Summer means ice cream – and not just because it gets pretty hot out. The warmer months are when all the seasonal restaurants and dessert spots in the Hawkeye State get going again, and for many, it feels like that’s when summer really begins. I looked around for the most nostalgic ice cream shop in Iowa to spotlight, and I think I found it in Winterset – the home of covered bridges, John Wayne, and delicious frozen treats! That’s where you’ll find Frostee’s, a tiny roadside shack that has been around for over 50 years and still looks exactly like it did when it opened its doors, albeit with a little wear and tear on the exterior. It serves up frozen desserts and deep-fried meals, and isn’t that all that’s needed on a summer day?

Frostee's is one of those roadside places that feels like it takes you right back to your childhood every time you visit.
Kevin Stewart/Google Local
This casual fast food and ice cream stand is pretty much the same as when it opened over 50 years ago - and the locals like it that way!
Wayne Spong/Google Local
You can still get a full meal here - including a hearty pork tenderloin sandwich that will fill you up for the day.
Tenniskill/TripAdvisor

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But the main attraction is definitely the ice cream!
Emmet Siev/Google Local
The classic soft-serve, dipped in chocolate, is always a crowd pleaser.
But in recent years, the stand has introduced more unique flavors of shakes - like this coffee shake.
Frostee's/Facebook
The place stays open until till 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends), so it's a great last stop after a busy day of touring.
Benjamin Sparks/Google Local

Have you visited Frostee’s in Winterset, IA? Do you think it’s the most nostalgic ice cream shop in Iowa? Let us know about your experience in the comments section! This old-fashioned restaurant keeps a low profile online, but the Frostee’s Facebook page is useful for checking on its schedule for the summer season. While you’re in Winterset, make sure to visit beautiful Pammell State Park. If this is a stop on a road trip for you, we highly recommend the Covered Bridge Inn as an affordable and unique place to stay the night.

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Frostee's, 101 E Green St, Winterset, IA 50273, USA