Posts from July 28th, 2023

When I was a kid, admittedly a long time ago, 15 cents would buy a cone from the window at The Puritan on the Daniel Webster Highway in Manchester, this after an afternoon of swimming across the DW at Livingston Pool.

Back then, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and strawberry were the staple flavors, with maybe a buttercrunch or maple pecan on the menu for the more adventurous kids. The cold ice cream and crispy cone on the walk home made the afternoon for us — sun kissed and smelling of chlorine — so much sweeter.

There is still nothing like spending a day in or around water that isn't more special if it ends with a cone to enjoy on the way home.

Most towns and cities across the state have one or more ice cream shops and you most likely have your favorites, but it's always fun to find a new scoop shop.

Check out the New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail, produced by Granite State Dairy Promotion. The trail features around 50 ice cream shops scattered across the state, listed by region. Pick up your map at any participating shop, collect the stamps and earn prizes.

Mount Washington Valley

The Barnyard Scoop Ice Cream Shop at Sherman Farm in Center Conway is about more than the ice cream, although with 18 flavors it's a great shop to visit for a cone, frappe, sundae, fun toppings and fresh berry sauces. Kids will love the farm-themed play area with goats to pat, corn hole to play and a giant Jenga, too. 

The handmade ice cream at McKaella's Sweet Shop on Route 16 in North Conway is made on-site using New Hampshire milk, cream and eggs. If you've ever wanted to try maple-bacon ice cream this is the go-to place. Standard flavors and specialty ice creams like Strawberry Fireworks made with Pop Rocks make it hard to decide what to order, which could mean a return trip! 

Find your favorite soft serve or hard ice cream at Trails End Ice Cream's two locations: in Intervale across from the Scenic Vista on Route 16 and at Settler's Green in North Conway. Along with cones Trails End features sundaes, banana splits, smoothies, shakes and hand packed pints. Sprinkles and smiles are free! 

Lakes Region & Central New Hampshire

Kellerhaus in Weirs Beach is the oldest (1906) ice cream and candy maker in New Hampshire. All the ice cream is made on-site, and beyond the cones in standard and unique flavors, Kellerhaus offers a make-your-own-sundae topping bar. The Colossus features a 10-scoop sundae with all the toppings — probably best enjoyed by a group of friends!  

Choose from pints, quarts and cones at Idle A While Antiques and Ice Cream in Bridgewater. The unique combo of ice cream treats and antiques makes it a must-stop destination for anyone exploring the countryside on an antiquing weekend. 

Enjoy views of Mount Moosilauke at Moose Scoops Ice Cream in Warren. The ice cream shop serves up scoops of both Giffords of Maine hard and Hatchland Farms soft ice creams. 

White Mountains & Great North Woods

Super Secret Ice Cream is a secret no more! Located on Bethlehem's Main Street, Super Secret is a farm-to-cone shop and promises that "no weird stuff" goes into their ice cream, just New Hampshire milk and cream and ingredients made in their kitchen or sourced from local farms and trusted partners. Scoops, pints, ice cream sandwiches and more with flavors changing on a regular basis.  

Wicked Good Dairy Delites at Hatchland Farm in North Haverhill is dairy farmer-owned. Ice cream is made on-site with 100 percent New Hampshire milk and cream. The ice cream menu includes hard and soft serve ice creams, shakes, floats, sundaes, frazzles, toppings & more.  

If you're hoping to spot a moose or two during your summer adventuring, head to Moose Alley on Route 3 in Pittsburg at the tip-top of the state where you'll have more than a fair chance of spotting one of the gangly creatures. You may or may not see a moose, but your trip will certainly be sweeter with a cone from Moose Alley Cones at the Partridge Cabins in Pittsburg. Moose Alley Cones serves Hershey's ice cream along with frappes, banana splits and "for those who like a challenge a banana bucket!"