7 Cool Ice Cream Spots to Cool Down This Summer Diana Denza July 7, 2015 Food & Drink, Interests, Photography 1 Comment This post was last updated on May 22, 2023 Whether you prefer classic chocolate cones or Sea Salt Caramel Latte Sundaes, we’ve pinned down the perfect spots to cool off and eat your heart out. Here’s the scoop on seven of the finest cold spots in the country! Ample Hills Creamery – Brooklyn, New York With three separate locations in Brooklyn, Ample Hills Creamery is where locals go for some of the best dairy delights in the borough. Boasting fun flavors like Salted Crack Caramel, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, and Peppermint Pattie, this hip Brooklyn creamery caters to the kid in all of us. Got a pack of little ones? Give ‘em a break from Breyers and treat them to Ample Hills’ ethically-sourced, handcrafted ice cream. Summer Tip: Head over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park location, where you can stroll along the waterfront with your cone. Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream – Portsmouth, New Hampshire To locals, Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream is nothing short of a New England gem. Situated beside the stunning Portsmouth waterfront, the cozy shop prides itself on using only the richest, creamiest natural ingredients. Ice cream fanatics across New England flock to the creamery to experience a bevy of flavors, including Annabelle’s signature item, Mint Summer Night’s Dream, a luscious, mint chocolate ice cream laden with dark and white chocolate chunks. Other tempting delights in the 30-flavor lineup include Cashew Caramel Cluster and Swiss Chocolate Avalanche. Are your taste buds tingling in delight yet? Summer Tip: The ice cream will cool you down, but Portsmouth’s Prescott Park will take your breath away. End your day with a quiet stroll through lush gardens and water trickling down fountains. Amy’s Ice Cream – Austin, Texas We can’t argue with options. Amy’s Ice Cream in Austin built its reputation on offering 300 rotating flavors, including Mexican Vanilla, After Dinner Mint, Chai Tea, and many more. Adults can even indulge in a scoop (or two!) of happy hour ice cream, because in our book, that’s totally a thing! Flavors like Amaretto Peach and Cherry Berry Margarita are expertly blended with a touch of alcohol. We’ll toast to that! Summer Tip: Barton Springs pool over in South Austin is the place to be when the summer heat strikes and it provides ample entertainment for the kids. Hoffman’s Ice Cream – Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey New Jersey residents scream for Hoffman’s Ice Cream, which has come a long way since its humble beginning as a Carvel Ice Cream store back in 1955. Today, the Hoffman’s franchise is a big name in New Jersey – and with good reason. In addition to an extensive menu of ice cream flavors like Caramel Nut Cluster, Cherry Vanilla, Coconut Joy, and Strawberry Bon-Bon, this little shop also offers novelties like Reese’s and Oreo pies, ice cream saucers, and Dixie cups. Summer Tip: The nearby Washington Ave. beach is calm and clean, making it a relaxing way to complete your day. Bi-Rite Creamery – San Francisco In the Golden Gate City, ice cream is a big deal. Over in San Francisco’s Mission District, Bi-Rite Creamery employees skillfully craft everything by hand. From the actual ice cream to everything in it – like the brownies and marshmallows – this California creamery doesn’t believe in cutting corners. Its signature flavor is the sweet-and-tangy Salted Caramel ice cream, but Roasted Banana and Honey Lavender are just as decadently delightful. Flavors change every 24 hours, so a return visit is worthwhile if you’re in town for several days. Summer Tip: There is no shortage of attractions in this great city! Nature lovers of all ages can head over to Golden Gate Park to celebrate California’s vibrant greens. Creole Creamery – New Orleans New Orleans does food well, and this includes ice cream. Creole Creamery has been a respite for patrons hoping to escape the Louisiana heat. And while its hot-pink interior is charmingly old school, its long list of flavors is cool – literally. From a Velvety Creole Cream Cheese to a tangy lemon-lime, this tiny creamery packs on the unique taste. Summer Tip: The New Orleans City Park is surrounded by thousands of oak trees, providing ample shade from those scorching rays! A Better Scoop – Englewood, Florida Ice cream is the best way to beat the scorching Florida heat! The comforting scent of homemade waffle cones wafts through this mom-and-pop shop in the beachfront community of Englewood. With flavors like Orange Pineapple, Cookies & Cream, Toasted Coconut, and Chocolate Fantasia, any ice cream connoisseur would be hard-pressed to pick just one. Summer Tip: Rated among Englewood’s top attractions, the Stump Pass Beach State Park is THE place to go for crystal-clear waters, glowing sands, and sprawling nature trails. Do you have any of your own favorite shops to add to our list? Tell us in the comments below!
