When I was a kid, my parents used to take me up to Ellicott City for ice cream. We’d stand in the line that ran down the rickety old ramp until it was our turn to order the absolutely massive soft serve cones, and then we’d stand around eating it in the messiest way possible while the sun set and the fireflies came out. Sadly that rickety old ramp to the original Soft Stuff ice cream stand is no longer a Route 40 mainstay, but Soft Stuff itself is still going strong to this day. The business has a new storefront here in Ellicott City, and they stick to the tradition of handing out colossal ice cream cones which will transport you to the boardwalk the second you start to eat them. It’s difficult to imagine a better spot for soft-serve ice cream in all of Maryland!

While the boardwalk and the wooden hut attached to the Forest Diner may have vanished, Soft Stuff lives on with a pretty chic facelift! The shop has been an Ellicott City tradition for decades now and you’ll still find streams of people flocking here, particularly on early autumn nights.
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo
The simply furnished interior is welcoming and gives you the beach vibe you expect from a soft-serve ice cream stop. Despite the more modern setting, though, Soft Stuff is still cash only.
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo
All these years later, my favorite order hasn’t changed - the orange-vanilla twist with rainbow sprinkles. Even the small size is a hefty amount of ice cream!
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo

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The new shop allows them to offer more than just the beach food standards. You can grab a waffle cone and top your ice cream with Oreo bits…
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo
…Or you can go whole-hog and grab a banana split!
Manoj Modi/Google Reviews
And of course the patio is still there, so that original magic of standing around outside and enjoying your ice cream is still alive and well!
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo

Be sure to follow Soft Stuff on Facebook for updates on hours, and remember to bring cash when you go to visit!

Soft Stuff’s boardwalk feel is perfect for a staycation. If that sounds like your cup of tea, check out our guide for creating the perfect staycation in Maryland!

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