Photos of SuperTAM on 66 Ice Cream Parlor and Superman Museum in Carterville, Missouri
Know Before You Go
To make the most of your visit to SuperTAM on 66 Ice Cream Parlor and Superman Museum in Carterville, Missouri, here are some things to know before you go.
What kinds of ice cream or menu items are offered?
SuperTAM is known for hand-dipped speciality ice cream, including flavors like:
- Strawberry: Award-winning strawberry ice cream loaded with real, whole strawberries.
- Birthday Cake: Yellow cake ice cream packed with confetti sprinkles, swirls of blue buttercream frosting, and bursts of colorful sprinkles.
- Old Fashioned Vanilla: Classic, all-natural vanilla ice cream made with Wisconsin cream, cane sugar, and pure vanilla.
- Caramel Apple Pie: Cinnamon ice cream with apple chunks, crispy cinnamon shortbread, and a thick caramel ripple (limited time).
- Yippee Skippee: Peanut butter ice cream with salted caramel ripples, brownie chunks, and chocolate-covered pretzels.
- Fat Elvis: Banana ice cream swirled with salty peanut butter ripple and rich chocolate chips.
- Cappuccino Break: Coffee ice cream blended with chocolate-covered toffee and candy-coated almonds.
- Zanzibar Chocolate: All-natural chocolate ice cream made with three kinds of cocoa for a rich, fudge-brownie taste.
- Kitty Kitty Bang Bang: Cheesecake ice cream with raspberry ripple, Oreo cookies, and soft chocolate chunks.
- Superman: Cherry, Blue Moon, and Vanilla ice creams combined into one colorful scoop.
- Cherry Chocolate Chip: Black cherry ice cream loaded with whole black cherries.
- Rainbow Sherbet: Orange, Lime, and Raspberry flavored sherbets swirled together.
Ice cream is served in a variety of cups, cones, and sundaes.
What is the flavor of Superman ice cream?
At SuperTAM on 66, Superman ice cream is a colorful three-scoop combination of Cherry, Blue Moon, and Vanilla ice creams swirled together for one super scoop. Traditionally, Superman ice cream is known for its bright red, blue, and yellow colors and traces its roots back to the Midwest, where it became popular in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. The exact flavor mix can vary depending on the parlor, but at SuperTAM, the Cherry, Blue Moon, and Vanilla trio is the classic lineup. While the ice cream was created before Superman debuted in 1938, the swirl soon became linked to the superhero’s iconic costume colors.
What can you see in the Superman museum portion?
The collection contains over 2,600 items of Superman memorabilia, including action figures, artwork, stamps, watches, comics, and many novelties. The artifacts were originally gathered over decades by the longtime owner, Larry Tamminen (aka “TAM”).
Is parking available?
Yes, street parking is available in front of the business.
What are the hours of operation?
Hours can vary, so call ahead. Typically the business is open 12:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday through Saturday. The ice cream parlor is closed on certain days and hours may vary by season, so plan your road trip accordingly.
How much time should you budget for a visit?
Sit down and stay awhile! You don’t want to get melted ice cream all over your car, so pull up a chair inside or outside and admire all the Superman memorabilia on display while you enjoy a cup, cone, or sundae. Many visitors spend about half an hour to one hour browsing the museum, grabbing ice cream, taking photos, and chatting with owners.
Is this a popular Route 66 stop?
Yes! Because of its quirky museum and tasty ice cream this is a must-see stop on Route 66. This Route 66 ice cream shop is one of our picks for the 66 Route 66 Attractions Worth Pulling Over For and the Superman Ice Cream is one of our picks of 66 Must-Eat Dishes on Route 66 and 15 Best Route 66 Foods to Eat in Missouri.
Where to Stay Near SuperTAM on 66
Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest on your road trip with a stay at one of these Missouri hotels near Route 66.
Boots Court Motel
The Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri opened in 1939. This historic Route 66 motor hotel hosted actor Clark Gable numerous times.
Rockwood Motor Court
Rockwood Motor Court opened as a Tourist Camp in 1929, just three years after Route 66 was commissioned. Renovated in 2019, you’ll enjoy clean and comfortable rooms themed to eras of Route 66 with vintage décor, furniture, and memorabilia.
Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven
After a day behind the wheel, stopping at all of the Mother Road’s iconic roadside attractions, museums, restaurants, and more, a good shower and a comfy bed is always a welcome sight. Take that and add modern amenities, vintage charm, and a touch of Elvis, and you have the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel in Springfield, Missouri. Book a stay in the iconic Elvis Suite for a unique night!
Attractions Near SuperTAM on 66 on Route 66
Praying Hands Memorial in Webb City, Missouri
Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri
LOVE stopping here for ice cream on Route 66! I’ve been here both before and after the new ownership and this ice cream parlor has not lost any of its charm! The Superman memorabilia is fun to explore and the ice cream is a treat!