Ice cream has always been my number one favorite dessert. Ask me any day and 9/10 times I’ll be craving ice cream. Whether it’s 90+ degrees outside or I’m snowed in from the latest winter storm to hit PA, it’s just never a bad day for ice cream, am I right?
I’m not really sure when my love for ice cream turned into a full-blown addiction, but I know the root of the blame lies with my mom. When I was a baby, my mom would sneak me down into the kitchen at all hours of the night for ice cream sundaes. Thanks to her bad influence, I’ve grown up an ice cream addict and there’s no turning back.
Every time Zack and I are planning a trip, my first thoughts are always “What’s the best ice cream place?” or – “Where is will I find the best cupcakes?” He always questions whether I’m actually planning the trip to spend time with him or just to find a new ice cream shop. Honestly, it’s a little of both. That’s why I decided to create one massive list ahead of time so now I can secretly plan our vacations around my fantasy ice cream bucket list. Seems legit, right?
Some of these I’ve visited already, some are still to be checked off. Either way, I hope they inspire you to try some new places and get you drooling along the way!
10. The Konery – New York City, New York
Photo via @TheKonery on Instagram.
Maybe it’s just me, but one of my favorite parts of eating ice cream is the waffle cone. The Konery has taken waffle cones to the next level with these creative and unique waffle cone flavors. The best part? They team up with other shops (like Cookie DO) to bring their amazing cones to the next level.
I haven’t gotten to try this deliciousness out yet, so if you have be sure to tell me how amazing it is!
9. Gelato Fiasco – Portland, ME
Have you ever tasted anything and it just takes you somewhere? To me, this gelato is a cozy night on the couch in front of the fire watching my favorite dramatic #Shondaland TV show. While it’s fun to pick up a pint at my local grocery store, my ultimate goal is to make it up to Maine to check this gelato out in-person.
What I love the most about this ice cream is their endless flavor vault which contains over 40 unique pages of insane flavors they’ve produced like Pepper Pumpkin and the greatest flavor of all-time: the Netflix and Chill Gelato. I mean come on, why would would you not want to plan a big trip for that? Until you get your Maine vacation plans figured out, see if you can pick up Gelato Fiasco near you with their store locator.
8. Rockwell Ice Cream – Provo, Utah
I actually stumbled upon this cute little ice cream shop through fellow food blogger Cake By Courtney. Based out of a town in Utah that I will have a hard time finding an excuse to go to, it’s combination of simplicity and delicious looking ice cream just has me enchanted.
Do you know what’s really the best part about this little shop? They give you the option to make your own ice cream flavor. For a diabolical ice cream mastermind* like myself, the ability to create my own flavor without putting in the hours to make it myself is what dreams are made of. I’m not sure when I’ll cross Utah off my bucket list, but when I do, I’m coming for you Rockwell Ice Cream!
*Note: this title is 100% self-proclaimed.
7. Kilwin’s – Wilmington, North Carolina
Oh, Kilwin’s. They have several locations throughout the country, but this little shop quite easily stole my heart. While on vacation last Labor Day, we walked almost 6 blocks looking for an ATM and returned to stand in line for over 30 minutes just for 2 scoops of ice cream. It was 100% worth it. We ended up finding an ATM on the second floor of a random townie bar where Zack’s favorite Hawaiian pulled in more compliments than I ever thought possible.
I tried both their dark chocolate banana pudding pie ice cream and my favorite classic – chocolate chip cookie dough! Honestly, I still have dreams about that dark chocolate banana pudding ice cream and have hunted down their locations in both Rehobeth Beach, DE and Gettysburg, PA just for another scoop of it. Take my advice, find your nearest Kilwin’s and treat yourself to a weekend trip. It’s worth it.
6. Capofitto Forno – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would probably be this gelato. A friend recommended Capofitto in Old City, Philly as a place to grab a good glass of wine and some dessert. Little did he know he changed my life forever. Located just a few blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, this shop is the perfect place for a secret-American history lover like myself.
On our most recent trip to Cappofitto, we were headed to a Flyer’s game for Zack’s 23rd birthday celebration so we did’t have a lot of time to peruse my favorite parts of Old City, but we did walk halfway across Philly just for a bite of our favorite ice cream. Zack looked away for 2 minutes and I managed to finish almost all of the gelato before he turned back. I’m not sorry.
The Ciocolatto Scuro is rich, intense and everything I’ve ever wanted in a dessert. Gelato has a denser texture than ice cream making it even more luxurious than ice cream. Capofitto’s homemade gelato is the perfect, irresistible texture and you won’t want to miss it on your next journey.
5. Gelateria Uli – Los Angeles, California
I mean, just look at this one. If you don’t follow Gelateria Uli on Instagram, it’s time you start. I tend to get lost in their amazing Insta Stories of them swirling and pouring this beautiful-looking gelato. I never thought that it could be so mesmerizing, but I’d say it’s on par with those ‘soothing’ paint palette videos everyone goes nuts for.
4. Ample Hills – Brooklyn, New York
What is there not to say about Ample Hills? One look at their Instagram tells you all you need to know about this treat. Not only do they have such a fun and engaging social presence that the Social Media Specialist in me loves, but they’re flavors are designed to be your childhood dreams come true. I don’t think there’s more I could ask for in an ice cream brand.
My main motivator for being obsessed with this one is that fact that you can order their ice cream straight off of Amazon.
3. Thomas Sweet – Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown has a special place in my heart. Not only am I a huge DC-addict, but Georgetown is just everything I love about D.C. with some much adorable old charm added in. This delicious little shop was the highlight of my anniversary trip to D.C. last spring and how could it not be? We stopped on our way out of town and I was so overwhelmed by the 2 million and 1 flavors (slight exaggeration) that they offer that I could hardly decide.
Thomas Sweet may not be D.C.’s biggest attraction, but it is certainly one of my favorite little corner shops in the Georgetown area and I 10/10 recommend stopping in for a treat on your next visit to our nation’s capital.
2. Leopold’s Ice Cream – Savannah, Georgia
Okay, to be completely honest about this one, Savannah is already on my agenda for next week so I actually found this one while planning our next vacation. Don’t worry – I fully plan to report back on this amazing-looking shop once I’ve had a chance to try it once (or twice).
Leopold’s is a small, old and 100% charming little ice cream shop based out of Savannah that looks like everything your childhood fantasies are made of. With flavors like ‘chocolate chewies & cream’ and ‘tutti fruitti’ – how will I ever be able to choose just one?! (Hint: I probably won’t).
1. The Baked Bear – San Diego, California
California is pretty high up on places to visit list and I’m not ashamed to tell you that the Baked Bear is huge motivating factor in that goal. Take one peak at their Instagram feed and your life will be changed forever. Ice cream sandwiches might be the only thing better than ice cream and I have never seen ice cream sandwiches quite like these.
Not only are they fun, color and crazy to begin with, but they’re also GIANT. This double-decker sandwich, for example, looks to be approximately the size of my head. Ice cream sandwiches are bonuses on their own – you get ice cream AND cookies all in one – but these treats are like an entire year’s worth of ice cream happiness wrapped up into one. Don’t worry, Baked Bear, I’m coming for you sooner rather than later.
Now, while my dreams are filled with dancing visions of ice cream sandwiches, there are a few places that are near and dear to my heart. No ice cream shop in the world will be your good, old hometown favorite.
This sticky bun ice cream from 3B Ice Cream located in Harrisburg, PA will ALWAYS be my all-time favorite ice cream. It’s cinnamon-y, brown-sugary, sweet cream goodness will never be topped in my opinion.
What’s your favorite ice cream place to stop by with friends and family? Or better yet, what’s the number 1 stop on your ice cream bucket list?
😍 I want to try so many of these!! I’ve been to a few Kilwin’s locations… there’s one in Gettysburg! And how have I never heard of 3B?!
My favorite spot nearby (…ish) is in Gettysburg/Hanover (2 locations) and is called Half Pint Creamery. You should absolutely try it sometime! They have a huge number of flavors, all homemade. I also can’t resist the cornbread ice cream at Leo’s in Carlisle. I guess you’re right, everyone has a hometown favorite! 😋