I scream, you scream, we all … know the rest. While ice cream is a delicious treat year-round, it just seems to really hit the spot during hot summer months. Luckily, no matter where you are in Illinois, a local ice cream shop is just a short drive away. From the northernmost part of the state to the southern tip, here are just a few great stops when you find yourself screaming for ice cream.
Sometimes hours change. Make sure to visit an ice cream shop’s website/social media or call to double check hours before visiting. Don’t see your favorite? Let us know!
American Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor
102 N. Main St., Galena, IL
815-402-2002
http://facebook.com/102NorthMainGalena
Daily: Noon-7 p.m.
Step back in time at American Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor, a staple of Galena since 1970. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, enjoy hand-dipped Cedar Crest ice cream served in homemade waffle cones or have an old-fashioned malt or shake. While you’re there, have a slice of homemade fruit pie.
B’s Drive Inn
22345 IL-116, Farmington, IL
(309) 245-2958
https://facebook.com/BsDriveInn
Soft serve
Bears Drive-Inn
1905 IL-84, Thomson, IL
(815) 259-2586
https://facebook.com/Bears-Drive-Inn-214785115365840
Soft serve
Carl’s Ice Cream Factory
1700 W. College, Normal, IL
309-454-7732
http://carlsicecream.com/
Daily: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
A Bloomington staple since 1980. Its homemade premium hard ice cream comes in 27 flavors, its most popular is cookie dough. Enjoy hard and soft serve in cones, sundaes, shakes, floats, novelties and ice cream pies. Its ice cream truck is popular at Corn Belt Energy annual meetings.
Carl’s Ice Cream Factory
601 W. Locust, Bloomington, IL
309-828-7732
http://carlsicecream.com/
Daily: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
A Bloomington staple since 1980. Its homemade premium hard ice cream comes in 27 flavors, its most popular is cookie dough. Enjoy hard and soft serve in cones, sundaes, shakes, floats, novelties and ice cream pies. Its ice cream truck is popular at Corn Belt Energy annual meetings.
Chilly Willy’s Ice Creams & Grill
416 E. Main St., Olney, IL
(618) 320-9866
https://facebook.com/chillywillysicecreamsgrill
Hand dipped and soft serve
Colyer Coffee House
16 E. Elm St., Albion, IL
(618) 445-2800
https://facebook.com/colyercoffeehouse
Hand dipped
Cool Beans Coffee Lounge & The Scoop Ice Cream Parlor
407 North Monroe Street, Abingdon, IL
(309) 509-3973
https://facebook.com/Cool-Beans-Coffee-Lounge-The-Scoop-Ice-Cream-Parlor-101315075070699
Hand dipped and soft serve
Cool Spoons Frozen Yogurt and Treats
695 N Giant City Rd, Carbondale, IL
(618) 529-5030
https://www.coolspoons.com/
MON-THU 3PM-9PM
FRI-SUN 12PM-9PM
18 flavors of soft serve and 185+ toppings for customers to make their unique frozen treat.
Cozy Cone
300 Center St, Augusta, IL
https://facebook.com/cozyconeaugusta
Soft serve
Custard Stand
101 S. Park St., Sesser, IL
618-625-7129
http://facebook.com/The-Custard-Stand-Sesser-IL-293570541680
Daily: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Regionally known as a favorite and staple, the Custard Stand offers soft serve ice cream in traditional and specialty flavors, like their orange and vanilla “dream,” made from a secret recipe since 1949. Also on the menu: hand-dipped ice cream in a variety of flavors, shakes, sundaes, burgers, brats and nachos.
Dairy Dee
103 E. Sycamore St., Sumner, IL
(618) 936-2615
https://Dairydee.com
Soft serve
Dairy Delites
815 W. Jackson St., Sullivan, IL
(217) 728-8927
https://facebook.com/Dairy-Delites-Fans-213112129870
Soft serve
Dairy Dipper
301 E Broadway, Astoria, IL
(309) 329-2622
https://facebook.com/people/DAIRY-DIPPER-Astoria-IL/100057526836877
Soft serve
Dairy King
691 N. 4th St., Breese, IL
618-526-4321
http://edairyking.com/
Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sun: 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
This local favorite is known for its Concretes (like Blizzards) and Cows (a float made with slush instead of soda). Even with more than 50 specialty concrete flavors like Mississippi Mud, Bailey’s Monster Cookie, Cake Batter Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake and Summer Breeze, patrons are invited to create their own. Filling out the extensive dessert menu are shakes, floats, slushes and smoothies.
Dairy King
320 W. Broadway, Trenton, IL
618-224-2222
http://edairyking.com/
Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Sun: 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
This local favorite is known for its Concretes (like Blizzards) and Cows (a float made with slush instead of soda). Even with more than 50 specialty concrete flavors like Mississippi Mud, Bailey’s Monster Cookie, Cake Batter Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake and Summer Breeze, patrons are invited to create their own. Filling out the extensive dessert menu are shakes, floats, slushes and smoothies.
Dairyhaus
113 E. Main St., Rockton, IL
815-624-6100
http://dairyhausrockton.com/
Open seasonally: spring, summer and fall Daily summer hours: noon-10 p.m.
Dairyhaus, on Rock Energy Cooperative lines, has served homemade, small batch ice cream since 1983. Try unique flavors, such as blue moon, Rockford Roasting Co. Coffee or oatmeal cookie, or get a classic chocolate, strawberry or mint chip. Enjoy by the scoop in a homemade waffle cone or take home by the quart.
Dari Ripple
201 S. Madison St., Pittsfield, IL
217-285-2634
http://facebook.com/DariRippleIL
Open seasonally
Daily: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Cash only
This Pittsfield institution has dished out soft serve ice cream for 70 years. This shop offers vanilla daily; chocolate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; lemon on Sunday and Tuesday; and a special flavor (such as red velvet cake, strawberry cheesecake and peach) on Thursday and Saturday. Ice cream is served in cones, sundaes, flurries, shakes, sodas or between chocolate wafer cookies called a Tally Ho.
Davis Dairy Bar
511 E. Chestnut St., Mt. Pulaski, IL
(217) 792-3782
https://facebook.com/The-Davis-Dairy-Bar-106038505223780
Soft serve
Dewey’s Drive-In
620 E. Richardson St., Farmer City, IL
309-928-3663
http://facebook.com/DeweysDriveIn
Open seasonally: April through September
Daily: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
A Farmer City tradition since 1956, this ’50s-themed drive-in is famous for soft serve ice cream, burgers, old-fashioned milkshakes and dipped cones. A fan favorite is the vibrant yellow lemon soft serve. They offer a variety of special soft serve flavors including blueberry, toasted coconut, mango, cheesecake, cotton candy and more.
Dick’s Pharmacy
118 S. Vine, Arthur, IL
(217) 543-2913
https://facebook.com/arthurpharmacyatdicks
Soda fountain
Downtown Dip
111 S Division St, Carterville, IL 62918
618-727-7180
https://www.facebook.com/downtown.dip/
Carterville’s own Hand Scooped Ice Cream Shop. Enjoy a selection of over 24 Super Premium Ice Cream Flavors, Sundaes, Shakes, Cannonballs, and freshly made waffle cones. Indoor and Outdoor seating. Cash and Card accepted.
El Dulce Helado
202 S. Main St., Monmouth, IL
309-536-2537
http://facebook.com/El-Dulce-Helado-202354413708596
Daily summer hours: 1-10 p.m.
Owner Sonia Woolsey provides 26 flavors of homemade, hand-dipped ice cream at a time, with a variety of flavors in rotation. Some include coconut, pistachio and mazapán. The churro split has three scoops of ice cream of your choice, homemade churros, fresh fruit and toppings. More than 50 flavors of homemade milk- and water-based ice pops are available as well as other sweet and savory treats.
Gene’s Dairy Delight
1019 S. Main St., Bloomington, IL
(309) 829-6022
https://facebook.com/Genes-Dairy-Delight-145542836595
Soft serve
Gilligan’s Sweet Treats
2449 State St., Chester, IL
618-615-2634
http://facebook.com/gilligans.sweettreats
Daily: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Owner Jennifer Lochhead, who named her ice cream business after her mother’s nickname, serves hand-dipped ice cream and monthly specials in decorative cones with a variety of toppings. Other treats on the menu include milkshakes, floats, sundaes, smoothies, frappes and iced coffee.
Hannam’s Dairy Dream
310 E. Linn St., Canton, IL
309-647-9168
http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057460217648
Mon-Sat: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun: noon-9 p.m.
Cash only
For classic soft serve ice cream, stop by Hannam’s Dairy Dream. Enjoy vanilla, chocolate, lemon and twist cones, which you can get dipped, topped with crunch (sprinkles and crushed peanut butter nougat) or with Flavor Burst added, like blue goo, cool mint or raspberry. There are 11 sundae topping options, 14 shake/malt flavors, and 13 candy bar shake options.
Happy Days Ice Cream Shop
119 W. Washington St., Millstadt, IL
618-476-3335
http://facebook.com/Happy-Days-Ice-Cream-Shop-111590948877396
Daily: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Cash only
Both soft serve and hand-dipped ice cream are available at Happy Days, along with shakes, malts, concretes, sundaes, snow cones, slushies, ice cream cakes and pies. The shop is owned by Jennifer Drennan, whose brother Steve is a lineworker at Monroe Country Electric Cooperative.
Ice Cream Korner
7605 U.S. Highway 50, Iuka, IL
(618) 323-4321
https://facebook.com/icecreamkorner
Soft serve
Jarlings Custard Cup
309 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, IL 61820
217-352-2273
http://www.jarlingscustardcup.com
Decades-old frozen-dessert shop serving housemade treats in cups, cones, sundaes, shakes & floats. Starting with carefully selected Midwestern dairy farms and using only the finest ingredients, our artisan products are made in small batches throughout the day at the store!
Jenni’s Ice Cream and Grill
394 Carman St., Lomax, IL
217-449-3700
http://jennisicecreamandgrill.webs.com/
Open seasonally: April-October
Tues-Sun: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Along the Great River Road, this shop keeps vanilla and chocolate soft serve on hand, but stay tuned for a flavor of the week, including Fruity Pebbles and caramel apple. Two dozen toppings are available for sundaes, shakes and hurricanes, and customers can create their own combination. This seasonal restaurant is in its ninth year with owners and Western Illinois Electrical Coop. members Bob and Deb Pflasterer and Jennifer Ewing.
Jule’s Ice Cream and Coffee
306 E Main St, Cuba, IL
(309) 785-7045
https://facebook.com/Jules-ice-cream-coffee-107595257434632
Hand dipped
Krave Frozen Yogurt
1455 E Village Parkway Mt Zion, IL 62549
2178641295
http://kravefrozenyogurt.com
A great frozen yogurt shop and more. They have a lot of yogurt flavors, waffle cups made fresh, smoothies, root beer floats and coffee drinks.
La Michoacana Irmanaju
110 S Main St, Galena, IL
(815) 402-2284
https://facebook.com/lamichoacanairmanaju
Hand dipped
Lawrenceville Drive-In
2002 S. 15th St., Lawrenceville, IL
(618) 943-2271
https://facebook.com/Lawrencevilledrivein
Soft serve
Meusel’s Dairy Delite
303 S. Mason Ave., Amboy, IL
(815) 857-2050
https://meuselsdairydelite.com
Hand dipped and soft serve
Millie’s Chill and Grill
101 S. Walnut St., LeRoy, IL
(309) 962-3497
https://facebook.com/MilliesChillandGrill
Hand dipped
Minooka Creamery
111 McEvilly Rd, Minooka, IL
(815) 467-9699
https://minookacreamery.com
Hand dipped and soft serve
Not Just Another Dip
103 Washington St, Avon, IL
(309) 371-5228
https://facebook.com/Notjustanotherdip
Soft serve
Paxton’s Corner Coop
101 W. Front St., Annawan, IL
(309) 781-9413
facebook.com/paxtonsCornerCoop
Soft serve
Peaches Ice Cream
324 W. Dearborn St., Havana, IL
(309) 280-0421
https://facebook.com/Peaches-Ice-Cream-415008432410234
Soft serve
Poogan’s Creamery
201 S. O’Bannon St., Raymond, IL
217-622-2524
http://facebook.com/pooganscreamery
Mon-Thurs: 2-9 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Established May 8, 2021, its motto is Poogan’s Creamery – where neighbors become friends. It serves Bliss Artisan ice cream in 51 flavors (12 rotate weekly). Enjoy customer favorites like Mississippi Mudd or PBJ in a homemade waffle cone or the popular ice cream nachos, shakes, malts and sundaes.
Shake Shack
512 W. Main St., Lexington, IL
(309) 365-3005
https://facebook.com/The-Shake-Shack-806487489396973
Soft serve
Shivers
708 Main St, Savanna, IL
(815) 273-2824
https://facebook.com/Shivers-Ice-Cream-Shoppe-268145860024987
Hand dipped
Shupe Shack
118 E Collins St, Mendon, IL
(217) 430-4508
https://facebook.com/shupeshack
Soft serve
Sidney Dairy Barn
311 W. Main St., Sidney, IL
217-688-8026
http://sidneydairybarn.com/
Tues-Sun: Noon-8 p.m.
Soft serve that tastes like the old-fashioned, hand-cranked variety. Order cones, sundaes, tornados, shakes or a Tire Swing – vanilla ice cream sandwiched between chocolate chunk cookies and dipped in chocolate. Vanilla and chocolate served daily with 13 rotating feature flavors like banana, strawberry and cappuccino. Lemon is offered the last full week of each month.
Sling N’ Scoops
204 S. Main St., Red Bud, IL
618-791-3965
http://slingnscoops.com/
Tues-Fri: 3-8 p.m. and Sat-Sun: 1-9 p.m.
Since March 2020, Sling N’ Scoops has served hand-dipped Bliss Artisan ice cream and snow cones from its location in the historic Kaffenberger Building, established in 1890 in downtown Red Bud. Gluten-free and dairy-free sorbet in various flavors is also on the menu. Owners Kyle and Katie Winkelman offer custom catering services for weddings, fundraisers and private events.
Small Town Scoop
1400 Walnut St., Murphysboro, IL
618-924-1701
http://facebook.com/smalltownscoopMurphysboro
Tues-Sun: 3-9 p.m.
Owned by Egyptian Electric Cooperative members Amanda Pfeaster and her husband, Small Town Scoop is named in honor of its location—the Murphysboro American newspaper building. More than 27 flavors of hand-scooped Cedar Crest ice cream are on the menu, including favorites like blueberry waffle cone, lemon cheesecake, Big Muddy, Caramel Collision and Superman.
Southern Illinois Mercantile Company
112 E. Main St., Marion, IL
877-257-6372
http://southernillinoismercantileco.com/
Tues-Sat: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Owners Ellen Graff and Tanya Miller affectionately describe their shop as “just like Grandma’s house.” They rotate through 52 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, some of which are dairy-free and/or gluten-free. Enjoy a cool treat while perusing the shop’s apparel, gifts and modern farmhouse decor.
Tastee Treat Drive-In
423 E Main St, Mt Sterling, IL
(217) 773-2543
https://facebook.com/thetasteetreet
Soft serve
Tastee Treet
1219 N. Cheney St., Taylorville, IL
(217) 827-6394
https://facebook.com/Tastee-Treet-153710111629
Soft serve
The Big Dipper
13 W. Main St., Casey, IL
217-609-0801
http://facebook.com/JRDipper
Daily: 1-7 p.m.
Located next door to the world’s largest mailbox, The Big Dipper, a family owned and operated ice cream shop, offers premium hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream, snow cones, slushies and bubble drinks.
The Freeze
110 E. Jourdan St., Newton, IL
(618) 783-2625
https://facebook.com/The-Freeze-875607715823953
Soft serve
The Frosty Cow
Greenview, IL
217-416-1501
http://facebook.com/The-Frosty-Cow-1488251234644007
On the Square
Open seasonally
Fri-Sun: 2-8 p.m.
In its 4th season, owner Angela Dowell has moved the small batch ice cream shop to a new location just down the block. The Bliss Artisan ice cream served includes flavors like lemon, banana pudding, blueberry waffle cone, salty jack, cotton candy and more. Enjoy waffle cones and bowls, milkshakes, whiteouts, sundaes, etc. Dairy- and gluten-free options are available.
The Full Scoop
6575 West Jackson Street, Colchester, IL
(309) 776-5222
https://facebook.com/thefullscoop2014
Hand dipped and soft serve
The Ice Cream Shack
2313 NE. Adams St. Peoria, IL
309-686-2828
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Ice-Cream-Shack/100063726812655/
Big cones little price! The biggest and best soft serve you’ll ever have. Twists with seasonal flavors like pumpkin. Wizards, sundaes, banana splits, shakes, slushes, tamales, and lots more! Open seasonally. Enjoy some great treats along the Illinois River.
The Ice Cream Shack at Roseville Lanes & Diner
120 E Penn Ave, Roseville, IL 61473
https://facebook.com/rosevillelanes/
Soft serve
The Root Beer Stand
225 N Columbia Ave, Oglesby, IL
(815) 883-9254
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046448448334
Soft serve
Theo’s Microcreamery
107 East Beaufort St Normal IL 61761
(309) 454-9375
http://www.theosmicrocreamery.com
Small batch homemade super premium ice cream made in Normal. Scooping new flavors monthly as well as vegan flavors, sorbets, smoothies, shakes and sundaes.
This That & The Udder
Rushville, IL
(309) 329-6010
https://facebook.com/This-That-The-Udder-102706191852775
Rolled ice cream
Three Sisters Sweet Shoppe
224 N Main St, Elizabeth, IL
(815) 858-5033
https://threesisterssweetshoppe.com
Hand dipped
Tone’s Cones
523 W. Main St., Ottawa, IL
815-434-1488
http://tonescones.com/
Open seasonally: spring, summer and fall
Daily summer hours: Noon-10 p.m.
Cash only
Family owned and operated since 1993, Tone’s Cones offers premium soft serve ice cream in a cone, sundae, shake, malt or flurry with more than 40 topping options available. If you’re brave, try the Belt Buster Challenge—eat 2 quarts of ice cream, 10 toppings and a can of whipped cream in 20 minutes, and it’s free.
Toots Treats
608 W Main St #9687, Elmwood, IL
(309) 742-8668
https://facebook.com/TootsTreats
Soft serve
Top Hat Creamery
513 Pulaski St., Arcade #9, Lincoln, IL
217-605-0026
http://facebook.com/tophatcreamery
Tues-Fri: 2-10 p.m.
Sat-Sun: Noon-10 p.m.
Featuring Ice Cream Factory small batch ice cream in more than 15 flavors, this shop offers sundaes, shakes, malts, signature sundaes, Dole Whips and fresh baked cookie sammies. Popular flavors include Exhausted Parent, Caramel Chaos, Munchie Madness and Jacked Up Tennessee. Watch Facebook for daily flavors and dairy- and lactose-free sorbets. The Traveling Top Hat trailer may even be at an event near you.
Union Dairy
126 E Douglas St, Freeport, IL
815-232-7099
https://theuniondairy.com/
Hand dipped
Walton’s Ice Cream & More
408 S. Main St., Smithton, IL
(618) 416-8317
https://Waltonsicecream.com
Soft serve
We Li Kit Farmstand
6164 N 925th St, Paris, IL 61944
(217) 264-8874
https://www.facebook.com/welikitfarmstand/
We make our OWN old fashioned homemade ice cream & fresh waffle cones. Try one of our seasonal flavors, sundaes, shakes, floats, or iced/frozen drinks. Please check us out on facebook for daily specials. C’mon out for a visit in the country.
Whitey’s Ice Cream
Moline, IL
https://www.whiteysicecream.com/
A Moline tradition since 1933. Whiteys makes their own ice cream, many year-round and seasonal flavors. Some of their many flavors have won national awards, and the Sgt. Camo proceeds are donated to veteran’s organizations. Locations in Moline, Rock Island and East Moline, IL
