These Are Minnesota’s Candy Shops Worth The Drive

Got a sweet tooth that makes you want to hit the road? Minnesota’s candy shops are the kind of places that make the drive worth it.

These aren’t just shelves of sugar. They’re little treasure troves packed with homemade fudge, quirky chocolates, and nostalgic treats that take you right back to childhood.

Walking in, you’ll probably catch yourself grinning at jars of old-school candy or eyeing the counter stacked with fresh caramel.

Some shops lean into tradition, while others get creative with flavors you didn’t know candy could pull off. Either way, it’s impossible to leave empty-handed.

I’ll admit, I’ve gone out of my way just to grab a bag of chocolate-covered anything, and I didn’t regret it for a second.

These candy shops are about the fun of discovering something new (or rediscovering an old favorite). So if you’re ready for a little sugar-fueled adventure, Minnesota’s candy scene is calling!

1. Abdallah Candies

First stop, make it Abdallah Candies at 6075 147th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124.

This is the old-school Minnesota chocolate pilgrimage, and you feel it the second you walk in.

The counters look timeless, the boxes feel thoughtful, and you can smell that careful, real-deal craft in the air.

Locals swear by the consistency, and you can tell because the regulars move with muscle memory.

Visitors fall for how it all feels hands-on, not corporate, and that mood settles you right into the moment.

I like to keep it simple here. Grab a few favorites for the car, then tuck away a box for later so you do not talk yourself into finishing everything on the ride.

There is a steadiness to this place that makes the whole road trip feel grounded.

The team keeps things warm, quick, and relaxed, which makes it easy to browse without drifting into indecision. You will leave happy, no rush, just that calm sweet glow.

What I love most is how it all tastes like someone refused shortcuts. That shows up in the texture, the snap, and the balanced finish.

Minnesota pride shows up in simple, reliable goodness, and you feel that right in your pocket as the next miles roll by.

2. Candyland

Downtown energy meets pure nostalgia at Candyland, 435 N Wabasha St, St Paul, MN 55102. The vibe is grab-a-bag-and-wander, and that invitation is half the fun.

You move from shelf to shelf with a little grin because this place understands memory as much as it understands candy.

Locals love it since it has been a downtown tradition for ages. Travelers step in and realize it still feels charming instead of corporate.

The space is bright, the selection is playful, and you get that nudge to try something new without overthinking it.

I like to do a slow lap, then circle back for the things that stuck in my head. You do not need a plan here.

Let the room guide you, and suddenly the bag holds exactly what you wanted all along.

What works is the everyday ease. You can stop in during a St Paul wander, grab a few treats for the next stretch, and keep moving.

It slots into a city day cleanly, no complicated timing, just a sweet pause.

When the road calls, you will appreciate how Candyland resets the mood. It is cheerful, unfussy, and reliably fun, which is all I want mid-trip.

3. Regina’s Candies

Here is the neighborhood classic that just feels right: Regina’s Candies at 2073 Saint Clair Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105.

The room whispers old-fashioned comfort, and you can tell it has been part of local routines forever. Handmade chocolates line the case like a calm little parade.

People love that familiar pace. The shop does not overplay anything, and that restraint keeps it special.

I always end up chatting with whoever is behind the counter. You get quick tips, small stories, and a sense of how hands turn ingredients into something you remember later.

That connection sticks with me long after the car is back on the move.

The best way to do Regina’s is to trust your eye and grab a small mix. Save a couple pieces for a quiet moment and watch how the day settles down.

There is a steady rhythm here and it travels with you.

If you are linking Saint Paul stops, this one pairs well with a mellow afternoon. Nothing forced, nothing flashy, just care.

Minnesota has a way of delivering comfort through little places like this, and Regina’s keeps that promise beautifully.

4. Legacy Chocolates

Need a downtown breather that still feels personal?

Legacy Chocolates delivers at 141 E 4th St, Suite #229, Saint Paul, MN 55101. It is a handcrafted haven with a small, local cafe vibe, and the calm invites you to linger.

Visitors stumble in and realize this is a real find, not a generic candy counter hiding in a busy block.

The team is happy to guide, which makes choosing feel like a conversation instead of a list.

I like to post up for a minute and take in the details. The case is focused, the flavors confident, and the care obvious without being showy.

You feel settled right away, as if the day just found its balance.

On a road trip, this is where you reset your pace. Pick a tidy assortment, tuck it safely away, and let downtown Saint Paul flow around you.

I think it is an easy stop that gives more than time suggests.

What sticks with me is the way everything tastes intentional, not flashy, not fussy, just tuned.

The state comes through in that quiet craftsmanship, and Legacy holds the note long after you step back outside.

5. Sweet Chocolat

Craving that giftable vibe without losing the small-batch soul?

Head to Sweet Chocolat at 3537B Lexington Ave N, Arden Hills, MN 55126. It is a true chocolatier setup, rich and ready to go, yet easygoing and friendly.

Locals count on it for special occasions and just-because moments. The staff is upbeat and relaxed, which keeps decision stress low.

I usually build a box with a few styles, then grab one wildcard because road trips deserve small surprises. The packaging is tidy and travel friendly.

Stash it in the glove box and forget it for a bit, then bring it out when the highway gets quiet.

The room itself feels calm, and that calm sneaks into the rest of your day. You will notice how quickly this stop shifts the mood from rush to steady.

That is the kind of little win you remember later.

Sweet Chocolat has that Minnesota politeness paired with real craft. It is not trying to be dramatic, just dependable and proud.

If you want a sure thing that still feels personal, this is your suburban sweet spot.

6. Dancing Bear Chocolate

Let’s add a little whimsy with Dancing Bear Chocolate at 4367 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412.

It is creative without being fussy, and the neighborhood energy makes it feel like a local secret. You step in and your mood lifts a notch.

People keep this place on their bring-friends list for good reason. The designs are playful, the flavors feel thoughtful, and the whole experience is easy to enjoy.

You can try something bold or keep it classic and still feel right at home.

I like to pick a small lineup and then wander the block for a minute. The area has a friendly hum that pairs nicely with a quick tasting break.

It is a pause that feels earned after a stretch of city driving.

For pacing, this is an excellent mid-route stop. In and out without stress, yet memorable.

Minneapolis has plenty going on, but this spot cuts through the noise in a gentle way.

When you hit the road again, you will notice the afterglow. It hangs on like a good tune.

7. St. Croix Chocolate Company

Ready for a drive that pays off? St. Croix Chocolate Company sits at 261 Parker St, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047, and it is absolutely worth the miles.

The village setting gives it that “hidden find” feeling the second you roll up.

Locals talk about craftsmanship here with real pride. The care is obvious, but it is never pushy.

I like to slow everything down at this stop. Take a breath, choose carefully, and let the quiet work on you.

There is a stillness that helps you taste more clearly, which I really like.

If you are stringing together a scenic route along the river, this shop slides in naturally. Grab what you need, then walk the block to reset your head.

It is the kind of pause that rewrites the rest of the afternoon.

By the time you head out, the box feels like a small treasure. You will think about timing and where to enjoy each piece.

Minnesota has gentle corners like this, and they make a sweet trip feel honest and real.

8. Costas Candies

Some places feel like a time capsule in the best way, and Costas Candies at 112 N Cedar Ave, Owatonna, MN 55060 nails it.

The history hums through the floorboards. Handmade chocolates keep people coming back, decade after decade.

Visitors plan entire days around a stop here, and I get it. You walk in and something settles, like you just joined a long, friendly line that never really ends.

I like to ask for a couple shop favorites, then trust my eye for the rest. The counter stories matter, because they steer you right.

There is pride in the making, and you can taste that steady hand.

If you are cruising through southern Minnesota, this is the anchor. Park, stretch, take a slow lap of Main Street.

The whole scene gives you a deep breath you did not know you needed.

On the way out, stash your picks for later and let the nostalgia ride shotgun. The miles feel softer after a stop like this.

It is sweet, it is simple, and it reminds you why road trips never go out of style.

9. Red Wing Confectionery

Red Wing Confectionery at 323 Main Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 feels like a happy downtown handshake.

Part candy shop, part feel-good pause, it fits a Red Wing day like it was planned just for it. You step in and your shoulders drop.

Locals lean on it because it is dependable and genuinely charming. The energy is relaxed, which helps when the road gives you that buzzy feeling.

I usually keep it small here: a handful for the next river view and a couple back-pocket pieces for later. The mix rides well, and the town gives you plenty of spots to take a quiet minute.

If your route swings along the bluffs, save time for this stop. It pairs beautifully with a stroll and a little window shopping.

Red Wing knows how to pace a day, and this shop understands the assignment.

Back on the highway, the aftertaste is calm and kind. You will remember the easy smiles and tidy displays.

Sometimes Minnesota sweetness shows up exactly when you need it, and this place proves it.

10. Canelake’s Candies

Up north feels different, and Canelake’s Candies at 414 Chestnut St, Virginia, MN 55792 leans into that. It is legendary for handmade chocolates.

The counters and cases look like they have stories to tell.

Locals treat it as a tradition, and visitors love that it is a real throwback, not a modern imitation. The rhythm is unhurried.

You look, you choose, you smile, and suddenly the day gets simpler.

I like to check the classic selections first, then add one curveball for the road. It is a mix that respects the past while still keeping the drive interesting.

The packaging tucks nicely into a side pocket so you do not forget it later.

If your itinerary heads across the Range, pencil this in without question. Walk the block, stretch your legs, and let the town’s quiet sink in.

It is a reset you will be grateful for a few exits later.

What sticks with me is the sturdiness. Nothing forced, nothing flashy, just seasoned skill.

Minnesota’s Northwoods charm shows up here in the sweetest way, and the miles after feel steady and good.

11. Hepzibah’s Sweet Shoppe

Duluth days are brighter with a stop at Hepzibah’s Sweet Shoppe, 394 S Lake Ave, Ste 104, Duluth, MN 55802.

Award-winning truffles and handmade specialties share space with a fun mix of imports.

Locals keep it on regular rotation, and visitors call it a must-stop that still feels cozy and local. The room is playful without being loud.

You can browse at your own speed and not miss a beat.

I like to grab a couple pieces, then wander toward the lake for a quick breather. The air works like a reset button.

Save a couple sweets for later and let the rest of the day tilt easy.

The staff is helpful and relaxed, which makes picking simple. It slots into a Duluth loop without any fuss.

On the road again, the box in your bag feels like a small promise.

You will crack it open at the right moment. That is Minnesota travel for me, little pauses that turn into real memories.

12. Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen

When the North Shore calls, I steer to Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen at 223 Scenic Dr, Knife River, MN 55609.

It is seasonal and absolutely worth a detour, because the whole point is handmade sweetness and road-trip energy.

You stop, you smile, and you instantly slow down.

People adore that it rewards the drive with charm you cannot fake. The building sits just right, like it grew out of the shoreline rhythm.

My move is to pick a travel-safe mix and stash it where I can reach it without digging. The next scenic overlook always shows up sooner than planned.

A couple pieces there and the lake view gets even better.

This shop embodies what a road trip should feel like: simple, friendly, unhurried. You get back in the car with that quiet grin that only the North Shore can deliver.

As the miles stack, you will think about turning around for more. That is when you know a stop was worth it.

The memory stays sweet long after the last piece is gone.