If you’ve ever Googled “Connecticut ice cream trail” and wound up with the same old tourist traps, buckle up your waffle cone. I spent two sticky weeks zig-zagging from Bantam to Stonington, spoon in hand, to curate 30 homemade ice-cream shops worth every brain freeze. From farm-fresh cow-to-cone joints to nitrogen-fog TikTok palaces, this guide drops the essentials (hours, addresses, insider flavors) so you can plan a sugar-high road trip without the guesswork. Ready to swap GPS recalculating tones for the sound of wooden benches and clinking sundae spoons? Let’s roll.
1. Arethusa Farm Dairy
Hours: Sun–Thu 10:30 AM–8 PM | Fri–Sat 10:30 AM–9 PM
Address: 822 Bantam Rd, Bantam, CT 06750
Website: arethusafarm.com
Stepping into Arethusa feels like walking into a dairy lab run by obsessive Swiss watchmakers - every lick is calibrated for maximum creaminess. I ordered the cult-favorite Sweet Cream and swear I could taste the grass their cows ate that morning. The scoopers will nerd-out about butterfat percentages if you let them, so budget chat time along with calories.
2. Ferris Acres Creamery
Hours: Mon–Sat 11 AM–8:30 PM | Sun 11 AM–5 PM
Address: 144 Sugar St, Newtown, CT 06470
Website: ferrisacrescreamery.com
The line curls past grazing cows, an Instagram reminder that your sundae was clover two hours ago. I went full send on the Banana Nutella and immediately considered relocating to a pasture. Hot tip: portions here are farm-hand gigantic, so “small” is code for “quitters need not apply.”
3. Rich Farm Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30 AM–9 PM | Sun 11 AM–8 PM
Address: 691 Oxford Rd, Oxford, CT 06478
Website: richfarmicecream.com
Rich Farm is basically a cow-to-cone sprint: milk leaves the parlor at dawn and lands in tonight’s Oreo Krunch. The texture? Think gelato on protein powder, dense enough to bend the spoon. I always nab a pint for “later” and finish it before I hit Route 67.
4. UConn Dairy Bar
Hours: Daily 11 AM–9 PM
Address: 17 Manter Rd, Storrs, CT 06269
Website: Uconn Dairy Bar
Born in 1953 to keep ag-school cows employed, the Dairy Bar still whips its own ice cream steps from the classroom. Grab a Husky Tracks (peanut-butter swirl + mini cups) and watch students pretend it’s a study session. If you’re lucky, they’re testing a weird one-off flavor, yes, blueberry cheesecake belongs on a résumé.
5. Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Sun 12 PM–9 PM (Mar 1–Oct 31)
Address: 473 Shetucket Tpke, Griswold, CT 06351
Website: buttonwoodfarmicecream.com
Buttonwood is summer bottled: sunflowers out front, 50 flavors inside, and calves moo-bombing every selfie. Their Watermelon Sherbet tastes like August on a waffle cone, seeds swapped for chocolate chips. Pro move: visit during the Sunflower Festival, snag a cone, and let the bees judge your flavor choice.
6. Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Thu 12 PM–9 PM | Fri–Sat 12 PM–10 PM | Sun 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 2 W Main St, Mystic, CT 06355
Website: mysticdrawbridgeicecream.com
I grab a cone here and watch the drawbridge lift like it’s my own personal stage show, boat horns, tourists, the works. Their Mystic Mud (espresso, fudge, Oreo rubble) is basically legal rocket fuel, so plan for jitters. Bonus: they’ve been churning on-site since the 1800s, which makes my double scoop a history lesson.
7. Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream
Hours: Daily 12 PM–8 PM (Mar–Oct)
Address: 20 Darling Rd, Salem, CT 06420
Website: salemvalleyfarmsicecream.com
Eighty flavors on the board feels like multiple-choice panic, so I default to Cow Tracks (PB cups + fudge ribbon = chaos). Picnic tables sit under pines like a Norman Rockwell painting, minus the brain freeze screams. Cash only, so hit the ATM first or barter your car keys.
8. Sweet Claude’s Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Sun 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 493 W Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410
Website: sweetclaudesicecream.com
This place is a sugar-high time warp, neon menu, tin ceilings, and sundaes served in vintage glass goblets. Their Chocolate Lace tastes like someone melted a Heath bar straight into the batch. Lines wrap the block on humid nights, but locals treat it like a block party, so lean in.
9. Grassroots Ice Cream
Hours: Daily 11 AM–9 PM
Address: 4 Park Pl, Granby, CT 06035
Website: grassrootsicecream.com
Ever had Honey-Lavender in a black-sesame waffle cone? Grassroots makes it happen. The shop shares a building with a street-food kitchen, so your “quick cone” usually morphs into tacos + ice cream + food coma. I leave smelling like coconut milk and glory.
10. A.C. Petersen Farms
Hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–11 PM | Fri–Sat 8 AM–12 AM | Sun 8 AM–11 PM
Address: 240 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT 06119
Website: acpetersenfarms.com
Part classic diner, part dairy lab, order a banana split and watch the whipped cream sail past your head. They’ve been churning since 1939, so the ice cream’s older than Instagram by a mile. Pro move: grab a pint to-go; it melts slower than traffic on I-84.
11. Milkcraft
Hours: Daily 11 AM–11 PM
Address: 1215 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
Website: milkcraft.com
Liquid-nitro clouds billow like a rock concert while they flash-freeze your Cone-A-Copia (bubble cone + burnt-honey marshmallow). It’s equal parts dessert and TikTok backdrop, embrace the spectacle. The texture is crazy dense; you’ll finish slower than your phone’s recording buffer.
12. Robb’s Farm Ice Cream
Hours: Sat–Sun 12 PM–5 PM (winter drive-thru); May–Sept Thu 4-7 PM & Fri–Sun 12 PM–8 PM – always check Facebook before you roll
Address: 91 Wassuc Rd, South Glastonbury, CT 06073
Website: robbsfarm.com
Pull up to Robb’s and you’re in a real-deal farm driveway, cows on the left, an emu named Frosty on the right, and a drive-thru window doling out pints like a dairy speakeasy. Their “Gravel Road” (salted-caramel ribbons + chocolate-covered almonds) is so addictive the locals buy quarts by the flat. On full scoop weekends you can ditch the car, pet the goats, and watch calves photobomb every waffle-cone selfie.
13. Michael’s Dairy
Hours: Daily 12 PM–9 PM (Mar–Oct)
Address: 629 Montauk Ave, New London, CT 06320
Website: michaelsdairynl.com
Since the 1930s, this college-run scoop shop has fueled Coast Guard cadets and beachgoers alike. One lick of Husky Hazelnut and you’ll forgive the parking hassle. Grab a bench - ships cruise by, gulls beg, and your sundae becomes performance art.
14. We-Li-Kit Ice Cream
Hours: Daily 11 AM–8 PM (Apr–Oct)
Address: 728 Hampton Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259
Website: we-li-kit.com
Cows graze 20 feet from the order window, talk about local sourcing. Their Cream of Maple is basically Vermont in a cone, minus the ski traffic. Bring cash; the Wi-Fi is as rural as the vista.
15. Peaches n’ Cream
Hours: Sun–Thu 12 PM–8:30 PM | Fri–Sat 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 632 Torrington Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759
Website: peachesncreamct.com
I hit this roadside stand for a double scoop of Coconut Almond Joy, instant island vacay on Route 202. Picnic tables sprawl under fairy lights, and the farm cow mascot photobombs half my selfies. Portions? Let’s just say “small” sinks my kayak bag.
16. Big Dipper Ice Cream Parlour
Hours: Mon–Sun 12 PM–8:30 PM
Address: 91 Waterbury Rd, Prospect, CT 06712
Website: bigdipper.com
Neon-pink walls, 1950s jukebox, and a menu that still spells “creemee.” I splurged on Peanut-Butter Avalanche, then walked laps in the parking lot pretending that counts as cardio. Family-run since ’92 and proud of every sprinkle.
17. Ashley’s Ice Cream
Hours: Daily 12 PM–10 PM
Address: 280 York St, New Haven, CT 06511
Website: ashleysicecream.net
Yale kids cram in for “College Cappuccino,” leaving chalkboard flavor puns all over the walls. Their hand-whipped whipped cream is so airy I considered using it as pillow stuffing. Pro tip: free gummy bear topping if you cowbell the counter, don’t ask, just do it.
18. Walnut Beach Creamery
Hours: Daily 12 PM–10 PM (summer)
Address: 17 Broadway, Milford, CT 06460
Website: walnutbeachcreamery.com
Beach sand still between my toes, I ordered a scoop of Lemon Lavender that tasted like Cape Cod perfume, in a good way. The line wraps around surfboards but moves quick; everyone’s too chilled to rush. Grab a pint and watch the sunset over Long Island Sound - chef’s kiss.
19. Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Sat 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 3697 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06518
Website: wentworthhomemadeicecream.com
This converted dairy barn serves Butter Pecan so loaded with nuts it crunches like granola. They’re closed Sundays, apparently even ice-cream angels need a day off. I devour my cone under string lights strung between apple trees.
20. Main Street Creamery & Café
Hours: Daily 11 AM–10 PM
Address: 271 Main St, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Website: mainstreetcreamery.com
Historic Old Wethersfield + homemade Toasted Coconut = tourist trap worth every calorie. They sling espresso too, so affogato happens whether you planned it or not. Sit on the brick patio and watch antique hunters lug chairs past, free entertainment.
21. Dr. Mike’s Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Thu 12 PM–9 PM | Fri–Sun 12 PM–10 PM
Address: 158 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT 06801
Website: drmikesic.com
Only two machines, one mad scientist, and butterfat levels that qualify as a food pyramid. The Chocolate Lace has shards sharp enough to double as a spoon, respect. Seating is two benches; the rest is sidewalk dance-party.
22. Praline’s Own Made
Hours: Daily 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 107 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062
Website: pralinesownmade.com
Original flagship of the CT mini-chain, still hand-mixing Butter Brickle like it’s 1984. Wall-to-wall cow décor reminds you who’s boss. Don’t skip the ice-cream pizza, yes, that’s a thing, and yes, it travels well in a cooler.
23. Fort Hill Farms Lavender Creamery
Hours: Sun 11 AM–4 PM | Tue–Sat 2 PM–4 PM (seasonal)
Address: 260 Quaddick Rd, Thompson, CT 06277
Website: forthillfarms.com
Cone in one hand, lavender field selfie in the other, it’s the CT Provence. Their Blueberry Lavender is basically bottled July. Slow hours mean the farmer herself often hands you the scoop and crop gossip.
24. Honeycone Craft Ice Cream
Hours: Mon–Thu 3 PM–8 PM | Fri 3 PM–9 PM | Sat–Sun 12 PM–9 PM
Address: 29 Main St, Chester, CT 06412
Website: honeyconecreamco.com
Small-batch flavors rotate faster than your Spotify playlist, think Brown-Butter Honeycomb or Thai Tea Oreo. The shop is tiny, but streetside bistro chairs turn Main Street into a gelato runway. Bring a cooler; you’ll leave with pints.
25. Bishop’s Orchards Creamery
Hours: Sun–Thu 11 AM–9 PM | Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM
Address: 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437
Website: bishopsorchards.com/creamery
Fruit from their own orchards dives into flavors like Peaches-n-Cream, 100-yard food, anyone? Hit the farm market first so your apples feel less lonely next to a Blitz sundae. Outdoor seating overlooks apple rows—rustic vibes for days.
26. Durham Dari Serve
Hours: Daily 12 PM–9:30 PM (summer)
Address: 13 Main St, Durham, CT 06422
Website: Durham-Dari-Serve
Old-school walk-up window with prices that feel illegally low. Their Graham Central Station is my new emotional support flavor. Locals grab quarts like gas-station milk, stock up or cry later.
27. ConeHeads Creamery
Hours: Mon–Thu 4 PM–9 PM | Fri 4 PM–10 PM | Sat 12 PM–10 PM | Sun 12 PM–9 PM Address: 95 Hartford Tpke, Vernon, CT 06066
Website: coneheadscreamery.com
Mini-golf next door, 32 homemade flavors inside, my inner 12-year-old exploded. The Cookie Monster (bright-blue chaos) stains tongues and Instagram feeds equally. Owner’s goal? “Make Vernon the happiest place off I-84.” Mission accepted.
28. Silverman’s Farm Creamery
Hours: Weekends Sept–Oct (weather permitting)
Address: 451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 06612
Website: silvermansfarm.com
Apple-picking mandatory, then raw-honey ice cream churned in a retro trailer. The orchard panorama makes every cone a postcard. Cider-donut sundae? Yes, and you’ll still want pie.
29. Tulmeadow Farm Store
Hours: Daily 9 AM–9 PM (summer)
Address: 255 Farms Village Rd, West Simsbury, CT 06092
Website: tulmeadowfarmstore.com
Gourmet ice cream on a 250-year-old farm, history never tasted so good. Maple Bacon scores smoky-sweet points, then cows moo approval from the pasture. Grab frozen pints; you’ll need a souvenir more sensible than hay bales.
30. Shady Glen Dairy Stores
Hours: Daily 7 AM–10 PM
Address: 840 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT 06040
Website: Shady Glen
Home of the legendary “cheese-wing” burger, but the ice cream is equally iconic, Pistachio so green it glows. 1950s décor means chrome stools and jukebox tunes while you work on a tin-roof sundae. Bring cash for the walk-up dairy counter or risk a side-eye from decades of regulars.
Your Turn to Hit the Trail
That’s the full Connecticut Ice-Cream Trail, 30 stops, zero soft-serve impostors, and more butterfat than a state fair. Screenshot the list, pack a cooler for pints, and tag @ConnecticutBuzz when you conquer a new scoop (bonus points for drippy cone selfies). I update this trail every season, so drop any must-try homemade spots in the comments. Craving more hyper-local guides like this?
Subscribe to the Connecticut Buzz newsletters and get fresh weekend itineraries - no spam, just sprinkles, delivered straight to your inbox. Happy licking!