Okoboji Ice Cream Favorites

For the last couple of years, our family has fallen in love with weekend getaways to the Lake Okoboji, Iowa area. When traveling, our family is always on the hunt for the best ice cream and the Okoboji area has several we make sure to stop at.

The Nutty Bar Stand, 37 Lake St., Arnolds Park, Iowa

Located down in the heart of Arnold's Park, next to West Okoboji Lake and Arnolds Park Amusement Park, the Nutty Bar Stand has been a Lake Okoboji staple since 1945. The Nutty Bar Stand serves Blue Bunny Ice Cream and is known for their "Nutty Bar", a block of vanilla ice cream on a stick that is dipped in chocolate and traditionally rolled in chopped peanuts. They also serve the Nutty Bar with rotating "special edition" toppings and sprinkles. You can also get a drumstick, frozen banana, sundaes, root beer floats and cones or cups of ice cream. Our family recommends getting the iconic Nutty Bar and sitting down by the lake, or at their outdoor patio seating. Just be sure to eat your Nutty Bar fast if it is a hot day out!

Bob's in Arnolds Park, 188-226 Park Pl, Arnolds Park, Iowa

Located up the hill from Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Bob's is a casual restaurant with a walk up window and outdoor seating that is known for their Bob Dogs and Tavern sandwiches. But we recommend you also get a shake or malt when you stop in. The strawberry shake is our favorite! They serve a variety of soft serve ice cream treats in several flavors, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

TOPOG Coffeehouse, 37 Lake St., Arnolds Park, Iowa

While TOPOG may look jut like a coffeehouse to many, it is actually one of our favorite places to get a cup or cone of ice cream while in Arnold's Park! Located near the Amusement Park in the Historic Queens Court, TOPOG carries Ashby's hard ice cream in a variety of flavors. The ice cream is creamy and is the type of ice cream that you can taste and feel the richness on your tongue. We recommend trying Cookie Jar, Butter Pecan or Eskimo Kisses!

The Frozen Parrot, 108 US Hwy 71, Arnolds Park, Iowa

One of the newest places to get a cool treat in the Okoboji area is The Frozen Parrot located on Hwy 71 in Arnolds Park. Now I'm not sure if we can technically call it ice cream, but it was too much fun not to include on our list. You can choose between milk based (which have an ice cream texture) or water based (which have an ice pop texture) popsicle and then can dip, top, and/or drizzle on top. Our family loved the Oreo Cookies & Cream (milk based), Key Lime Pie (milk based), Very Berry Cheesecake (milk based) and Wild Strawberry (water based) popsicles the most. The staff was very friendly and offered suggestions for dips and toppings. Check out my Very Berry Cheesecake popsicle dipped in white chocolate and topped with graham cracker crumbs.

Where else do you recommend getting ice cream in the Lake Okoboji, Iowa area? We'll be sure to check it out on our next road trip!