Miss A in 2014 enjoying a hot fudge sundae at Birdsall's in Mason City |
A "small" Black Raspberry cone from the Viking Drive-Inn in Ventura |
Going on a tour at New Day Dairy in 2022 |
Twiins Shoppe in Eagle Grove offers the best of both worlds at their ice cream shoppe and restaurant. They have both hard and soft serve ice cream. My children love getting a "Rainbow Swirl" soft serve cone with several flavors in it. I recommend the Monster Cooker Chiller!
If you eat at a giant ice cream cone, you've got to take your photo in front of it! Sky Kone in Ackley - 2017 Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip |
4 Queens, Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Waverly
A staple and favorite in the Cedar Valley, 4 Queens has a few locations and offers delicious ice cream at each spot. I recommend getting the Scotcheroo Snowstorm!
I had fun being allowed behind the soda fountain bar at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton on the 2019 Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip |
Take a short detour off I-80 to the town of Wilton and stop in at the oldest on-going confectionery ice cream parlor in the WORLD, the Wilton Candy Kitchen. Under new ownership in 2016, Lynn Ochiltree has done a great job of carrying on the legacy and charm. Lynn was even the one who served us when we visited. I couldn't resist a classic hot fudge sundae on our stop.
South Shore Sweet Spot, Clear Lake
The South Shore Sweet Spot is hard to miss on South Shore Drive in Clear Lake. This seasonal ice cream stand is in a shape of a giant ice cream cone and is big on portions too.
Whitey's Ice Cream, Quad Cities
Whitey's is an ice cream chain based in the Quad Cities with several locations and has been a local favorite since the 1930s. Whitey's is known for their extra thick shakes and malts, which can be held upside down due to their invention of a high-powered malt machine. They also claim to be the first ice cream company to use cookie dough as an ingredient so I had to have some when we visited!
Miss L at the Bristow Ice Cream Shack, located next to the town's Splash Pad on the 2020 Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip |
The Bristow Ice Cream Shack serve soft serve ice cream treats seasonally in the small town of Bristow's Memorial Park next to their Splash Pad. This is a great place to cool off in the summer! Grab a homemade hot fudge sundae or their popular Black Raspberry shake!
Dan & Debbie's Creamery, Ely
Grab some farm-fresh ice cream when you visit Dan & Debbie's Creamery in Ely. Our favorite flavors on our visit were their Swiss Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream and top seller Salted Caramel. A neat fact about Dan & Debbie's is that all of their ice cream and other dairy products available at their creamery are all made with milk directly from their family's farm!
WW Homestead Dairy, Waukon
WW Homestead Dairy may be known for their cheese curds, but their ice cream is just as delicious, high-quality and fresh! Their homemade hard ice cream is silky and rich.
We couldn't resist taking a picture with "Anna" on the side of WW Homestead Dairy on the 2020 Road Trip |
Sweet Treats is a popular seasonal ice cream stand located on the east side of the town of Jewell where they make all of their homemade ice cream on site. They are open every night in the summer from 6-9 p.m. so perfect for that after supper treat!
Casa Chameleon is a seasonal restaurant in Belmond ice cream and pizza! Each ice cream dish is individually made by taking vanilla soft serve ice cream, blending in any one of their 45 flavors and then served to the customer. It is really neat to watch them make!
Located near the town square and the Mahanay Carillon Bell Tower, Twiins Shoppe is a seasonal ice cream shop that serve both soft serve and hard ice cream. We loved the murals and outdoor seating area. It all added up to a great experience!
Grab a seat and enjoy hard or soft serve ice cream at the Twiins Shoppe in Jefferson (2021 Road Trip) |
Arty's Ice Cream & Grill, Wilton
Check out the creative and unique menu at Arty's! They not only make amazing ice cream creations, they also are known for their delicious burgers. Be sure to try their "special" ice cream of the day when you visit; you'll love their fun combination of flavors.
Iowa State University Creamery, Ames
Every Scoop for ISU! Located on the second floor of the Food Sciences Building, the Iowa State Creamery is a fun place for Cyclones and others to enjoy a fresh, hard scoop of ice cream or two. We loved their creative and creamy ice cream, developed by students!
Charlie's Soda Fountain, Clear Lake
Located in Downtown Clear Lake, at Charlie's Soda Fountain you can get everything from classic soda fountain drinks like Green Rivers and different Phosphate flavors, to creamy soft serve ice cream treats. Try the classic Mud Sundae when you visit!
Enjoying sweet treats at Mill Creek Concession on the 2022 Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip |
This seasonal ice cream and concessions stand is located in Mill Creek State Park and is a great place for visitors, campers, hikers and swimmers. They off soft serve cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, floats, whips and storms!
The Nutty Bar Stand, Arnolds Park
This Okoboji landmark has been serving ice cream treats since 1945! Go for the traditional Nutty Bar, which is a block of vanilla ice cream on a stick, dipped in chocolate and then rolled in chopped peanuts, sprinkles or whatever their "limited edition" flavor is. They also serve ice cream by the scoop and Root Beer Floats!
The Olde Creamery, Garner, Mason City and Clear Lake
The Olde Creamery has quickly become one of our local favorites. They make a variety of hard, homemade ice cream flavors at the Garner location to supply all three locations. Be sure to try the signature flavors at each location, especially Mason City's River City Cheesecake!
Located in Downtown Madrid, this seasonal ice cream shop offers both hard and soft serve ice cream. They have lots of outdoor seating available for everyone who drives, walks or bikes to get their sweet treat!
Enjoying The Frozen Parrot popsicles in 2023 |
The Frozen Parrot, Arnolds Park
This fun new cool treats shop in the Okoboji area is a must try on your next trip to the lake. Choose between milk or water based popsicles and customize by dipping, topping and/or drizzling on top! The milk based popsicles have an ice cream texture and have great flavor.
TOPOG Coffeehouse, Arnolds Park
Located in the Historic Queens Court of Arnolds Park, this coffeeshop scoops up delicious, creamy and rich hard ice cream. They carry a variety of unique flavors that can be served in a cup or cone!S
Bob's in Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park
This casual restaurant may be know for their Bob Dogs and Tavern sandwiches, but our family encourages you to try their shakes or malts! Bob's serves a variety of soft serve ice cream treats and their shakes a perfect way to cool off on a hot day at the lake.
So where to next? What Iowa Ice Cream Shops do you recommend our family visits next year on our Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip?
Great list! If you ever make it back to Goldie's let me know. Would love to have our families meet for ice cream. If anyone is looking for a fun Jasper County Iowa day trip you could get ice cream at Goldie's and then drive out to the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. With a little luck you might see some buffalo and maybe an elk or two.
ReplyDeleteI will! Goldies is such a fun place and we have never been to the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge before.
DeleteThis is a fantastic list. No one has to tell me to eat more ice cream:) Happy to eat least visited two places on your list. Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeni! You'll have to road trip down to Iowa to visit more ;)
DeleteI really need to start spending the summers with your family. I can be an honorary kid for a few months right? I'll help with chores!
ReplyDeleteCome on over! I'm sure my kids would appreciate the chore help ;)
DeleteDon't forget Country View Dairy near Hawkeye, Iowa where you can always find soft-serve frozen yogurt made right on the dairy farm and cups and cones are only One buck!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Can't beat $1!
DeleteIf you haven't been there, try Sweet Treats outside of Jewel, east of town on the way to the interstate. Very good. https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Treats-Ice-Cream-Company-Jewell-IA-110943128946081/
ReplyDeleteWe finally made it to Sweet Treats in 2020! https://www.cornbeanspigskids.com/2020/06/iowa-ice-cream-road-trip-at-sweet.html
DeleteNice compilation. Have you ever tasted the custom treats at Black Cat Ice Cream in Des Moines? It's a little hole-in-the-wall that has some amazing flavors.
ReplyDeleteNo we haven't! We'll have to add it to the list!
DeleteWhat a comprehensive list! Ice cream is my favorite! Saving for our next trip to Iowa!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori! We've been having fun creating the list over the years!
DeleteYour map has no stops in SW Iowa?! That is a tragedy! Udderly Delicious in Atlantic, IA is new and amazing!
ReplyDeleteI know! We need to make it that direction and I'll add Udderly Delicious to our list of places to try.
DeleteWhat a fun toad trip! I’ll have to keep this list handy on my next Iowa trip!
ReplyDeleteSo many great ice cream spots to try. Many are seasonal so double check if they're open before your visit!
DeleteWow #icecreamgoals!
ReplyDeleteAnd our list to visit continues to grow every year too. We have lots more of delicious Iowa Ice Cream spots to still travel to!
DeleteBilly’s Ice Cream Store in Adel, Ia. The locals favorite. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll add it to our list to visit!
DeleteThe Shell Rock Scoop says "THANK YOU" for putting us on the list!!! Stop in any time!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be back! Such a nice shop!
DeleteNice blog
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletegreat info
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