2023’s Best Cities for Ice Cream Lovers

A father with ice cream on his nose laughs with his daughter while they sit together on a stoop eating ice cream cones.

Which cities’ ice cream shops will help you cool down on National Ice Cream Day, July 16?

To help you beat the record summer heat, LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best Cities for Ice Cream Lovers.

We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on four categories. We considered access to ice cream, froyo, and gelato, consumer ratings, and ice cream awards, among 10 total metrics.

Get the scoop from our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our methodology.

Contents

City Rankings + Infographic

See how each city fared in our ranking:

Infographic showing the Best Cities for Ice Cream Lovers, a ranking based on access to ice cream, froyo, and gelato, consumer ratings, ice cream awards, and more
Note: For presentation purposes, not all ties may be displayed for some metrics above.

Top 5 Close Up

Check out the slideshow below for highlights and lowlights on each of our top five cities.

Skyscrapers stand tall in contrast against the blue sky and ocean in Miami.
No. 1: Miami | Overall Score: 52.33

Access: 1
Consumer Satisfaction: 17
Popularity: 12
Contest Awards: 45

Local Tips: Cool down with a paleta from La Michoacana Joankale, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant offering dozens of homemade flavors. 

Try Cuban gelato at Naranja Piña Gelato, with interesting flavors like menta (mint), turron (nougat with nuts), Moscatel (muscatel wine), and avellana (hazelnut).

Photo Credit: Tory Brown / Pexels / Pexels License
Colorful buildings in San Francisco shine during Golden Hour
No. 2: San Francisco | Overall Score: 44.28

Access: 2
Consumer Satisfaction: 4
Popularity: 8
Contest Awards: 45

Local Tips: St. Francis Fountain is a blast from the past, operating as a classic soda fountain and candy counter diner and serving up old-fashioned milkshakes and root beer floats.

Photo Credit: KEHN HERMANO / Pexels / Pexels License
Skyline Photo of Empire State Building in New York City
No. 3: New York | Overall Score: 42.25

Access: 16
Consumer Satisfaction: 2
Popularity: 1
Contest Awards: 13

Local Tips: Churning out homemade ice cream since 1978, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is a New York legend. They offer eye-catching flavors like black sesame, durian, and lychee. 

Buy a cone from the original Häagen-Dazs retail location in Brooklyn. 

Photo Credit: Roberto Vivancos / Pexels / Pexels License
A shot of the Los Angeles skyline with the Griffith Observatory in the forground from a hill surrounded by plants
No. 4: Los Angeles | Overall Score: 37.97

Access: 59
Consumer Satisfaction: 1
Popularity: 2
Contest Awards: 45

Local Tips: Mashti Malone’s Persian-style ice cream is a Los Angeles star, using natural ingredients to craft unique flavors like saffron rosewater, Persian cucumber, and date. 

Photo Credit: Roberto Nickson / Pexels / Pexels License
An aerial view of Downtown Philadelphia’s skyline
No. 5: Philadelphia | Overall Score: 30.44

Access: 39
Consumer Satisfaction: 10
Popularity: 11
Contest Awards: 3

Local Tips: Established in 1861, America’s oldest ice cream company — Bassetts Ice Cream — is still scooping. Their menu boasts over 40 different flavors and, luckily for non-locals, this company ships nationwide. 

Photo Credit: Kelly / Pexels / Pexels License

Icy Insights

The Scoop

Ice cream is a sought-after treat in walkable, touristy regions by the sea. Coastal cities — Miami (No. 1), San Francisco (No. 2), and New York (No. 3) — scooped their way to the top with high Access, Consumer Satisfaction, and Popularity

Meanwhile, hot Southern cities melted to the bottom of our ranking — such as Georgia cities Columbus (No. 197) and Macon (No. 199) — alongside Montgomery, Alabama in last place. Their low scores are due to a lack of ice cream Access, low Consumer Satisfaction, and little interest despite scorching temperatures. 

It doesn’t help that Southern cities tend to sprawl — if you don’t stay at the ice cream shop, your cone is sure to melt on your drive home. Like most Americans, residents likely buy their ice cream from the grocery store instead.

Sweetest Stats

Sunny Sundaes

  • Miami (No. 1) boasts the best ice cream Access in our ranking, with over four vendors per square mile. The next-best Access is found in San Francisco (No. 2) with a little over three vendors per square mile. For those who prefer denser desserts, Magic City also offers the most gelaterias, 0.89 per square mile.

California Confections

  • The Golden State churns out the most ice cream in the U.S., and 33 Cali cities ranked in the top half of our leaderboard. Los Angeles (No. 4) offers 125 top-rated ice cream and frozen yogurt vendors — the most in our ranking. Ice cream vendors in Pasadena (No. 18) claim the highest consumer rating, averaging 4.29 out of 5.

Lot o’ Gelato

  • Both frozen yogurt and gelato are tasty — and often healthier — ice cream alternatives. Residents prefer gelato over froyo in Washington (No. 9), San Diego (No. 11), and Chicago (No. 15), according to local Google searches. Washington has the 3rd-best access to gelaterias

Frozen Potential

  • Nashville, Tennessee (No. 106), Kansas City, Missouri (No. 113), and Fort Worth, Texas (No. 140), finished in the lower half of our ranking, landing within the bottom 30 for Access. However, each city scored among the top 40 cities with the most searches for ice cream, demonstrating potential markets for new — or better — ice cream shops

Bold City Flavors

  • Jacksonville, Florida (No. 43), claimed the most points from the past three World Dairy Expo Championships. Jax is the home base of award-winning black cherry frozen yogurt and coconut almond fudge and banana foster ice cream produced by Southeastern Grocers.

Gateway to Goodness

America’s Dairyland

  • Wisconsin is known for its superb dairy industry, and ice cream is no exception for dairy-loving cheeseheads in Madison (No. 27) and Milwaukee (No. 58). While both cities have low Access to ice cream shops and gelaterias, they each boast high scores in Contest Awards — Madison landing in 2nd place — and Consumer Satisfaction.

Ask The Experts

With endless options to choose from, it can be hard to decide between ice cream varieties, flavors, and toppings.

Don’t hold up the line on your next ice cream run. We turned to a panel of experts to churn out some icy insights. Discover their thoughts below. 

  1. What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?
  2. Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?
  3. What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?
  4. What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?
  5. What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?
  6. What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?
Alex Bulnes
Alex Bulnes
Professor
Michael Petrillose
Michael J. Petrillose, Ph.D.
Professor / Program Manager Hospitality and Tourism Management, Center for Business, Legal Studies & Entrepreneurship
Laura Jefferies
Laura K. Jefferies, PhD
Associate Professor of Food Science
Ryan Binney
Ryan Binney
Professor, Culinary Arts
Al Romano
Chef Al Romano
GTCC Chef-Instructor/Professor of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Annalisa Broadhead
Annalisa Broadhead
Research Food Scientist and Aggie Creamery
Heidi Wengreen
Heidi Wengreen
Professor and Department Head for Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences
Robert Small
Robert Small, Ph.D.
Founding Dean and Professor Emeritus of Hospitality Management
Alex Bulnes
Alex Bulnes
Professor
Miami Dade College

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

The main differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet are the fat content. Gelato having the most fat, and sorbet having typically no fat. There is also the sugar content, with sorbet mainly being thickened by the sugar content.

All three are a careful balance of sugar, fat, and a base flavor.

Another notable difference between the three is that sorbet will typically have a fruit base.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

For an ice cream cone, anything you can mix in that packs a flavorful punch and that is small enough to consume with each or most bites.

Think:

  • Cookie crumbles
  • Oreos
  • Salted caramel

Then, you can finish it with a sauce that doesn’t run too much. An example of that would be dulce de leche sauce — thick enough to grab onto the ice cream and to create a separate texture from the creaminess.

You can add all these to a sundae as well. You can also add some fluffy whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to add yet another type of texture. You would be keeping it traditional by doing so.

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

  • Fig and balsamic — aged and thickened
  • Bacon
  • Chocolate-covered raisins

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

  • Halo Top
  • A mango sorbet (every sorbet is usually non-dairy and vegan)
  • Talenti dairy-free gelato

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Healthy Choice Fudge bar — only 100 calories and low fat. There’s also portion control with an item like this.

Usually, when you think of a flavorful ice cream that isn’t the worst health-wise, you will either have to sacrifice by lowering the fat or lowering the sugar. If you can choose something that is lower caloric-wise, it might be your best bet. However, there are some breakthroughs with sugar substitutes these days via sugar alcohols (called zero sugar) so be on the lookout for those.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

Affogato. It is vanilla ice cream served with a shot of espresso right on top.

Michael Petrillose
Michael J. Petrillose, Ph.D.
Professor / Program Manager Hospitality and Tourism Management, Center for Business, Legal Studies & Entrepreneurship
Seminole State College of Florida

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

While gelato and ice cream are both creamy, dairy-based desserts, sorbet is completely dairy-free. This is a common question: Does gelato have dairy? The answer is yes. If you’re looking for a non-dairy alternative, order sorbet.

Gelato starts out with a similar custard base as ice cream but has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs (or no eggs at all). It is churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream.

Gelato contains more calories and fat thanks to the use of milk. Because sorbet is just fruit juice and sugar (no dairy), it has fewer calories and is, therefore, a healthier option.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

  • Crackers: Crushed crackers make a golden, buttery topping for ice cream sundaes.
  • Potato chips: Crunchy, salty potato chips make an indulgent ice cream topping.
  • French fries: You’ve heard of dipping french fries into milkshakes. Now french fries are popping up on ice cream menus as a sundae topping.

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
  • Oatly
  • Van Leeuwen

Other options:

  • McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
  • Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy
  • Favorite Day
  • Magnum Non-Dairy Classic
  • Cado
  • So Delicious
  • Coolhaus
  • NadaMoo!

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Diabetic-friendly ice cream:

  • Edy’s Slow Churned Ice Cream. This is an excellent option for those with diabetes.
  • Breyers Creamy Vanilla.
  • Blue Bunny Ice Cream.
  • Halo Top.

The eight best low-sugar ice creams:

  • Turkey Hill No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean
  • Rebel Creamery Triple Chocolate
  • Nick’s Strawbär Swirl
  • Cavo Java Chip Avacado Frozen Dessert
  • Halo Top Oatmeal Cookie Light Ice Cream
  • So Delicious Dairy Free Vanilla Bean Coconutmilk Sandwiches
  • Yasso Chocolate Fudge Greek Yogurt Bars
  • Chloe’s Oatmilk Cookies and Cream Pops
Laura Jefferies
Laura K. Jefferies, PhD
Associate Professor of Food Science
Brigham Young University / Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

  • Ice cream is a frozen dairy product comprised primarily of milk, cream, sugar, and flavoring that has air incorporated into it to make it light and fluffy. In order for a product to legally be called ice cream, it must adhere to certain ingredient inclusions and ratios.
  • Gelato — also known as Italian ice cream — has less fat and more milk than regular ice cream, and has less air incorporated. This makes it thicker than ice cream.
  • Sorbet contains no dairy ingredients and is typically made with fruit juices and purees. It should not be confused with sherbet, which does contain dairy ingredients.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

My personal favorites are:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Crushed cookies
  • Sweetened condensed milk

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

The number of possible toppings is only limited by your imagination. Warmed peanut butter, olive oil, breakfast cereal, and gold leaf are some I’ve heard of.

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

Frozen desserts for vegans contain no animal products, while lactose-free frozen desserts have had lactose removed. Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar in milk.

I can’t suggest a particular brand, but it’s important for consumers to understand that removing or replacing any true ice cream ingredient will change the flavor and texture profile and that the dessert may no longer be called ice cream.

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Again, consumers should understand that lower sugar or lower fat options will not taste or have the same mouthfeel as regular ice cream.

  • Sugar provides more than sweetness and contributes to the ice cream texture and freezing temperature. Sweeteners are added at a fraction of the amount of sugar, so the bulk that sugar provides is typically replaced by other ingredients.
  • The purpose of the cream is to enhance the texture and flavor of ice cream. Low-calorie ice cream replaces the fat with other ingredients and incorporates more air than normal ice cream, resulting in fewer calories per serving.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

Vanilla is the most popular flavor throughout the world, but in Japan, fish-flavored ice cream is available. My personal favorite is also from Japan and is a combination of sherbet and ice cream called guri-guri.

Ryan Binney
Ryan Binney
Professor, Culinary Arts
Des Moines Area Community College

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

Ice cream and gelato typically contain the same ingredients, they are just mixed or frozen differently.

  • Ice cream is mixed faster and frozen quickly, incorporating more air.
  • Gelato is mixed at a slower speed and for a longer time, resulting in a dense, creamy product.
  • Sorbet is simply a flavor base (typically fruit puree) and simple syrup. The mixture is frozen in an ice cream machine.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

  • I really love gummy candies. The cold ice cream hardens them and adds a great texture.
  • Raisins soaked in rum add a grown-up twist.
  • Breakfast cereal gives a nice crunch to ice cream as well.

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

  • Shaved truffles
  • Caviar
  • Corn smut

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

  • Talenti
  • Häagen-Dazs
  • Ben & Jerry’s

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Rebel creamery.

Lowering sugar in ice cream is difficult. The sugar is necessary to achieve a smooth texture.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

The French are incredible at making ice creams and sorbets. I recently saw a Fois Gras ice cream on a menu. Sounds delish.

Al Romano
Chef Al Romano
GTCC Chef-Instructor/Professor of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Guilford Technical Community College

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

Ice cream is a frozen dessert made from milk, cream, sweetener, and often egg yolks to make a custard.

  • Ice cream has the highest milk fat content of any frozen dessert, usually ranging between 14-25% (the USDA requires that ice cream have at least 10% milkfat).
  • Ice cream’s fluffy, creamy texture is unique among frozen desserts. Ice cream is churned (in an ice cream maker) at high speeds to add air to the mixture. It can also be served in a style called “soft serve,” which has more air and is served at a slightly higher temperature.

Gelato (Italian for “ice cream”) is made from a mixture of milk, cream, and sweetener.

  • Gelato is made with less cream than ice cream, which means gelato has less fat. Gelato usually has a butterfat content of around 4-9%, considerably lower than ice cream, but considerably higher than either sherbet or sorbet.
  • Unlike ice cream, gelato’s creamy texture is thick and dense because it is churned slowly to allow less air in the mixture.

Sorbet is just made up of fruit puree (or fruit juice, like lemon juice) and sweetener (commonly sugar, simple syrup, or liqueur).

  • While ice cream, gelato, and sherbet are dairy products, sorbet is dairy-free and therefore vegan.
  • Sorbet was originally used as a palate cleanser between courses of large meals.
  • Sorbet is the most low-fat compared to most other frozen desserts because it doesn’t include cream. Due to its lack of cream, sorbet has the lightest, iciest texture compared to other frozen desserts. One variation on sorbet, called granita (also called Italian ice or water ice), is periodically scraped during freezing so the ice crystals are especially flaky.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

  • Fresh fruit
  • Cereal or granola
  • Candy — like chopped Reese’s or Butterfingers

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

  • Olive oil
  • Bacon bits
  • Caviar

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

According to USA Today:

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
  • Oatly
  • Van Leeuwen

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer?

Making your own, using only natural ingredients like fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.

Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

I don’t think so — eat the good stuff but in moderation.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

Savory ice creams such as:

  • Olive oil
  • Bacon
  • Pickle ice cream
Annalisa Broadhead
Annalisa Broadhead
Research Food Scientist and Aggie Creamery
Utah State University

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

Ice cream is defined as 10% milk fat and 10% nonfat milk solids. It cannot use any other fat sources outside of milk in the mix base. Ice cream must contain dairy. Air is incorporated to make it light and fluffy and melt easily in your mouth.

Gelato does not have a legal definition but is often higher in sugar, giving it a softer more scoopable texture. The increase in sugar levels decreases the freezing point of the ice cream causing it to not freeze as hard as ice cream. Gelato also has less air incorporated, giving it a more dense or indulgent texture. Typically, gelato is lower in fat than ice cream. Gelato is served at a higher temperature than ice cream which also makes it easier to scoop.

Sorbet does not have a legal definition either but is typically fat- and dairy-free. Many recipes have a fruit puree or juice base supplemented with sugar and water.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

  • Toasted coconut can give the ice cream a great tropical flavor with a caramelized flavor note.
  • Pop rocks can be a fun surprise for kids, adding a little extra kick to their ice cream as long as they don’t sit in the ice cream too long.
  • Fresh fruit is a personal favorite of mine, especially in the summer. Whatever fruit is in season can add a refreshing sweetness to your vanilla ice cream. My personal favorites are strawberries and peaches.

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

Sweet and savory combinations are becoming more popular in ice cream. Adding a little heat, in the form of peppers or spices is also emerging as a new fad.

My favorite flavors of Ice cream bring a little contrast to the sweetness of the ice cream — whether is it adding something a little salty or a little sour. Embracing some of these contrasting flavors can be a way to switch up your ice cream this season.

This could be done by simply adding a little flaky sea salt to your ice cream for an extra crunch with a little saltiness. A little heat could be added with a pepper jelly sauce or chili crisps. If you like to stick with the sweeter flavors, single-origin honey can bring some unique flavor notes reminiscent of orange blossoms, citrus, confectionary, coffee, or even woody-type flavors.

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

1. I love Talenti dairy-free sorbetto. It has a fresh flavor, which can be attributed to all the fruit incorporated into the base of both the mango and raspberry flavors. Talenti also has some dairy-free gelato options.

2. Oatly brings a little different variation to the non-dairy ice cream. Many dairy-free ice creams have a coconut milk base, which restricts options for people with a tree nut allergy. Oatly’s oat milk base gives options to consumers that may have multiple allergies or sensitivities.

3. Ben & Jerry’s offers a lot of their original flavors as dairy-free. You can still have all of the decadent inclusions while getting a dairy-free option.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

Kulfi is an Indian version of ice cream. Its flavor is developed by cooking milk until it is condensed and develops a caramelized flavor, but it can also be made using sweetened condensed milk from a can.

This condensed milk gives the ice cream a denser texture and a sweet caramel flavor. Typically this ice cream is not churned, so it will not have air incorporated — which also plays a role in its dense texture.

Heidi Wengreen
Heidi Wengreen
Professor and Department Head for Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences
Utah State University

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Many ice cream brands offer low-sugar options but keep in mind that many of these low-sugar options include alternative sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, and artificial sweeteners. Alternative sweeteners have fewer calories than added sugars, but they may have other undesirable side effects.

Your best option for lowering sugar intake or calories from ice cream is to eat ice cream in moderation. Ice cream can be included in a healthy, balanced diet as long as you keep your portions in check and regularly eat an array of other whole and nutrient-dense foods.

Depending on the brand and flavor, one cup of ice cream may contain around 300-400 calories and 25-30 grams of added sugar. The calories and added sugar can really add up if you overindulge.

Robert Small
Robert Small, Ph.D.
Founding Dean and Professor Emeritus of Hospitality Management
Cal Poly Pomona, The Collins College of Hospitality Management

What are the differences between ice cream, gelato, and sorbet?

Ice cream has a general range between 12-16% butterfat. A few producers will drop from 12% to 10% for a less expensive product and a few on the upper end may go as high as 18%. Ice cream is made with stabilizers which help make the ice cream shelf-stable.

True gelato, made in Italy, is made fresh every day and has a butterfat content of only 4-7%, with no stabilizers. What makes some of the best gelatos is the attention to the purity of the ingredients and flavoring. Real gelato is softer (warmer) and by using outstanding flavorings, the gelato flavors truly stand out. Freezing overnight or for extended periods will cause gelato to become icy. What you see in the American freezer case that is labeled gelato is just a variation of ice cream. It is not really true Italian gelato.

Sorbet is a water-based product (with naturally no butterfat) and can make a wonderful fruit-flavored dessert. However, one of the best sorbets — if made with excellent cocoa — is a chocolate sorbet. A variation of sorbet is sherbet which is a milk-based product that is stabilized.

Apart from classic toppings like sprinkles, peanuts, and fudge, what are three of the best add-ons we should consider adding to level up our next ice cream cone or sundae?

1. One of the newest “hot” toppings is salted caramel. You are now starting to see salt added to various toppings besides caramel — like chocolate.

2. Any nut can make a great addition. I like pecans, walnuts, and almonds, among many others. Pecans with maple syrup make a great combination.

3. What makes a great topping may not be the base flavor, such as chocolate, but the quality of the ingredients used to make the topping. You will find a great difference between Hershey’s chocolate syrup and one made with high-quality bittersweet cocoa or chocolate.

What are three never-before-considered toppings that would go well with ice cream?

I’m generally a purist and stick with ice cream by itself or the standard homemade or high-end flavorings like bittersweet chocolate or fudge, caramel (dulce de leche), and maple syrup.

However, a true favorite is vanilla ice cream with aged balsamic vinegar (aged over 25 years) and excellent, sweet strawberries.

Another would be vanilla ice cream with strawberries, brown sugar, and sour cream folded in.

What are the three tastiest non-dairy ice cream brands for those who are vegan or lactose-intolerant?

Halo Top is a good product and Arctic Zero makes a product that people who don’t or can’t eat ice cream might select.

What is the best ice cream option for lowering sugar intake this summer? Is low-calorie ice cream worth the hype?

Reducing portion size will reduce your sugar intake. Low-calorie ice cream usually is created by using various chemicals to achieve the desired outcome.

What is one delicious international type or flavor of ice cream that most Americans might not be familiar with?

The best ice cream in the world is found in Paris behind the Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile St. Louis, Bertillon. Again, the flavorings are relatively common, but the quality is superb.

Behind the Ranking

First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best Cities for Ice Cream Lovers. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into four categories: Access, Consumer Satisfaction, Popularity, and Contest Awards. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.

For each of the 200 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.

Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest “Worst” (No. 200). Note: The “Worst” among individual factors may not be No. 200 due to ties.

Sources: DairyBusiness, Google Ads, International Dairy Foods Association, National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association, North American Ice Cream Association, World Dairy Expo, and Yelp

Honorable Mentions

Sometimes the best ice cream isn’t found in a city but in smaller towns closer to where the happy cows roam. 

If you gotta have it, start planning a dairy adventure to some more of the nation’s most iconic ice cream spots below. 

  • Brenham, Texas: Explore the Blue Bell Museum and Visitor Center in the company’s hometown. See how the ice cream is made from the Observation Deck, and then try it for yourself in the Ice Cream Parlor. Fans also can grab a scoop at their other parlor location in Sylacauga, Alabama.
  • Columbia, Pennsylvania: Travel through the history of Turkey Hill Dairy at Turkey Hill Experience in Lancaster County. Learn Ice Cream 101, and invent your own ice cream flavor in the Taste Lab.
  • Le Mars, Iowa: This small town makes the most ice cream on Earth, earning the title of Ice Cream Capital of the World. Home to Wells Enterprises — the parent company of Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon — guests can sample all the flavors their hearts desire at the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor.
  • Tillamook, Oregon: Take a self-guided tour through Tillamook Creamery, or reserve tickets for their exclusive ice cream experience for a more hands-on visit. Cheese lovers can watch cheesemaking from the Viewing Gallery, and dessert lovers can choose from over two dozen handcrafted ice cream flavors. 
  • Waterbury, Vermont: Tour the original Ben & Jerry’s factory, built in 1985. Check out their factory experience, and taste a couple of spoonfuls of your favorite pints before stopping by the Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to the flavors of yesteryear. 

Don’t melt in the sun while trying to keep up with your lawn care this summer. Hire a local LawnStarter pro to take care of your yard chores so you can enjoy a cone. 

Media Resources

Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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Sav Maive

Sav Maive is a writer and director based in San Antonio. Sav is a graduate of the University of Virginia and is a loving cat and plant mom.