Best Ice Cream around Raleigh, NC
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m 39, or maybe it’s that we always pay for a family of 6 when we go out to get a treat. Whatever the reason, when we go out for ice cream I want delicious, homemade, one-of-a-kind ice cream. None of that Hershey’s mess – we could get that at the grocery store for much cheaper!
We’re spoiled around here, and have several favorite spots that will do the trick depending on where we are in the Triangle.
If you’re looking for a summer treat (or even a summer adventure + a treat), check out our favorite homemade ice cream shops around Raleigh, NC.
Howling Cow Creamery / Raleigh, NC
As a Carolina Girl, I find it hard to cheer for NC State – until it comes to ice cream. Howling Cow has been an NC State Fair staple for as long as I can remember, but now we love to get the best ice cream without going to campus or the fair!
My kids love taking a hike around Yates Mill and then heading over to the Howling Cow Creamery for a delicious treat & to check out the cows.
You truly cannot go wrong with any of their flavors, but HOLY COW THESE NACHOS. This is the most brilliant idea of all the ice cream ideas. You choose two flavors (this is cookie dough & wolf tracks), a sauce (clearly hot fudge) and then you get whipped cream & the most delightful waffle cone pieces to use as your chips. 10/10.
Chapel Chill / Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill’s newest & most delicious ice cream, Chapel Chill, is a must visit. Their staples are delightful (think cookie dough, birthday cake, chocolate…), but their banana pudding *with crushed biscoff cookies!* and Chapel Hill toffee can’t be beat.
If you have a hard time making decisions, try a flight! You can even get it in a waffle bowl and/or with free sprinkles!
Broken Spoke Soft Serve / Hillsborough, NC
The most delicious homemade soft serve ice cream around! I’ve sung Broken Spoke’s praises on repeat, but it has to be mentioned in my Triangle ice cream round up. Part adventure, part scenic views, part fresh produce, 100% worth it for the swirl.
Pro tip – if you don’t like the flavors they’re swirling (they change every weekend) or find yourself at the farm on a day that isn’t Friday – Sunday, the cooler is full of flavors from previous weeks and always worth a peek!
Fresh Ice Cream / Cary, NC (and Apex, Holly Springs & Raleigh)
When we lived in Cary seven years ago, Fresh was our go-to ice cream spot and we still love to go back when we’re in town. Delicious, homemade, and with specialty monthly flavors, there’s always something new to try. Shout out to the Carolina Crunch – it’s the stuff dreams are made of!
Mama Bird’s Ice Cream / Apex & Holly Springs, NC
Clearly Apex & Holly Springs are winning the ice cream game with both Fresh & Mama Bird’s in town. Another favorite from when we lived in that area, Mama Bird’s is an easy yes if we’re nearby!
Don’t miss the guest flavors that appear on the 1st of each month!
Simons Says Dip This / Durham & Raleigh, NC
A fun twist on your typical ice cream cone. I’d go for the homemade ice cream mentioned above first, but especially if you’re in Durham and want a special treat, Simons Says won’t disappoint! With 24 flavors to dip your cone in + plenty of toppings to add to that, there is truly something for everyone.
On the Coast…
It’s worth noting that we now compare every single ice cream shop to Holden Beach’s Beaches N Cream and Surf City’s Scoops Microcreamery. Howling Cow & Chapel Chill are the closest the Triangle has to offer, in our (clearly expert) opinion.
Take that for what you will and cheers to your next cone or cup of homemade ice cream!
Looking for more NC day / weekend trips this summer?
Fun Summer Raleigh, NC Day Trips
