10 great Eastern Shore ice cream shops for beating the heat with a sweet treat

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is no stranger to the summer heat. Now, with temperatures slowly ticking up, beachgoers are in search of an air-conditioned place to escape the sweltering sun and enjoy a tasty treat.

Here's the scoop on some of the most beloved Eastern Shore ice cream shops, and where to stop in for a bite.

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1. Island Creamery

Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at the "Best Ice Cream Place in America;" and no, that is not an exaggeration. Island Creamery, located at 120 N Main Street in Berlin and 306 Dogwood Drive in Salisbury, was awarded the title on July 7, 2023, for its use of fresh, quality ingredients and creativity in its ice cream, floats, milkshakes and more.

The indie ice cream shop offers fun flavors such as Wallops Rocket Fuel, Rum Raisin and much more. Island Creamery has a total of three locations across Maryland and Virginia. Its original shop, located at 6243 Maddox Blvd on Chincoteague Island, opened in 1975 under Bob and Nancy Conklin as a candy store known as Mr. Chocolate.

2. Two Scoops Ice Cream & Waffles

Along with Island Creamery, the city of Salisbury is home to locally-owned ice cream shop Two Scoops Ice Cream & Waffles. The small business, owned by Nicole Rogers, is located at 100 E Main St., #110. The ice cream parlor, coffee bar and gift shop serves a wide variety of homemade ice cream flavors from The Frozen Farmer.

Two Scoops Ice Cream & Waffles offers patrons unique ice cream treats such as ice cream flights, floats, milkshakes, and gourmet sundaes. In addition, a patron's choice of ice cream can be served in a warm waffle cone or bowl. An array of beach-themed gifts, accessories and home décor are also available for purchase.

3. Dumser's Dairyland

Ocean City staple Dumser's Dairyland has been beckoning guests for approximately 85 years. Dumser's Dairyland, which officially launched in 1939, now has seven local, family-owned shops that serve a wide variety of fresh ice cream flavors — such as coconut chocolate chip, butter pecan and mint Oreo — within hours of its manufacture.

Dumser's Dairyland, located along Coastal Highway and on Ocean City's historic Boardwalk, offers patrons a large selection of milkshakes, sundaes, floats and much more. The business's 49th and 123rd Street locations capture the historic 50's diner look, and feature a menu of lunch and dinner options in addition to its frozen treats.

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4. PopCe’s Homemade Ice Cream

Be sure to check out PopCe's Homemade Ice Cream, located at 11312 Manklin Creek Road, Unit B-6, in Ocean Pines. The locally-owned ice cream shop celebrated its official grand opening in May 2023, and has been serving up homemade ice cream goodness to its devoted customers ever since.

PopCe's Homemade Ice Cream, co-owned by Bob and Celeste Miller, makes all of its hand-scooped ice cream on site, with local and all natural ingredients, fruits and coloring. Together, the pair's seven grandchildren call them Poppy and CeCe, hence the name of the ice cream shop: PopCe’s.

5. Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard

Like Dumser's Dairyland, Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard has become a staple along the Eastern Shore, as the small business has been serving up old-fashioned custard and ice cream on the East Coast since 1919. Kohr Bro's three Maryland locations include 709 South Atlantic Ave., 401 S. Boardwalk and 112 S. Boardwalk in Ocean City.

Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard offers treats that are lower in fat and sugar compared to ice cream. According to its website, Kohr Bro's menu features single flavors and twist combinations — from traditional vanilla and distinctive chocolate to its wide variety of real fruit flavors. Topping are also available to add on to any sweet treat.

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6. Southpole Ice Cream Roll

Southpole Ice Cream Roll, one of the first stores to supply Asian-style ice cream rolls in Ocean City, is a great place to escape the scorching summer sun. The ice cream shop, located mere steps from downtown Ocean City's historic Boardwalk at 10 N Division Street, combines Asian and American skills with modern elements.

In addition to cups of hand-rolled ice cream, Southpole Ice Cream Roll also offers frozen coffee and smoothies to-go. A few signature hand-rolled flavors include Morning Latte, Miss Nilla Wafers, Smores Galore, Strawberry Short Cake and more. Customers may add up to three toppings to their ice cream flavor of choice.

7. Justine's Ice Cream Parlour

In search of a quality ice cream shop? Justine's Ice Cream Parlour is an ideal place to pop by. The local ice cream shop, located at 12207 Coastal Highway, Ste A, is celebrating its 12th season in Ocean City. The small business is best known for its famous wall of 77 classic and signature shakes.

Justine's Ice Cream Parlour offers patrons a wide variety of sweet ice cream treats, including scoops, sundaes, hurricanes, milkshakes, snow cones and ice-cold beverages. The cherished ice cream shop teases even more new flavors and creative milkshakes to come this upcoming summer season.

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8. King Kone

After opening its doors on 143rd street in Ocean City during the summer of 1996, King Kone continues to be a beloved destination for many local residents and vacationers alike. Now, King Kone operates two separate locations along Coastal Highway — 69th Street and 143rd Street.

King Kone, whose mission is to make its customers happy, serves an array of quality Hershey's ice cream flavors such as Cappuccino Crunch, Moose Tracks, Cookies and Cream, and many more beloved creamy classics, all available for purchase as shakes and floats or in cones and cups.

9. Snow Daze

In need of a tasty treat, whether icy or creamy? Look no further than Snow Daze, one of the Eastern Shore's newest ice cream shops. The small, family-friendly business celebrated its official grand opening in May 2024, and teases an inaugural summer season filled with chill vibes and flavorful shaved ice.

Snow Daze, a shaved ice and ice cream shop all-in-one, is located at 9533 Stephen Decatur Highway in West Ocean City. Along with a menu filled with unique bites, the building that houses the establishment features a colorful mural depicting a mythical creature known as the yeti, or abominable snowman.

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10. A-La Cone

Be sure to also check out the newest face in Ocean City's business scene: A-La Cone. The brand-new ice cream shop can be found on Coastal Highway at 125th Street, right next to Sunsations and in the building that previously housed The Salad Box during the 2023 summer season.

A-La Cone is serving up "bubbly delight in every bite," according to its official Instagram page. The ice cream shop's menu includes 12 PopCe's Homemade Ice Cream flavors, all of which are available on warm bubble cones. A-La Cone's menu also features an array of fruity refresher drinks.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 10 great ice cream shops all around Eastern Shore to help beat heat