Get the scoop on ice cream must-stops in Greater Fall River
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 16, but some things are worth celebrating every day.
This area is chock full of ice cream shops that go above and beyond when it comes to this classic frozen treat, each with their own unique spin on presentation — from waffle cones to pineapples to cereal bowls — and flavor.
Sprinkle some fun into your summer plans and hit the road on an ice cream tour of Greater Fall River that's certain not to disappoint. Here's a roundup of 15 destinations to add to your list:
Nonno's Ice Cream Shoppe
Open 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 270 Seabury St., Fall River. This family-run sweet spot that debuted just last year has something for everyone, including pup cups for your four-legged companion. Human ice cream lovers can enjoy a chocolate-dipped waffle cone or bowl filled with your favorite flavor as you relax at the nearby Ruggles Park. Check out Nonno's new cereal milk-flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Butterscotch Toffee, cap your Sunday Funday with a Strawberry Shortcake Sundae, or try one of their tempting ice cream sandwiches like the PB&J (peanut butter M&M cookie with strawberry ice cream).
Ice 'N' Roll
Open noon to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday at 4263 N Main St, Fall River. Ice 'N' Roll is known for their over-the-top rolled ice cream creations, such as Oreo Cheesecake or Cookie Monster, and milkshakes — Reese's inspired What's Up Buttercup shake, anyone? — brimming with crazy toppings, as well as shaved ice and frescas. Have your ice cream in a cup, bubble waffle or cereal bowl (when available). 'Tis the season for pineapples and coconuts, so roll in and get any signature rolled ice cream inside of either all summer long.
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Del's Lemonade
Nothing makes a New England summer quite like tipping back a slushy, sweet frozen Del's Lemonade and praying it doesn't end up all over your face (ditch that straw, this is the only way). No need to hunt down a Del's truck either. You can grab your refreshing flavor of choice — from watermelon to peach mango to cranberry to the classic lemon — at their Somerset storefront, 1624 GAR Highway.
Somerset Creamery
Open daily, from noon to 10 p.m., at 1931 GAR Highway, Somerset. The smell of fresh waffle cones has lured a horde of loyal customers back to this popular Route 6 summer hangout. The family-owned shop has been satisfying locals with homemade ice cream, sundaes and more since 1937, and is continuing that tasty tradition. Pop in and sample crowd favorites such as Cranberry Bog, Coffee Oreo and Cookie Dough. You can also check out Somerset Creamery's second location at 146 County St., Somerset.
Ice Cream Barn
If you're still holding out on your first cone of 2023, it's time to get a moo-ve on to the Ice Cream Barn. The local landmark that's part of Baker Farm, a sixth-generation working farm in Swansea, opened for the season on March 20. Their sweet offerings are all "barn made" on site, utilizing milk from their cows, and ingredients blended with their dairy — from fruits to mint to maple syrup to honey — are locally-grown. They're open daily from noon to 9:30 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) at 289 Locust St., Swansea.
Eskimo King
Open daily from noon to 9 p.m. at 29 Market St., Swansea, it's dubbed the place “where ice cream rules.” And how it got this motto is pretty clear from the constant stream of customers young and old lined up at its windows. At Eskimo King, you can take your pick from a vast menu of flavors — from hard ice cream, to specialty sundaes to over 350 soft serve options, as well as ice cream cakes and pies. See how many flavors you can try before it closes for the season in October. And while you're at it, how about lunch or dinner at the adjoining Red's Kitchen? The new eatery set up shop in the Eskimo King building in January and is the perfect complement to Eskimo's sweet offerings.
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Simcock Farm
Located at 293 Marvel St., Swansea, it's open Monday to Friday from 2 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy some award-winning Giffords Ice Cream as you take a stroll with the kids through the fourth-generation working farm and visit Simcock's "fur family," including miniature cattle and horses, donkeys, sheep and goats. Heading to Simcock to satisfy your sweet tooth is a no-brainer. Picking a flavor on the other hand can be difficult. Try a classic or mix it up with something new like S'mores or Mudpie. And don't forget to top it off with some whipped cream. You can ask for either partial whip (though we can't imagine why) or choose joy and go with the full whip option. Also, mark your calendars. Fall signals the return of their popular Sunflower Maze, PYO pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze, and their Spooky Sundae evening.
Gray's Ice Cream
Open 365 days a year — "because ice cream is good everyday" — at 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the warmer months. Located at 16 East Road, Gray's has been a local dessert destination since 1923. Folks from far and wide make the trek all year long — though it's especially bustling with vacationers, bicyclists and beach-goers in the summer — to enjoy a cone of their famous homemade ice cream as they sit atop their stone wall in the heart of the historic Tiverton Four Corners. Try their special flavors, including Apple Caramel Spice, Banana Chip, Black Raspberry Chip or Indian Pudding. And as the season turns you'll also find their signature fall flavors such as Pumpkin and Eggnog. They also have vegan options. There's a small, seasonal location, Gray's on the Dock, that's open from April through September at 259 Thames St., Bristol, R.I.
Helger's Ice Cream Shoppe
Open Monday to Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. (as of July 2) at 2475 Main Road, Tiverton. Family owned and operated since 1989, Helger's is just down the road from Gray's and is another popular stop for the beach-bound. There you'll find big scoops and plenty of flavors, such as S'mores, Moose Tracks, Peanut Butter Oreo and their unique pudding flavored ice cream.
Dockside Ice Cream
Open noon to 9 p.m. each day at 1 Bridge St., South Dartmouth. Serving the SouthCoast for decades, they have homemade Acushnet Creamery ice cream, freshly made waffle cones, vegan ice cream frappes, and more. Order the Cranberry Harvest, a cranberry-based ice cream with chocolate chunks, walnuts, and craisins.
Handy Hill Creamery
Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily at 55 Hix Bridge Road, Westport. There is something for everyone with hard and soft-served ice cream, sorbets, sherbets, vegan ice cream, frozen yogurt, no sugar-added ice cream, and Italian ice.
Lickety Splits Ice Cream
Open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday at 719 State Road, Westport,. Get a scoop or two of soft or hard served ice cream, frozen yogurt, no sugar added ice cream, or non dairy sorbet.
Hill Crest Ice Cream
Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at 332 Old Fall River Road, Dartmouth. Situated on an alpaca farm they are offering hot waffle sandwiches with your choice of ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, and more.
Annies Ice Cream Shack
Open each day from noon to 8 p.m. at 50 Middleboro Road, East Freetown. From cones to cups and sundaes to frappes, they have 41 flavors to choose from with special flavors each week all made by Acushnet Creamery.
John George Farms
Open every day from noon to 9 p.m. at 291 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. On the menu is a variety of ice cream flavors, with dairy-free options, sugar-free options, sherbet, and frozen yogurt.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: National Ice Cream Day: 15 places to get ice cream near Fall River
