The Ultimate Ice Cream Lovers Bucket List: 60+ Favorites!

Wonders Ice Cream Appleton
Wonders Ice Cream, Appleton

We are supporting local businesses and local dairy farms one sundae at a time! The weather is heating up and that’s perfect for these sweet treats! Here are the best ice cream, frozen custard (and event shaved ice) spots throughout Northeast Wisconsin and beyond thanks to reader recommendations and lots of ice cream lickin’. 

Some of these locations are favorites because of their unique flavors, some experience, some because of the people and some all of the above.

Who will accept this challenge with us? Let’s eat our way through this summer with an Ice Cream Trail Bucket List!

The Knotted Cone Gelato
The Knotted Cone Gelato Co.

Go Valley Kids Ice Cream Bucket List

  1. Analog Ice Cream and Coffee, Sister Bay
  2. Ardy & Ed’s Drive In, Oshkosh
  3. Babcock Hall, Madison
  4. Baskin-Robbins, Multiple Locations
  5. Beernsten’s, Manitowoc
  6. Brain Freeze Ice Cream Shop, Green Bay
  7. Belt’s, Stevens Point
  8. Caramel Crisp & Cafe, Oshkosh
  9. Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor, Manitowoc
  10. Charlie’s Drive-In, Hortonville
  11. Chubby Seagull, Sherwood
  12. Cold Stone Creamery, Multiple Locations
  13. Crazy Sweet, Apleton (Downtown)
  14. Culver’s, Multiple Locations
  15. Copper Rock Coffee Co., Appleton
  16. Dairy Queen, Multiple Locations
  17. Dick’s Drive In, Kaukauna
  18. Dippy’s Ice Cream Shop, Fish Creek
  19. Door County Candy, Sturgeon Bay
  20. Door County Creamery, Sister Bay, WI
  21. Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Shoppe, Sister Bay
  22. Doughlicious, Appleton
  23. Frio, Appleton
  24. Frogg’s Ice Cream, Sherwood
  25. Grumpy’s Ice Cream and Popcorn, Egg Harbor & Fish Creek
  26. Hansen’s Dairy & Grill, Green Bay
  27. Ice Clouds, Green Bay
  28. JD’s, Appleton
  29. Joe Jo’s Pizza & Gelato Gelato, Sister Bay
  30. Kelley Country Creamery, Fond du Lac
  31. Kist Kandies & Ice Cream, New London
  32. Kona Ice, Traveling
  33. Kopps, Milwaukee
  34. LaClare Family Creamery, Malone
  35. Lamers Dairy Country Store, Appleton
  36. La Princesa Michoacana, Green Bay
  37. Lemon Loves Lime Boutique, Menasha
  38. Leon’s Frozen Custard, Oshkosh
  39. Malibu Moo’s Frozen Griddle, Fish Creek
  40. Michael’s Frozen Custard, Madison
  41. Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard Frozen Custard, Fish Creek
  42. Nardi’s Affogato Bar, De Pere
  43. Paradise Island, Appleton
  44. Pine River Dairy, Manitowoc
  45. Purple Door Ice Cream, Milwaukee
  46. Red Mill, Waupaca
  47. Rhapsodies Frozen Custard, Oshkosh
  48. Sassy Cow Creamery, Columbus
  49. Scoop’s Ice Cream Parlor, Chilton
  50. Smart Cow Yogurt Bar, Green Bay
  51. Scoopers, Waupaca
  52. Scream ‘N Conuts, Two Rivers
  53. Sweets & Eats & Par-Tee Mini Golf, Green Bay
  54. The Knotted Cone Gelato Co., Traveling
  55. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor, La Crosse
  56. The Spoon, Sturgeon Bay
  57. The Twist, Greenville
  58. The Well Drive-In, Winneconne
  59. Tom’s Drive-In, Multiple Locations
  60. Vande Walle’s Candies Inc., Appleton
  61. Washington House Museum & Ice Cream Shop, Two Rivers
  62. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, Ephraim
  63. Wonders Ice Cream, Appleton
  64. Zesty’s Frozen Custard, Multiple Location

(More information about each listed below.)

Read More: Go Valley Kids Park Series

Frio, Appleton
Frio, Appleton

Ice Cream Shops in Appleton

Read More: Where to Find Murals in Appleton

Read More: 18 Fox Valley Family Friendly Nature Trails for Biking, Walking & Hiking

All Tied Up Floral Cafe

  • Hand scooped Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.
  • Wide range of coffee drinks, bakery, and flowers. Perfect for the indecisive, they offer a Flight of Ice Cream that has four smaller scoops.
  • N474 Eisenhower Dr, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Heart of the Valley YMCA, Valley Grand Movie Theater, CE Trail, Derks Park
  • alltiedupfloralcafe.com

Baskin-Robbins

  • Hand Scooped
  • 2436 W College Ave, Appleton, WI
  • 3421 N Ballard Rd, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Plamann Park, Memorial Park, Butterfly Garden
  • baskinrobbins.com

Cold Stone Creamery

  • Made-to-Order Ice Cream Made on a Frozen Granite Stone
  • 3420 E Calumet St D, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Derks Park, Lions Park
  • Fox River Mall, 4301 W Wisconsin Ave Ste 508, Appleton, WI
  • coldstonecreamery.com

Culvers

  • Frozen Custard
  • 3631 E Calumet St, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Derks Park
  • 599 N Westhill Blvd, Appleton, WI
  • 850 W Evergreen Dr, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Plamann Park, Badger Sports Park
  • culvers.com

Copper Rock Coffee Co.

  • Homemade Gelato Prepared in Downtown Appleton Gelato Kitchen
  • Wide range of espresso drinks, drip coffee, pour overs, smoothies, frappes, loose leaf tea and chai tea. Also serve a variety of bakery, cafe sandwiches, paninis, salads and soups daily.
  • 1835 E Edgewood Dr # 108, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Plamann Park, Badger Sports Park
  • 210 W College Ave, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Jones Park, City Park, Building for Kids, Appleton Public Library
  • copperrockcoffee.com

Crazy Sweet

  • Unique ice cream treats such as a Fro-Dough (ice cream inside of a donut) and other fun ice cream treats as well as a ton of candy!
  • 514 W College Ave, Appleton
    • Nearby Things to Do: Jones Park, City Park, Building for Kids, Appleton Public Library

Dairy Queen

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
    Reader recommendation: Triple Chocolate Utopia
  • 1813 N Richmond St, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Erb Park & Pool
  • 2000 S Oneida St, Appleton, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Jaycee Park, Newberry Trail, Riverview Gardens, Hoover Park
  • dairyqueen.com

Doughlicious

  • Hand Scooped Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
  • Cookie Dough Treats
  • 322 W College Ave, Appleton, WI
  • doughlicious-dessert-shop.business.site
    • Nearby Things to Do: Jones Park, City Park, Building for Kids, Appleton Public Library

Frio

  • Hand Scooped
    Reader recommendation: Avocado or mango with lime verde side by side in a dish.
  • Lots of delicious and unique treats including amazing churro sundaes!
  • 131 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI
  • friowisconsin.com
    • Nearby Things to Do: Erb Pool and Park, Replay Toys

JD’s Drive-In 

  • Soft Serve
  • 1939 E John St, Appleton, WI
  • facebook.com/JdsDriveIn
    • Nearby Things to Do: Schaefer Park, Meade Swimming Pool and Park, Lion’s Park, Derks Park

Kona Ice

Lamers Dairy Country Store

Paradise Island

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
    Reader recommendation: Blue Moon or Mint Chocolate Chip. My kids like Superman with gummy bears on top.
  • 2821 N. Ballard Rd, Appleton, WI
  • surfpi.com
    • Nearby Things to Do: Memorial Park

The Knotted Cone Gelato Co.

Tom’s Drive-In

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
  • 701 E Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI
  • 3301 E Calumet Street Appleton, WI
  • 501 N Westhill Blvd Appleton, WI
  • tomsdriveins.com

Vande Walle’s Candies Inc.

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • 400 N Mall Dr #8569, Appleton, WI
  • vandewallescandies.com
    • Nearby Things to Do: Fox River Mall

Wonders Ice Cream

  • Made to Order Rolled Ice Cream
    Reader recommendation: Matcha Berry
  • 2730 N Meade St, Appleton, WI
  • rolled ice cream desserts are handmade on the spot
  • wondersicecream.com
    • Nearby Things to Do: Memorial Park
Kona Ice Shaved Ice
Kona Ice

Ice Cream Shops in Neenah

Read More: Where to Find Murals in Neenah & Menasha

Dairy Queen

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
  • 450 S Commercial St, Neenah, WI
    • Reader recommendation: Don’t miss the popcorn here, it is delicious! We like to get the party bag and reheat it in the oven for movie night and snacks that week!
    • Nearby Things to Do: Riverside Park, Neenah YMCA, Doty Park, Neenah Swimming Pool, Wilderness Park
  • 910 Gay Dr, Neenah, WI
  • dairyqueen.com

Culvers 

  • Frozen Custard
  • 1161 Westowne Dr, Neenah, WI
  • culvers.com
  • Nearby Things to Do: Neenah Memorial Park

Tom’s Drive-In

  • Soft Serve
  • 1405 S Commercial St, Neenah, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Southview Park, Mahler Park, Rainbow Beach
  • 1395 W American Dr, Neenah, WI
    • Nearby Things to Do: Schlidt Park, Wiowash Trail, CB Trail
  • tomsdriveins.com
Toms Drive-In Appleton
Tom’s Drive-In

Ice Cream Shops in Menasha

Read More: Where to Find Murals in Neenah & Menasha

Lemon Loves Lime Boutique

Ice Cream Shops in Kaukauna

Read More: Where to Find Murals in Kaukauna

Dicks Drive-In

Ice Cream Shops in Greenville

The Twist

  • Soft Serve
  • Ice Cream Cones, Flurries, Sundaes, Shakes/Malts, Burgers, Cheese Curds, French Fries, Hot Dogs, Smoothies, Ice Cream Lattes, and Assorted Flavors of Slushies
  • N1716 Hyacinth Ln, Greenville, WI
  • facebook.com/ILoveIceCreamAlways
    • Nearby Things to Do: Lions Park, Jennerjohn Park

Ice Cream Shops in Hortonville

Charlie’s Drive-In

Dairy Queen

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
  • 241 E Main St, Hortonville, WI
  • dairyqueen.com

Ice Cream Shops in New London

Nearby Things to Do: Murals, Mosquito Hill Nature Center

Read More: Finding Murals in Unexpected Places in New London!

Dairy Queen

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
  • 600 N Water St, New London, WI
  • dairyqueen.com

Kist Kandies & Ice Cream

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
    Reader recommendation: Blueberry Waffle Cone
  • Kist Kandies & Ice Cream serves up a variety of candies, chocolates, fudge, and ice cream from our 100+ year old soda bottling facility in New London. View vintage Kist and Ting soda memorabilia as you enjoy your candy or ice cream treat!
  • 414 E Cook St, New London, WI
  • facebook.com/KistKandies
chubby seagull sherwood
The Chubby Seagull, Sherwood

Ice Cream Shops in Sherwood

Nearby Things to Do: Other fun things to do in Sherwood include the fun park playground and splash pad at Wanick Choute Park, High Cliff State Park and Calumet County Park. These ice cream shops are also on route to Ledgeview and the Brillion Nature Center.

Chubby Seagull

  • Cedar Crest Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
    Reader recommendation: Pirate’s Booty
  • The Chubby Seagull is a community gathering place featuring coffee, ice cream, pizza, mini golf, microbrews, wine and charcuterie boards. 
  • N7721B State Park Rd., Sherwood, WI
  • chubbyseagull.com

Froggs Ice Cream

  • Soft Serve
    Reader recommendation: Frogg in a Blender, turtle sundae.
  • N370 Military Rd., Sherwood, WI
  • froggsic.com

Ice Cream Shops in De Pere

Read More: 13 Green Bay Area Family Friendly Nature Trails for Biking, Walking & Hiking (and Waterfalls!)

Culver’s

Dairy Queen

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream and Treats
  • 1500 Scheuring Rd, De Pere, WI
  • 1081 N Broadway, De Pere, WI
  • dairyqueen.com

Nardi’s Affogato Bar

  • Homemade Artisan Gelato, Sorbeto
  • 109 N Broadway Street, De Pere, WI
  • gelato920.com

Zesty’s Frozen Custard

  • Frozen Custard
    Reader recommendation: Oreo scramble.
  • Each day Zesty’s makes 3 different flavors of frozen custard. Frozen custard is made every 3 hours.
  • When you see the machines running ask for a sample. It is the best right out of the machine!
  • Additional locations in Green Bay.
  • 3718 Riverside Dr, De Pere, WI
  • zestyscustard.com
Zesty's Frozen Custard, Green Bay
Zesty’s Frozen Custard, Green Bay

Ice Cream Shops in Green Bay

Read More: Where to find Murals in Green Bay

Read More: 13 Green Bay Area Family Friendly Nature Trails for Biking, Walking & Hiking (and Waterfalls!)

Baskin Robbins

Brain Freeze Ice Cream Shop

  • The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
    Reader Recommendation: Black cherry.
  • 1773 Cardinal Ln, Green Bay, WI
  • brainfreezegb.com

Cold Stone Creamery

  • Made-to-Order Ice Cream, Made on a Frozen Granite Stone
  • 2101 S Oneida St Ste 300, Green Bay, WI
  • coldstonecreamery.com/stores/21093
  • Nearby Things to Do: Lambeau Field, Titletown Park District

Culver’s

  • Frozen Custard
  • 1219 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI
  • 2945 Voyager Dr, Green Bay, WI
  • 909 Hansen Rd, Green Bay, WI
  • 11820 Velp Ave, Suamico, WI
  • culvers.com

Hansen’s Dairy & Grill

Ice Clouds

La Princesa Michoacana

  • Traditional Mexican “Paleteria” fruit bars (Paletas) are handcrafted with fresh cream, a wide variety of fruits, and other quality ingredients like walnuts, pistachios, and rich chocolate.
  • 1719 University Ave, Green Bay, WI
  • facebook.com/laprincesaguadalupana

Smart Cow Yogurt Bar

  • Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Sorbet, Italian Ice
  • 2321 S Oneida St, Green Bay, WI
  • 2450 E Mason St, Green Bay, WI
  • smartcowyogurt.com

Sweets & Eats & Par-Tee Mini Golf

Zesty’s Frozen Custard

  • Frozen Custard
  • Each day Zesty’s makes 3 different flavors of frozen custard. Frozen custard is made every 3 hours.
  • When you see the machines running ask for a sample. It is the best right out of the machine!
  • Also located in De Pere.
  • 2639 Lineville Road, Green Bay, WI
  • 508 Greene Ave., Green Bay, WI
  • zestyscustard.com
Smart Cow Frozen Yogurt Green Bay
Smart Cow Frozen Yogurt, Green Bay

Ice Cream Shops in Door County

Read More: Things to do in Door County with Kids

Analog Ice Cream and Coffee

Dippy’s Ice Cream Shop

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • 4199 Main St, Fish Creek, WI

Door County Candy LLC

Door County Creamery

Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Shoppe

Joe Jo’s Pizza & Gelato

Grumpy’s Ice Cream and Popcorn

Malibu Moo’s Frozen Griddle

  • Frozen Custard Cones, Sundaes, Malts, Hawaiian Shave Ice, Vienna Beef, Chicago Style Hot Dogs and Johnsonville Brats
  • Located on the water by the Marina, across the street from Clark Park. Outdoor decks and gardens for you to enjoy your treat, listen to music or just people watch. Beautiful water view. 
  • 4151 Maple St, Fish Creek, WI
  • malibumoosfrozengriddle.wordpress.com

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard

The Spoon

Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard, Fish Creek
Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard, Fish Creek

Ice Cream Shops in Oshkosh

Ardy & Ed’s Drive In

  • Cedar Crest Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
  • Classic drive-in with carhop servers on skates, offering hamburgers, hot dogs & root-beer floats.
  • 2413 S Main St, Oshkosh, WI
  • ardyandeds.com

Caramel Crisp & Cafe

  • The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
  • Known for their delicious popcorn and cookies. 
  • 200 City Center D, Oshkosh, WI
  • caramelcrispcorner.com

Rhapsodies Frozen Custard

  • Gourmet Frozen Custard
    Reader recommendation: Jazz Berry Jive or their banana split.
  • 1226 Oregon St., Oshkosh, WI
  • rhapsodiesfrozencustard.net

Leon’s Frozen Custard

  • Frozen Custard
    Reader recommendation: Banana split, turtle sundae, waffle cones.
  • 121 W. Murdock Ave., Oshkosh, WI
  • leonsfrozencustard.com

Ice Cream Shops in Winneconne

The Well Drive-In

  • Soft Serve
    Reader recommendation: Flavor burst cone.
  • 705 E Main St #9724, Winneconne, WI
  • thewelldrivein.com
  • Nearby Things to Do: Winneconne Village-Marble Park, Winneconne Historical Society Museum Complex

Ice Cream Shops in Malone

LaClare Family Creamery

  • Artisan Ice Cream Made from Goat Milk, Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • W2994 County Road HH, Malone, WI
  • laclarefamilycreamery.com

Ice Cream Shops in Chilton

Scoop’s Ice Cream Parlor

Ice Cream Shops in Fond du Lac

Kelley Country Creamery

  • Homemade Hand Scooped Farmstead Ice Cream – Variety of Flavors
  • 22 flavors available daily. Make sure to view the ice cream being made and mark your hometown on the maps. Voted “Best Ice Cream in America” on Good Morning America in 2013. Sit on the porch and watch the cows at the Kelley’s farm.
  • Signature Sundaes: Campfire Pit or the Farmer’s Wife, made with white chocolate raspberry ice cream topped with raspberries and chocolate syrup.
  • W5215 Co Rd B, Fond du Lac, WI
  • kelleycountrycreamery.com

Ice Cream Shops in Waupaca

Other Things to Do in Waupaca: Hartman Creek State Park

Scoopers

  • Cedar Crest Ice Cream – Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • N2518 Cleghorn Rd, Waupaca, WI
  • facebook.com/Scoopers

Red Mill

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • Make sure to walk along the creek path and get a picture on the iconic red bridge.
  • N2190 County Rd K, Waupaca, WI
  • facebook.com/redmillwaupaca

Ice Cream Shops in Two Rivers

Heading to Point Beach or Neshotah Park for the day? Here are some sweet spots to stop for a cold treat!

Scream ‘N Conuts

Washington House Museum & Ice Cream Shop

BONUS: Worth the Drive Ice Cream Shops!

If you find yourself exploring in these areas make sure to make a stop to try these sweet treats!

Kopps

  • Frozen Custard
  • There are 3 locations in the Milwaukee area – Greenfield, Brookfield, and Bayshore. The Greenfield location has a beautiful waterfall and outdoor seating area. Visit their website for different flavors every day.
  • 7631 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, WI
  • 18880 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, WI
  • 5373 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale, WI
  • kopps.com

Purple Door Ice Cream

  • Hand Scooped
  • Milwaukee’s super-premium, hand-crafted artisan ice cream made from quality, local ingredients. Can’t decide? Get a flight!
  • 205 S. 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI
  • purpledooricecream.com

Belt’s

  • Soft Serve
  • Go big or go home. Belt’s has impressive big ice cream cones! If you can’t choose between flurries get a combo. Flurries are served with a treat on top.
  • 2140 Division St, Stevens Point, WI
  • facebook.com/Belts-Soft-Serve

Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • Make sure to take a picture with the big cow in front! Best known for the Blue Moon ice cream.
  • 2000 South 10th Street, Manitowoc, WI
  • www.cedarcresticecream.com

Beernsten’s

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • 108 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc, WI
  • Beerntsens.com

Pine River Dairy

Babcock Hall

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • Our Super Premium, Sherbet and Greek Frozen Yogurt and lactose free flavors are made with plant based stabilizer.
  • The Babcock Hall Dairy Store also has guided tours from the second-story observation deck that overlooks the plant. UW-Madison student tours include general processes at the plant, from the receiving the milk to the finished product. Visitors will be able to view production lines for milk bottling, ice cream and cheese making. Tours last about 15-20 minutes.
  • If you are at the Memorial Union Terrace you can find Babcock ice cream fix at Daily Scoop.
  • 1605 Linden Drive Madison, WI
  • babcockhalldairystore.wisc.edu

Michael’s Frozen Custard

  • Frozen Custard
  • 5602 Schroeder Rd, Madison, WI
  • 3826 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI
  • 2531 Monroe St, Madison, WI
  • ilovemichaels.com

Sassy Cow Creamery

  • Hand Scooped Ice – Variety of Flavors
  • Sassy Cow Creamery is located 20 minutes north of Madison. Watch the milk bottling process and take a farm tour as well.
  • W4192 Bristol Rd, Columbus, WI
  • sassycowcreamery.com

The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

  • Hand Scooped – Variety of Flavors
  • Nostalgic 1930s-style shop selling ice cream, sodas, malts & milkshakes, plus handmade candies.
  • 207 Pearl St, La Crosse, WI
  • pearlicecream.com

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