this as a special-occasion stop. A small box of cubes makes a memorable thank-you gift for a teacher, host, or friend.
5. Josh Early Candies, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Ask a Lehigh Valley local about Easter candy, and the words peanut butter egg will probably come up fast. Josh Early Candies has earned a loyal following for exactly that treat.
The eggs are chocolate-covered and packed with peanut butter filling. Many families make a yearly trip just to stock up for baskets.
The rest of the case is pure classic American candy shop. Shelves offer peanut butter cups, buttercreams, nonpareils, chocolate-covered pretzels, and sea salt caramels.
Skip the pre-filled box if you like being picky. Staff will help you build a custom assortment one piece at a time, so nobody gets stuck with a flavor they dislike.
That mix-and-match setup is handy for gifts too. Pick a few favorites for each person on your list and keep everything in one order.
Shop early in the spring season. Popular items can sell out before the holiday, and the line grows longer as the date gets closer.
6. Daffin’s Candies, Sharon, Pennsylvania
A fire-breathing dragon made of chocolate guards the back of a Sharon candy store. It shares space with a unicorn, deer, frogs, and a 14-foot chocolate-covered tree wrapped in tiny castles.
Welcome to the Chocolate Kingdom at Daffin’s Candies. Some sculptures are hefty, including a 125-pound reindeer, a 125-pound turtle, and a 75-pound frog.
Kids usually rush straight to the animals, so plan a few minutes for photos. The display is free to view.
The company’s story starts in 1903. Its fame jumped in 1962, when Pete Daffin created a solid chocolate rabbit that became an Easter hit.
The flagship moved to Sharon after World War II and now covers 20,000 square feet. Shoppers find truffles, fudge, chocolate-covered fruit, and plenty of holiday candy.
Easter and Christmas bring the biggest crowds. Visit a week or two ahead of each holiday to enjoy the kingdom without a traffic jam of strollers.
7. Romolo Chocolates, Erie, Pennsylvania
Sponge candy is a big deal along the Great Lakes, and Erie fans swear by the version at Romolo Chocolates. The airy, crunchy center gets a full chocolate coating.
The family-run shop has been crafting chocolates and desserts for more than 28 years. Beyond sponge candy, the cases offer peanut butter cups, caramels, chocolate-covered potato chips, and packaged gift sets.
Here is a fun detail. The store uses a theater-style design, so guests can watch chocolate and desserts being made.
Inside, the Cocoa Café serves specialty hot chocolate, pastries, and house-made ice cream. Coffee fans can order espresso drinks pulled on an Italian Victoria Arduino Venus Bar machine.
That mix of shop, gift store, and café means a visit can easily stretch longer than planned. Grab a table, order a drink, and let the candy shopping wait a few minutes.
Romolo sits across from Frontier Park. A short stroll there makes a nice break before the drive home with your sponge candy stash.
8. Gardners Candies, Tyrone, Pennsylvania
In 1897, sixteen-year-old James Pike Gardner started selling candy from a horse-drawn wagon. More than 125 years later, his company still calls Tyrone home.
The signature treat is the Original Peanut Butter Meltaway. It was perfected in the early 1960s with help from the Penn State Food Science Department.
The downtown flagship mixes chocolate counters, nostalgic candy, and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Families often grab a cone first and shop second.
Save time for the Candy Americana Museum inside the store. It holds antique candy-making machines, copper kettles, vintage packaging, and displays about the industry’s past.
One exhibit topic surprises many guests. Gardners helped pioneer decorative candy boxes, which played a role in the heart-shaped box now tied to Valentine’s Day.
Tyrone sits near Altoona and State College, so the shop pairs well with a Penn State game weekend. Pick up a box of Meltaways for anyone who stayed home and missed out.
9. Neuchatel Chocolates, Oxford, Pennsylvania
Potato chips dipped in milk chocolate sound like a kitchen experiment. At Neuchatel Chocolates, they are called Swiss Chips, and they rank among the shop’s best-known treats.
The Oxford store brings Swiss-style confectionery to southern Chester County. Its cases include truffles, boxed chocolates, and other specialty sweets made with European methods in mind.
The salty and sweet mix of Swiss Chips makes them a popular snack for long drives. Buy an extra bag, because the first one rarely survives the trip.
Seasonal chocolates change throughout the year. Chocolate-covered strawberries and gift baskets also make this a handy stop before birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday parties.
The shop blends old-world style with playful American favorites. That balance means picky eaters and adventurous tasters can both find something.
Oxford sits close to the Maryland line, so the trip pairs nicely with a ride through nearby farm country. Call ahead for gift baskets, since custom orders may need extra time.
10. Pierre’s Chocolates, New Hope, Pennsylvania
Most chocolate shops let you buy the candy. Pierre’s Chocolates in New Hope also lets you learn how to make it.
The family-owned chocolatier runs chocolate-making classes for curious visitors. Students get a hands-on look at the craft and leave with treats they made themselves.
Classes can fill up, especially on weekends. Booking ahead is the safest move if you want a spot.
Shoppers who prefer to skip the apron still have plenty of options. The case holds handmade truffles, bonbons, caramels, and neatly arranged assortments.
New Hope is one of the most popular towns along the Delaware River. Its walkable streets are lined with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, so the chocolate stop fits easily into a full day.
Parking fills fast during summer and fall weekends. Arriving in the morning gives you a better shot at a close spot.
A class here also makes a creative birthday outing. It beats another trip to the mall by a mile.
11. Rosalind Candy Castle, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Suits of armor and stone-style walls are not standard candy shop decor. Rosalind Candy Castle in New Brighton leans fully into its royal name.
The story began in 1914 with Gust Zachos, a Greek immigrant. He first made candy as part of his restaurant business, then switched his focus entirely to chocolate.
The current New Brighton location opened in 1952. More than a century after its start, the business still sells the classics families have bought for generations.
Chocolate-covered pretzels lead the lineup. Nut clusters, filled creams, molded holiday figures, and assorted milk and dark chocolates fill the rest of the cases.
Fans of the old-school approach will love choosing pieces one by one from the glass display. Point, pick, and build your own box.
Kids usually want a photo with the armor before shopping. Let them, because it is part of the fun.
New Brighton is in Beaver County, northwest of Pittsburgh. Pair it with a Sarris visit for a western Pennsylvania chocolate day.
12. Bridge Street Chocolates, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Customers asked for marshmallows, and Bridge Street Chocolates listened. The shop now makes gourmet marshmallows in several flavors, each dipped in chocolate.
That kind of customer focus runs through this woman-owned business in downtown Phoenixville. Small batches keep the selection fresh and creative.
Handcrafted chocolates and truffles fill the cases. Custom molded pieces are available too, which works well for parties, showers, or company gifts.
Shoppers with dietary needs get real options here. The shop offers dairy-free and vegan chocolates, so everyone in the group can join in.
Premium ingredients are a point of pride for the owners. Staff can explain flavor choices and suggest pieces based on what you usually enjoy.
The shop sits on historic Bridge Street, surrounded by restaurants and independent businesses. Make a day of it with lunch, a stroll, and a final chocolate stop.
Order custom pieces early. Personalized work takes time, and it is a fitting sweet finish to this Pennsylvania road trip.
Share this story
