Minnesota summers can be brutally hot and humid. In Minneapolis, we often flock to air conditioned buildings like the Minneapolis Institute of Art or to the lakes. Every great Minneapolis summer adventure either needs to start or end with ice cream at one of our amazing ice cream shops in the area. What if you could turn your Minneapolis-Saint Paul adventure into one entirely of ice cream? Our ice cream trail starts in Saint Paul and meanders into Minneapolis; it’s everything you’ve dreamed of and more.
Take a peek at our map here to follow the ice cream trail.
Our ice cream journey begins in Saint Paul on Grand Avenue. In 2014, former President Barack Obama visited the shop and ordered a scoop of Grand Ole Creamery's "Black Hills Gold." It's too bad he didn't have his ice cream loving Vice President with him on the trip, so we'll have to enjoy it without him. Grand Ole Creamery, 750 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105.
Izzy's Ice Cream cafe was founded in Saint Paul, but with a second location in Minneapolis, so many more can enjoy their unique flavors. Want to know what else is so special about Izzy's? When you order a scoop of ice cream, you are automatically granted an additional "izzy" scoop, or a smaller scoop of ice cream on top, of any flavor you choose. It's a win for everyone. Izzy's Ice Cream, 2034 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104.
For this next spot along our decadent ice cream trail, we take a little detour to south Minneapolis to visit Pumphouse Creamery and we promise you it's worth it. Pumphouse prides itself in making ice cream from organic locally sourced products. They also happily serve dairy-free scoops for all those who want them. Pumphouse Creamery, 4754 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
Do you crave the wild and unexpected? If so, this next spot is for you. Milkjam Creamery is arguably the most unique ice cream shop in all of Minneapolis and Saint Paul right now. They've been able to use ingredients like orange and coriander in their ice cream to make a flavor that tastes like Fruity Pebbles but a million times better. All of their flavors are uniquely named, and if you're feeling particularly indulgent, order a Jam Bun which is literally an ice cream sandwich made with donuts from Glam Doll Donuts. Yeah. You heard us. Milkjam Creamery, 2743 Lyndale Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55408.
If you can handle this, our next stop is incredibly luxurious. La-La Homemade Ice Cream has existed as a company since 1993 and they only use the highest quality ingredients to produce their handmade ice cream. The joint couldn't become a Minneapolis staple without offering a variety of vegan iced treats in the form of sorbets or other dairy alternatives. We love their ice cream sandwiches and hope you'll take a chance on one. La-La Homemade Ice Cream, 3146 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
Finally! We couldn't take you on an ice cream trail without bringing you Sebastian Joe's. Although there are various locations within the Twin Cities, our favorite remains the one along Lowry Hill. Sebastian Joe's is the spot that introduced us to boozy flavors of ice cream like zifandel while ultimately remaining kid and family friendly. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream! Sebastian Joe's, 1007 Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
We recognize it might not be fully practical to visit all six of these ice cream shops in one trip, but if you manage it you should know you’re a real hero. Let us know if you have a favorite ice cream spot in Minneapolis and Saint Paul and why. We’re always looking for new flavors to try!
