12 Yummy Ice Cream Spots in the Twin Cities to Try This Summer with Your Kids

By Antonia Grant

This summer, beat the heat by indulging in something sweet at one of the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities! In our guide to the top ice cream joints in the Twin Cities for families, we’ve curated a list of must-visit destinations perfect for any summer outing with kids. From classic flavors to innovative creations, these ice cream parlors offer diverse options to satisfy every palate (including vegan and dairy-free options!). Whether you’re craving a traditional scoop or feeling adventurous, embark on a tasty journey this summer to some of the best ice cream shops from Minneapolis to Excelsior. Wherever your summer adventures take you, get ready to create sweet memories while savoring special moments with your kids!

Twin Cities Ice Cream Scene:

1. Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe, Minneapolis

No list featuring the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities is complete without mentioning Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe. Located in Minneapolis, this beloved neighborhood joint has been serving up some of Minnesota’s best ice cream, gelato, and sorbet since 1945. Let Sonny’s transport you to Italy in one bite as you relax in its tranquil, Italian-style outdoor seating area. 

Using a hand-crafted, small-batch process, Sonny’s showcases unique flavors like yuzu, rhubarb sorbet, and goat cheese honey ice cream alongside traditional flavors like cookies and cream and chocolate chip. Several dairy-free sorbet flavors are also available here.

Address: 3403 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN

2. Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Cafe, Minneapolis (Two Locations)

If you ask a Minnesotan to recommend the best ice cream in Minneapolis, it won’t take long until you hear Sebastian Joe’s proudly proclaimed! With two brick-and-mortar locations (Lowry Hill and Linden Hills) and several outpost locations offering Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream on their menu, you can find Sebastian Joe’s delicious flavors across the Twin Cities. Sebastian Joe’s has been hand-crafting tasty ice cream in small batches daily for over thirty years. Plus, they use all-natural ingredients in every batch (and never use artificial colors or flavors).

Flavors rotate regularly, but you can always count on unique names highlighting the remarkable places and people that make Minnesota home. Signature flavors include chocolate, salty caramel, and Oreo. Meanwhile, Minnesota-influenced creations like Nicollet Avenue Pothole make Sebastian Joe’s a crowd favorite. They also offer ice cream cookies, ice cream bars, and ice cream cakes. Finally, limited dairy-free sorbet flavors are also available here.

3. Grand Ole Creamery, Minneapolis & Saint Paul

Looking for some of the best ice cream in Saint Paul and Minneapolis? Grand Ole Creamery is a contender that can’t be missed. With locations on both sides of the river (Grand Ave. and Cedar Ave., respectively), this ice cream parlor serves up indulgent creations that will leave everyone begging for more. For 35 years, Grand Ole Creamery has been family-owned and operated, creating an endless menu of beloved flavors (in fact, they have over 300 recipes!). Their fresh, natural ingredients are sourced from local dairies and suppliers.

Here, you’ll find everything from kid favorites like Cookie Monster and Bubble Gum to unique flavors like Black Hills Gold and Coffee Break. Ice cream can also be topped with various extras like sprinkles, peanuts, and hot fudge. In addition to traditional cones, you can get your ice cream served on a hot waffle! They also offer shakes, malts, and floats. Finally, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options are all available at both locations.

Address: 4737 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN & 750 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN

4. Conny’s Creamy Cone, Saint Paul

One of the sweetest neighborhood spots around, Conny’s Creamy Cone is nestled in the North End/State Capitol neighborhood of Saint Paul. Conny’s is keeping it classic with vanilla, chocolate, and twist ice cream flavors. Want to level up your scoop? Add a dip! In addition to a rotating weekly dip flavor, chocolate, butterscotch, cherry, and crunch are always available. Or, try one of their flavored cones! While kids will adore munching on tutti frutti or cotton candy, adults will surely enjoy flavors like maple nut, Irish cream, and blackberry. Then, in addition to ice cream, you can order flurries, malts and shakes, floats, freezies, and more tasty frozen treats!

Come for the ice cream, stay for lunch or dinner! Conny’s Creamy Cone also serves burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, and much more. Finally, if you have a four-legged family member, you can purchase a Pup Cup for them! Conny’s will donate the proceeds to Canine Inspired Change, a local nonprofit. No wonder this is one of the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities!

Address: 1197 Dale St N, Saint Paul, MN

5. Scoops Ice Cream Eatery, Saint Paul

Need an ice cream spot that will satisfy your lunch or dinner cravings, too? Make it 2 Scoops Ice Cream Eatery! One of the best ice cream spots in Saint Paul, 2 Scoops also serves pizza, chili dogs, hot dogs, and more. Locally and minority-owned, this neighborhood favorite is also dedicated to supporting local athletes and children in the community!

When you’re ready to satisfy your sweet tooth, 2 Scoops has a rotating menu of dreamy options for the whole family! No matter when you visit, there will always be at least 18 flavors to choose from. Families will love munching on flavors like black walnut, gumball, rhubarb crumble, banana cream pie, and much more on sunny days! There is even an “exhausted parent” flavor featuring bourbon and espresso with bittersweet chocolate chunks throughout. 

Address: 921 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN

6. Nelson’s Ice Cream, Saint Paul & Stillwater

With roots in the 1920s, Nelson’s Ice Cream has served the communities of Saint Paul and Stillwater with some of the best ice cream in Minnesota for generations. Family-owned and operated, this tasty ice cream joint is a neighborhood favorite for its friendly service and epic ice cream scoops. From the first bite, you’ll quickly see why Nelson’s Ice Cream has become a summer tradition for many families. 

Select from whimsical flavors like black licorice, lemon bar, bubble gum, and more. Nelson’s Ice Cream is open seasonally during the summer months. Undoubtedly, the outdoor patio is one of the best places to enjoy a warm, sunny day in Saint Paul or Stillwater, respectively.  

Address: 920 Olive St. W Stillwater, MN & 454 Snelling Ave. S St. Paul, MN

7. Orso Bianco Gelato, White Bear Lake

Arguably the best gelato in Minnesota, Orso Bianco Gelato is located in downtown White Bear Lake—and it’s worth the drive! Family-owned and operated, the matriarch’s Italian roots inspired this cozy gelato spot. Their authentic Italian gelato will have you whisked away to the Colosseum in no time!

Pop in for delicious flavors like chocolate, blackberry sorbet, hazelnut swirl, or Amarena cherry. Or, try the house favorite, Orso Bianco, in honor of their White Bear Lake home (orso bianco means white bear in Italian!). Check Facebook or Instagram for the flavors of the week. 

Address: 2216 3rd St, White Bear Lake, MN

8. Sweet Science Ice Cream, Edina

As one of the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities, Sweet Science Ice Cream creates small-batch flavors with locally sourced and all-natural ingredients. Located in Edina on 50th & France, this local gem features bold, delicious flavors that please even the pickiest eaters. Using the principles of food science, this ice cream parlor hand-makes all of its flavors to make each bite as delicious as the last.

When you’re ready to order, kids will likely scramble to taste yummy flavors like s’mores, sugar cookies, and cookies and cream. Meanwhile, parents can indulge in elevated creations like black sesame, goat cheese, blackberries, and raspberry rose. Flavors rotate regularly, and some flavors are only available seasonally. If you want to try flavors like these but can’t get to Edina, pints are available in stores across the metro area.

Address: 3919 Market Street, Edina, MN

9. Adele’s Frozen Custard, Excelsior

In the west metro, no one does custard like Adele’s Frozen Custard. Tucked into Excelsior, Adele’s Frozen Custard has been treating the community with mouthwatering flavors since 1986. They pride themselves on making fresh batches of frozen custard daily throughout the summer. 

With over 100 rotating flavors, use the flavor calendar to guide your visit. Each day, only one or two flavors are offered to keep things fresh, fun, and delicious all summer. Throughout the season, you can watch for delicious creations like almond joy, berries and cream, cinnamon bun, and strawberry rhubarb. Kids will also delight in unique flavors like s’mores, Twix bar, puppy chow, and pirates booty. Have a favorite flavor? They do custom gallons to suit your cravings. With so many fun options, it’s easy to see why families flock to Adele’s Frozen Custard all summer long.

Address: 800 Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, MN

10. Big Dipper Creamery, Blaine & North Oaks

Families searching for variety will delight in Big Dipper Creamery’s HUGE menu of flavors. Fifty-two ice cream flavors are available daily at the Blaine and 32 at the North Oaks locations. Family-owned, they’ve been making ice cream for the communities they love for three generations! Each batch is handcrafted with a passion for smooth, delicious flavor in every bite. They also work closely with local farmers to source fresh, natural cream and other natural ingredients whenever possible.

After surveying all your options, get your scoop in a cone or dish. Many flavors are offered every day, while some are seasonal. Energetic kids will likely go for flavors like Oreo, M&M, or cotton candy. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in exciting options like caramel macchiato, dulce de leche, or blueberry. In addition to ice cream, they also offer ice cream cakes, shakes, and more. Finally, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options are available at both locations.

Address: 1250 126th Ave NE, Blaine, MN & 115 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN

11. Honey & Mackie’s, Plymouth

If treating your kids to ice cream has become your favorite family tradition, you’ll love Honey & Mackie’s in Plymouth. As one of the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities, they serve over 200 flavors, including their beloved seasonal holiday pack in the winter months. This makes them one of the best year-round options for tasty frozen treats!

If you’re hoping for inspiring flavors, this is the place! During your visit, you can munch on yummy creations like gingersnap and honey, horchata, and lemon poppy blueberry. Or, munch on traditional flavors like chocolate, cookie dough, or strawberry. No matter which flavor (or flavor combinations) bring you joy, you will find them at Honey & Mackie’s!

Address: 16725 County Rd 24 STE 106, Plymouth, MN

12. Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor, Afton

Visiting Minnesota’s oldest ice cream parlor must be on your summer bucket list! Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor has been treating the Afton community with creamy creations since 1913. Kids and adults alike will adore this cozy spot for a sweet scoop (or two!) this summer.

As one of the best ice cream spots in the Twin Cities, there is no shortage of flavors to choose from during your visit. If you’re looking for something more traditional, select from classic options like mint chip, old-fashioned vanilla, and strawberry. Alternatively, consider ordering black licorice, blackberry lemon bar, or Fat Elvis if you want something more unique. They even feature local Midwest flavors like Door County Cherry! No matter what you’re craving, you’ll find it at Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor!

Address: 3419 St Croix Trail S, Afton, MN

Enjoy Your Tasty Twin Cities Ice Cream Outing with Your Kids!