It’s getting hot, which means it’s time to enjoy some delicious frozen treats!
And let’s face it – while it’s perfectly “fine” to go to a chain…the best ice cream is always local.
Here’s the best ice cream shop in every state (arranged alphabetically).
So we’ll get started with…
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The ice cream shop: Big Spoon Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 4000 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Tasting notes: Offers handcrafted, small-batch ice cream with locally sourced ingredients.
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The ice cream shop: Wild Scoops
Where you’ll find it: 429 E St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Tasting notes: Features inventive flavors using Alaskan ingredients like Sitka spruce tips and wild berries.
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The ice cream shop: Novel Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 1028 Grand Ave #6, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tasting notes: Known for the Dough Melt™—ice cream stuffed into a warm donut.
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The ice cream shop: Loblolly Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 1423 S Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202
Tasting notes: Offers over 30 handcrafted flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options.
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The ice cream shop: McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
Where you’ll find it: 728 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tasting notes: Serves rich, creamy ice cream made from scratch since 1949.
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The ice cream shop: Bonnie Brae Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 799 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209
Tasting notes: A Denver staple since 1986, known for flavors like Lemon Custard and Peppermint.
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The ice cream shop: Ferris Acres Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 144 Sugar St, Newtown, CT 06470
Tasting notes: Family-run farm offering homemade ice cream with flavors like Bada Bing and Campfire.
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The ice cream shop: Woodside Farm Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 1310 Little Baltimore Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707
Tasting notes: Offers farm-fresh ice cream with unique flavors like Motor Oil (coffee with fudge and caramel).
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The ice cream shop: Azucar Ice Cream Company
Where you’ll find it: 1503 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Tasting notes: Cuban-inspired flavors like Abuela Maria (vanilla with guava, cream cheese, and Maria cookies).
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The ice cream shop: Leopold’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 212 E Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401
Tasting notes: Historic parlor serving classic flavors like Tutti Frutti since 1919.
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The ice cream shop: Lappert’s Hawaii
Where you’ll find it: 4425 Ala Kalanikaumaka St #3, Koloa, HI 96756
Tasting notes: Offers tropical flavors like Kauai Pie and Coconut Macadamia Nut Fudge.
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The ice cream shop: The STIL
Where you’ll find it: 786 W Broad St, Boise, ID 83702
Tasting notes: Features unique pairings like beer-infused ice creams and vegan options.
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The ice cream shop: Margie’s Candies
Where you’ll find it: 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Tasting notes: Old-fashioned parlor known for massive sundaes and homemade candies.
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The ice cream shop: BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station)
Where you’ll find it: 901 E 64th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Tasting notes: Located in a converted train station, offering a variety of classic and unique flavors.
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The ice cream shop: Whitey’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 2419 16th St, Moline, IL 61265
Tasting notes: Known for thick shakes and a wide range of flavors since 1933.
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The ice cream shop: Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 11925 S Strang Line Rd, Olathe, KS 66062
Tasting notes: Offers over 100 rotating flavors, all made in-house.
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The ice cream shop: Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 1210 Manchester St, Lexington, KY 40504
Tasting notes: Features flavors like Bourbon & Honey and Kentucky Blackberry & Buttermilk.
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The ice cream shop: Creole Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 4924 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Tasting notes: Offers inventive flavors like Creole Cream Cheese and Lavender Honey.
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The ice cream shop: Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 325 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Tasting notes: Known for creative flavors like Bay of Figs and Vietnamese Coffee.
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The ice cream shop: The Charmery
Where you’ll find it: 801 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
Tasting notes: Offers quirky flavors like Old Bay Caramel and Berger Cookies & Cream.
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The ice cream shop: Toscanini’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 899 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Tasting notes: Renowned for rich, dense ice cream with flavors like Burnt Caramel.
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The ice cream shop: Moomers Homemade Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 7263 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685
Tasting notes: Family-owned farm offering over 160 flavors, including Cherries Moobilee.
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The ice cream shop: Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Café
Where you’ll find it: 1007 W Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Tasting notes: Known for flavors like Pavarotti (banana, caramel, and chocolate chips).
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The ice cream shop: Area 51 Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 117 W Commerce St, Hernando, MS 38632
Tasting notes: Offers small-batch ice cream with flavors like Brown Butter Pecan.
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The ice cream shop: Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 7140 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
Tasting notes: Features unique flavors like Goat Cheese & Apricot and Lavender Honey.
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The ice cream shop: Big Dipper Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 631 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
Tasting notes: Known for flavors like Huckleberry and Mexican Chocolate.
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The ice cream shop: eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato
Where you’ll find it: 5001 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE 68132
Tasting notes: Offers customizable pints and unique flavors like Sea Salt Caramel Brownie.
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The ice cream shop: Steve’s Homemade Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 2460 E Sunset Rd #1, Las Vegas, NV 89120
Tasting notes: Family-run shop known for rich, creamy textures and classic flavors.
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The ice cream shop: Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 49 Ceres St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tasting notes: Offers all-natural ice cream with flavors like Mint Summer Night’s Dream.
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The ice cream shop: Torico Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 20 Erie St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tasting notes: Family-owned since 1968, known for tropical flavors like Lychee and Mango.
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The ice cream shop: La Lecheria
Where you’ll find it: 1708 Lena St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Tasting notes: Features small-batch ice cream with local ingredients like Piñon Caramel.
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The ice cream shop: Max & Mina’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 7126 Main St, Flushing, NY 11367
Tasting notes: Famous for eccentric flavors such as Lox and Cajun.
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The ice cream shop: Two Roosters Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 7713 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
Tasting notes: Offers creative flavors like Grilled Cheese and rotates seasonal selections.
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The ice cream shop: Pride Dairy
Where you’ll find it: 517 Thompson St, Bottineau, ND 58318
Tasting notes: Known for old-fashioned ice cream and unique flavors like Juneberry.
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The ice cream shop: Johnson’s Real Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 2728 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
Tasting notes: Family-owned since 1950, offering classic flavors and sundaes.
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The ice cream shop: Roxy’s Ice Cream Social
Where you’ll find it: 1732 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tasting notes: Features flavors like Salted Caramel and Cookie Monster.
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The ice cream shop: Salt & Straw
Where you’ll find it: 838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Tasting notes: Known for inventive flavors like Pear & Blue Cheese and Arbequina Olive Oil.
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The ice cream shop: Franklin Fountain
Where you’ll find it: 116 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tasting notes: Old-timey parlor offering hand-dipped ice cream and phosphates.
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The ice cream shop: Brickley’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 921 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882
Tasting notes: Offers over 45 flavors, including Pistachio and Coffee Oreo.
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The ice cream shop: Sweet Cream Company
Where you’ll find it: 1626 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201
Tasting notes: Features small-batch ice cream with flavors like Goat Cheese & Fig.
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The ice cream shop: Armadillo’s Ice Cream Shoppe
Where you’ll find it: 130 Main St, Rapid City, SD 57701
Tasting notes: Known for generous portions and classic flavors.
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The ice cream shop: Mike’s Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 208 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
Tasting notes: Offers homemade ice cream with flavors like Tennessee Fudge and Blackberry Cornbread.
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The ice cream shop: Amy’s Ice Creams
Where you’ll find it: 3500 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
Tasting notes: Known for quirky flavors like Shiner Bock and Mexican Vanilla.
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The ice cream shop: Rockwell Ice Cream Co.
Where you’ll find it: 43 N University Ave, Provo, UT 84601
Tasting notes: Features flavors like Honeycomb and Gingersnap.
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The ice cream shop: The Village Scoop
Where you’ll find it: 419 Main St, Colchester, VT 05446
Tasting notes: Offers locally made ice cream with flavors like Maple Walnut. (Although I’ll admit that Ben & Jerry’s is good too!)
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The ice cream shop: Kline’s Dairy Bar
Where you’ll find it: 58 E Wolfe St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Tasting notes: Serves dense, old-fashioned ice cream using a continuous freeze method. A big favorite among JMU students and alumni!
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The ice cream shop: Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery
Where you’ll find it: 4301 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Tasting notes: Crafts ice cream from scratch with local dairy; known for flavors like Matcha and Black Sesame.
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The ice cream shop: Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 225 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301
Tasting notes: Offers homemade ice cream with flavors like Raspberry Chocolate Chip.
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The ice cream shop: Babcock Hall Dairy Store
Where you’ll find it: 1605 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706
Tasting notes: University-run shop offering classic flavors like Orange Custard Chocolate Chip.
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The ice cream shop: Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream
Where you’ll find it: 155 Center St, Jackson, WY 83001
Tasting notes: Known for all-natural, organic ice cream with flavors like Wild Huckleberry.
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So there you have it – my rankings for the best ice cream shop in every state.
Agree? Disagree? Someone great I missed?
Let us know in the comments!
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