New England has hard winters and hot summers. In the latter, little else compares to a heaping scoop of ice cream in terms of immediate joy. Luckily, the region is packed with glorious creameries offering their takes on ice cream classics and cerebral creations. There’s family-run spots and downtown staples. Dairy-free or watching fat or sugar intake? Plenty of shops don’t want to leave you out and have special offerings to show for it.

711 Park St., Attleboro

508-222-2884

Bliss makes their ice cream in house, and with over 65 flavors to choose from and monthly flavor specials, there will be no problem satisfying the whole family! Choose from their premium ice cream, no-sugar-added ice cream, frozen yogurt, non-fat frozen yogurt, sorbet, and sherbet!  

4288 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland

401-333-5053

Open all year offering seasonal flavors! In addition to their over 60 flavors, they have homemade ice cream pies, fudge, and pre-bagged penny candy.  

370 King St., Franklin

508-520-7900

You can tell by the creamy texture and flavor that this ice cream is made in house using the best and freshest ingredients. They create interesting flavor combinations like cannoli chip and apple cream, and offer fun sundaes. They focus on sustainability and organic ingredients.

268 Patriot Pl., Foxboro

508-543-8000

At Menchie's they focus on quality, variety, and innovation to offer you only the best-in-class frozen yogurt with limited-availability flavors in the store every month. You can choose from standard, nonfat, low-fat, tart, sorbet, no-sugar-added, and gluten-free. They also have custom frozen yogurt cakes!

789 East St., Mansfield

508-337-6473

This family-owned farm stand ice cream carries over 50 flavors in addition to several flavors of sugar-free ice cream, non-dairy sorbet, frozen yogurt, and sherbet. The ice cream is made locally at Richardson’s Dairy in Middletown, MA. Eat on their porch, in their famous BIG CHAIR, or take it to go!

88 Chilson Ave., Mansfield

508-339-0035

This is an exciting place to get your dessert fix! They are the only ice cream shop in Mansfield that sells its own homemade ice cream and they are family owned. The ice cream is made in small batches which guarantees your scoops are fresh, creamy, and loaded with flavor.

429 S. Washington St., North Attleboro

508-316-1380

Do you ever feel that need for something sweet and want to try something new? At Luna’s you will treat yourself to a hot fresh Liege waffle topped with your choice of 16 flavors of ice cream and two dozen topping choices!

80 Washington St., Plainville

508-695-8272

Currently Summer Scoops carries local ice cream from Beckon, Bliss, Giffords, and Crescent Ridge. They have standard flavors and specialties that change monthly. They take feedback from the community to create unique combinations like Fly Fishing Fudge (M&Ms, cookie dough pieces, chocolate chunks, and fudge swirl) and Cowabunga Crunch (vanilla ice cream loaded with chocolate chips, cookie pieces, toffee, pecans, and caramel swirl).

80 Taunton St., Plainville

508-316-1228

The soft-serve you know and love! Mix your flavors, and pile it high with a huge selection of toppings from candy, cookies, fresh fruit, sauces, and more! You can always return to try one of their NY-style bagels or delicious menu items.

407 Bay Rd., Sharon

781-784-2740

Their chocolate chip ice cream is handmade from an award-winning, 50-year-old Parrish family recipe! Reviews call them “somewhere between an ice cream stand and ice cream heaven.” They carry about 50 traditional flavors, the scoops are generous, and all flavors are KVH Kosher.  

19 Walpole Park S., Walpole

508-668-6899

Each cold fusion gelato and sorbet flavor is made by a person, not by a factory, and they follow the truest Italian traditions. Artisan means that it is hand-made, using all-natural ingredients sourced locally. The result is a silky, cool, uplifting fusion of flavor.

70 Randall Rd., Wrentham

774-307-7177

This adorable, pug-themed ice cream shop offers award-winning premium ice cream, soft serve, and locally made gelato and sorbet. They have gluten-free cones, which are rare to find! Be sure to try their unique ice cream panini… It shouldn’t work, but it does!