With old-fashioned parlors and ice cream-scooping stunt performers, these shops offer unforgettable experiences while you savor their frozen treats
Nothing screams summer more than ice cream. But if you’re looking for another excuse to indulge in the creamy treat, July is National Ice Cream Month! So there’s no better time to satisfy your sweet tooth with our handpicked list of six must-taste ice cream joints. If you’re looking for a summer adventure, consider planning an ice cream road trip that hits these famous spots.
1. Margie’s Fine Candies – Chicago
Don’t let the name fool you. This Chicago candy store is most popular for its enormous ice cream creations. Challenge your family to one of Margie’s jumbo sundaes in their massive white clam shell bowls. Furnished with huge old-fashioned leather booths and mini jukeboxes, this early 1900s shop can entertain families, large and small. For a blast from the past, you can even sit in the same spots where celebrities like Al Capone, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones sat back in their days.
2. Creole Creamery – New Orleans
Head here if you’re having trouble surviving a hot New Orleans summer, or if you want to taste some of the most unique ice cream flavors in the country. This 1950s diner-style creamery will test your adventurous side with flavors like Goat Cheese & Fig, Lemon Mascarpone, Avocado and its signature Creole Cream Cheese.
3. Amy’s Ice Creams – Austin, San Antonio and Houston, Texas
This must-taste stop hosts annual summer Olympics. After witnessing these talented scoopers, you won’t be able to eat ice cream the same way again! Amy’s employees serve up top notch ice cream with a spin – behind the back, under the leg, over peoples’ heads, etc. Based in Austin, Texas, on the philosophy of “making people’s day,” Amy’s and its fun-tastic staff have invaded Central Texas with 15 stores in three major cities. Make sure you try its world famous Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream!
4. Farrell’s – Brea, Calif.
Who doesn’t enjoy some friendly competition in the form of an eating challenge? Fans ages 1 to 111 battle head-to-head in the annual Farrell’s Splendiferously Superific Summer Spectacular Ice Cream Eating Challenge. It’s a fundraiser that will be held July 19 this year, which is National Ice Cream Day. The event features face painting, rock climbing walls, amusement rides and entertainers of all kinds. Although this ice cream shop has been serving up its creations for more than 50 years, you’ll think you’ve gone back in time 100 years when servers come out in pinstriped vests, cane hats and handlebar moustaches.
5. Izzy’s Ice Cream – St. Paul, Minn.
With roughly 150 crazy unique flavors, including Spongebob, Chubby Bunny, Midnight Snack and Green Tea Oreo, Izzy’s Ice Cream updates its available flavor options every three minutes. Fans are notified when their favorite flavors are available with the Flavor Up! System. Sign up, have your family select your favorite flavors and cross your fingers that yours will be selected by the time you get there! For indecisive ice cream lovers, Izzy’s created the one-of-a-kind Izzy Scoop, which is a mini scoop atop a larger scoop. It’s a top hat for your ice cream!
6. Capannari’s – Mount Prospect, Ill.
The Family Travel team loves this shop because it is located just blocks from our post-production offices, and is owned by friends of Colleen Kelly and our executive producer. Capannari’s has been family owned and operated since 2001, and has earned several honors including “Best Ice Cream in Chicago” from Chicago Magazine. This old-fashioned parlour is located in an old General Store and Post Office, built in Mount Prospect in 1882. Stop by for a unique ice cream shop tour where you can even experiment with making your own ice cream!
