Nothing says summer quite like a late night ice cream run.
Whether you have spent the entire day on the beach or stayed inside all day in the A/C, ice cream is a staple of the summer season and can make any day that much sweeter.
Whether you like sundaes, milkshakes, dairy-free, ice cream sandwiches, or just plain vanilla ice cream in a cup, we have the spot for you.
Seeking something more adventurous?
“Soon to return this summer will be mango-basil,” says Melinda Shaw, director of operations at UDairy Creamery in Newark, “mango ice cream with candied basil grown on UD’s organic farm.
“We are following the nostalgia trend. as well as the light and fruity trend this summer,” Shaw continued. “We will also be bringing back Orange Cream, Do You Like Pina Coladas?, and a new rendition of S’mores. [We also] offer a rotating flavor of dairy-free sorbet. Currently it is passionfruit.
“Our shop stands out as we are primarily student-run,” Shaw explained. “Our ice cream and cheese is made mostly by UD students. We offer hands-on learning to students and all purchases directly support academic programming.”
Check out our list below for our scoop — let’s make it 10 scoops — on your new favorite ice cream shops:
Dairy Palace, New Castle
Dairy Palace has been a Delaware staple since Vince and Joy Parker opened its doors in 1956.
This family-owned and operated business is known for soft serve ice cream desserts. Stop by all summer to try something off of their expansive menu.
Dairy Palace is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekly, they host ‘Sundae Fundays” where they feature a special sundae. Some “Sundae Fundays” of the past have included: peanut butter & jelly sundae, caramel-chocolate pretzel sundae, raspberry-chocolate chip sundae, and an Island Chocolate Sundae.
Dairy Palace, 2 Jay Dr., New Castle, (302) 328-9740
Ice Cream Delight, Wilmington
Another family-owned and operated business, Ice Cream Delight is proud to be called “The Sweetest Place in Delaware.” And with over 52 flavors of soft serve ice cream, this title seems rather fitting.
Ice Cream Delight is known for their signature “Artic Swirl.” Choose from many toppings such as cookie dough, Reese’s, M&M’s, Snickers and more.
They also offer sundaes, sugar-free frozen yogurt, ice cream cakes, and even doggie sundaes so your pup can have a treat, too.
This shop is open Monday to Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
Ice Cream Shoppe, Wilmington
The Ice Cream Shoppe on Philadelphia Pike is well known for their award-winning ice cream, American muscle car displays and friendly employees.
This family owned business is all about giving back to their community all while feeding them delicious ice cream. The Ice Cream Shoppe offers “sponsorships for local sports teams, sponsorships to local cancer patients, and sponsorships to local schools, police and firemen.”
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The shop offers a large array of unique flavors including cappuccino crunch, moosetracks, birthday cake, banana pudding, and much more. All of their flavors are listed with ingredients on their website to address any allergy concerns.
Summer hours are Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
The Ice Cream Shoppe, 700 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, (302) 593-8207,
King’s Ice Cream, Lewes and Milton
You can find these homemade ice cre.am parlors in Lewes and Milton, Delaware.
This family-run business has been serving homemade ice cream to thousands of loyal customers for the last 40 years.
At King’s you can get milkshakes, soda floats, sundaes, banana splits, as well as traditional cones or cups.
The Lewes location is open from 1 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, while the Milton location is open from 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. weekends.
King’s Home Made Ice Cream Shops, 201 Second St., Lewes; 302 Union St., Milton; kingshomemadeicecream.com
Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts, Bethany Beach
This ice cream and coffee shop has been family-owned and operated since 2004.
Maureen’s offers 32 flavors of ice cream to choose from including several non-dairy options. They also offer several different kinds of desserts, including cake pops, vanilla cupcakes, and cakes including a cannoli cake and a chocolate mousse cake.
You also can book The Little Scoop to cater parties and events in Sussex County. This mini food truck will pull up to your event filled with yummy treats.
The shop is open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer, and you can stop in and grab your morning coffee on the way to work and stop for your a much-needed ice cream treat on your way home from work.
Maureen’s Ice Cream and Desserts, 99 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, (302) 539-5530, maureensicecream.com
Sweet Nel’s, Wilmington
Sweet Nel’s is focusing their business on being a sustainable and natural ice cream shop.
This shop offers açai bowls, gelato, baked goods, freshly made crepes, all day breakfast sandwiches and La Colombe coffee. They also make banana splits, milkshakes and sundaes.
Sweet Nel’s is open all year round Monday to Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m, to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sweet Nel’s, 3901 Concord Pike, Wilmington, (302) 256-0599, sweetnels.com
The Ice Cream Store, Rehoboth
If you want ice cream straight from the source, look no further than The Ice Cream Store in Rehoboth Beach. Jersey cows, local to Delaware, are bred specifically for ice cream.
They carry regular flavors that we all know and love like chocolate, chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla bean, etc., as well as some special homemade flavors. Those include Best Cake Ever, Brownie Batter Oreo, Captain Crunch, and more. For a full list of flavors, visit the website. With this large list of flavors, give yourself plenty of time to choose.
Hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
UDairy Creamery, Newark
An important part of the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the UDairy Creamery is a student-run, non-profit organization, utilized to help students learn business management, safety and production, sustainable agriculture, and more.
Ice cream sales began in the fall of 2008 and have been a beloved part of the UD community since then.
The UDairy Creamery uses their farm-fresh ingredients to make ice cream, cheese and other products including honey. They also have the Moo Mobile, a full-sized ice cream truck serving up to 20 flavors. Moo Mobile travels to the Delaware State Fair, as well as other community events.
The UDairy Creamery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
535 S. College Ave., Newark, (302) 831-2486,; udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/about/facilities-labs/udairy-creamery
Vanderwendes, multiple locations
Another farm-fresh, family-owned business is Vanderwendes Farms in
Bridgeville, where they make a fresh batch of ice cream every day. They also make
homemade waffle cones to go, but also offer cups and other cones.
At their shops, they also sell milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and banana splits, as well as pints and quarts of some of their flavors.
Vanderwendes also has their own ice cream truck that you can book for your special events through their website.
Popular flavors include banana fudge nut, orange-pineapple, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream and much more.
You can find their ice cream at several different shops in the area including Bridgeville Home Shop, Greenwood Shop, Dewey Beach Shop, and Fenwick Island Shop.
Vanderwendes, multiple locations, https://www.vanderwendefarmcreamery.com
Woodside Creamery, Hockessin
Woodside Creamery makes ice cream right there on the farm using the milk from their 30+ Jersey cows.
Ice cream lovers will find dozens of flavors on their menu including cake batter, chocolate almond, peanut butter & jelly and much more.
They’ll also choose from sundaes, milkshakes and banana splits, as well as ice cream cakes and pies.
Woodside Creamery is open daily from noon to 9 p.m. in the summer.
