The Soda Bowl
Ice cream, floats, snacks & sweet memories aboard the Queen of the Great Lakes. The Soda Bowl is open during events.
Step Into a Classic Shipboard Soda Fountain
The Soda Bowl is one of the most fun and nostalgic stops aboard the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper — a cheerful place to enjoy ice cream, floats, snacks, and a little taste of life aboard a historic Great Lakes passenger ship.
With its vintage counter, classic stools, shipboard charm, and family-friendly treats, the Soda Bowl feels like stepping into a sweet piece of Clipper history.
From Slot Machines to Ice Cream Floats
Before it became the Soda Bowl, this space was originally known as The Casino. In the Clipper’s passenger days, slot machines were available after the ship traveled offshore — until a series of raids by Michigan and Wisconsin authorities brought that chapter to an end.
After the casino closed, the space was transformed into the Soda Bowl, where passengers could purchase soft drinks, snacks, ice cream, and magazines. Today, it remains one of the ship’s most charming connections to everyday life aboard the Clipper.
Menu Favorites
From scooped ice cream and classic floats to shakes, malts, sundaes, shaved ice, snacks, candy, soda, coffee, tea, and Michigan favorites like Vernors, the Soda Bowl menu keeps the experience fun, affordable, and nostalgic.
Scoops & Sundaes
Cups, cones, toppings, signature sundaes, banana splits, and rotating flavors of the day.
Floats, Shakes & Malts
Classic root beer floats, cream soda, orange cream, shakes, malts, whipped cream, and cherries.
Shaved Ice & Snacks
Snow cones, chips, candy, cookies, fruit snacks, cotton candy, and simple treats for a day aboard ship.
Soda & Michigan Classics
Glass bottle soda, Coca-Cola, IBC Root Beer, cream soda, Vernors, coffee, tea, and bottled water.
A Sweet Stop During Your Clipper Visit
Enjoy a treat before or after your tour, bring the family for a nostalgic outing, or pair the Soda Bowl with one of the ship’s special events.
Ice Cream & a Movie Aboard Ship
The Milwaukee Clipper even has a theater aboard, making the Soda Bowl a perfect part of a classic Clipper outing. Grab ice cream, a float, or a snack, then check the calendar for movies, tours, special events, and seasonal happenings aboard ship.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come for a tour, a movie, a special event, or simply the joy of stepping aboard a living piece of Great Lakes history, the Soda Bowl adds a sweet and memorable stop to your Milwaukee Clipper experience.