For National Ice Cream Day on July 16, we celebrate America’s most beloved dessert: ice cream. But where can you find ice cream cones, sundaes and other treats that are truly unique in your city? Here are the top 10 ice cream shops in the U.S. and their novel offerings. Grab a spoon and dive in!
#1: Mr. Cool Ice Cream – Orlando, Florida
The Thai-style ice cream is laid out flat on a -16 degree F round metal pan and then scraped into rolls. Unique flavors abound, but we recommend you try the “Oreo Secret,” featuring rolls of Oreo ice cream.
#2: McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream – Santa Barbara, California
This gourmet shop pasteurizes its own milk to make a custard-style ice cream, according to Food & Wine magazine. One of the best flavors: Churros con Leche.
#3: Margie’s Candies in Chicago, Illinois
Known for its traditional, homemade ice cream sundaes and banana splits, Margie’s has been a mainstay in Chicago since 1921. Try the New York Cherry ice cream with hot fudge topping.
#4: Salt & Straw in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California
This shop has some of the most natural and innovative ice cream flavors in the country, including Meyer Lemon Buttermilk with Blueberries and Wild-Foraged Berry Sorbet.
#5: Ice Cream Jubilee in Washington, D.C.
Among the unique flavors – which change seasonally – featured at this shop include Boozy Eggnog, Thai Iced Tea, and Coconut Lychee Lime.
#6: Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts in Honolulu, Hawaii
For more than 30 years, this shop has created gourmet mochi ice cream flavors such as green tea and chocolate.
#7: Ample Hills Creamery in New York, N.Y.
With locations in both Brooklyn and Manhattan, you will have trouble deciding which of the numerous unique flavors you want to try when you visit. Among the top choices: The Raw Deal (vanilla with chocolate flakes and brown butter chocolate cookie dough) and The Munchies (pretzel ice cream with Ritz crackers, potato chips, pretzels and mini M&Ms).
#8: Amy’s Ice Cream in Austin, Texas
More than 300 flavors are offered here, including the Shiner Bock, made with the well-known Texas beer. A bonus: you will be entertained by the scoop-throwing employees!
#9: Graeter’s Ice Cream in Ohio
Known throughout the state, this dense and creamy homemade ice cream includes one of Ohio’s most popular flavors: Buckeye Chocolate Chip.
#10: Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver, Colorado
Have you ever visited a 100 percent wind-powered ice cream shop? If not, you must stop in at Sweet Action. Not only is the shop earth-friendly, but you will love the ever-changing flavors such as Strawberry Balsamic and Oatmeal Stout.
If you would like to find an apartment closer to some of America’s best ice cream shops and treats, visit ApartmentSearch.com. The site automatically builds you a list of your ideal apartments, based on rental rate, amenities, neighborhood, walkability score, school ratings, and other factors. Plus, when you tell your new apartment community that you found them on ApartmentSearch, you can receive up to $200 in rewards. That can buy a lot of ice cream!
