Northern Michigan Ice Cream Hot Spots
Summer in Northern Michigan, boating, swimming in the Great Lakes, lazy days spent at the beach and delicious ice cream. I love our summers here in Northern Michigan and I also love ice cream. I might even love ice more and so do my children. I love making our own but there is just something about making a trip to the local ice cream parlor with the kids. It’s a summer tradition. This year I’ve incorporated a weekly ice cream trip as a reward for reading throughout the week. So far it’s working. The kids love to read and scoring ice as a reward is just a bonus. To make it fun, I thought it would be fun to try a new ice cream shop every time they earn a reading reward.
Looking to try some new ice cream shops in our area? I’ve put together a delicious list of local places to try this summer:
Kilwins Chocolates: A classic favorite with multiple locations here in Northern Michigan, including Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne City and Mackinaw City. My favorite flavor is the French Silk ice cream with the Raspberry Sorbet coming in a close second. We love stopping at Mrs. Brown’s location on Howard Street in downtown Petoskey and then letting the kids play in Pennsylvania Park.
Murdicks Fudge: Located across from Kilwin’s on Howard Street in Petoskey and along side Pennsylvania Park, Murdicks Fudge has super yummy hand dipped ice cream worth trying on a warm summer evening.
Corner Scoops: Located on the outside of the Corner Grocer at the corner of Kalamazoo and Jennings Avenue in Petoskey. This locally owned ice cream shop is a local favorite when the weather begins to warm up here in Northern Michigan. Having purchased the old Dairy Queen’s Blizzard making equipment, the ‘Lake Effect’ is a popular favorite and they have tons of fun flavors to choose from. The Oreo Lake Effect is my favorite with yummy chunks of Oreo mixed in with creamy vanilla ice cream.
Yummies: Located on Main Street in downtown Harbor Springs. Yummies has all the ice cream flavors that you love.
Dairy Zone: Located on m119 towards Harbor Springs, serving soft serve ice cream treats including; Mixers, cones, frozen smoothies, and much more.
Alpine Chocolate Haus: With 2 locations, one in Boyne City and the other in Gaylord, this chocolate shop and ice cream shop had delicious homemade chocolates and ice cream that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Dairy Grille: Located around US-31 just south of downtown Charlevoix, the Dairy Grille is the quintessential order from the window ice cream stand. Not only do they have ice cream, they also serve 100% ground beef burgers made fresh daily and they are GOOD.
Maple Moon Sugarbush and Winery: Located a few miles outside of Petoskey on Atkins Rd, this ice cream shop boasts rich, creamy, homemade Maple ice cream as well as wine. A great combo if you ask me!
Have I missed your favorite ice cream spot? If so, please leave a comment and I will get it added to our list!
