Here's the Best Ice Cream Shops Across America Food and Drink
America s Best Ice Cream Shops
of Delicious Ice Cream Across America
Is there any sweet treat more deliciously satisfying than ice cream? Americans of all ages love their scoops, whether in a cone or in a cup, plain or loaded with toppings. Fortunately, the country is filled with top-tier ice cream shops, where inventive flavors dominate the menus. From an all-organic scoop parlor in San Francisco to a dairy farm in the fields of rural Michigan, these shops serve up delicious treats made with only the finest seasonal ingredients. Here are our picks for America’s best ice cream shops. of Bi-Rite Creamery
. For ice cream with a conscience, look no further than Bi-Rite Creamery. The San Francisco scoop shop serves up unique flavors made with local, handmade ingredients and is said to be the first ice cream shop in the city to source its milk from an organic dairy. Visitors can devour sweet scoops of brown sugar with ginger caramel swirl, or try the honey lavender with Sonoma honey and organic dried lavender. Flavors are seasonal and depend on what’s in stock, so look for orange cardamom during the winter citrus harvests and balsamic strawberry during the summer strawberry crop. of Pumphouse Creamery
Minneapolis, Minnesota. When Barb Zapzalka opened Pumphouse Creamery in 2003, she envisioned a place that churned out ice cream with integrity. Now the Minneapolis shop offers honest-to-goodness ice cream and cones made from natural and organic ingredients. A Minnesota milling company provides the grains and seeds for the store’s waffle cones; brownies, graham crackers and seven-layer bars in some of the shop’s signature flavors are handmade by a Minneapolis baker. In addition to 20 rotating flavors of ice cream, the shop also features seasonal fruit sorbets and nondairy ice creams with a coconut milk base. For those who crave a full-dairy sundae, shake or scoop, the shop offers such flavors as Door County cherry and sea salt caramel pecan. of Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream
Fairbanks, Alaska. Alaska isn’t usually associated with ice cream, but Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream in Fairbanks defies expectation. The northerly shop makes all its flavors in individual batches, ensuring the ice cream remains fresh and full of quality ingredients. Visitors can choose from more than 25 varieties, including Alaska blueberry and Kahlua. For those who want to up the fancy factor, look for made-to-order ice cream sundaes, banana splits or lime rickeys with tart lime juice and ice cream. of Ample Hills Creamery
. Few ice-creameries boast 100 percent, made-from-scratch products, but Ample Hills Creamery offers just that. The old-fashioned Brooklyn ice cream parlor started as the brainchild of Brian Smith, a former sci-fi screenwriter who checked out of the entertainment industry to churn out ice cream. Flavors are just as eclectic as Smith’s résumé and include Salted Crack Caramel, made with “crack cookies” — Saltine crackers, sugar, butter and chocolate — and Nonna D’s Oatmeal Lace, with pieces of oatmeal cookies. Visitors can choose from more than 20 unique varieties, or visit Smith’s antique “dipping cabinet” to scope out more untraditional flavors. For the ultimate treat, try the Crossing Brooklyn Ferry sundae with a warm, homemade fudge brownie. of Dolcezza
Husband-and-wife team Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman serve up authentic Argentinean gelato with a global twist at Dolcezza. The D.C. gelato shop grew out of an idea Duncan had while living in Buenos Aires, where he fell in love with the product and gelatarias. The couple use specially imported gelato-making machines to churn out small batches and craft exotic flavor combinations based on seasonal produce. Customers can sample gold rush apples and quince varieties in the fall or indulge in citrus or crooked-necked pumpkin flavors in the winter. Visitors can also take free tours of the production facility and sample freshly spun gelato and sorbetto. of with our newsletter filled with tips and ideas to plan the ultimate getaway.
today for savings on airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises.
of Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
Traverse City, Michigan. Located on a dairy farm in rural Michigan, Moomers attracts long lines for its fresh, premium ice cream. The scoop shop processes its own milk at a small on-site creamery and makes more than 120 flavors. Visitors can devour scoops of black cherry ice cream with pieces of real northern Michigan black sweet cherries or dig into Choc-O-Holic — chocolate ice cream with chocolate swirls, brownies and chocolate flakes. Try a specialty sundae like the Tinroof, with chocolate syrup and Spanish peanuts, or opt for a traditional banana split with pineapple, whipped cream and cherry. For the ultimate ice cream indulgence, try the Wholey Cow — 10 scoops of ice cream with every topping, plus an entire can of whipped cream. of Creole Creamery
New Orleans, Louisiana. Stepping into New Orleans’ Creole Creamery feels a little like walking into a time machine. The 1950s-style ice cream parlor is floored with black-and-white tiles, and families sit at a soda counter with old-fashioned malts and sundaes. In addition to the flavor staples — vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and mint chip are always in supply — visitors can sample such varieties as blueberry Danish, chocolate chai and tangerine dreamsicle. For those who can’t decide, the ice cream sampler is the best bet. The shop offers a sampler platter with four to six mini scoops of a customer’s favorite flavors. But for the brave at heart, nothing beats the Tchoupitoulas Challenge. The specialty sundae is made with eight scoops of cream and your choice of eight toppings served with whipped cream and cherries. of Salt & Straw
Portland, Oregon. It’s a family affair at Portland’s Salt & Straw. Owner Kim Malek started the business after giving up a career in corporate America and enlisted the help of her cousin Tyler, a recent culinary graduate, to create the shop’s signature flavors. Made from all-natural dairy products from nearby farms, the store’s sweet scoops boast high-quality sustainable and organic ingredients. Visitors can sample flavors ranging from pear with blue cheese to sea salt ice cream with caramel ribbon. The shop also features a rotating menu of unique flavors, including a cocktail series that reimagines classic cocktails in ice cream form. The chocolate chip mint julep with fresh mint and the rhubarb and saffron in champagne are popular favorites. of Lick Honest Ice Creams
Austin, Texas. The Texas state capital is home to one of the state’s finest ice cream establishments, Lick Honest Ice Creams. The shop stays true to its name, offering seasonally inspired flavors made from fresh, local produce with no artificial sweeteners. Flavors are written on large index cards and hang on a ladder painted a bright robin’s-egg blue. Try cilantro lime or such exotic combinations as honey balsamic strawberry with cracked pepper or black raspberries and smoked ham. of Black Dog Gelato
Chicago, Illinois. With two locations tucked away in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village and Roscoe Village, Black Dog Gelato delights customers with its unique flavor combinations and rich, creamy frozen treats. Owner Jessica Oloroso started her career as a pastry chef and uses her experience in the kitchen to whip up flavors like goat cheese cashew caramel and maple cayenne bacon. To go all out, order the Sundae Station package with six to eight classic sundae toppings and custom additions such as brandied cherries or candied bacon, fresh fruit and homemade caramel. of Jeni s Splendid Ice Creams
Columbus, Ohio, and several other Midwest and East Coast locations. Few ice cream establishments have made as big a bang as Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The shop started in Columbus when founder Jeni Britton Bauer began selling her sweet treats at a market. The business has expanded but remains true to its artisan roots. Ice creams are made with milk from grass-grazed cows and homemade or all-natural mix-ins. Flavors vary by season, and visitors can sample everything from Cherries Kickapoo to Hot Toddy Sorbet. Don’t miss the ice cream sandwiches; popular sellers include the Orchid Vanilla, with two chewy, almond-macaroon cookies, and vanilla bean ice cream with salty caramel, chopped smoked almonds and golden macaroons. of Hank s Ice Cream
Houston, Texas. A Houston institution, Hank’s has been serving up old-fashioned ice cream for more than 20 years. The parlor features 18 flavors daily but boasts a long list of nearly 100 varieties. Visitors can enjoy cones at tables in the brightly colored storefront or savor a scoop on the go. Popular flavors include rum raisin, blueberry cheesecake and banana pudding, although the shop also offers a sinfully rich Just Chocolate flavor for ice cream purists. of Molly s Homemade Ice Cream
Seattle, Washington. The joy is almost palpable when you walk into one of Molly Moon’s Seattle ice cream shops. Visitors line up for scoops of the shop’s premium product, which is made with seasonal, local produce and organic, fair-trade ingredients. Flavors rotate by season, but classic varieties are always available, including balsamic strawberry, honey lavender and melted chocolate. Vegans can also partake in the creamy, sugary goodness, as the shop offers a cherry chunk flavor made without dairy. of AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.