This Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail In Alaska Is All You’ve Ever Dreamed Of And More
Of all the states in the U.S., Alaska eats the most ice cream per capita! It may seem strange for the coldest state to to be consuming something frozen by the gallon, but for some reason, whether summer or winter, it just seems right. And who could blame us with these amazing ice cream shops at every turn? Whether you’re a visitor or a lifelong Alaskan, you won’t want to miss trying out the best ice cream in Alaska.
Heading down the Parks Highway for adventure? Follow the map here to find the best, coolest, creamiest, most delicious ice cream in Alaska. If you’re coming up from Anchorage, reverse the route and head north to check out some creamy delights. Do your part to make sure Alaskans stay on top of the ice cream eating charts!
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Technically a frozen custard shop, this tiny spot has frozen delights so rich and creamy, you'll understand why fans are so devoted. The owners are a pleasure to boot. Only open during the glorious summer months in the interior. Read more about what others say on Yelp about this great ice cream shop!
Hot Licks features delicious, homemade, super premium ice cream and, occasionally, live jazz music (as the name suggests). There are a wide variety of flavors, including Alaska Blueberry, made with real local wild berries! Stopping by this family-owned Fairbanks spot on a bike ride is a summer tradition. (3543 College Road) Follow them on Facebook so you can get all the up to date information about their hours and specials!
This adorable ice cream shop is right on the boardwalk across from the main entrance of Denali State Park, and many of the hotels. Visit for local delights like Caramel Caribou and Moose Tracks, a delicious combination of vanilla ice cream with fudge and peanut butter cups. (Mile 238.6 Parks Hwy) TripAdvisor has some great reviews about this wonderful spot.
Kalhitna Birchworks/Alaska Wild Harvest offers a wide variety of products harvested from the Alaska wild, and tours on how they do it. Birch syrup is concentrated sap from local trees, and is super tasty on the sundaes they offer. Try the sundae of vanilla ice cream with birch syrup and birch caramel crumbles for a truly Alaskan treat. (Mi. 1.1 Talkeetna Spur Road) Visit their website for more information about this wonderful sweet treat.
A shake shack of the finest order, this walk-up shop features an ice cream machine you can watch at work. Homemade, creamy, and fresh, they make interesting daily flavors and keep the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in stock for scoops and shakes that are out of this world. (Downtown Talkeetna) Read all the reviews on TripAdvisor about this popular ice cream shack in Talkeetna.
Well-loved in the valley, this small shop has a big menu, including classic ice creams scoops and the soft serve it is famous for. (4975 E Bogard Rd) Drive through their cute little shop and make sure to check out their Facebook page up to date hours and specials before you go!
At this independent creamery, you can have your neutral ice cream mixed on a stone slab with any toppings you desire. This place is well known locally for the delicious results. (1118 N Muldoon Road #155) Peruse their website for a list of their delicious ice creams available, and order your favorites right online!
Too cold for ice cream? Cozy up to the fireplace in this great little downtown venue. (360 K Street) And if you’re looking for more than ice cream, dine on their fabulous sandwiches and freshly made soup. Head on over to their website their website for more up to date information about hours and menu choices.
Do you have an Alaskan appetite for ice cream? Have you been to these shops? Do you agree that all of these scoop shops offer the best ice cream in Alaska? Let us know in the comments below.
Is it true Alaskans eat more ice cream than anyone else in America?
It is true! Alaskans eat more ice cream than anyone else in the nation by capita. District of Columbia came in second, and Delaware came in third place. While not many people know why Alaskans consume such large quantities, but we do know that Native Alaskans have been making their version of ice cream for a very long time. Called “Yakut,” and made by whipping snow, seal oil, and berries together, this traditional treat has long been enjoyed by the residents of our amazing state. While it may puzzle you while you try to figure out why such a cold state would enjoy frozen treats, know that Norway tops out every country in the world for ice cream consumption; so perhaps it’s something in the northern countries’ air?
What is Alaska’s most famous ingredient?
Although we have a plethora of amazing ingredients grown right here, the most famous of them is Alaska seafood. Harvested and caught wild in Alaska’s cold and beautiful waters, the seafood here is award winning and coveted all over the globe. When you order and eat an Alaskan seafood product, you know you’re getting the best of the best!
