There’s nothing like a scoop of ice cream to mark the start of warm weather and sunshine. Whether you’re grabbing a cone with your friends after school or a weekend treat with your family, these ice cream spots are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth as well as soaking in the summer sun. From classic chains to neighborhood favorites, here are our top five picks for ice cream shops you need to check out.
#5: Dairy Queen (Westborough)
Despite having multiple burger options and meal sides such as french fries and cheese curds, Dairy Queen is perhaps best known for their Blizzards. Since its establishment in 1985, the fast-food restaurant has been responsible for creating more than 170 different flavors of the popular soft serve treat. Their current summer menu includes Blizzard options such as “Mixing Bowl Mashup Blizzard Treat,” “Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard Treat” and “Picnic Peach Cobbler Premium Blizzard Treat.” If these flavors sound too convoluted, there are always the reliable Oreo, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Cookie Dough Blizzards to choose from. While Dairy Queen’s Blizzard treats are both delicious and refreshing, it should be mentioned that none of them are technically made with ice cream. The soft-serve used in their treats contains only 5% milkfat (10% is needed to be considered ice cream by the FDA).
#4: Ben & Jerry’s (Marlborough)
Ben & Jerry’s may be a national brand, but the Marlborough location brings local charm with its friendly staff and lively atmosphere. Known for their creative flavors like “Salted Caramel Blondie,” “Impretzively Fudged” and “Marshmallow Sky,” the shop keeps things interesting with a rotating scoop board, seasonal options and funky flavor combos. The creamy texture and bold flavors put it a step above most chain ice cream. Offering over 40 flavors, Ben & Jerry’s proves to be a fun spot to indulge.
#3: Cold Stone Creamery (Southborough)
Cold Stone Creamery immediately stands out with its signature “mix-in” experience. There’s nothing like watching your favorite ice cream get folded with your choice of over 30 toppings on a frozen granite slab. The custom creations like “Somewhere Over the Rain-dough” and “Cookie Doughn’t You Want Some More” are rich, creamy and fun (though definitely worth mentioning pricey as well). The Southborough location is clean, fast and full of energy, making it the perfect spot to enjoy with friends or family. Plus, they offer ice cream cakes and shakes if you’re in the mood for something else!
#2: Uhlman’s Ice Cream (Westborough)
Located on an annex field for dairy cows, Uhlman’s Ice Cream (pronounced Yool-mens) is a great place to go when you want to grab some ice cream on a nice spring or summer day, with a big emphasis on nice. Since Uhlman’s is an ice cream stand, there are no places inside for customers to wait for or eat their ice cream, so be sure to check the weather before you go! Uhlman’s is family-owned and offers over 70 flavors of ice cream – from classic vanilla to “Heavenly Hash” (chocolate marshmallow with roasted almonds and dark chocolate chunks) and “Peppermint Stick” (peppermint stick candy, but in ice cream form), the variety is impressive. The large portion sizes (their size “small” is actually a medium) are sure to keep you full as well.
#1: Trombetta’s Farm (Marlborough)
Trombetta’s Farm, a locally-run business based in Marlborough, takes the ice cream shop experience to the next level. That’s because not only does Trombetta’s sell ice cream, but they also have an 18-hole indoor mini golf course and an outdoor garden center where you can purchase different flowers and houseplants, which is perfect for fun with friends and family. Trombetta’s currently serves 40 different flavors of ice cream, including nine from their homemade rotating menu such as “Black Raspberry Oreo” and “Kahula Almond.” Customers have the choice of eating their ice cream inside or outside, and whether or not you have your ice cream before or after mini golfing is up to you!
