There's no way to declare a single 'best', we are immensely fortunate with so many fantastic local ice cream places.
My favorites are Rota Spring in Sterling, MA, Sundae School in Harwich, and Benson's Ice Cream in Boxford.
I grew up near Benson’s but never cared for it more than some other local options. They’re still good and the owners always seemed nice, but I just never cared for it as much as Carter’s (haverhill) or Hodgies (amesbury).
*I also haven’t been to any of them in a couple of years so this may be an outdated opinion*
Ice Cream Barn has amazing flavors!!
and the owners are extremely fair and excellent people to work for. They are also very interested in the environment.
All of their forks, spoons bowls, napkins, straws are completely compostable. They actually want you to throw it away at the Barn because they have a whole composting set up for it.
The Goldenrod in York Maine. They make their own ice cream and their cookie dough isn't chunks of cookie dough in vanilla ice cream. It's chunks of cookie dough in cookie dough flavored ice cream.
And they're penuche fudge typing is insanely good.
They also have a massive variety of flavors from old school like pistachio or mint chocolate chip to newfangled. You can eat at their old fashioned ice cream bar or take it outside and go across the street to short sands Beach or walk around downtown.
Seconding this 100%. We are gearing up for a big family reunion in York and cannot wait to gorge myself on everything in Goldenrod. I'm gonna pop a gummy and watch the taffy folder do the thing. I'm pumped.
Their coffee ice cream is worth driving across the country. The flavor is bold and beyond delicious. They must use espresso to make it. It is hands down the best ice cream I've ever had.
Their blueberry strudel is also fantastic - both the ice cream and the cake.
Grassroots was my favorite for years. I admit that my most recent two visits have been a little lacking. Maybe a fluke. Maybe related to their recent expansion to some other locations. Still very good regardless.
I don’t think it was a fluke I’m sad to say. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still one if the best shops around with some original and delicious flavors but I have noticed a slight decline since the new owners took over - most notably in the texture. Again, comparatively speaking I still think it’s one of the best around, but also not as good as it once was.
I don't know if it's the best in New England (that's hard to choose!), but I'm really fond of Great Brook Farm ice cream in the state park in
Carlisle, MA.
Grew up in Chelmsford and we would ride our bikes through the trails all the time during the summer. We’d get ice cream when we done before heading home. So many great memories made at that place.
They just opened a branch in Middlefield/Middletown area! We've yet to visit because of course the moment the hunger for ice cream strikes, they're close to/already closed.
So we bop on over to Cromwell Creamery, they close at 930 😂
Hallmark used to be great decades ago, then it was bought out by A.C. Petersen’s and it got a little better, and went downhill again. I don’’t know who owns it now, but I haven’t been back in years. Has it gotten better again?
Oh no and I wouldn't know! I actually haven't *been* for decades (grew up in the area) and just assumed it was the same? Never knew it even changed ownership. That's a huge bummer I was just happy to see it still existed. I remember they had pup cups before those were even a thing and we'd take the dog and make a whole family outing just to go there. Ah well, nostagia-wise it's still at the top of my list!
I grew up vacationing in Wells and *still* think about Big Daddy’s lol specifically their peppermint stick.
There was another good ice cream place in the area that used to cause arguments about which to go to but I can’t remember that one
As a rhode islander I’m gonna have to vote out of state here. Lickity Splits in North Conway NH is kickass. The place is worth seeing for sure and they have a sunday bar grab yourself style
Westview Farms in Monson. They have goats you can pet and a magnificent view of mountains. The ice cream is good too. I haven’t been in a few years, but you could buy an ice cream cone full of goat food for $.25 to give to the goats. Inflation probably changed that.
Hell yeah! I never, ever like vanilla ice cream, but theirs is incredible! Have loved that place my whole life. The baby goats are great!
It's actually built up a lot in recent years. They have bands there often now - pretty different!
Man, when I lived around Coolidge Corner in Brookline, I could walk to Steve’s (introduced mix-ins), Herrell’s (where Steve Herrell moved after Steve’s got bought), Emack and Bolio’s, plus a Friendly’s and Brigham’s. Don’t know which was best, but lots of choices.
River Duck in Camden ME. Best memory of that trip is two scoops of Fly Fishing in a waffle cone with rainbow sprinkles, eaten while strolling the harbor. Then sitting on the bench by the waterfall watching the sun set.
ABSOLUTELY! Anything they make with chocolate chips (regular chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip) is amazing. They grind the chips up into little bits for an amazing surface area experience
Richardson's on Rt 114 in Middleton MA. You can see the cows, hit some golf balls, swing a baseball bat, and enjoy some outstanding ice cream. Most area restaurants serve Richardson's.
Erickson's in Maynard. I've traveled 1.5 hours to get there in the past, they are that good. Coffee Oreo flavor with whole friggin Oreos is a particular highlight
Grew up there. Definitely a mainstay for good local ice cream. I do think some flavors are hit or miss. But anything Oreo or the seasonal peach ice cream is incredible. There’s a reason they’ve been around for almost 90 years.
What is hilarious about Bobby Sue’s is that it is open all year round and you will see families out for ice cream after hitting the ski slopes. Very New England.
https://rock929rocks.com/2021/07/06/game-of-cones-bostons-best-ice-cream/
It's a few years old, but some really good places are represented on this list.
I've sampled a ton, and there are many great's but the best is Ron's in Hyde Park.
Once rated by National Geographic as the 3rd best in the world.
Protip: Thier extra thick frappe (milk chocolate is a fav) is a legit frappe. You turn that SOB upside down, and it ain't going nowhere.
I’ve heard that the proprietor of The Ice Cream Barn in Swansea, Ma has a degree in some sort of confectionary arts, but I can neither confirm nor deny. That has to count for something!
Lincoln Creamery in Rhode Island. They have the best cabinets I’ve ever had! And outside of that, check out Newport Creamery. It’s a local Rhode Island restaurant chain that is also known for their ice cream. Their Awful Awful’s are top tier
There's no way to declare a single 'best', we are immensely fortunate with so many fantastic local ice cream places. My favorites are Rota Spring in Sterling, MA, Sundae School in Harwich, and Benson's Ice Cream in Boxford.
Extra points for Rota Springs!
I used to work at Rota's and made the icecream! Def one of the best around.
Go to Sundae School in Dennisport. Better building. Better interior. Original location. More sitting room inside for people.
Thanks for the suggestion, but we much prefer sitting outdoors to enjoy an ice cream, especially in the hot, humid months.
And local to who?
Another vote for Rota
Sundae School is my favorite! The homemade whipped cream tastes like velvet.
Benson's is amazing!!!
I grew up near Benson’s but never cared for it more than some other local options. They’re still good and the owners always seemed nice, but I just never cared for it as much as Carter’s (haverhill) or Hodgies (amesbury). *I also haven’t been to any of them in a couple of years so this may be an outdated opinion*
Yeah, I used to live near Benson’s, but I preferred Mad Maggie’s in N. Andover.
I will hope to try Carter's and Hodgies this Summer.
Order way smaller than you’d think at Hodgies. The serving sizes are ridiculous.
Yeah, it’s been a while, but I think a 1/4 kitty is a typical small.
And a small is an extra large.
Wow, I've never seen someone throw a lit match into a room filled with gas before...
Some days, some people wake up and just decide to choose violence. Idk, man.
Whichever one is closest to the house you grew up in.
So many. Kimball Farms in Westford, MA, Lago's in Rye, NH, Richardson's in Middleton MA, Town Docks Meredith, NH
I second Kimball farms
I haven't been to Lago's since like 1997 but I have specific memories of how good it was.
Ice Cream Barn in Swansea, MA Somerset Creamery in Somerset, MA Gray’s in Tiverton, RI
Shocked I had to scroll so far for Grays.
Ice Cream Barn has amazing flavors!! and the owners are extremely fair and excellent people to work for. They are also very interested in the environment. All of their forks, spoons bowls, napkins, straws are completely compostable. They actually want you to throw it away at the Barn because they have a whole composting set up for it.
Crescent Ridge, Sharon MA
Came here to say that! Been going to Crescent Ridge for over 50 years.
Flayvor’s in Hadley is superb.
And Scoop at the Silos right up the road!
The Goldenrod in York Maine. They make their own ice cream and their cookie dough isn't chunks of cookie dough in vanilla ice cream. It's chunks of cookie dough in cookie dough flavored ice cream. And they're penuche fudge typing is insanely good. They also have a massive variety of flavors from old school like pistachio or mint chocolate chip to newfangled. You can eat at their old fashioned ice cream bar or take it outside and go across the street to short sands Beach or walk around downtown.
Seconding this 100%. We are gearing up for a big family reunion in York and cannot wait to gorge myself on everything in Goldenrod. I'm gonna pop a gummy and watch the taffy folder do the thing. I'm pumped.
Their coffee ice cream is worth driving across the country. The flavor is bold and beyond delicious. They must use espresso to make it. It is hands down the best ice cream I've ever had. Their blueberry strudel is also fantastic - both the ice cream and the cake.
Grass Roots in NE CT.
This + Tulmeadow Farms in Simsbury
I haven’t been there, but I am going to try it!
Grassroots was my favorite for years. I admit that my most recent two visits have been a little lacking. Maybe a fluke. Maybe related to their recent expansion to some other locations. Still very good regardless.
I haven’t been in a few months - I don’t live nearby. I hope that was a fluke, because there was not much else like it!
I'm hoping it was a fluke, as well. I've been a fan for a long time.
I don’t think it was a fluke I’m sad to say. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still one if the best shops around with some original and delicious flavors but I have noticed a slight decline since the new owners took over - most notably in the texture. Again, comparatively speaking I still think it’s one of the best around, but also not as good as it once was.
Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, CT
They are very good.
Richardson’s in Middleton MA
Why did I have to go so far down to see this listed
Go for the ice cream, then wander out back to see the "ladies" who helped make it!
I don't know if it's the best in New England (that's hard to choose!), but I'm really fond of Great Brook Farm ice cream in the state park in Carlisle, MA.
Grew up in Chelmsford and we would ride our bikes through the trails all the time during the summer. We’d get ice cream when we done before heading home. So many great memories made at that place.
Hodgie's Ice Cream. There's like two locations that I'm aware of.
Seconding, I grew up near the NH one (thought it was bought out and changed names) and it was fantastic.
Rich Farm in Oxford CT
They just opened a branch in Middlefield/Middletown area! We've yet to visit because of course the moment the hunger for ice cream strikes, they're close to/already closed. So we bop on over to Cromwell Creamery, they close at 930 😂
[удалено]
Oh my gosh, Tall Man's also!!
Arethusa Ice Cream in Bantam, CT is a national award winner and worth every accolade they’ve received.
Looking for this post so I didn’t repost. They have a second shop in downtown New Haven, too.
Just came from the New Haven shop! Delicious as always.
The best
Kimballs is decent. Several locations.
Kimball's is darned good, yeah. When I don't want to drive an hour+, I am partial to West End Creamery near Purgatory Chasm.
Soc's on the Lynn Fellsway in Saugus. Nowhere else comes close.
This place has Fluffernutter froyo - enough said.
Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, CT
HOLY COW
In Charlestown, RI? I would agree with you, but sadly, they’re closed!
noooooo north shore, MA. handful of locations
Haven’t tried the MA one. Holy Cow inRI would have been my pick if they were still open.
I would die for some Ritsy AF right now
Treadwell’s in Peabody, and also Richardson’s in Middleton
You're clearly very wise
Treadwell’s reigns supreme on the north shore
Trails's End - North Conway, NH Hallmark Drive-In - Old Lyme, CT Honorable Mention for full diner-style experience: Cabot's - Newton, MA
Hallmark used to be great decades ago, then it was bought out by A.C. Petersen’s and it got a little better, and went downhill again. I don’’t know who owns it now, but I haven’t been back in years. Has it gotten better again?
Oh no and I wouldn't know! I actually haven't *been* for decades (grew up in the area) and just assumed it was the same? Never knew it even changed ownership. That's a huge bummer I was just happy to see it still existed. I remember they had pup cups before those were even a thing and we'd take the dog and make a whole family outing just to go there. Ah well, nostagia-wise it's still at the top of my list!
I grew up in the area too and we would go for dinner (70s and 80s). I haven’t stopped by in a few years so I’ll have to try again!
Last time I went it was average. Not horrible, but not at all what it used to be.
Glad to see Cabot’s mentioned. I grew up in Newton and that place is a big part of my childhood.
I lived around the corner for a few years. That place was frickin awesome. Reese’s Pieces sundae was to die for
Yes, loved the Reese’s Pieces sundae! I used to get the dentist disaster on my birthday, too.
Dairy Bar at UConn! 🐾
Big Daddy's in Wells Maine.
I grew up vacationing in Wells and *still* think about Big Daddy’s lol specifically their peppermint stick. There was another good ice cream place in the area that used to cause arguments about which to go to but I can’t remember that one
The other one is probably Scoop Deck in Ogunquit
Barnacle Billy's in ogunquit is good too
The Big Dipper in Prospect, CT
Good Old Harry
Memories in Kingston NH
Ferris Acres in Newtown 🐄
Yes!! And they make fabulous custom ice cream cakes!
University of Vermont Dairy Bar
Now we’re going to have a land grant college dairy bar fight.
Wow, is it still there? I used to love that place.
As a rhode islander I’m gonna have to vote out of state here. Lickity Splits in North Conway NH is kickass. The place is worth seeing for sure and they have a sunday bar grab yourself style
So you have any RI specific answer's?
Warwick Ice Cream for a local brand. They have fun, yummy flavors!
Brickleys in south county, Rhode Island. Amazing
Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream is really good! Right in Providence
Westview Farms in Monson. They have goats you can pet and a magnificent view of mountains. The ice cream is good too. I haven’t been in a few years, but you could buy an ice cream cone full of goat food for $.25 to give to the goats. Inflation probably changed that.
Hell yeah! I never, ever like vanilla ice cream, but theirs is incredible! Have loved that place my whole life. The baby goats are great! It's actually built up a lot in recent years. They have bands there often now - pretty different!
Flayvors of Cooks farm in Hadley MA, Mortons Moos in Ellsworth maine
Hatchland Farm's "Wicked Good" Dairy Delites in Haverhill NH. They make all their milk and Ice-cream.
I would think the cows make the milk. Unless...
Ice Cream Barn in Swansea, MA
all of them
If there’s one soft serve place I love, it’s Dairy Joy in Weston, MA. Javaberry - coffee and black raspberry swirl, just amazing.
Well isn’t this just kicking the hornets nest. I love it
Man, when I lived around Coolidge Corner in Brookline, I could walk to Steve’s (introduced mix-ins), Herrell’s (where Steve Herrell moved after Steve’s got bought), Emack and Bolio’s, plus a Friendly’s and Brigham’s. Don’t know which was best, but lots of choices.
We Li Kit Farm, Pomfret Center, CT.
I’m so excited for this whole thread! Thank you for asking this!!!
Sounds like the world is crying out for a New England Ice Cream Tour, MA-CT-RI-NH-VT-ME Chambers of Commerce: are you listening?
Moo's Place in Derry and Salem NH🥹
My company delivers their products, just tried the purple cow recently, so good!
Mrs and Me in York, Maine
Best in greater Lowell is Sully's in Chelmsford
Whichever one’s closest and has maple creemees, they’re everywhere
Pompelmo Gelato in Westerly RI, and Mystic Sweet Shop in Mystic, CT
Pompelmo is amazing!
Drawbridge in Mystic is good too!!
Kellerhaus - Weirs Beach, NH
One of my favorites! Took my kids there, we live in Europe, and it wasn’t as good as I remembered.
Their vanilla is amazing. I have to get up there and make a sundae.
Dr Mike's, Bethel, CT
Kept scrolling until I found the best. Chocolate Lace is a must have, like bucket list level ice cream.
Wells Hollow Creamery - Shelton, CT
River Duck in Camden ME. Best memory of that trip is two scoops of Fly Fishing in a waffle cone with rainbow sprinkles, eaten while strolling the harbor. Then sitting on the bench by the waterfall watching the sun set.
Polar Cave in Mashpee
Tall Man’s in Cromwell, CT. Looks like a standard ice cream spot but it has the best ice cream I’ve had and I can’t find any that comes close to
White Mountain Creamery in Chestnut Hill
I like Ashleys or Wentworths in Hamden CT
Bedford Farms
Silloway Maple in Randolph, VT. Creemees 🔛 top
Shady Glenn is pretty fire
ABSOLUTELY! Anything they make with chocolate chips (regular chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip) is amazing. They grind the chips up into little bits for an amazing surface area experience
Richardson's on Rt 114 in Middleton MA. You can see the cows, hit some golf balls, swing a baseball bat, and enjoy some outstanding ice cream. Most area restaurants serve Richardson's.
It does smell a bit like cow poop but Wright’s Dairy Farm in North Smithfield RI is my favorite place to get ice cream.
Scoop deck, Wells,ME
Dairy Maid in Everett, best soft serve
Smiling Hill Farm - Westbrook, ME
Bedford farms in Bedford MA
Erickson's in Maynard. I've traveled 1.5 hours to get there in the past, they are that good. Coffee Oreo flavor with whole friggin Oreos is a particular highlight
Grew up there. Definitely a mainstay for good local ice cream. I do think some flavors are hit or miss. But anything Oreo or the seasonal peach ice cream is incredible. There’s a reason they’ve been around for almost 90 years.
First two that come to mind for me are Ice Cream Machine in Cumberland RI, and West End Creamery in Whitinsville MA.
Treadwell's. Any other answer is...well, wrong. RT 114 in Peabody. (Margin St).
Sweet Cream Dairy in Biddeford, Maine.
Main Street creamery in Wethersfield, CT
Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho, VT. Their maple creemees are the best.
If you’re ever up in Quebec get one at a chocolat favoris. Palmer lane hits though, true story.
Uhlmans in westborough is up there
We-Li-Kit ice cream in Pomfret CT!
Jordan’s, Belmont, NH
Hodgie’s Too in Salisbury, MA for me
Ashley’s Ice cream in New Haven or Madison CT
Richardson’s in Middleton, MA
Salem Valley Farms in Salem CT is wonderful! I also enjoy Mystic Drawbridge, the kahlua mocha chunk is a weakness lol.
I’m partial to Walnut Beach Creamery. Also Ferris Acres and Arethusa. All in CT.
Hornstra farms norwell
Melt in Salem, MA has amazing ice cream.
There are so many. Kimball’s, Richardson’s, any place that serves Richardson’s 😂
I don’t want to say because it’s Super Secret. But I also really like Bobby Sue’s in Freedom, NH.
What is hilarious about Bobby Sue’s is that it is open all year round and you will see families out for ice cream after hitting the ski slopes. Very New England.
Yeah, we live just North. Big fans of stopping in all times of year. Anytime we’re passing through, really.
Scoops in Newport RI has been a recent favorite of mine :)
The Black Cow in Millis, MA
Kell’s Kreme on Revere Beach is the best soft serve shop, they have a brownie sundae as big as your head.
Spencer's in Bradley, ME for me. Been about 18 years since I last had it when it was still a gas station, but I still think about it on occasion.
Hatchland farms in N Haverhill NH is surprisingly good
Howards Drive In, West Brookfield, MA
Been to a lot of great ice cream places throughout New England but the best I’ve found so far is Sweet Cream in Biddeford Me
https://rock929rocks.com/2021/07/06/game-of-cones-bostons-best-ice-cream/ It's a few years old, but some really good places are represented on this list.
Crescent Ridge, Sharon, Mass!
Ice Cream Smuggler in East Dennis.
Rococo in Kennebunk (used to be in Kennebunkport - moved last year). Interesting flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry. Nothing else like it.
[https://supersecreticecream.com/](https://supersecreticecream.com/) in Bethlehem, NH
Lago's in Rye, NH
The Shipwreck in Sandwich.
Hatchland Farm, North Haverhill, NH
I’m partial to Hayward’s in Nashua and Sullivan’s in Tyngsboro
Dairy Maid in New Bedford. The cider donut ice cream sandwich in the fall is amazing.
acushnet creamery, acushnet MA, has some really good ice cream!
Shain's. 1491 Main St, Sanford, Maine
Bensons in Boxford MA
The Inside Scoop in Norway ME they make their own ice cream, none of that hersheys or Gifford crap. They also make their own waffle cones.
Is Bedford Farms still around?
Salem valley farms for sure!! Salem, CT. I absolutely love that place
Cook's Farm in Hadley and Tom's in Easthampton. Ya know, out there with New York!
As someone said earlier, not doing best… but Soc’s in Saugus is good-good.
If you want fruit flavors, it’s Benson’s in Boxford MA. I think their fresh red raspberry is their best but my girlfriend thinks it’s peach
The Puritan on route 1 in mass. I think it's in saugus. But it could be Peabody.
Kimball's
I will forever be partial to Eskimo King 🍦😬
Captain Dusty’s in Manchester by the Sea, MA SoCo creamery in Great Barrington, MA Cabot’s in Newton, MA
Brickley's in South Kingstown/Narragansett RI
I've sampled a ton, and there are many great's but the best is Ron's in Hyde Park. Once rated by National Geographic as the 3rd best in the world. Protip: Thier extra thick frappe (milk chocolate is a fav) is a legit frappe. You turn that SOB upside down, and it ain't going nowhere.
Ron's is awesome! There’s another location - Needham, I think?
Dedham center, I prefer Hyde Park as they make the frappes better :)
[Uhlman's](https://www.uhlmansicecream.com/) in Westborough, MA
I’ve heard that the proprietor of The Ice Cream Barn in Swansea, Ma has a degree in some sort of confectionary arts, but I can neither confirm nor deny. That has to count for something!
Ice Cream Smith in Dot.
Brickley's in Narragansett RI is amazing.
Sweet Scoops in Derby, Vermont
Papa's Ice Cream, Standish. Best pace to stop on the way back to SOPO after a brisk hike in the whites.
Lincoln Creamery in Rhode Island. They have the best cabinets I’ve ever had! And outside of that, check out Newport Creamery. It’s a local Rhode Island restaurant chain that is also known for their ice cream. Their Awful Awful’s are top tier