We all scream for ice cream! Travel down the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail with me to find delectable ice cream cones all across the state.
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You know me—I'm up for any reason to hit the road if it means finding good eats along the way! I call it Noshing Across New England—I'll venture across Vermont to sample apple cider donuts, roam Rhode Island for diner food and coffee cabinets, and cruise for crullers in Kittery, Maine.
My latest quest? ICE CREAM. Specifically, Massachusetts ice cream—and not just in my neck of the woods. There's a fun new way to find your favorite, frosty flavors, whether it's mint chocolate chip, rainbow sherbet, cookie dough, moose tracks, salted caramel swirl, or another one that I can't even get to because there are just so dang many. It's the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail!
There are dozens and dozens of ice cream spots across the Bay State (including many that are nowhere near the bay!) My husband and I have been traipsing this Trail all summer, and I'm excited to share the ice cream stands we visited with you.
Jump to:
- About the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail
- A taste of ice cream from every region
- Greater Boston Region
- Honeycomb Creamery, Cambridge
- Gracie's Ice Cream, Somerville
- North of Boston Region
- Hodgies Too Homemade Ice Cream, Salisbury
- Long Hill Orchard and Farm, West Newbury
- South of Boston Region
- Sugar Hill Dairy, East Bridgewater
- Joyful Scoops, Middleboro
- Cape Cod Region
- Four Seas Ice Cream, Barnstable
- Whistle Stop Ice Cream, Monument Beach
- Central Massachusetts Region
- Gibby's Famous Ice Cream, Worcester
- West End Creamery, Whitinsville
- Western Massachusetts Region
- Rondeau's Dairy Bar, Palmer
- Townline Ice Cream, Bernardston
- Whew, we're stuffed!
- More Noshing Across New England
- 💬 Comments
About the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail
Published just this summer, the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail throws a spotlight on 105 ice cream destinations across the state! The Trail was created by three Massachusetts entities: the Dairy Promotion Board, the Office of Travel and Tourism, and the Department of Agricultural Resources.
Besides giving me and my husband even more excuses to fill our bellies with sweet ice cream, the true purpose of the Trail is to highlight the dairy farmers and creameries across the state. Not to mention the small business ice cream stands and shops that use Massachusetts dairy products and help keep the industry thriving.
The Ice Cream Trail map divides the state into six regions, which makes it super easy to track down delicious scoops close to home and on the road.
A taste of ice cream from every region
Since I'm not sure I would survive sampling ice cream from all 105 destinations in one summer (though it would be a gloriously delicious way to go) I decided instead to visit two ice cream shops in each region.
My sweet husband not only joined me for all of these dairy stops, but also provided the crucial logistics and trip planning that I always manage to flake out on. With his help, we crisscrossed Massachusetts for cones! We had never been to these ice cream shops before—the journeys took us through towns and cities, down wooded roads, and through fields and farmland.
Here are all the ice cream places we visited and the ice cream flavors we tried. I also include a few reasons why you should check them out, too.
Between the two of us, plus friends and family who joined us at a couple of locations, we sampled 32 unique flavors at 12 different ice cream shops and stands!
Greater Boston Region
Honeycomb Creamery, Cambridge
Our friends the Phillips family joined us for cones at this popular ice cream spot in the busy city just outside of Boston proper. Honeycomb Creamery makes small-batch, unique flavors with milk from Mapleline Farm in Hadley.
Three reasons to go:
- Honeycomb Creamery is one of only a few ice cream shops that do their own pasteurization on site!
- Ice cream flavors are updated weekly, and feature the best ingredients of the season.
- Taco Tuesdays! Waffle cone taco shells with stracciatella ice cream and chocolate cookie crunchies.
Our ice cream:
- My husband had Sweet Corn ice cream swirled with Blackberry Jam! (It was absolutely delicious, with ice cream that tasted like the milk leftover from a bowl of Corn Pops cereal!!)
- My cone was a rich Salted Caramel Crackle with creamy swirls and crunchy bits.
- Mom and Dad Phillips devoured dishes of Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch and the spice-loaded vegan Thai Tea ice creams.
- The littlest Phillips was delighted with her sweet Birthday Cake ice cream in a waffle cone.
Visit!—Honeycomb Creamery 1702 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
Gracie's Ice Cream, Somerville
On another day traveling through the greater Boston area, we wound our way around Union Square—and lucked out with a parking spot right down the block from the tiny ice cream shop called Gracie's. They make their small-batch and creative ice cream flavors right in the store.
Three reasons to go:
- FLUFF CONES! A big scoop of Marshmallow Fluff spooned into a cone and then quickly broiled to brown and melt it. And THEN, the ice cream goes on top of the fluff!
- Gracie's has six flavors available on the regular, and six others that change frequently. Wander into the store to see the latest. (I also overheard someone call the shop to get the scoop on that week's scoops.)
- They offer ice cream-making classes for up to 14 people. If your boss is asking for team-building ideas, tell them you wanna make ice cream together at Gracie's.
Our cones:
- My husband had a cone full of Black Raspberry-Chocolate Chip ice cream loaded with Salty Swirls of crushed Oreo cookies.
- I had—you guessed it—the Fluff Cone, with a big scoop of cinnamony Union Square Donuts ice cream. It's vanilla ice cream with chunks of donuts made by the Union Square Donuts shop right around the corner! I was in a sugar rush heaven.
Visit!—Gracie's Ice Cream 22 Union Square, Somerville, MA
North of Boston Region
Hodgies Too Homemade Ice Cream, Salisbury
There are three locations of this family-owned ice cream business on the Ice Cream Trail: Hodgies in Amesbury, Hodgies Too in Newburyport, and Hodgies Too in Salisbury—that's where we went! It's conveniently located across the street from a pirate-themed mini golf course with a HUGE, sinister skull right out front!
Three reasons to go:
- They serve both hard ice cream and soft serve with a long list of flavors. Enjoy them in cones, frappes, Nor'Easters (soft serve blended with candies), and sundaes.
- There are plenty of toppings for your ice cream, too, including ginger snaps, hot fudge, gummy worms, and cherry dip.
- According to the staff, their peanut butter sauce is to die for. They also recommend trying a frappe made with vanilla and strawberry ice creams.
Our cones:
- My husband tried the staff-recommended Peanut Butter Cup ice cream: a rather indulgent blend of chocolate ice cream and peanut butter-filled chocolate cups.
- I had another staff-recommended flavor: Kahlua Chip: coffee ice cream with Kahlua liqueur swirls, and chocolate chunks. Though we asked for single scoops, both of our cones had two enormous scoops.
Visit!—Hodgies Too 136 Rabbit Road, Salisbury, MA
Long Hill Orchard and Farm, West Newbury
Visit this farmstand for fresh fruit and veggies, then get a cone from their ice cream stand named The Big Scoop! Long Hill serves Richardson's Ice Cream, from the iconic Massachusetts dairy farm in Middleton.
Three reasons to go:
- In addition to plenty of ice cream and toppings options, they also serve Richie's Italian ice, made in Everett, MA!
- You can feel better about indulging in sweet ice cream by picking up an armload of locally grown produce and homemade treats like sauces and fruit pies.
- Have some animal-loving kids in tow? There are farm animals to visit here, too!
Our cones:
- My husband is a big fan of Italian ice, so he just had to try Richies' take on Lemon Italian Ice—two glistening, snow-white scoops in a sugar cone. That ice is so sharply citrusy and refreshing.
- I had a flavor I'd seen on other menus and been curious about for a while: Grapenut Custard ice cream! It's a rich frozen custard loaded with Grape-Nuts cereal—the cereal gives it crunch and a sweet, wheaty, and almost nutty flavor. It's very good!
Visit!—Long Hill Orchard and Farm 520 Main Street, West Newbury, MA
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South of Boston Region
Sugar Hill Dairy, East Bridgewater
The Sugar Hill Dairy is part of Hanson Farm. They have a farmstand where you can pick up their fresh corn and other locally grown vegetables, and right next door is where they serve scoops from Massachusetts ice cream makers Richardson's and Acushnet Creamery.
Three reasons to go:
- There are plenty of picnic tables—while you enjoy your cone, look at tall corn swaying in the breeze, watch tractors drive by, and listen to cows mooing in the barn.
- This ice cream spot helps keep you clean—there are little drip-catching sleeves on the cones and an outdoor wash station for your hands.
- It's located close to downtown Bridgewater and Bridgewater State University.
Our cones:
- My husband devoured his cone of Crunchasaurus ice cream—a bright blue vanilla base with big pieces of chocolate-covered rice crispies.
- I had the unusual Cranberry Harvest ice cream, which is loaded with chocolate chunks, chopped walnuts, and fresh cranberries. The berries give the ice cream a light pink hue and a tart crunch.
Visit!—Sugar Hill Dairy 602 Pleasant Street, Bridgewater, MA
Joyful Scoops, Middleboro
Our son, his girlfriend, and our little grandson joined us for ice cream here! Joyful Scoops is a big ice cream stand located on a peaceful stretch of farmland on Route 105. They serve ice cream from Acushnet Creamery.
Three reasons to go:
- They have a long list of ice cream flavors, including varieties that are sugar-free and dairy-free, plus soft serve, and frozen yogurt.
- It's one of the few ice cream shops on the Trail that offer an ice cream flight: four flavors of your choosing in one dish!
- You may just luck out as we did and meet the kittens that live in the barn next to Joyful Scoops! They strolled around the grounds, demurely accepting our "pspsps" noises and offers of belly scratches.
Our cones:
- My son enjoyed the Cape Cobbler—cranberry-flavored ice cream with granola, walnuts, and cranberries.
- His girlfriend had a decadent hot fudge sundae made with Cherry Chunk ice cream, swirled with maraschino cherries and chocolate chunks.
- My husband couldn't resist trying the Boston Creme Pie (his fave dessert), which the owner described as "vanilla-ish" ice cream, shortbread cookie chunks, and chocolate fudge. We both think this ice cream tastes incredibly similar to those store-bought, chocolate-swirl ice cream cups we used to have as kids.
- And me? Well, thank goodness for the ice cream flight, so I didn't have to choose just one! My flight included Fluffernutter (peanut butter ice cream with marshmallow swirls), Peppermint Stick, Pumpkin Oreo, and Caramel Apple.
- Our grandson had a few licks of everything!
Visit!—Joyful Scoops, 139 Thompson Street, Middleboro, MA
Cape Cod Region
Four Seas Ice Cream, Barnstable
This little dairy bar has the distinction of being the oldest, continuously operating ice cream shop in Massachusetts—since 1934! Swing by Four Seas on your way to or from the bridges (Bourne and Sagamore) that connect the Cape to the mainland.
Three reasons to go:
- They have a long list of tempting ice cream flavors, including old school favorites like butter crunch and maple walnut, and limited-run flavors that change every month.
- Scan the handwritten signs that cover the wall and advertise other sweet treats—like sundaes in flavors of minty grasshopper, peanut butter and jelly, and Snickers. They also have floats and banana splits.
- Four Seas is also an old-fashioned lunch counter where you can have lobster rolls, hot dogs, and sandwiches. Whether you have these before or after ice cream is up to you!
Our cones:
- My husband's cone was his second choice (I beat him to his first choice) but he still loved it. Raspberry Chocolate Chip was one of their special flavors for August.
- The flavor I snagged before he could was Lemon Crunch: a lemon-vanilla ice cream base (one of my favorite flavor combos) with bits of crunchy lemon candies throughout.
Visit!—Four Seas Ice Cream, 360 South Main St, Centerville (Barnstable), MA
Whistle Stop Ice Cream, Monument Beach
There are two Whistle Stop locations on the Ice Cream Trail—we chose the original one on "MoBeach" next to the railroad tracks. (Whistle stop—I get it!)
Three reasons to go:
- There's a great selection of classic and unique flavors of ice cream, as well as soft serve and sorbet. You can also get frappes and slushies to slurp.
- Everyone loves ice cream cake! If you're celebrating a birthday or special event in the area, swing by to choose an ice cream cake or pie from their freezer.
- The shop is conveniently located within walking distance of Monument Beach, so it's easy to cool down with ice cream after catching some rays!
Our cones:
- My husband was delighted with his choice of Shark ice cream on a cone! Shark features white chocolate chips and raspberry swirls in vanilla ice cream.
- I was lucky enough to find the ice cream version of one of my favorite candy bars: Almond Joy! That means coconut ice cream chock full of almonds, shredded coconut, and chocolate fudge swirls.
Visit!—Whistle Stop Ice Cream, 430 Shore Rd, Monument Beach, MA
Central Massachusetts Region
Gibby's Famous Ice Cream, Worcester
What a legacy! Gibson's Dairy has been in operation for over 100 years, including delivering milk and other foods to homes as recently as 2020. Their ice cream stand, Gibby's has been a destination for Worcester families and college students (and my brother-in-law and his wife!) for decades.
Three reasons to go:
- They have a HUGE menu of ice cream flavors, including classics like heavenly hash and rum raisin. There are frosty concoctions, too, including banana splits the size of a loaf of bread, Wizards (soft serve with candies blended in), and slushes.
- Massive portions are apparently the norm here. Not only are the banana splits enormous, our sugar cones barely held up under their "size small" scoops!
- An unexpected perk? Two days a week you can buy locally made Clem's Italian Sausage at Gibby's.
Our cones:
- There were two flavors highlighted on the blackboard next to the ice cream window, so we gave them a try. My husband chose Blueberry Crumble and it was exactly what he was hoping for: blueberry pie filling and pie crust pieces swirled into ice cream!
- I chose the Graham Central Station, and oh my goodness it's good. Graham cracker ice cream with graham cracker crumbles and chocolate bits! For some reason, my cone melted inexplicably fast—much faster than my husband's! It was a pretty funny sight: me trying to eat that enormous cone as quickly as I could and still getting melted ice cream all over my hands and clothes!
Visit!—Gibby's Famous Ice Cream, 42 Sunderland Rd, Worcester, MA
West End Creamery, Whitinsville
Even before the Ice Cream Trail was published, several people told me I had to check out this West End Creamery, located on the spookily-named Purgatory Road. Once there, I understood why! It's a destination that's dang tasty and has tons to do for the family.
Three reasons to go:
- They have over 60 flavors of ice cream there, including soft serve, sherbet, and Dole whips! They also have a snack shack with hot dogs and kettle corn.
- The creamery has lots of fun activities including mini golf, an Adventure Farm with games and climbing structures, and a corn maze in the fall.
- Take a selfie in the giant chair, like my husband and I did!
Our cones:
- Out of all the stops on the Ice Cream Trail, my husband found his new, all-time favorite ice cream at West End Creamery: Cherry Moose Tracks. This flavor has cherry ice cream with cherry-filled chocolate cups and fudge swirls. So yum!
- I had one of my favorite desserts: German Chocolate Cake ice cream. It's a really rich, chocolate ice cream with coconut and streaks of caramel.
Visit!—West End Creamery, 481 Purgatory Rd, Whitinsville, MA
Western Massachusetts Region
Rondeau's Dairy Bar, Palmer
This is the most easterly of the Western Mass ice cream stands on the Trail, and we're so glad we went! Not only did we love our ice cream at Rondeau's, we're excited to go back there soon for lunch or dinner. Rondeau's has been a favorite local snack bar since 1940.
Three reasons to go:
- Rondeau's has over 50 flavors of homemade ice cream, sorbets, and sugar-free ice cream—no soft serve, though. In fact, they're an ice cream cone-shaped sign right out front that proudly declares, "Soft serve? Never have, never will."
- Head there for the ice cream, but also for all the delectable snack bar-style, savory treats, too. They include hot dogs, clam plates, onion rings, cheeseburgers, and kielbasa sandwiches.
- Peek through the order window and you'll see they have lots of squeezy stress cows named Alvina for sale. (Named for the founder, Alvin Rondeau.) Head to this Facebook page, and you can follow the adventures of one of these Alvina cows as they travel across the country!
Our cones:
- My husband chose a coneful of Butterscotch Ice Cream, which was simply and deliciously that: butterscotch-flavored, rich, and creamy.
- I took a chance on a variety I'd never tried before—Indian Pudding. And true to the flavors of the real, old-fashioned New England dessert, it consists of molasses-flavored ice cream with cornmeal mixed throughout. There are also flecks of real ginger and cinnamon flavor in the base. The texture of cornmeal in ice cream was quite unusual, but I really loved the spiced molasses flavor!
Visit!—Rondeau's Dairy Bar, 1300 Ware Rd, Palmer, MA
Townline Ice Cream, Bernardston
Townline is the most northerly of the Western MA ice cream destinations on the Ice Cream Trail, which was perfect for us to hit one day on our way home from Vermont.
Three reasons to go:
- It's an easy stop off of Route 5 or Interstate 91 to make when you're on the road and craving something sweet.
- They have lots of tasty, homemade hard ice cream flavors, as well as soft serve, sundaes, Razzles (soft serve with candies blended in), and ice cream cakes.
- You can settle with your ice cream treats at the picnic tables while your kids run around on the large, grassy area in front of the ice cream stand. (Where they can burn off some of that sugar high!)
Our cones:
- My husband went for a decadently sweet Caramel Creek—vanilla ice cream with brownie chunks and a caramel swirl.
- I chose a new-to-me flavor: Strawberry Cheesecake. The cheesecake-flavored ice cream base had a lovely tang. There were graham cracker bits and a sweet strawberry swirl, too.
Visit!—Townline Ice Cream, 37 Bernardston Rd, Bernardston, MA
Whew, we're stuffed!
That was a whole lotta ice cream! Not only did we sample 32 different flavors, but we also got to check out some beautiful pockets of Massachusetts and invite our friends and family to join us at these sweet spots.
Lots of these ice cream stands and shops I share here, and dozens and dozens of others on the Trail, are open well into the fall or even year-round—so make sure you check them out! After all, ice cream is always an excellent dessert choice, whether it's summertime or the iciest day in February.
Check out the official Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail map to find your next frozen dairy treat fix. It has links to every ice cream stop where you can get info about the locations and hours.
Happy ice cream trails to you!
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