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Beat the heat this summer with a tasty frozen treat at one of these ice cream shops and creameries across the First State.
By Sydney Livingston and Danielle-Bouchat Friedman
What better way to celebrate summer than with ice cream (and lots of it, too). Here are a few shops to load up on some scrumptious scoops in Delaware.
Dairy Palace
This family-owned and -operated shop in New Castle has been serving up some of the best soft serve since 1956. The small-town shop serves specialty treats, sundaes and even iced creations to help locals stay cool. It’s easy to see why this is a long-time favorite stop in New Castle.
2 Jay Drive, New Castle • 328-9740
Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard
It’s not quite ice cream, but if you’re going to opt for custard, you should go for the original. It’s less fat and sugar than the classic treat, with a delicious taste to boot. Some even prefer it to traditional ice cream. With shops up and down the East Coast, you can find Kohr Bros. at multiple locations on the Delaware beaches.
Multiple Locations in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island
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Double Dipper Ice Cream Parlor
Serving only the best in the business, Double Dipper brings a whole new meaning to the neighborhood ice cream parlor. Its Guatemalan Ripple and Salted Carmel Pretzel are only a few of the delicious flavors it offers.
3545 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont • 893-4920
Surreal Creamery
If you’re looking for something a little over the top, Surreal Creamery in Newark is the spot for you. Specializing in loaded mason jars piled high with creative toppings, this small chain is slowly expanding throughout the eastern United States, focusing on college towns and urban areas. The newest location is right here in Delaware. Fans of the chain love that the treats are always Instagram-worthy!
93 East Main Street, Newark • 286-7402
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Hopkins Farm Creamery
Hopkins offers an array of delicious, homemade scoops made fresh daily. As an authentic dairy farm, Hopkins offers not only a tasty treat but the chance to experience life on the farm in Lewes.
18186 Dairy Farm Road, Lewes • 645-7163
Ice Cream Delight
Head over to the sweetest place in Delaware to enjoy a delicious afternoon treat. This family-owned and -operated shop is located right on Ice Cream Drive in Wilmington, where patrons can enjoy soft serve and guilt-free froyo.
1 Ice Cream Drive, Wilmington • 478-4555
MomMom’s Ice Cream Shop
This Dover ice cream shop serves homemade ice cream and other desserts. MomMom’s strives to use as many local ingredients as possible in its small-batch desserts. It offers a variety of flavors, including some dairy-free and vegan options.
900 East Division Street, Dover • 734-1801
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The Ice Cream Shoppe
This family-owned shop serves massive scoops alongside a display of American muscle cars (yes, it’s true). Get your favorite flavor piled high on a homemade waffle cone in Wilmington.
700 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington • 593-8207
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The Ice Cream Store
With over 100 different flavors, this beachfront location is the perfect spot to mix and match. Enjoy milkshakes, hand-dipped cones and flavors such as Chocolate I Don’t Give a Fork.
6 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach • 227-4609
Reno’s Ice Cream
Reno’s boasts a menu of all freshly made ice cream and water ice. The Wilmington hotspot offers over 20 flavors all made fresh in-store. It may be a small shop on Limestone Road, but loyal customers swear Reno’s has the best ice cream around.
2748 Limestone Road, Wilmington • 357-9046
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King’s Homemade Ice Cream
King’s has been in operation since 1972 and serves nostalgia one scoop at a time. The mint chip cannot be beat.
302 Union Street, Milton • 684-8900; 201 Second Street, Lewes • 645-9425
Woodside Farm Creamery
Visit Woodside Farm for a taste of ice cream the old-fashioned way (and enjoy a view of the cows who provide it). The Hockessin destination uses a sweet cream processed from its Jersey cows to create ice cream in plenty of different flavors to enjoy at picnic tables right on the farm. This creamery is full of charm and delicious treats.
1310 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin • 239-9847
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Tre Sorelle Dolce
Pair your scoops with a game of mini golf at this quaint Kent County shop. Not only can you play a round, but you can also enjoy live music, food trucks and more every week.
27 S. Railroad Avenue, Wyoming • 363-1909
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UDairy Creamery
Made with the milk from the cows at the University of Delaware’s farm at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this nonprofit shop sells some deliciously silly flavors, like the All Nighter, Ch-Ch-Ch-Chocolate and Grandma’s Gone Coco-nuts.
815 North Market Street, Wilmington • 300-4342; 535 South College Avenue, Newark • 831-2486
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Vanderwende Farm Creamery
Since 1954, Vanderwende Farm Creamery has brought homemade, small-batch flavors to the First State. With over 300 cows, this farm not only serves multiple locations across the beaches, but it delivers to Delmarva via Vanderwende’s Ice Cream Truck.
4003 Seashore Highway, Bridgeville • 349-5110; 8374 Hickman Road, Greenwood • 349-5160; 23 Bellevue Street, Dewey Beach • 349-5110; 300 Coastal Highway., Fenwick Island • 519-2509
Related: These New Restaurants Are Coming to the Delaware Beaches in 2022