Tessa Brown

Summer is just around the corner, and nothing completes a perfect summer day like a scoop of ice cream! If you are looking for nearby ice cream shops to try over the summer, then you are in the right place. 

Connecticut has plenty of fantastic ice cream shops and farms to indulge in a delectable summer treat. Here are some of my personal favorites that you won’t want to miss.

If you are having dinner in West Hartford Center and are looking for a sweet treat to round out the night, I recommend going to Ben & Jerry’s. This classic locale is sure to have your favorite flavors. This summer, you can expect two brand new flavors: Bossin’ Cream Pie and Raspberry Cheesecake. 

For those less daring, stick with the flavors the store reports as local best-sellers: Milk and Cookies (a personal favorite of mine!), Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. The fresh smell of cookies and ice cream is guaranteed to draw you in and just one bite will make you crave seconds! 

Another superb ice cream shop in West Hartford Center is Milkcraft, widely known for its use of nitrogen in the ice cream-making process, as well as its famous bubble cones. Blue Cookie Butter and S’mores are reportedly the favorites in town, and I can attest that one taste of the Cookie Butter is sure to get you hooked! 

Oftentimes, after dinner, my family and I make the short trip out to J. Fosters, located in Avon. The trip over the Mountain is always worth it, and this is by far my favorite local destination to get gelato-like ice cream. 

You’re likely already familiar with J. Foster’s famous Graham Central Station flavor, as it’s carried in a number of local restaurants; but, you may not yet have indulged in the best they have to offer. 

Located at the far left corner of the store, there is a small case full of gelatos, soft ice creams, and sorbets. Flavors in this case can easily be missed, but that would be a significant loss to you and your tastebuds!  

I sample a new flavor on each visit, and, while I was skeptical of the latest on my last visit – Cream Cheese Icing, one mini spoonful was all it took to make this my new favorite flavor! The owner explained that the flavor was custom developed, on request, for a wedding, but that it was quickly becoming a fan favorite!  

Because the flavors in the small case rotate on a daily basis, there is no guarantee that the Cream Cheese Icing “ice cream” will be there when you visit, but all flavors will be a win! This summer, you can be sure to find me at J. Fosters, enjoying one of their special flavors from the case!

Dom’s Creamery is another ice cream shop in Avon.  Opening this past year, the shop sells fresh and smooth ice cream with super unique flavors. The first time I visited, I got the Charcoal ice cream, which the store reports is still their most popular flavor (along with the more traditional Cookie Dough).  

As an added bonus, if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, you can head right next door to Dom’s Cheese Shop for a drink, pastry, or even a slice of cheese. Just a few steps away from the Creamery, Dom’s offers a good amount of covered outdoor seating for those sunny summer days.

But if you really want to experience the great outdoors while enjoying a tasty treat, head over to Bloom Hill Farm in Bloomfield. The soft-serve ice cream is absolutely the best of the best and I’m counting the days until my next scoop of their Mint-Chocolate Chip.  

Another reason to visit is that the business is family-owned, so every visit supports the local community. Make sure to visit on a day when you aren’t in a rush because the lines can get pretty lengthy – but the ice cream is worth the wait! Also, plan your visit Tuesday-Sunday, as the location is closed on Mondays. Hey, even farm animals need a day off!

With all the local options (I haven’t even touched on A.C. Petersen Farms or Tulmeadow Farm, both super popular locales), you may run out of days to try them all. That’s the Scoop …now get out there and find YOUR favorite!