Take This Delicious Ice Cream Trail Through Ohio To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Ohio does ice cream very, very well.
With several local chains, dairy farms and iconic ice cream sundae joints, there is no shortage of delicious ice cream in the Buckeye State. In fact, we’ve got so many delicious ice cream places that it’s fair to say Ohio just might be the ice cream capital of America—and maybe even the world. The following road trip showcases some must-try ice cream joints in the state, which are arguably home to the best ice cream in Ohio.
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There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. It is located at 11324 Mt Vernon Rd., Utica, OH 43080.
2. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl (Zanesville)
April Dray/Only In Your State
April Dray/Only In Your State
Since 1950, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl has served up the area's best homemade ice cream. Its homey, 1950s style makes it a nostalgic stop for many. (You can't go wrong with any flavor here but if you like nuts on your sundae, definitely get them. Their nuts are roasted fresh daily and all of their toppings are processed in-house.) Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl is located at 532 McIntire Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701.
3. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Columbus and other locations)
Based in Columbus, with other locations throughout the state, Jeni's offers one-of-a-kind flavors made with all local ingredients. It's some of the creamiest, most delicious ice cream you'll ever have. (Seriously. That is not an exaggeration.)
4. Graeter's Ice Cream (Columbus and other locations)
If Ohio is the ice cream capital of the world, then Graeter's reigns king within the capital. With ice cream joints located all throughout the state, this ice cream is famously made via a time consuming French pot process that makes two gallons of ice cream at a time.
5. Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt (Columbus and other locations)
A Youngstown-area favorite known for its exceptionally smooth ice cream. Handel's has also expanded with locations throughout northeast and central Ohio. (Because it's just too good to keep in one place.)
While the freshly made ice cream will certainly entice you to check out this beloved working dairy farm, it’s all the other fun things you can do at Young’s Jersey Dairy that will make you stay awhile. Young’s Jersey Dairy is located at 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Address: 532 McIntire Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701, USA
Address: 714 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Address: 2136 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, USA
Address: 5665 Feder Rd, Columbus, OH 43228, USA
Address: 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Ice Cream In Ohio
January 09, 2020
April Dray
Where can I find the best ice cream in Ohio?
It is difficult to determine where the best ice cream in the state can be found because there are several places where you can find exceptional homemade ice cream in Ohio. Some may argue that an old-fashioned parlor such as Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville is the best in the state. Others might argue that a family-owned and operated dairy farm such as Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster is the best in the state. It mainly depends on how you like your ice cream served. Doyou prefer unique flavors in cones, or a classic sundae topped with house roasted nuts? You decide.
What ice cream shops are only in Ohio?
There are several ice cream shops in Ohio that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. (Other Ohio-based chains such as Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Graeter’s Ice Cream simply couldn’t stay a secret from the rest of America for very long.) The local dairies and old-fashioned shops are the ice cream joints that are unique to only Ohio, such as Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs and Village Ice Cream Parlor in Lebanon. These hometown joints likely won’t be expanding anytime out-of-state soon—and that’s exactly what makes them a best kept secret to Ohioans.
Are there any old-fashioned ice cream parlors in Ohio?
You might be surprised to learn just how many old-fashioned ice cream parlors in Ohio exist. Some of our favorites include Big Ed’s Main Street Soda Grill in Vermilion and Aglamesis Brothers in Cincinnati—as well as Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville, of course. These are the types of shops where you can also find homemade candies to take home and even a grilled sandwich or two for lunch.
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
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