When the mercury starts to rise (and rise…and rise), there’s no sweeter relief than a scoop of the queen of dairy products: ice cream. Check out these spots across Massachusetts to get a cone, or five, of the best ice cream this state has to offer.
1. Four Seas Ice Cream, Centerville
This place is a Cape Cod ice cream legend. It’s hard to overstate how devoted their following is. Operating out of a former blacksmith’s shop and using local ingredients, Four Seas has been serving homemade ice cream since 1934. Try one of their amazing ice cream cakes, or just load up on their incredible ice cream by the scoop. Try their Penuche Pecan flavor, made with brown sugar.
2. Kimball Farm in Carlisle, Westford and Lancaster
Kimball Farm is more than just ice cream – they’re a full-featured summer paradise. Check out their mini golf, bumper boats, pony rides, batting cages at one of their Westford location. Then settle into a scoop of their delicious ice cream, which is made from the milk of the farm’s own cows.
3. Cape Cod Creamery in Hyannis and Yarmouth
Cape Cod Creamery makes ice cream that is denser and less air-filled, which means way more flavor in every spoonful. Check out their Great Island Grapenut flavor, which is a New England classic.
4. Cedar Hill Dairy Joy, Weston
This soft serve joint serves the classics alongside specialty flavors. If you're willing to brave the line, it's a great spot to stop on a hot day.
5. Acushnet Creamery, Acushnet
All the ice cream at Acushnet Creamery is churned in-house, and the creamery is still owned and operated by the original founders. Try the Espresso Brownie Fudge or a seasonal flavor like Cape Cobbler.
6. Shaw Farm Dairy, Dracut
This place is pretty tiny and only open during the summer months, so you don't want to miss your chance at sampling their delicious homemade frozen treats. Try their Coffee Oreo flavor for a hit of java and cookie goodness. Shaw Farm is a true dairy, so if you love their ice cream, you can actually have this place deliver milk to you every week!
7. White Farms Ice Cream, Ipswich
What goes better together than ice cream and mini golf? White Farms combines great flavors like Almond Joy and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle with a classic putting course.
8. Gibson Brother's Dairy Farm, Worcester
This dairy has been churning out tasty ice cream for over 75 years. They have over 60 flavors, all made with the dairy’s fresh milk. Try their Cookie Monster and Purple Cow flavors, pictured.
9. Farfar's Danish Ice Cream Shop, Duxbury
Leaving their recipe unchanged since the 1970s was a genius move on the part of Farfar's. Generations of local ice cream lovers have delighted in their delicious flavors, like scrumptious Blueberry Cheesecake.
10. West End Creamery, Whitinsville
Heavenly ice cream in an idyllic setting. This family farm serves up tasty frozen treats alongside its 6-acre corn maze and awesome mini golf course.
11. Maple Valley Creamery, Hadley
This place is a creamery first, ice cream shop second. And that's exactly what makes their cones, cups and quarts so delicious. Their super-premium 16.59% butterfat ice cream is available in flavors like Maple Bacon and Honeysuckle Ginger. Grab some from their Scoops Truck or select grocery stores.
12. Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe, Gloucester
Where else can you get a jelly donut ice cream sandwich? This ice cream shop gets pretty creative with their presentation, and bakes all their own pastries. Plus, they deliver on orders over $10 for a $3 fee.
13. Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream, Easthampton
This old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop will take you back in time. Sample their Irish Cream and Cake Batter flavors, and don't forget to leave with a bag of sweets.
14. Toscanini's, Cambridge
The New York Times called Toscanini's "The World's Best Ice Cream." So, you know, that's gotta count for something. Try their hot brioche stuffed with Burnt Caramel and topped with chocolate fudge.
15. Cravings, Wakefield
Cravings started life as a soda fountain in the 1920s. Today, they have 35 at-the-ready flavors and over 100 made-to-order ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know who you think scoops the best ice cream in Massachusetts. Sweet tooth not satisfied? Check out our list of the best candy and chocolate shops in Massachusetts.
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