Send questions/comments to the editors.
filed under:
Related Stories
Latest Articles
Ice cream guide: Search for spots to get a scoop (or 2) in central and southern Maine
Vacationland is ice cream land in the summer when many seasonal ice cream shops serve up their frozen treats.
Font size +
At long last, summer has arrived. It’s time to hit the beaches, the mini golf courses, the paddling lakes and the bike paths. And what goes well with all of those things and more? Ice cream, of course.
Maine has more than its fair share of places that have been making their own creamy flavor concoctions for decades. And if soft serve is more your pleasure, there’s plenty of places to get a twist, a dip or a sundae.
We’ll be updating this list, so check back soon. And, may we recommend a waffle cone?
For ice cream in Cumberland County with hard serve and dairy-free options choose all three buttons.
-
AGGIE’S ICE CREAM
What: More than 100 flavors to choose from including Death by Chocolate, Rum Raisin and Mint Moose Tracks. Soft serve and frozen yogurt also available.
Where: 104 Agamenticus Road, South Berwick
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
ANJUL’S HEAVENLY SUNDAE
What: Serving both hard and soft serve ice cream. Also offers some food, including burgers, fries and seafood.
Where: 617 Carthage Road, Carthage
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
-
AUNT MARIE’S
What: Get classic ice cream and/or a lobster roll at this Kennebunkport cafe.
Where: 10 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
BACKS DAIRY BAR
What: Family-owned and operated seasonal ice cream shop offering hard and soft serve ice cream. Has novelty items such as Chilly Bar, Whippy Dippy and Back’s Bar.
Where: 390 Route 3, South China
When: 1 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
BAYLEY’S ICE CREAM
What: Expect some unique flavors at the shop that’s just a short bike ride from the beach. All ice cream is made on site.
Where: 161 Pint Point Road, Scarborough
When: 1 to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
BEALS OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM
What: Beals has been serving its old-fashioned ice cream since 1988 and has featured 100 homemade flavors. They also offer sherbert, frozen yogurt, sorbet and dairy-free ice cream.
Where: 12 Moulton St., Portland; 18 Veranda St., Portland; 585 Main St., Gorham
When: 12 to 9:30 p.m. daily in Gorham, 12 to 9 p.m. at Moulton Street location, check Facebook for Veranda Street hours
Website
-
BEN & JERRY’S
What: Serving the famous Vermont-made ice cream in flavors like Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, Marshmallow Skye and The Tonight Dough.
Where: 6 Nathan Nye St., Freeport
When: 12 to 6 p.m. daily
Website
-
BIG DADDY’S
What: Big Daddy’s started in 1976 and has been making ice cream in-house ever since. Enjoy scoops of crazy or classic flavors and plenty of specialty treats.
Where: 22 Hollis Road, Hollis; 2165 Post Road, Wells; 478 Main St., Ogunquit
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Ogunquit and Wells) 12 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday through Monday, 2 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday (Hollis)
Website
-
BIG DIPPER
What: They have cakes, pies and even ice cream “nachos.” Plus, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
Where: 501 Lisbon St., Lisbon Falls
When: 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
-
BIG LICKS
What: Classic-style ice cream in inventive flavors like Banana Cream Pie, Almond Joy and more.
Where: 8 West Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach
When: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Website
-
BISHOP’S I SCREAM PARLOR AND WICKED TASTY FUDGE
What: Offers Gifford’s famous hard serve ice cream & Hood soft serve. Also a convenience store with groceries, a deli, clothing and seasonal sporting goods.
Where: 464 Main St., Jackman
When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Website
-
B & R DAIRY BAR
What: Offering 30 flavors of homemade ice cream plus 27 flavors of soft serve and frozen yogurt. Dairy-free options available. Look for the B & R Dairy Bar on wheels at local events.
Where: 19 Portland Road, Gray
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
BRAY BROOK FARM
What: A combination farm (with donkeys) and ice cream shop with several unique hard serve flavors, and lots of rainbow sprinkles!
Where: 382 Union Road, Appleton
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday 2-8 p.m., 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
-
BRESCA & THE HONEYBEE
What: Small batch made from scratch and locally sourced ice cream, sorbet and vegan options. Daily list with 26 to 32 rotating flavors including chamomile with apricot swirl, burnt honey with rosemary and pears and black raspberry chocolate chip.
Where: 106 Outlet Road, Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Website
-
CADDY’S ICE CREAM SHACK
What: Serving Round Top Ice Cream from Damariscotta.
Where: 169 Gray Road, Cumberland
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
-
CONE’Z ICE CREAM
What: This locally owned ice cream shop also offers shakes, floats, slushies, sundaes and splits.
Where: 8 Depot St., Unity
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE DAIRY CORNER
What: Dairy Corner boasts more than 70 Maine-made flavors, plus soft serve and a slew of frozen yogurt choices, including some that are fat free. Plus, homemade waffle cones, ice cream cakes and ice cream pizza.
Where: 612 Route 1, Scarborough
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
DAIRY DELITE
What: Serving 18 flavors of Gifford’s hard serve ice cream, including Cotton Candy and Peppermint Stick. Sorbet, frozen yogurt and soft serve also available.
Where: 6 School St., Berwick
When: 11 a.m to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
Website
-
DAIRY FROST
What: First opened in 1955 and is still going strong with hard- and soft-serve cones, ice cream shakes, candy shakes and sundaes.
Where: 107 Bath Road, Brunswick
When: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
DAIRY JOY
What: Family-owned and operated ice cream stand offering both soft serve and hard serve, as well as sundaes, parfaits, shakes, banana boats, freezies, floats and other speciality servings.
Where: 109 Campus Ave, Lewiston; 137 Spring St., Auburn
When: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Website
-
DEB’S ICE CREAM & MINI GOLF
What: Serves hard & soft serve ice cream from a walk-up window or a drive-thru. Play a game of mini golf before you indulge.
Where: 32 Water St., Randolph
When: 12 to 8:30 p.m. daily
Website
-
DUNNE’S ICE CREAM
What: More than 50 flavors including Black Raspberry Explosion, Grape Nut and Wild Maine Blueberry. Also serving sherbet, frozen yogurt and dairy-free soft serve.
Where: 214 Nubble Road, York
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
DUTCH TREAT
What: Open for their 61st season. Also serving food such as a clam strip basket and chicken burger with fried pickles.
Where: Corner of Routes 2 & 4, Wilton
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Website
-
FAST EDDIES
What: Drive-in restaurant with its own ice cream bar. Makes its own homemade ice cream. Every Wednesday night is “Cruise Night” all summer long.
Where: 1308 Route 202, Winthrop
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
FIELDER’S CHOICE
What: Family-owned business started 15 years ago in Sabattus. Fielder’s Choice offers 30+ flavors of hard serve (including sugar-free and dairy-free ice cream and sorbet) and six soft serve flavors to choose from.
Where: 637 Sabattus Road, Sabattus; 271 Bath Road, Brunswick; 937 Western Ave., Manchester; 156 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach; 680 Minot Ave., Auburn
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
FREDERICK’S DAR-I-WHIP
What: This family-owned and operated business will celebrate 60 years in 2024.
Where: 120 Mercer Road, Norridgewock
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
FREEZE KOMPANY
What: A family-owned homemade ice cream stand serving both hard and soft serve ice cream, as well as shakes and sundaes. Cash only.
Where: 78 Pigeon Hill Road, Mechanic Falls
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
Website
-
GARSIDE’S ICE CREAM
What: Open since 1955, Garside’s flavors include Double Stuffed Oreo, Ginger Cream and Strawberry Delight. Also custom-made waffle cones, parfaits and ice cream pies.
Where: 320 Ferry Road, Saco
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE GELATO FIASCO
What: Expect up to 40 flavors of gelato and sorbetto, including best-selling classics and seasonal flavors. Popular options include Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp, Sweet Resurgam and Mascarpone Pistachio Caramel.
Where: 74 Maine St., Brunswick; 425 Fore St., Portland; Truck located on Portland’s Eastern Prom
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (Brunswick), 12 to 11 p.m. daily (Portland)
Website
-
GIFFORD’S FAMOUS ICE CREAM
What: Gifford’s first stand opened in Skowhegan in 1980 and they’re still making ice cream from fresh, local ingredients. They’ve been named Ice Cream Grand Champion 5 times at the World Dairy Expo.
Where: 307 Madison Ave., Skowhegan; 170 Silver St., Waterville (both stands feature mini golf); 293 Main St., Farmington
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE GOLDENROD
What: Also a candy shop and restaurant. More than 135 ice cream flavors.
Where: 2 Railroad Ave., York Beach
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
GOLDFINCH CREAMERY
What: Combination ice cream shop, bakery, cafe and tea room. Offers soup of the day for those looking for a light lunch.
Where: 316 & 318 Water St., Gardiner
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
Website
-
GOOSE ROCKS DAIRY
What: With more than 20 flavors and both hard and soft serve, Goose Rocks Dairy is a great summer spot known for delicious ice cream.
Where: 278 Mills Road, Kennebunkport
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
-
GORGEOUS GELATO
What: The owners came to Maine from Milano in 2010 and have been on a mission ever since to produce “the best gelato west of Italy.” Popular flavors include almond, coconut, pistachio and whiskey chocolate.
Where: 434 Fore St., Portland
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Website
-
ICE CREAM DUGOUT
What: These Red Sox fans are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. The menu includes Shaker Pond hard ice cream, soft serve and a grand slam of baseball themed sundaes, plus the Curse of the Bambino, featuring eight scoops of ice cream.
Where: 3 Storm Drive, Windham
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – FARMINGTON
What: Family-owned and operated since 1988. Has s’mores soft serve and dairy-free orange pineapple as new flavors for this summer. Also serves “energy boosts” drinks.
Where: 171 Wilton Road, Farmington
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
ICE CREAM SHOPPE OF OAKLAND
What: Serves ice cream and cold drinks only.
Where: 902 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Oakland
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – RANDOLPH
What: Hard- and soft serve ice cream. On Mystery Monday’ the shoppe offers grab bags with mysterious items.
Where: 167 Water St., Randolph
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – SKOWHEGAN
What: Soft serve flavors include everything from the classics to Deep Dish Apple Pie and Whitehouse Cherry.
Where: 209 North Ave. #2, Skowhegan
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE INSIDE SCOOP
What: Locally owned ice cream parlor featuring 24+ flavors of homemade ice cream. Flavors include vanilla bean, cotton candy, peppermint stick, nutella and cookies, lemon chiffon, grapenut and more.
Where: 156 Main St., South Paris
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
THE ISLAND DAIRY TREAT
What: Celebrating its 71st season, Island Dairy Treat offers sundaes like Whoopie Pie, Death by Chocolate, The Grasshopper and Blueberry Bliss.
Where: 23 Island Ave., Skowhegan
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
JEFFERSON SCOOP
What: Located in the heart of Jefferson, offers Gifford’s ice cream in various cone varieties. Also serves smoothies and slushies.
Where: 271 Waldoboro Road, Jefferson
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
JOHN’S ICE CREAM FACTORY
What: Family-owned ice cream shop. Offers take home pint- and quart-sized options. Ice cream tradition dates back to the late 1800’s with the current owner’s grandfather having made desserts in Italy.
Where: 510 Belfast Augusta Road, Liberty
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
KETTLE COVE CREAMERY AND SHACK
What: More than 30 flavors of homemade hard serve ice cream including pumpkin pie and peanut butter cup. Soft serve and frozen yogurt also available.
Where: 2 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
LIB’S DAIRY TREATS
What: Soft serve, including non-dairy Dole whip and rotating specialty flavors; Gifford’s hard serve, rotating flavors; shakes and sundaes.
Where: 32 Auburn St., Portland
When: 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Website
-
THE LOCAL SCOOP
What: Show up on a Taco Tuesday and get an ice cream taco that comes with a side of nachos. Lots of weekly specials.
Where: 176 Water St., Hallowell
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 12 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Website
-
THE LOG YARD DAIRY BAR
What: Serves up seasonal frozen custard and soft service ice cream. Current custard flavors include sweet cream, chocolate, dirt cake and cotton candy.
Where: 1184 Maine St., Poland
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
MAIN STREET DAIRY TREAT
What: Serving soft serve and homemade hard serve. Here’s hoping the Warm Apple Pie Sundaes return.
Where: 688 Main St., Lewiston
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
MAIN STREET DAIRY TREAT
What: Hard- and soft serve ice cream. New items include a caramel apple crisp sundae.
Where: 50 Main St., Richmond
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
MAINELY CUSTARD
What: Offering four flavors of homemade custard daily. Check Facebook for each day’s featured flavors. There are also vegan options.
Where: 150 Route 1, Freeport
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
-
MARTEL’S ICE CREAM
What: Find more than 40 homemade flavors from the shop that’s been open since 1986. Rotating fan favorite flavors include Grasshopper, Maine Mud, Zach’s Brownie Delight and Ladybug. Play a game of mini golf on one of their two courses before or after your cool treats.
Where: 757 Portland Road, Saco
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
NORTH STREET DAIRY CONE
What: They make their own “old-fashioned” ice cream in flavors like Butterscotch Royal, Chocolate Therapy, No Bake Cookie and Red Raspberry Streak. Also soft serve, shakes, sherberts and frozen yogurt.
Where: 127 North St., Waterville
When: 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Website
-
NORWAY/PARIS SOFT SERVE
What: Despite the name, Norway/Paris Soft Serve, which boasts 24 flavors of soft serve, also offers hard serve and non-dairy ice cream options. Specialities include The Norway, which the menu describes as a sundae in a shake.
Where: 65 Main St., South Paris
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
PAPA’S ICE CREAM
What: Serving hard ice cream from Gifford’s and soft serve from Hood with specialty options like Cyclones (mix-ins), sundaes, parfaits, shakes and root beer floats.
Where: 62 Ossipee Trail, Standish
When: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Website
-
PINE TREE FROSTY
What: Located on the water, this Rangeley ice cream spot has been in business since 1964. Pine Tree Frosty serves up both soft and hard serve ice cream and offers weekly ice cream specials. Hungry? Get a lobster roll while you’re there.
Where: 2459 Main St., Rangeley
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
RAYMOND’S FROZEN CUSTARD
What: Flavors change frequently but expect eight every day plus hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, lobster rolls and fried clams.
Where: 857 Roosevelt Trail, Casco
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
ROUTE 160 ICE CREAM
What: Offering more than 20 flavors of hard serve ice cream and some soft serve flavors. Route 160 also offers frappes, floats, sundaes and freezes. Grab a red snappah as a snack!
Where: 5 Brownfield Road, Hiram
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Monday, Thursday through Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday
Website
-
RED’S DAIRY FREEZE
What: Soft serve, including rotating specialty flavors. Other treats include slush, sundaes, shakes, root beer floats, Nor’easters (soft serve blended with candy), Dole dairy-free, gluten-free soft serve and Newberry’s sugar-free soft serve.
Where: 167 Cottage Road, South Portland
When: 12 to 9:30 p.m. daily
Website
-
ROCOCO ICE CREAM
What: Hard serve ice cream with international flavors like Cuban Coffee and Horchata Rum Cake.
Where: 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday, 12 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Website
-
THE SACO SCOOP
What: Nearly 40 flavors of Shaker Pond ice cream including Play Dough (yellow vanilla with red and blue sugar cookie pieces) and Planet Earth (blue vanilla with chocolate cookies and marshmallow). Vegan flavors and sorbet also available.
Where: 209 Main St., Saco
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
SAWYER’S DAIRY BAR
What: Sawyer’s has been around since the 1950s serving shakes, soft serve, sandwiches, lobster rolls and more.
Where: 34 North Main St., Newport
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
-
SCOOP DECK
What: More than 60 flavors, from Blueberry Crumble to Coconut Cheesecake Brownie, plus hard serve frozen yogurt, sherbet, dairy-free and no sugar added options. Available in sundaes, banana splits, frappes, floats and famous homemade waffle cones. Hot dogs, fresh lemonade and frozen doggie treats available.
Where: 6 Eldridge Road, Wells
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
SMITHFIELD ICE CREAM PLACE
What: The menu boasts more than 46 flavors, including blueberry cheesecake and peanut butter twist yogurts.
Where: 855 Village Road, Smithfield
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
-
STICKY SWEET
What: This is 100% vegan, gluten-free ice cream. Flavors include chocolate sugar cookie and salted butter caramel. Cones, dishes and pints available.
Where: 119 Cumberland Ave., Portland
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Website
-
SWEETCREAM DAIRY
What: Sweetcream Dairy uses locally sourced ingredients to create an array of ice cream flavors.
Where: 128 Main St. Unit 101, Biddeford
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
-
SWEET PEA’S ICE CREAM
What: Serves more than two dozen flavors of Richardson’s Ice Cream, including Maine Black Bear (red raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips and chocolate-covered raspberry truffles).
Where: 37 Shore Road, Ogunquit
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
SWINGS & SCOOPS
What: Serving cones with 13 flavors of Gifford’s ice cream.
Where: 100 Larrabee Road, Westbrook (at Sim City)
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
-
SUPER SCOOPS
What: Serving Gifford’s ice cream with 32 flavors of hard serve, plus frozen yogurts, sherberts and sorbets.
Where: 178 Route 1, Falmouth
When: 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
-
TOOTS ICE CREAM
What: The Walnut Hill location opened in 1998 in a renovated rail car. In 2002, Toots started making its own ice cream using a mix from a dairy in Windham. They use milk from their own goats for gelato.
Where: 21 Memorial Highway & 137 Walnut Hill Road (seasonal), North Yarmouth
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (Memorial Highway), 12 to 9 p.m. daily (Walnut Hill)
Website
-
TUBBY’S ICE CREAM
What: Don’t miss their famous homemade waffle cones. They make their ice cream from scratch in flavors like Awe-Thentic Vanilla, Black Dog (black licorice), Cookies & Caramel and Peanut Butaah.
Where: 512 Main St., Wayne
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Website
-
TWIN SWIRLS
What: Nasons Corner shop serving Gifford’s ice cream.
Where: 865 Brighton Ave., Portland
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
Website
-
VICNEIRE’S SWEET SHOPPE
What: This is a combo ice cream parlor/laundromat on Route 26. Now has frozen custard with flavors like vanilla, chocolate, coffee and strawberry.
Where: 13 New Portland Road, North Anson
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Website
-
VILLAGE SCOOP ICE CREAM
What: More than 20 flavors, as well as frozen yogurt, sorbet and sherbet. Suggestions include Almond Joy, Campfire S’mores and Peanut Butter Oreo.
Where: 286 York St., York
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
-
WICKED GOOD ICE CREAM
What: Featuring 50 flavors of hard serve, including Cappuccino Crunch, Graham Central Station (graham cracker ice cream, graham cracker swirl, milk chocolate covered and honeycomb crunch) and strawberry cheesecake. Other offerings are soft serve, frozen yogurt and Richie’s Italian Ice.
Where: 2 Beach St., York
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
-
WILLARD SCOOPS
What: About 20 gourmet flavors including Halloween (vanilla with chopped up candy bars) and key lime pie.
Where: 429 Preble St., South Portland
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Website