If you’re on a quest to find the best ice cream shops in the Midwest, then you’ve come to the right place! I love ice cream and no road trip is complete without it. The Midwest is full of amazing locally owned ice cream joints and my fellow Midwest Travel Bloggers have helped me by compiling them all in one spot! For your ease, I have organized them by state!
Iowa
Dariette in Fort Dodge – Submitted by Flint & Co
On the backside of a downtown building, along an ally, you’ll find Dariette! This ice cream joint serving up homemade soft serve is the place to stop when in the Fort Dodge area! Select from a variety of flavors for an ice cream cone or a sundae, shake, malt, or whip! The Black Raspberry that I enjoyed is now at the top of my favorite ice creams!
Whitey’s in the Quad Cities – Submitted by Campfires & Concierges
Whitey’s is my favorite locally-owned ice cream shop in the Midwest. They are family-owned, give back a ton to the local communities and they have the best ice cream and frozen yogurt. They were my first employer when I was 15, and were a great company to work for. The turtle sundae is one of my favorites, but the turtle pie, candy shakes and chippers are pretty good, too! In the fall, their pumpkin ice cream is so yummy!
BIrdsall’s Ice Cream in Mason City
This historic ice cream shop in Mason City has been a community presence for over 89 years! They not only offer a large variety of hand dipped ice cream, but sundaes, malts, and icees. My personal favorite is the banana fudge in a homemade waffle cone! So delicious!
The Whippy Dip in Decorah – Submitted by Corn, Beans, Kids, and Pigs
The Whippy Dip in Decorah, Iowa is a seasonal walk-up ice cream shop that serves creamy and rich soft serve ice cream, sourced from local dairy farms. They keep it simple by offering only vanilla and chocolate flavors and then let you make your dish unique by providing many mix-ins. I recommend getting a Cookie Dough Tornado when you visit! Read more about our Iowa Ice Cream Road Trip HERE!
South Shore Sweet Spot in Clear Lake
Tucked along the shores of Clear Lake in North Iowa, you’ll find the iconic ice cream cone shaped building that houses South Shore Sweet Spot! Serving up soft serve ice cream in the form of cones, sundaes, shakes and malts, everyone can find something they like! Take your ice cream to go or enjoy their patio seating! This is a must do for anyone visiting the Clear Lake area!
Candy Kitchen in Wilton – Submitted by Simplify, Live, Love
Located in Wilton, Iowa, the Candy Kitchen is billed as the oldest ongoing confectionery ice cream parlor in the world and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Owned by the Nopolous family since 1910, the Candy Kitchen recently changed ownership hands and underwent a substantial renovation. Many famous people have stopped in to enjoy a treat and browse the old fashioned décor. If you enjoy old fashioned ice cream sodas, shakes, malts, or cones, make sure to stop at the Wilton Candy Kitchen.
I Scream U Scream in Dubuque
When visiting historic downtown Dubuque, a stop at I Scream U Scream is a requirement. While they carry Chocolate Ice Cream Shoppe Ice Cream, this locally owned joint is a fun stop thanks to it’s old soda fountain décor! It’s a great treat to grab and take to enjoy while walking along the Dubuque River Walk!
Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor & Visitors Center in LeMars – Submitted by Siouxland Families
The Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Visitors Center in LeMars, is run by the Wells Blue Bunny company, which has been family owned and managed in northwest Iowa since before World War I! At the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Visitors Center, you can choose from 40 flavors of Blue Bunny ice cream, not to mention sundaes, floats, sorbets, and treats like ice cream sandwiches and Bomb Pops (another Wells creation!) and more. There’s also a gift shop, and interactive displays throughout the ice cream parlor and visitors center sharing info about the history and production of ice cream. If you love ice cream, come find out why LeMars, Iowa calls itself the “Ice Cream Capitol of the World”! Read more about it HERE!
Grandpa’s Parlour in Bellevue, Iowa
This small river town has a lot to offer and one of those things is really great ice cream from Grandpa’s Parlour. Located across the street from the Mississippi River, this local spot offers breakfast, lunch, and ice cream. While the other may be good, its the ice cream that keeps us coming back. For me, it’s all about the Black Raspberry Truffle!
Frostee’s in Winterset, Iowa
No trip to Winterset is complete without seeing the Covered Bridges & John Wayne Museum, but it’s also not complete without enjoying some delicious ice cream from Frostee’s. This old school coffee joint offers hard scooped ice cream, shakes, malts, and blends of candy & ice cream. And saying that their soft serve is one of the creamiest I’ve had in a long time is an understatement! So delicious!
Illinois
Shivers Ice Cream Shoppe in Savanna
Stumbling upon Shivers Ice Cream Shoppe in Savanna, located along the Mississippi River, was one of the very best surprises. This small town, locally owned shop is offering hot food like pizza burgers, fries, chicken strips, and more! But, the star of the show is their hand scooped ice cream. The super friendly staff offers as many sample bites as you can wish and prices are super reasonable….and the ice cream, absolutely delicious! Don’t forget to take a selfie with their giant ice cream cones!
Indiana
Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream in Richmond – Submitted by Wagon Pilot Dad
Jim Ullery started making his now famous ice cream as a hobby in a churn powered by an old farm engine back in the 1990s. While Jim is no longer with us, his kids have carried on his legacy at fairs across Indiana and Ohio, plus their own ice cream parlor. Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream, located in Richmond, Indiana’s historic Depot District, offers well over a dozen flavors of ice cream and fresh made cones. There are well over a dozen flavors to please all taste buds. For a real treat try their decadent affogato; ice cream topped with a shot of espresso and caramel syrup. Read more about Ullery’s HERE!
Rocket Science Ice Cream in Nappanee – Submitted by Cornfields & High Heels
In sweet, small-town Nappanee is a tiny ice cream shop that makes ice cream out of liquid nitrogen. A definite must-see, you order your ice cream and then watch them whip it up from cream to ice with a quick blow of some nitro. So many flavors and combinations to choose from and a favorite for kids as well! Read more about my favorite ice cream spots HERE!
Make it a Midwest Weekend Getaway with these Hotels, Lodges, and Bed & Breakfasts
Missouri
Clementines in St. Louis – Submitted by Greetings From Kelly
Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery is the best locally owned ice cream shop in St. Louis! The “naughty” in their name refers to their line of booze-infused ice creams. Banana Rum, Old Fashioned, Chocolate Cabernet, and Maple Bourbon, just to name a few. The “nice” side refers to their non-alcoholic ice creams, all made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients. Salted Crack Caramel, Honey Lavender, Thai Tea, and St. Louis’s own Gooey Butter Cake all frequent the “Nice” menu. They also feature two coconut-milk based ice creams for vegan and dairy-free visitors.
The College Creamery in Hollister
You’ll find The College Creamery on the campus of College of the Ozarks near Hollister (just outside Branson). The students at the college make the ice cream, they serve it up, and are the brains behind the recipes and flavor combos. The ice cream is creamy and rich and pure perfection. I highly recommend grabbing a cup and enjoying the free tour of the different parts of the campus including the orchid green houses, the stain glass shop, chapel, and more.
Why You Need to Visit College of the Ozarks
Andy’s Frozen Custard in Branson (and other various locations)
For us, there is nothing better than grabbing one of Andy’s Frozen Custard’s creations and watching the Branson Ferris Wheel on a warm night in Missouri. Creamy sweet custard created into unique and delicious combos like malts, sundaes, concretes, and other seasonal creations. One of my favorites is the Strawberry Banana Sundae.
Michigan
Moomer’s Ice Cream in Traverse City – Submitted by Food Travelist
If you’re looking for some of the best ice cream in the Midwest you should not miss Moomers Ice Cream in Traverse City, Michigan. Voted “America’s Best Scoop” on Good Morning America, Moomers dishes up over 120 homemade flavors of ice cream. While you’re munching on your tasty treat go outside and watch their cows relaxing in the field right next door. Be sure to try one of their flavors with famous Michigan cherries like Cherries Moobilee. Read more about the Traverse City food scene HERE!
Browndog Barlor & Restaurant in Northville or Farmington – Submitted by The Epicurean Traveler
More than an ice cream shop, Browndog Barlor & Restaurant grew from a creamery known for its wildly inventive flavors of delicious ice cream to the nation’s first barlor. What is a barlor, you ask? It’s a bar serving boozy milkshakes made with Browndog Creamery’s artisanal ice creams. Though the ice cream cocktails are for ages 21+, Browdog’s ice creams flavors — such as the bright blue Cookie Monster filled with cookie dough and the popular salted caramel dubbed “Salty Dog” — are a hit with all ages. To sample an ice cream flight or sip an adult shake, you’ll find Browndog Barlor & Restaurant, now with a full-scale restaurant, in the Detroit suburbs Northville and Farmington, Michigan.
Minnesota
Bridgeman’s in Duluth – Submitted by A Little Time and A Keyboard
Bridgeman’s Ice Cream has been tempting Duluth, Minnesota locals and visitors alike since 1936. A visit to the family-owned Bridgeman’s Restaurant today provides a retro feel complete with a menu full of many old school favorite meals and soda fountain treats.
Mom & Pops in Mankato
Mom & Pops is an adorable coffee shop located in a historic building! Not only did the owners do a fabulous job rehabbing the building, they are serving up delicious hand scooped ice cream! The Coffee Oreo is at the top of the very best ice cream I’ve ever had!
The Tendermaid in Austin
Whether you’re looking for classic diner type food like chili cheese dogs, burgers, fries, or even ice cream, the Tendermaid in Austin is for you! Of course, the classic malts & shakes are what does it for me! They offer traditional flavors like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, but also special flavors like pineapple and black raspberry! The flavors are rich and the ice cream super creamy!
Nebraska
eCreamery in Omaha – submitted by She Saves She Travels
When in Omaha, a stop at eCreamery absolutely must be on your list! eCreamery’s fresh churned ice cream, gelato and sorbet flavors are rotated daily. The best part is the winning flavor combinations. I mean, if you haven’t tried their Irish creme brownie, lemon berry or sea salt caramel, have you even lived? My favorite flavor on rotation is Cookie Monster, pictured above.
Oh, and it’s been featured on NBC’s Shark Tank. eCreamery was trying to get funding for their production facility to ship ice cream nationally. That’s right, you can buy – and ship – ice cream from their store or online. Win, right?! Head on over to eCreamery, snap an Insta-worthy ice cream pic and explore the rest of Omaha .
Ted & Wally’s in Omaha – Submitted by Oh My! Omaha
Ted and Wally’s is a decades-long favorite ice cream shop in Omaha, specializing in made-from-scratch ice cream slow-churned the old-fashioned way with rock salt & ice flavors. Both locations — in the Old Market and Benson neighborhoods — have a quirky atmosphere and flavors the continuously switch out. Sampling is allowed so you can try some of the pretty inventive flavors. For traditional ice cream flavors, though, nothing beats the Dutch chocolate at Ted and Wally’s . Read about more great ice cream spots in Omaha HERE!
The Coneflower Creamery in Omaha – Submitted by Simplify, Live, Love
Omaha has an staggeringly large number of delicious restaurants and locally owned The Coneflower Creamery in the Blackstone neighborhood is one you should definitely not miss! The tagline “Farm to Cone” sets the stage for their delicious homemade ice cream made from in-season (as much as possible) and locally sourced ingredients from Nebraska and Iowa farms. Not only does Coneflower Creamery make their own ice cream, they also make almost everything else themselves too. It is all delicious! Their menu changes based on seasonal availability so you’ll need to go often!
Kansas
Fairway Creamery in Fairway – Submitted by Everyday Wanderer
In a former pizzeria, former pastry chef Christopher Elbow, opened one of Kansas City’s best locally-owned ice cream shops in the Kansas suburb of Fairway. Locals know the Elbow name from his high-end, delicious, artistic chocolates. And they may know him for Glace, the foodie-approved ice cream concept he opened a few years ago with flavors like goat cheese & cherry and blackberry malt. In his latest concept, Elbow offers not just delicious, hand-crafted ice cream, but also donuts.
Wisconsin
Purple Door Ice Cream in Milwaukee – Submitted by Lori Loves Paris
Milwaukee may be known for beer, but I’d say ice cream is a close second! Purple Door Ice Cream is one of the best stops in Wisconsin if you’re looking for a unique ice cream experience. Here you can get your beer in the form of ice cream. Beer and Pretzel ice cream to be exact, along with another classic Wisconsin drink in ice cream form, Brandy Old Fashioned. Purple Door Ice Cream serves up a rotation list of small batch ice cream. At this flagship location there are 20 flavors available. I highly suggest ordering a flight of ice cream in order to sample the unique flavors. Read more about Purple Door HERE!
My Favorite Midwest Eats – Enjoy a Bite or Two
The Best Ice Cream Shops in the Midwest
Needless to say, there are many amazing ice cream shops located within the Midwest states! This round-up is just the beginning of the best ice cream shops in the Midwest! What shop would you add to the list?!
Make sure to grab our Passport to these Ice Cream Shops & cross them off as you go!
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Updated: August 9th, 2023
So happy to see the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor on this list. I’m from LeMars and we just celebrated Ice Cream Days. Also, parlor just recently reopened after renovations which included an addition of roof top tables.
Roof top tables?! That’s so cool! Blue Bunny is pretty iconic Iowa!!!
Yes! It had rained in the morning before we went so we didn’t eat out there, but the roof is super cute. There is a pic and some video of it in the post Katy linked to!
Okay so I’ve just added more spots locally to try out! Thanks so much for putting this list together! Yum!
It’s such a great list! So many delicious looking stops!!
The salt and straw in Portland has weird flavors that are really good like barbeque beans and raspberry. Yummy
Oh my goodness! Have you tried that flavor? I don’t know if I would be brave enough!
None from Illinois – darn. Great idea for this tie of year. I’ve had Whitey’s before and it definitely earned a spot on the list.
Unfortunately, no one submitted an Illinois stop for this roundup! You’re right, Whiteys is super delicious!!
If you need another Nebraska location to check out Ivanna Cone in Lincoln is BOMB. 🙂
I’ll have to look it up! Thanks!!
Yummy list! Thanks for letting me be apart of it!
Thanks for contributing!
Love these so much! I’ve been to 3 now need to check out the rest.
It’s fun to think about all the different ones we can hit on our travels, isn’t it?!