Get The Scoop: Where To Find The Best Ice Cream in New England

Eating ice cream is a year-round sport in New England, but when summer kicks off, we really start reaching for those sprinkle-covered waffle cones. Luckily for ice-cream lovers, New England is a total cone zone. From seaside creameries in Rhode Island to mountainside dessert parlors in Vermont, these hot spots for cold treats will have you ice screaming for more.

Where to Find the Best Ice Cream in New England

Connecticut

Most of Connecticut’s ice cream parlors are lined up along the shoreline, with a huge collection in the southeast. Taste the sweetness at Sweet Luna’s in downtown Old Saybrook, or stop by James’ Organic Cafe for all-organic and gluten-free options. You’ll find another crop of shops just across the bridge in New London — grab a cone from Berry’s Ice Cream & Candy Bar, and enjoy a view of the Thames River. If you head over to East Lyme, you’ll probably encounter The Fresh Cow ice cream truck serving up frozen treats, unless it’s on the mooove for a summer festival.

Rhode Island

For a little state, Rhode Island’s huge selection of ice cream parlors won’t leave you in the cold. The coastal city of Newport draws in folks near and far with dessert shops like Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream, whose central location makes it as convenient as it is delicious. You could also stop by Sprinkles Ice Cream right on the waterfront, or the Sticks & Cones Ice Cream Hut, which includes Belgian Waffles-on-a-Stick in its repertoire of treats. The Newport Creamery trades ocean views for Aquidneck Park’s spacious lawns, playground, and tennis courts.

Vermont

You may think ice cream belongs by a sandy beach, but leave it to the Green Mountains to prove you wrong. The Mountain Creamery in downtown Woodstock is known for its down-to-earth atmosphere and all-natural ingredients — after your ice cream fix, treat your tastebuds to a slice of their Mile High Apple Pie, made with fresh-picked apples. Up in Stowe, enjoy some all-natural ice cream at IC Scoops, or try one of 50 flavors of Vermont creemees at the Mountain View Snack Bar. Also, don’t forget that you’re in Ben & Jerry’s territory — see how the magic happens on a factory tour just a short drive away in Waterbury.

New Hampshire

Depending on where you venture in New Hampshire, you could be indulging in farm-fresh frosties in the countryside or taking your tasty treats to the beach. Enjoy patio views of Mount Washington at the Trails End Ice Cream Shoppe in Intervale, or craft the perfect cone with a massive selection of toppings at Lickety Splitz in North Conway. For the seafaring folk, look no further than Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream, a dessert shop that’s been pleasing Portsmouth since 1982.

Maine

The Pine Tree State holds the distinction of having New England’s highest-rated ice cream shop: Rococo Artisan Ice Cream, dessert pride of Kennebunkport. Rococo ranked as the sixth-best ice cream parlor in the U.S. by TripAdvisor in 2014. Not to be outdone, Camden is home to several popular parlors: River Ducks Ice Cream, situated in the heart of downtown’s shops and attractions, and Camden Cone, located just off the harbor.

Massachusetts

The Bay State certainly isn’t short on scoop shops. Toscanini’s Ice Cream is Boston’s top-rated parlor in 2017 according to TripAdvisor, with world-famous flavors like Burnt Caramel earning spots in gourmet publications like Bon Appetit Magazine. You can also expect many choices out on the Cape — the Cape Cod Creamery takes the cake with its selection of island-themed gourmet flavors like Vineyard Vanilla and Cotuit Coffee.

We all scream for ice cream, so you may want to rest your voice before you get to New England. Don't see your favorite ice cream spot on the list? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

As you map out your tour of ice cream parlors and dessert shops, make a reservation at one of our inns or resorts — we’ll give you the scoop on where to enjoy the best ice cream in New England.