posted Jan 01, 2024

Locals’ Favorite Ice Cream Spots in Lancaster, PA

•I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!•

Ice cream in Lancaster County is not like ice cream from anywhere else. Many shops are located on a farm where they are able to produce their own ice cream. If a shop isn't located on a farm they are most likely still using dairy sourced from a local farm.

Here is a list of the ten places to get started as you explore the all ice cream shops in the county.

Fox Meadows

Now with two locations, Ephrata and Leola, this farm-to-table creamery creates hand-crafted ice cream made on-site with milk from the family’s dairy farm located across the street- it doesn’t get fresher than that! We recommend their signature treat the “Baked Fox,” which is a hot pressed outer shell like a chocolate chip cookie or chewy brownie with cold ice cream of your choice inside… YUM.

Rolled Cold Creamery

Want to see your own flavor created before your eyes? At Rolled Cold Creamery they use heavy cream which is poured onto a -19 degree frozen steel pan, as the cream freezes fresh fruits, cookies, candies, and other items are added to the mixture. Finally, the ice cream is rolled up and served to you- watching the process is half the fun!

Lapp Valley Farms

Locations in both, New Holland and Gordonville, are conveniently located within a few miles from Kitchen Kettle Village! With 16 different flavors to choose from you are sure to find one you like. In addition, they also make homemade potato chips, which pair surprisingly well with ice cream to make a salty-sweet combo.

Hayloft Ice Cream

Located in Leola, right off Route 23, hosts Hayloft Ice Cream. Hayloft serves hand-dipped, soft-serve ice cream, Italian ice, soft pretzels with dips, and many other fine treats. They also donate all profits to Allegany Boys Camp, a year-round residential wilderness camp for boys ages 9-16 who are struggling in their homes and at school.

Lancaster Sweet Shoppe

Ice cream sandwiched in between two freshly made stroop waffles- need we say more! The stroopie ice cream sandwich at the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe is a must try in our book. They also offer a cones, milkshakes, and floats in your choice of flavor. Another crowd pleaser is the chocolate pretzel sundae.

32 Below Ice Cream Shop

Just a short drive away from the town of Lititz sits 32 Below Ice Cream. This family-owned creamery serves delicious ice cream and has a fabulous patio to enjoy it on. They even host free events with live music and movie nights during the summer.

Splits & Giggles Cafe

On the outskirts of the city right by Franklin & Marshall College lies Spilts & Giggles Cafe. Why not grab some delicious ice cream with toppings, of course, and stroll through Buchanan Park!

The Jigger Shop

The Jigger Shop is the perfect place to grab ice cream after swimming in the lake at Mt. Gretna beach, watching a show at the Gretna Theatre, or hiking and biking on the surrounding trails. If you have never been to the Jigger Shop before we recommend you try their namesake specialty, “The Jigger.” It is two and a half scoops of French-vanilla ice cream with your choice of chocolate or butterscotch topping, whipped marshmallow, and jigger nuts. It taste just as great as it did when it was first served in 1895.

Pine View Dairy

A part of Lancaster County since 1971, Pine View Dairy continues to offer some of the best ice cream around. They offer fresh from-the-farm ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet both in cones and cups, and also in hand-packed half-gallons for you to take home and share. Pet some calves while you’re here to round off your Lancaster County experience.

The Pretzel Hut

Offering soft serve ice cream in traditional chocolate, vanilla, and twist cones, The Pretzel Hut also offers two specialty soft serve flavors per week like teaberry or peanut butter. Try it in a pretzel cone for a unique salty-sweet experience. They also have a petting zoo on the property making it a great family stop on the way to or from the Wolf Sanctuary of PA.

Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café

Made on location with local fruits, all-natural flavorings and stir-ins from the bakery, ice cream from the Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Café is delicious. Flavors change month to month offering guests a wide variety to try, from traditional vanilla to localized flavors like shoofly pie.

Twisted Sisters Ice Cream and Handmade Chocolates

Twisted Sisters at REO Marketplace is a full-scale ice cream shop that serves locally made hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream; along with Italian ice. They also offer a large variety of handmade chocolates and candy, light fare, soft pretzels, and locally made specialty food and gift items.

Son's

Drive through or walk up to Son's and explore their large menu! Milkshakes, soft serve, Italian ice, sundaes, avalanches, and more! Their ice cream is worth the wait.

Nikki's Custard

At Nikki's Custard, there is something delicious for everyone! They offer frozen custard with regularly changing flavors and toppings, milkshakes, "rock solids", non-dairy soft serve, and sorbet soft serve.

Scoop's Ice Cream & Grille

Scoop's Ice Cream & Grille is a great stop for hand-dipped ice cream, old-fashioned milkshakes & floats, and a fantastic variety of delicious and fun sundaes and banana splits! Check out the lunch and dinner menu options and make time for a round of golf at Boulders Miniature Golf Course next door!