Unique Ice Cream Experiences Across the US
Sometimes traveling the world can be exhausting, especially with the scorching weather. Therefore, a little afternoon downtime is absolutely essential. Ice cream shops serve as the perfect escape for anyone needing a break from the heat, particularly families with kids in tow. While ice cream parlors can be found in just about every town in the US, some shops stand out for more than just their creamy treats.
Think about interesting flavors you’ve never imagined before. Consider unique forms of entertainment available while you’re there. These are critical elements we took into account when scouting the most unique ice cream experiences across the country. Take a look at our list and find the cone of your dreams.
Azucar Ice Cream
Located in Little Havana, one of Miami’s most colorful neighborhoods, Azucar embodies the essence of the 305 with tropical flavors inspired by the owner’s grandmother, who hailed from Cuba and traveled throughout Central America and the Caribbean, making ice cream with tropical fruits she discovered.
Children will enjoy the shop’s exterior featuring a massive ice cream cone sculpture over the front door and will have a blast selecting from over 30 toppings for their vanilla cone. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in more creative flavors such as Champagne Grapefruit and Nutella, followed by drinks and dancing at the nightclub next door. Be sure not to miss trying one of the Miami-Cuban-inspired flavors like the Abuela Maria, a delightful combination of vanilla with pieces of guava, cream cheese, and Maria cookies.
Peddler’s Creamery
If you’re mindful about the calories in your cone, Peddler’s Creamery in Los Angeles is for you. This unique shop doesn’t serve bland, low-fat varieties. Instead, each batch is churned using a stationary bicycle, giving patrons the chance to churn their own ice cream!
Join the Peddler’s Club to combine fitness and fun, enjoying a free scoop after roughly 20 minutes of cycling at 15mph. You can churn an entire batch with each cycling session. However, if you’re not up for a spontaneous ride, you can still purchase delicious treats like snickerdoodle, vegan salted caramel, or a Waffle Nacho Sundae—all while contributing 5% of your proceeds toward social and environmental causes.
Amy’s Ice Cream
Experience funky hats and ice cream acrobatics at Amy’s Ice Cream, with locations in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. This quirky Texas chain boasts over 350 rotating ice cream flavors, from Belgian Oreo to Maple Bacon, along with a variety of dairy-free options, including some that provide a spirited kick, such as Peach Daquiri (peach schnapps and a splash of rum blended with peach-infused sweet cream ice cream) or Sith Happens (dark chocolate with a hint of fireball whiskey).
The Scoops, a lively group of counter staff known for dance moves and tossing actual scoops of ice cream into the air, create seasonal delights while the display freezers brim with ice cream cakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other specialties that sweeten the experience.
Salt & Straw
Renowned for its innovative flavors, Salt & Straw stands as one of the trendiest ice cream chains on the West Coast. Instead of standard vanilla, prepare for Double Fold Vanilla; instead of plain chocolate, savor Freckled Woodblock Chocolate. Strawberry? How about Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper? Some of these flavors may surprise the little ones, but if you’ve visited Portland (where Salt & Straw originated), you’re aware of their local fame.
Moreover, they’ve collaborated with elementary schools to involve kids in the flavor-creation process, with the winning entries receiving proceeds to benefit their schools. Spanning a vast area from Seattle down to San Diego, Salt & Straw is poised to endure.
MOOmers
When in Traverse City, Michigan, why not meet the cows who contribute to your ice cream? A family-owned dairy farm processes its milk to create over 120 flavors, including the well-loved Cherries Moobilee, a delightful fusion of chocolate and cherry.
If you visit MOOmers in the summer, consider taking a tour of the ice cream shop or dairy farm. Tour the ice cream store to make and taste ice cream while receiving some take-home gifts. Alternatively, a farm tour includes a wagon ride, barn and creamery tour, and milk tasting!
Feeling indecisive? MOOmers offers an ice cream flight featuring various flavors in small portions, showcasing the magical essence of this charming establishment.
Big Gay Ice Cream
What started as a vibrant ice cream truck, Big Gay Ice Cream has grown into a beloved ice cream chain with multiple locations in New York City and one in Philadelphia. Visitors flock here to indulge in delightful flavors such as the Dorothy (vanilla soft-serve with dulce de leche and crushed Nilla wafers) and the Rocky Roadhouse, featuring chocolate ice cream, toasted almonds, and mini-marshmallows. Furthermore, residents on the East Coast may easily find their pints of Salty Pimp at local stores like Wawa or Target.
An’s Dry Cleaning
While technically not an ice cream shop, An’s in San Diego offers exceptional gelato housed in a historic building that once served as a dry cleaning business. The current owners have preserved the name, providing a unique experience. Patrons can explore an array of “fabrics” (flavors) like Lycra (orange blossom and kiwi) and Fluff (honey and blueberry marmalade), ensuring there’s something delightful for everyone.
