In a place as popular as Maine, it’s common to have mediocre restaurants with a lot of undue hype. From lobster shacks to waterfront white tablecloth places, it can be hard to determine which spots are worth the trip. Not unlike lobster, ice cream is a popular summer favorite here in Vacationland. But, which is the best?! You could drive for hours trying to pick the perfect spot. You’ll find plenty in the small towns along rural roads, but if you’re looking for something a bit more unique when it comes to flavors, this is the place you need to go!

Mt. Desert Ice Cream has locations in Portland and Bar Harbor and they're all worth a visit.
r0bert07 / TripAdvisor
The original, where you're almost always likely to find a line, can be found on Firefly Lane in Bar Harbor.
r0bert07 / TripAdvisor
But how did this incredible shop come to be? It was all the dream of a corporate-working software developer who knew that a better life existed. With only a love of ice cream and the desire to work for herself, Linda Parker created Mt. Desert Ice Cream to be a small operation sold at farmers' markets. It soon grew into the retail location in Bar Harbor.

After a visit by the first family in 2010, the ice cream shop became a well-known establishment in Maine and a place visited by virtually every tourist in the area.

The shop soon expanded to another location in Bar Harbor and eventually to Exchange Street in Portland. There are now four locations including one in Washington D.C.
The menus at each of the locations are often rotated and half the fun is coming to see what's available each day on the huge menus inside.
Wolftrap / TripAdvisor
Flavors like blackstrap molasses banana and blueberry sour cream streusel are handmade with the high butterfat and minimal air churned in.
Ryann G / TripAdvisor

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Did we mention that the streusel is made with a home-baked butter crumble?
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream / Facebook
Get a multiscoop cup like this one called the "Breakfast-in-Bed flight." It features boiled coffee, sweet cream, blackstrap molasses banana, and cinnamon cardamom.
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream / Facebook
There are non-dairy options as well, including this one made with almond milk, dark cocoa, pea protein, dried cherries, dark chocolate chunks and cocoa nibs.
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream / Facebook
Or, try something ultra refreshing like the blueberry basil sorbet.
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream / Facebook
Each shop also has a distinct personality and sense of humor.
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream / Facebook

The original Mt. Desert Ice Cream location can be found at 7 Firefly Ln. in Bar Harbor. Give them a call on 207-801-4007. Other locations can be found in Portland and Washington D.C. Click here to visit them online to see exact addresses. And, follow them on Facebook for flavor updates.

For more Maine ice cream, check out this road trip on the Maine ice cream trail. It’ll keep you sweet tooth satisfied for days!

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