Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Did you know that Maryland was actually the first to bring ice cream to the United States? Indeed!! According to the history books, back in 1744, Governor Thomas Bladen was the first to serve up this fan favorite sweet treat in a strawberry flavor. Maryland also opened the WORLD’S first ice cream factory (in Baltimore), thanks to Jacob Fussell back in 1853. So what better State to enjoy National Ice Cream Month in than Maryland? Check out some of the amazing local offerings throughout the area!
Capital Maryland
The Dairy, University of Maryland, College Park (Prince George’s County) – An ice cream institution, The Dairy has made ice cream since 1924 and offers 31 flavors. It continues to get top reviews from students, alumni and visitors.
Moorenko’s Ice Cream, Silver Spring (Montgomery County) – Since 2002, Moorenko’s has crafted excellent small-batch, ultra-premium ice cream in the DC area. Their ice cream is made by hand, the old-school way. Ultra-premium ice cream is the best of the best, made with the highest percentage of milkfat, less sugar, and less air. The result is a rich, dense, creamy dessert that is wholly satisfying.
Central Maryland
Annapolis Ice Cream Company, Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) – Located on Main Street downtown, the shop offers ice cream that’s made on the premises with natural and organic ingredients. Flavors range from the standards to Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Coffee Oreo (made with real coffee) and Key Lime.
Bomboy’s Home Made Ice Cream, Havre de Grace (Harford County) – Across the street from Bomboy’s Home Made Candy, the ice cream shop scoops out Duck, Duck, Goose; Salty Dawg; Raspberry Truffle; and Kokamocha among its everyday selections. Seasonal flavors include Havre de Nuts, Chocolate Explosion and Cinnamonkey. Look for the black-and-white cow outside.
The Charmery, Baltimore-based, The Charmery is known for its uniquely inspired homemade flavors, bright and bold design aesthetic and a friendly customer service experience. The Hampden-based ice cream shop opened in the summer of 2013 and this year opened an outpost in Towson and another at their ice cream factory at the Union Collective (opening summer 2018).
Broom’s Bloom Dairy, Bel Air (Harford County) – Featuring own old-fashioned ice cream, Broom’s Bloom Dairy has made more than 100 flavors, with a variety of 12-18 flavors offered daily. They also serve homemade lunches, artisan cheese and pork sausage. Locally produced lamb, beef, free-range eggs, and seasonal vegetables are also available.
Hoffman’s Home Made Ice Cream, Westminster (Carroll County) – The Hoffman family has been making ice cream since 1947. Ravens Ripple – available in the fall – is one of the 50 flavors made during the year. Homemade ice cream sandwiches are a favorite among regular customers.
Keyes Creamery, Aberdeen (Harford County) – Only the best milk produced by the farms grass-fed cows is used to make Keyes Creamery specialty cheeses and premium ice cream. The delicious results are now available at the creamery serving hand-dipped ice cream, which is made weekly on site. Quarts and pints of your favorite flavors are available to take home as well as our delicious and beautifully decorated ice cream cakes and pies!
Prigel Family Creamery, Glen Arm (Baltimore County) – the Prigel family has been farming in the Long Green Valley for more than 100 years and five generations. Prigel Family creamery processes milk from Bellevale Farm into fresh, nutrient-dense dairy foods from cows that graze on grass grown from organically balanced soils.
Eastern Shore
Chesapeake Bay Farms, Inc., Berlin (Worcester County) – Meet the herd that produces the milk for all of the farms fresh dairy products. Enjoy homemade ice cream cones while watching the cows in our unique country setting. Kids can safely milk a robotic re-circulating cow and visit with farm animals. Retail stores in Pocomoke and Berlin serve all Chesapeake Bay Farms homemade products including hand-dipped ice cream by the cup, cone or packaged to take home, a wide variety of artesian cheeses and fresh hand-stretched mozzarella made on our dairy farm, fresh milk, butter, eggs and more.
Dumser’s Dairyland, Ocean City (Worcester County) – Located on the Ocean City boardwalk since 1939, Dumser’s makes its own ice cream daily – serving up its creations at an ice cream parlor reminiscent of the 1940s. Dumser’s also has two restaurant locations along Coastal Highway.
Durding’s Store, Rock Hall (Kent County) – Established in 1872, Durding’s has an old-fashioned soda fountain that offers ice cream creations and homemade baked goods. Rock Hall is an Eastern Shore fishing village and boating destination.
Island Creamery, Berlin (Worster County) – Started in 1975 by Bob & Nancy Conklin, parents of the current owners, Kelly and his wife Robin, the Creamery serves delicious frozen treats using all-natural premium butterfat mix from Lancaster County cows ensuring a rich, creamy ice cream inspired by flavors from the local fruit or from tasty concoctions made in their kitchen
Justines, Ocean City (Worcester County) – Offering a creative assortment of ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, and frozen desserts. And, Justines is famous for offering more than 77 classic and signature milkshakes!
Kilby Cream, Rising Sun (Cecil County) – The Kilbys have been dairy farmers for more than 100 years. They started making ice cream in 2005 and offer such flavors as Holstein Cream, Udderly Chocolate and Mink Mookie. The farm produces ice cream “from cow to cone in two days.” The “Moo Mobile” serves ice cream at festivals and other events.
Scottish Highland Creamery, Oxford (Talbot County) – Growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, Victor Barlow lived above an Italian ice cream shop that opened in 1907. He worked at the shop as a teenager, became the manager and eventually learned the secret family recipes. Today, Barlow offers 600 flavors, including Double Belgian Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Mascarpone and Tiramisu.
Southern Maryland
The Crossing at Casey Jones, LaPlata (Charles County) – In addition to its gourmet and casual fare, specialty cakes and wine classes, Casey Jones has a selection of homemade desserts made with homemade ice cream and sorbets. The Banana Split sundae uses homemade banana ice cream.
Western Maryland
Lakeside Creamery, Oakland (Garrett County) – With two locations in the Deep Creek Lake area, Lakeside features more than 90 flavors of ice cream and sherbet made on the premises. Seasonal fruit flavors use local fruit. Lakeside Creamery Café offers array of coffee and specialty drinks.
Mountain City Coffeehouse and Creamery also serves Lakeside ice cream in Frostburg.
Misty Meadows Farm Creamery, Smithsburg (Washington County) – Family owned business with a creamery on the farm featuring weekly activities. Stop in for an ice cream cone, or to see to the cows!
Nutter’s Ice Cream Shop, Sharpsburg (Washington County) – Nutter’s is an old-fashioned ice cream shop, family-owned and operated since 1996, they serve 32 flavors of ice cream, along with other items such as a peach pound-cake sundae. It’s located off the town square and is near both Antietam National Battlefield and the C&O Canal Towpath.
Queen City Creamery and Deli, Cumberland (Allegany County) – Located in a renovated building that features a re-created 1940s soda fountain, Queen City offers frozen custard – also known as New York-style ice cream. The frozen custard is made daily and comes in three flavors each day.
Rocky Point Creamery, Tuscarora (Frederick County) – Take a drive through the back roads along the Potomac River and experience Maryland’s beautiful farm country. Be ready to enjoy a satisfyingly sweet experience.
South Mountain Creamery, Middletown (Frederick County) – South Mountain Creamery is Maryland’s first on-site dairy processing plant that delivers all-natural and farm fresh products to your doorstep. They also have a store on the farm that sells their products to those local customers that don’t have their delivery service……yet!
Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail
Want to check out Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail? Grab your Ice Cream passport and head out on a tasty adventure!
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