Some ice cream is worth planning a whole trip around. Across the country, old soda fountains, farm creameries, and quirky scoop shops have turned a simple treat into something people remember for years.
These spots mix great flavors with history, views, and plenty of personality. Grab a spoon and start building your sweetest road trip yet.
1. Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, Dania Beach, FL
Picture a sundae served in an actual sink. That is the famous Kitchen Sink at Jaxson’s, and it is built for a crowd, not a solo spoon.
Since 1956, this Dania Beach parlor has been churning homemade ice cream the traditional way. Dozens of flavors fill the cases, with praline pecan and crunchy peanut butter among the standouts.
Old license plates and vintage memorabilia cover the walls, giving the whole room a fun 1950s time-machine feel.
Hungry before dessert? The kitchen serves real meals too, including a half-pound burger, a gourmet hot dog, and a Reuben sandwich.
Daring sweet tooths should eye the Chocolate Suicide Sundae. There is even a full vegan menu, so nobody gets left out.
Plan ahead a little. Reservations are not taken, and there is usually a wait, especially Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Weekday afternoons are calmer.
Hours run from 11:30 AM until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Free parking is easy to find, kids get their own menu, and dogs are welcome.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person.
2. Coneflower Creamery – Blackstone District, Omaha, NE
Omaha might not be the first city you link with world-class ice cream. Coneflower Creamery is out to change that, one handmade scoop at a time.
Everything here starts with local ingredients. The menu mixes classic flavors with clever, unexpected ones, and some lean surprisingly savory.
Grandma Minnie’s Lemon Bar is a sweet-tart favorite, while the gluten-free Dark Chocolate is rich enough to slow you down.
The shop sits in the lively Blackstone District, a walkable stretch of Farnam Street packed with restaurants and bars. Inside, the space feels modern but comfy, with a small footprint that fills up fast.
Yes, there is often a line. Good news, though.
The staff moves quickly and keeps things friendly, so the wait rarely drags. Travelers who have tasted ice cream all over the world often rank this place at the very top.
Timing tip: aim for a Tuesday through Thursday afternoon to dodge the weekend evening rush. The shop is closed Mondays.
Hours are noon to 10 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday. Street parking is paid, so bring a card.
3. The Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia, PA
Step through the door and the calendar seems to flip back a century. Staff in bow ties scoop behind an old-timey counter, and treats arrive in containers styled after the 1870s.
The Franklin Fountain makes its ice cream in the classic Philadelphia tradition. That means thick, rich, hand-crafted scoops built from locally sourced ingredients.
Portions are big, so a single scoop can feel like a double.
Not sure what to order? Butter Pecan is a smart, buttery pick.
The Hot Fudge Sundae is a crowd-pleaser, and the Root Beer Float tastes like a trip to great-grandpa’s soda shop. Unique seasonal flavors pop up too, so check the board.
A few practical notes help. There is no indoor seating and no restroom, so this is a grab-and-stroll stop.
Outdoor seating works nicely, and leashed dogs can hang out with you there.
The location on Market Street puts you steps from Old City’s historic landmarks, making it a perfect reward after sightseeing. Doors open at 11 AM and stay open until midnight every single day.
Saturday nights get packed, while Tuesday mornings are the quietest.
4. Mitchell’s Ice Cream, San Francisco, CA
Grab a ticket, find a spot, and wait for your number. Mitchell’s runs like an old butcher counter, and that quirky system is part of the charm.
This family-owned San Francisco favorite makes its ice cream in small batches right on the premises. Long before ube and macapuno showed up on trendy menus, Mitchell’s was already scooping them.
Those tropical flavors are still the stars, with mango close behind.
Classic fans are covered too. Chocolate here is deep and rich, and you can pile on hot fudge, sprinkles, or M&Ms. Dairy-free folks can take home a hand-packed pint of sorbet.
Homemade cones and sundaes round things out. The staff stays quick and patient even when the shop gets busy, which happens a lot on Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
Mornings are the calmest, and the shop opens daily at 11:30 AM, closing at 11 PM. There is no restroom, so plan around that.
Delivery and pickup are options if you want pints at home. Generations of locals have made this a ritual, and one taste explains why the line keeps coming back.
5. Bellvale Farms Creamery, Warwick, NY
Few ice cream stops come with a view this big. Bellvale Farms Creamery sits on a working farm in Warwick, with picnic tables looking out over rolling Hudson Valley countryside.
The shop itself is a cheerful barn-style building where everything is made on-site. Homemade ice cream comes piled into freshly made waffle cones, and the quality is seriously top-notch.
Bellvale ranks among the oldest creameries in the country, and it has earned spots on national best-of lists.
Bring a little patience on busy days. Holiday weekends and Saturday afternoons can draw big crowds, though the counter staff keeps lines moving fast.
Weekday afternoons and early evenings are much quieter.
Since there is no indoor dining, think of this as a picnic stop. Grab your cone, snag a table, and soak up the scenery.
Dogs are welcome outside, which makes it a nice break for road-tripping pups.
Hours are noon to 7 PM daily, so do not plan a late-night visit. A free on-site parking lot and restrooms make things easy.
Pair your trip with a fall drive through Warwick for an afternoon that feels like a postcard.
6. Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, Denton, TX
More than 100 homemade flavors. Let that number sink in before you walk up to the case, because choosing will take a minute.
Beth Marie’s is a retro gem tucked onto Hickory Street near Denton’s historic square. An antique soda fountain sets the mood, and the whole place has a fun, nostalgic glow.
The young crew behind the counter takes its scooping job very seriously, and it shows in the clean, friendly vibe.
Flavor names alone are entertaining. Turtle Torture is loaded with chocolate and pecans, while Muddy Mess is pure messy joy.
Bees Knees and Rum and Coke show off the shop’s playful side.
Want to keep the party going at home? Pints of Turtle Torture, chocolate, and vanilla are ready to go, plus hot fudge for topping.
Lunch fare and coffee are also on the menu.
Hours stretch from late morning until 10:30 PM most nights, and until 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend nights get busy, so mornings are your quiet window.
Indoor seating and a gender-neutral restroom make it easy for a quick stop between exploring Denton’s shops and music spots.
7. Creole Creamery, New Orleans, LA
Only in New Orleans would you find Bananas Foster as an ice cream flavor. Creole Creamery takes the city’s famous dessert and turns it into something you can lick off a cone.
Local flavors are the main event here. Creole Cream Cheese is a must, a tangy nod to an old Louisiana favorite.
The rotating lineup keeps things exciting, with wild picks like olive oil and sea salt or chocolate amaretto cheesecake showing up on the giant chalkboard menu.
Scoops are generous, so pace yourself. Sundaes come served in a glass, and the classic parlor lineup of shakes, freezes, and malts is all here too.
This Vicksburg Street shop sits in Lakeview, a relaxed residential neighborhood away from the French Quarter crowds. The setting is casual and easygoing, perfect for families or a quick sweet stop.
Watch the hours. Weekdays open at 2 PM, while Saturdays and Sundays start at noon, and everything closes at 10 PM.
Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds. The service team stays upbeat and helpful, so ask for a taste of anything new before you commit.
8. Aglamesis Bro’s Ice Cream & Chocolates, Cincinnati, OH
Some places feel like a museum you can eat in. Aglamesis Bro’s is one of them, a family-run parlor wrapped in turn-of-the-century charm in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood.
Two treats share the spotlight here: handmade ice cream and handmade candy. That means you can finish your sundae and walk out with a box of chocolates for later.
Not a bad deal.
Flavor-wise, black raspberry chocolate chip is a local legend. Strawberry chocolate chip offers a fruity twist, and butter pecan keeps things classic.
The banana split is a showstopper worth sharing.
The atmosphere is the real hook. The old-fashioned parlor setting feels authentic rather than staged, and the friendly service matches the warm, historic mood.
Many Ohioans call it the best ice cream stop in the entire state.
Opening hours are generous, starting at 10 AM most days and noon on Sundays. Closing time is 9 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 PM on weekends.
Saturday evening is peak time, so try a weekday morning for elbow room. A free parking lot makes the visit simple, and quick stops work just fine.
9. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor, La Crosse, WI
Smell that? Fresh waffle cones are pressed right in the shop, and the scent hits you before the door closes behind you.
The Pearl brings back the 1930s and 1940s with gorgeous dark woodwork and a true soda fountain setup. It sits on Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse, a historic river town worth exploring on foot.
Ice cream is made in-house, and the flavor list has some regional fun. Blue Moon is a bright blue Midwest classic with a sweet, fruity taste that is hard to describe and easy to love.
White chocolate raspberry is a top pick, and Mississippi mud honors the river just a few blocks away.
Sodas, malts, and milkshakes fill out the menu. Handmade candies tempt you near the register, and the butter pecan ice cream pie is a great take-home treat.
Doors open at 10 AM every day, closing at 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday afternoons get busy, while weekday mornings stay calm.
There is seating inside, plus free Wi-Fi if you want to linger over a malt.
10. Richardson’s Ice Cream, Middleton, MA
Real cows, real farm, real ice cream. Richardson’s is a working dairy farm in Middleton, and you can taste that freshness in every scoop.
This is the classic New England farm stand experience. Families line up for a huge selection of homemade flavors, and the portions are famously large.
A small here might be a large somewhere else, so order carefully.
Chocolate lovers should try Death by Chocolate. Blueberry Pie Ice Cream tastes like summer in New England, and Cake Batter is a kid favorite.
Orange Pineapple offers a vegan option with a tropical twist, and banana splits are always a hit.
Prices are reasonable for the size, and the staff hands out samples freely. That helps when the flavor board feels overwhelming.
You can even pick up fresh milk on the way out.
Hours are long, from 9 AM to 9:30 PM most days and until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday afternoons and Saturday evenings are the busiest.
A free parking lot sits right on site, and dogs can join you outdoors. Morning visits are quiet and perfect for a lazy farm stroll.
11. Ben & Jerry’s, Waterbury, VT
Ever wonder where retired ice cream flavors go when they die? In Waterbury, they get actual tombstones in the famous Flavor Graveyard.
This is the Vermont home of Ben & Jerry’s, the brand that started scooping in 1978. The factory tour is the big draw.
You get a behind-the-scenes look at how iconic pints are made, and the tour ends with a tasting of fresh flavors.
Of course, there is a scoop shop too. Americone Dream, Phish Food, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough all taste a little better at the source.
Strawberry Cheesecake is another solid choice.
Families will find plenty to do beyond eating. A playground keeps kids busy, and the gift shop is loaded with quirky souvenirs.
Seating, restrooms, and a free parking lot make the whole stop easy.
Hours run from 10 AM to 6 PM daily, so plan this as a daytime outing. Weekend afternoons and Thursday afternoons are the busiest times.
Tuesday or Wednesday mornings offer a calmer tour. Route 100 itself is a beautiful drive, especially in fall, so make a day of exploring the Green Mountains.
12. Salt & Straw, Portland, OR
Pear and blue cheese. Arbequina olive oil.
If those sound strange for ice cream, Salt & Straw is happy to prove you wrong.
Portland’s most famous scoop shop built its name on bold, creative flavors. The menu has a set lineup of favorites, plus a seasonal theme that changes every month.
Those rotating flavors mix unusual ingredients in surprising ways, so each visit feels new.
Not feeling adventurous? Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons is a safe and delicious bet.
Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cinnamon Snickerdoodle also please classic fans. A vegan Strawberry Coconut Water Sherbet keeps dairy-free friends happy.
Handmade waffle cones are a must. Can’t choose?
Order a split single scoop to try two flavors at once.
This NW 23rd Avenue location sits on one of Portland’s best shopping streets. Lines can get long, especially weekend afternoons and evenings, but the samples help pass the time.
Morning visits are much quieter.
Doors open 11 AM to 11 PM daily. Seating is available, and dogs are welcome inside too, which is a rare treat for pup owners.
13. Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
Honey lavender ice cream sounds fancy, but one bite and it just tastes like a happy garden. It is a signature at Molly Moon’s, Seattle’s homegrown scoop star.
Everything starts with dairy from hormone-free cows, and you can tell. Scoops are thick, creamy, and generous.
Salted caramel is another best-seller, and the cookie dough is loaded.
Sundae fans have options worth the splurge. Molly’s Favorite Sundae and the Dutch Apple Pie Sundae both deliver big flavor.
Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownies and Orchard Blondie are rich and comforting.
Fresh waffle cones are made in the shop, and the chocolate waffle cone crunch adds extra texture. Custom options change often, so check what is new.
The shop also stands out for paying its staff a living wage, which makes each cone feel a little sweeter.
Located on East Pine in lively Capitol Hill, it opens at noon daily and closes at 10 PM, or 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Evenings and weekend nights get crowded, while Thursday afternoon is the sweet spot.
There is no restroom, so plan ahead.
14. Leopold’s Ice Cream – Broughton Street, Savannah, GA
A marble soda fountain gleams behind the counter, and the room feels like a scene from an old movie. Leopold’s has been a Savannah landmark for generations, and it more than lives up to the hype.
The ice cream is super premium, meaning it is extra creamy, smooth, and silky. Flavors lean into Southern charm.
Savannah Socialite blends milk and dark chocolate with roasted Georgia pecans and a bourbon-infused caramel swirl. Rum bisque is another local favorite.
Classics shine here too. Butter pecan is a must, and mint chocolate chip is fresh and bright.
For something bigger, try the Brownie Sundae, Chocolate Nut Sundae, or Chocolate Chewies and Cream.
Hungry for more than dessert? Soups and sandwiches are on the menu, along with coffee.
The shop sits on Broughton Street, the heart of downtown shopping, making it easy to pair with a stroll through Savannah’s famous squares. Saturday nights bring long lines, while weekday afternoons are much calmer.
Hours run noon to 9 PM most days and 11 AM to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Paid parking garages and lots are nearby.
15. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, MO
Here is a fun trick: the staff hands you a concrete upside down. It is so thick it stays put, and that is the whole point.
Ted Drewes is a true St. Louis institution sitting right on historic Route 66. Instead of ice cream, the specialty is frozen custard, which is richer and denser.
Orders are taken through walk-up windows, keeping the nostalgic roadside feel alive.
The concrete is the signature item, a blended custard treat packed with mix-ins. The Dutchman Delight sundae is a local favorite for good reason.
Smaller appetites can grab a small cone or mini concrete for a quick afternoon treat.
Do not skip the oatmeal cookie sandwiches, made with Dad’s Famous oatmeal cookies. A trophy on display even brags about having the world’s best ice cream, and the shop has collected plenty of awards over the years.
There is no indoor seating, so this is a stand-around-and-eat kind of place. Hours run 11 AM to 10:30 PM every day.
Saturday nights get packed, but lines move fast. Free parking, restrooms, and dog-friendly outdoor space make it an easy road-trip stop.
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