I scream! You scream! We’re all screaming! Why are we screaming?! You guessed it: ICE CREAM!
Greater St. Cloud is full of not only the beloved classic cones and sundaes, but a variety of malts, shakes, and even froyo options. Here’s where you can freeze your brain and satisfy that ravenous sweet tooth of yours. Click the name of each place for more info, and enjoy responsibly (or don’t).
Keep it Classic
Dairy Queen (St. Cloud 2 locations, Sauk Rapids)
Everyone’s favorite cold treat Queen has two locations in St. Cloud and one in Sauk Rapids, serving up the classics you love from blizzards to banana splits. If you download their app before you visit, you can score sweet (lol) deals on treats too. What could be better than discounted calori-, I mean, ice cream?!
Fudgin’ Delicious Ice Cream
What if we told you that you could choose from 36 different ice cream flavors in one place? Well, you can! And that place is Fudgin’ Delicious, now open in the food court of Crossroads Mall in Waite Park and in Sartell of Highway 15 near Walmart. Fudgin’ Delicious serves up Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream as well as some food like burgers, hot dogs, and fries, and more! Sounds pretty fudgin’ great to us.
Mr. Twisty
If your cone doesn’t come with edible googly eyes, you’re doing it wrong. Mr. Twisty capitalizes on nostalgia with a walk-up counter open for the summer only. Sweet treats range from your standard cones to blended twisters, shakes, Italian ice, and more! They even offer hot fare if you want to make a whole meal out of it. This St. Cloud gem is a must-visit – and Instagramming your cone is mandatory.
Cold Stone Creamery
When we think Cold Stone Creamery, we think one thing: indulgence. If you’ve never been before, you might be startled when they slap your carefully-selected flavor of ice cream right on to a prep station – instead of in a cone or bowl. But you just wait, as they add in the toppings you select, you’ll begin to understand that this is a truly unique ice cream experience. Plus, if you ever want to be the favorite at a party, they also offer specialty ice cream cakes, cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, and more.
Rock Creek Coffeehouse
There are times that call for coffee, and times that call for ice cream. Then, there are times that call for both. Make a trip to Rock Creek Coffeehouse in Sauk Rapids to energize and cool down. Choose from unique flavors like cotton candy, brownie s’more, and peppermint bon bon!
Culver’s (East and West)
What’s the difference between custard and ice cream you ask? Ice cream is delicious, and custard is deeeeeliciousss! Culvers in St. Cloud and Waite Park offers only frozen custards and a variety of implementations, including sundaes, mixers, cones, malts, and shakes. Make sure to give their flavor of the day a try, it’s sure to be what you’re craving!
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Touting the “taste that brings you back”, Freddy’s serves up classics like malts, shakes and cones, as well as special creations like “Dirt ‘n Worms” sundaes or “Hawaiian Delights” concretes. Plus, try one of their Oreo or Nutter Butter Custard Sandwiches, or even grab a pint or quart to go! All of these delicious creations are made with their signature custard, and are the perfect chaser for a steakburger and fries – so save some room!
Shake it Up
Catalina’s Michoacana’s
Catalina’s Michoacana’s is an authentic Mexican ice cream shop with Mexican snacks, aguas frescas, dorilocos, elote, and of course ice cream! Everything from the trending Mexican Pink Drink to popsicles are sure to be a pop of color and flavor to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Insomnia Cookies
Known primarily for their late-night hot, delicious cookie delivery service, Insomnia Cookies also offers a variety of delicious ice cream flavors that you can choose to pair with their many cookies. Choose to have it as a sandwich, scooped onto one cookie, or even atop a warm, gooey brownie! They also sell ice cream by the pint and quart, just in case you can’t get enough of their many flavors.
Park Diner
What’s better than an overflowing milkshake that comes with a second cup for all the extras? An overflowing milkshake in a 1950’s style boxcar diner while listening to the Beach Boys and trying to tie cherry stems in knots with your tongue. Take a step back in time to the Park Diner, where you can indulge in great food and milkshakes with flavors like Heath Bar, Butterscotch, Pineapple and of course Cookies & Cream. Don’t forget your poodle skirt!
Val’s Rapid Serv
While Val’s is known for their greasy burgers and overflowing fries, the best kept secret of this fast-food gem are their milkshakes. Order your favorite flavor on the computer screens yourself, with a side of French fries for dipping in your shake! We promise, the too-full-belly after indulging here is totally worth it.
Cherry Berry Fro Yo
Trick yourself into believing that you’re making the healthy choice, and visit Cherry Berry Frozen Yogurt! Pick your base flavor, overload the toppings, and enjoy every bite. Whether you’re the classic Country Vanilla topped with M&Ms and chocolate sauce type, or the adventurous Mountain Blackberry topped with gummy worms and raspberry type, Cherry Berry has it all.
Shaka Shack Hawaiian Ice
Shaka Shack Hawaiian Ice is a delightfully different choice when it comes to frozen treat. Located outside the Crossroads Mall and only open in the summer, Shaka Shack serves up authentic Hawaiian ice in a variety of flavor combinations and sizes. You can also add on ice cream and sweet cream for a super sweet flavor experience! Check their social media regularly for their hours of operation.
Worth the Trip
The Local Blend – St. Joseph
Scoop, sundae, shake or split – pick your poison at the Local Blend in St. Joseph! They offer a variety of flavors, cones, toppings, and more. When the hardest decision of your day is whether to have a Brownie Deluxe Sundae or a Banana Split, you know it’s a good day.
Jupiter Moon Ice Cream – St. Joseph
Jupiter Moon Ice Cream serves up out-of-this-world good hand-crafted, small-batch ice cream by the scoop or pint. Located in St. Joseph, this adorable little shop offers cones, bowls, and even flights of their 15+ rotating ice cream flavors. Plus, their patio and walk-up window make it a perfect pit-stop for a sweet treat on a hot summer day.
Grilled Cravings – St. Joseph
This classic walk-up ice cream and burger shop serves up ice cream by the scoop in cones, sundaes, shakes and more in a wide variety of irresistible flavors. Customize the treats to whatever you’re craving.
Oak Station Coffee & Cone – Freeport
Located in a renovated barn, the vibe when you walk into Oak Station Coffee & Cone is one of a kind. Furnished with antiques and cozy as can be, there’s not a bad decision to be made on the menu board (unless you’re counting calories ;)) While it’s a little way from St. Cloud, Oak Station makes the perfect follow-up to a day at Hemker Park & Zoo!
Clearwater Travel Plaza – Clearwater
While the Clearwater Travel Plaza is home to many indulgences (ahem, ultimate mimosa bar, fritter bread, donuts… you know), they also offer an array of cold treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! With sundaes, shakes and malts in every flavor, you probably won’t be able to resist.
Briggs Lake General Store
Hidden inconspicuously in a general store in the tiny town of Palmer lies a general store with just about everything you need and more. Known for bait and tackle, cozy sweatshirts, and hardware products, the real treat here is dessert. Ice cream by the scoop served up in a bowl, cone, or whatever fits your fancy, this small town store has big time choices when it comes to its ice cream. Make sure to grab a picnic table out front to enjoy it before it melts!