State by State: Where to Find the Best Ice Cream

Top Ice Cream Shops in Each State

Somebody is choosing a flavor of ice cream in a store with a female assistant
Photo by Marc Calleja on Adobe Stock

Summer’s here, and the heat is on! What better way to cool down than with a scoop (or two) of delicious ice cream? But with countless shops across the country, finding the perfect pint can be a daunting task. From classic flavors to unique creations, get ready to embark on a virtual ice cream road trip across the USA!

Alabama: Big Spoon Creamery, Birmingham

a stack of ice cream sandwiches on a white plate
Big Spoon Creamery / Facebook

Known For:

  • Handmade artisanal ice cream focusing on local and seasonal ingredients
  • Flavors ranging from sweet corn blackberry to sweet basil ice cream
  • Big Spoon specializes in sundaes and sammies (pictured)

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Alaska: The Ice Cream Shop, Girdwood

an ice cream sundae sitting on top of a counter
The Ice Cream Shop / Facebook

Known For:

  • Unique ice cream flavors like Huckleberry Heaven, Maui Waiui, and Fireweed and honey
  • Choices ranging from sodas, floats, and affogatos

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

Arizona: Novel Ice Cream, Phoenix

a close up of a sandwich with googly eyes on it
Novel Ice Cream

Known For:

  • Contemporary ice cream shop serving small-batch handcrafted ice cream
  • Known for their famous doughnut melt
  • 12 flavors avaliable in a cup, cone or float

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Arkansas: Spark Cafe Soda Fountain, Bentonville

an ice cream sundae in a plastic container
Spark Café Soda Fountain

Known For:

  • Located where the Walmart Muesam was
  • Handcrafted ice cream and sundaes are available
  • Unique flavors like F-150 and Spark Cream (represents Walmart)

Overall Rating: 4.6/5