New England’s Best Ice Cream

Summer isn’t over yet! In the mood for ice cream? Check out our picks for the top ice cream locales around.

Ben and Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s is a New England institution; thousands travel to its Vermont headquarters every year to see how its tasty creations are made. Besides its unique flavors, the company also promotes environmentally friendly business practices.

Try: Chocolate Therapy, Chocolate Nougat Crunch, and Cherry Garcia.

I-89 Exit 10 to Route 100 North, Waterbury, Vt., 802-882-1240; www.benandjerrys.com

Kimball Farm Ice Cream

Kimball Farms, with three locations in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire, is famous for its huge portions and delicious homemade flavors. Stop by the Westford location for mini golf, bumper boats, a nine-hole pitch-n-putt and a driving range, sure to help you work off all the ice cream.

Try: Mocha Almond Assault (coffee ice cream with chocolate covered almonds and a fudge swirl); Raspberry Chocolate Chip.

400 Littleton Road, Westford, 978-486-3891; 158 Turnpike Road (Route 124), Jaffrey, N.H., 603-532-5765; 343 Bedford Road (Route 225), Carlisle, 978-369-1910; 1543 Lunenberg Road (Route 70), Lancaster, 978-534-9800; www.kimballfarm.com

Gray’s Ice Cream

Located at the historic Four Corners in Tiverton, R.I., Gray’s Ice Cream has been dishing out homemade ice cream for over 90 years. The fact that, unlike most ice cream places, their doors are open 365 days a year doesn’t hurt either.

Try: Strawberry Cheesecake, Coffee Chip.

16 East Road, Tiverton, R.I., 401-624-4500, www.graysicecream.com

BerryLine

Okay, okay, so it’s not technically ice cream. But we just couldn’t leave BerryLine off the list. It could be the pure simplicity of their menu. It could be the fresh toppings. It could be the local pride. Whatever it is, BerryLine has quickly gotten a huge following at its four Boston and Cambridge locations.

Try: Passion Fruit.

Locations in Harvard Square, Porter Square, Fenway, and Newbury Street, www.berryline.com

Hayward’s Ice Cream

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Hayward’s Ice Cream, which has served up ice cream in Nashua, N.H. for more than 70 years, has added four new permanent flavors to the menu, including Reese’s Pieces and Watermelon sherbert. Add those to the already long list of flavors, plus the flavors of the month, and you’ll have a tough time keeping up.

Try: Southern Apple Pie and Peanut Butter Snickers.

7 D.W. Highway, Nashua, N.H., 603-888-4663; 383 Elm St., Milford, N.H., 603-672-8383, www.haywardsicecream.com

Friendly’s

Although they also have full menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s quite apparent that Friendly’s was built around ice cream. Founded in 1935 in Springfield, Friendly’s allows you to get creative or keep it simple with one of the 20-something homemade flavors at each location.

Try: Forbidden Chocolate, Mint Cookie Crunch Sundae.

Various locations throughout New England.

Christina’s Ice Cream

With flavors like Carrot Cake, Green Tea, and Adzuki Bean, Christina’s Ice Cream in Cambridge boasts one of the most unique flavor lists in New England. Stop into the cute shop and check out the daily list of flavor offerings. Flavors are seasonal, so check back often for new options. If you feel like playing it safe, no worries — Christina’s also offers three different kinds of vanilla.

Try: Burnt Sugar; Honey Lavender; Fresh Rose.

1255 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-492-7021, www.christinasicecream.com

White Farms Homemade Ice Cream

You don’t have to worry about missing this famous ice cream stand — the giant cow on the roof is difficult to pass by. White Farms, famous for its dedicated following and larger-than-life portions, has been doling out ice cream to locals since 1953. Stop by and eat your cone sitting at one of the nearby picnic tables, or make a meal out of it by grabbing a burger or hot dog before your ice cream.

Try: Frozen Pudding; Grapenut; Key Lime Pie.

326 High St. (Route 133), Ipswich, 978-356-2633, www.whitefarms-icecream.com

Lizzy’s Ice Cream

Lizzy’s, with locations in Waltham, Needham, and Harvard Square, offers more than 50 flavors of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, tofutti, and “adult’’ (Armagnac and French Plum, anyone?) confections, so be sure to take some time to digest the menu before choosing a flavor. Or grab a Grab n’ Go Sundae Party Kit , which has everything you need to create five delicious ice cream sundaes.

Try: Orange Pineapple; Charles River Crunch.

367 Moody St., Waltham, 781-893-6677; 29 Church St., Cambridge, 617-354-2911; 1498 Highland Ave., Needham, 781-455-1498.; www.lizzysicecream.com

Four Seas Ice Cream

The oldest ice cream shop on the Cape got its name from the “four seas’’ surrounding it — Cape Cod Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Nantucket Sound, and Buzzards Bay. Since 1924, the shop has been serving thousands of beachgoers every summer season. Try the coffee sundae, topped with maple syrup-soaked walnuts, or try a classic flavor topped with creme de menthe syrup.

Try: Lemon Crisp; Fresh Peach; Cantaloupe.

360 S. Main St., Centerville, 508-775-1394, www.fourseasicecream.com

J.P. Licks

With 13 locations scattered in and around Boston (including the newest location at Assembly Row in Somerville), JP Licks is a Boston legend. With unique flavors every month, you’ll be able to explore new options every time you go.

Try: Oreo Cake Batter; Coffee Chip low fat hard yogurt.

Locations in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Newton Centre, Dedham and Chestnut Hill, www.jplicks.com

Herrell’s Ice Cream

Head to Herrell’s for one of its famous Smoosh-Ins. Pick your favorite ice cream and three of 30 candies, nuts, and fruits offered, and watch the staff smoosh everything together for you. Or grab a cone of some of the unique flavors the shop offers, including Chocolate Peppermint, Mochaccino, or Pina Colada.

Try: Malted Vanilla; Chocolate Pudding.

Locations in Shelburne Falls, Williamstown, and Northampton, www.herrells.com

Jennifer’s Frosty

Jennifer’s Frosty has been a Boston Common institution since 1990. The truck, decorated with a “Make Way for Ducklings’’ painting and a Red Sox flag, parks at the corner of Arlington and Boylston streets every day from April through October. Stop by before hopping on the Swan Boats for a tasty “double-header’’ cone —half vanilla and half chocolate.

Try: chocolate, vanilla, or twist.

Corner of Arlington and Boylston streets, Boston

Emack and Bolio’s

Emack and Bolio’s makes super premium ice cream perfect for the health-conscious sweet tooth — they only use all-natural ingredients. Try one of their unique flavors topped with homemade hot fudge, created fresh in small batches to ensure the best taste.

Try: Grasshopper Pie (crème de menthe liqueur with Oreos and chocolate flakes); Deep Purple Chip (black raspberry ice cream with white and dark chocolate chips).

Locations throughout Massachusetts, www.emackandbolios.com

Peaceful Meadows

Farm-fresh ice cream is a staple at this shop. Enjoy creative flavors like Orange-Pineapple and Cappuccino Chunk, or go for the amazing Fudgernutter sundae, featuring vanilla ice cream, peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, marshmallow, whipped cream, and peanuts.

Try: Frozen Pudding; Grapenut; Cappuccino Chunk.

60 Bedford St., Whitman, 781-447-3889; 109 W. Grove St., Middleboro, 508-947-1322; 170 Water St., Plymouth, 508-746-2362; www.peacefulmeadows.com

Farfar’s Danish Ice Cream

Simple, sweet, and delicious, Farfar’s (Danish for “grandfather’’) knows great ice cream. The secret of this rich ice cream is its super-high level of butterfat, so forget the diet. Grab a cone, sit outside with friends, and enjoy the sunshine.

Try: Hawaiian Delight (vanilla ice cream with pineapple, mango, and banana).

272 St. George St., Duxbury, 781-934-5152, farfarsicecream.com/

Shaw Farm

The last operating dairy farm in the Greater Lowell area, Shaw Farm offers an array of dairy products for pickup or home delivery, including its homemade ice cream. The cows are still milked twice daily to produce some of the freshest ice cream around.

Try: Vanilla Brownie; Coconut Custard; Fudgey Vanilla.

204 New Boston Road, Dracut, 978-957-0031, www.shawfarm.com

Brown’s Ice Cream

Brown’s Ice Cream, built into the rocks around the corner from Nubble Light in York, Maine, has been providing tasty treats to summer vacationers for more than 40 years. Steve Dunne, who runs the shop, says Brown’s serves up more ice cream in its six-month season than any other ice cream shop in Maine. Try the tartar sauce flavor, which includes vanilla ice cream with white chocolate chunks and pistachios, or stick with old-fashioned flavors such as Ginger, Indian Pudding, and Rum Raisin.

Try: Maine Tracks (vanilla ice cream with a chocolate swirl, peanuts, and chocolate chip cookies), Maine Survivor (vanilla ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter swirls and peanut butter cups).

232 Nubble Road, York, Maine, 207-363-1277, browns.com

Loan Oak

Lago’s Lone Oak, with locations in Rochester and Rye, serves up some of the creamiest ice cream in New Hampshire. Try one of the hand-dipped cones, or go for a Polar Joe, your choice of ice cream topped with cold coffee and whipped cream.

Try: Peanut Butter Cup; Kahlua Fudge Brownie; Muddy Sneakers (White chocolate ice cream with a caramel swirl and chocolate chips).

175 Milton Road, Rochester, N.H., 603-332-1809; www.loanoak.com

Sundae School

Three locations make Sundae School an easy stop no matter where on the Cape you lay out your beach towel. Open on weekends, the main Dennisport location boasts an old-fashioned marble soda fountain, and families flock to take photos in front of the 1938 antique ice cream truck parked outside.

Try: Bass River Mud (coffee ice cream with a fudge stripe, roasted almonds, and chocolate chips); Milky Way (light chocolate and butterscotch ice cream with chunks of Milky Way candy bars); Peppermint Candy (peppermint ice cream with crunchy peppermint candy).

606 Main St., Route 28, Harwich Port, 508-430-2444; 381 Lower County Road, Dennisport, 508-394-9122; 210 Main St., East Orleans, 508-255-5473; www.sundaeschoolicecream.com

The James Gallery and Soda Fountain

This ice cream shop, located next to a bed-and-breakfast, was built in 1790 as a general store. In 1896, the soda fountain still used today was installed. Stop by to take a step back in time, enjoying old-fashioned floats, frappes, and ice cream cones.

Try: Nutter Butter Sundae; Brown Cow (root beer, chocolate syrup, and ice cream).

325 Main St., Old Saybrook, Conn., 860-395-4748, www.pratthouse.net

Toscanini’s

Toscanini’s, at the MIT end of Central Square, serves up fantastic ice cream, sorbets, and yogurts at a hip locale. This ice cream-coffee shop hybrid is a local favorite and is known for its unique flavors — Earl Grey or Aztec Chocolate, anyone?

Try: Burnt Caramel; Hydrox Cookie; Khulfee.

899 Main St., Cambridge, 617-491-5877, www.tosci.com

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream

The award-winning ice cream destination in Bar Harbor, Maine was named one of the best ice cream sports in the US by Food and Wine and has been featured in many state and national reviews. They make homemade premium ice creams, sorbets, and frozen desserts using farm fresh ingredients and organic Maine milk and cream in super small batches—no more than five gallons at a time. The company boasts what they call “fearless flavor’’ with selections such as Apple Parsley, Bay of Figs, and Mango Jicama Habanero. Even President Obama made sure to stop by for a cone (he went for the coconut).

Try: Blueberry Basil, Mexican Chocolate, or Atlantic Brewing Stout with Fudge.

325 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine, 207-460-5515, mountdeserticecream.com

FoMu

For anyone with food allergies, this is the ice cream shoppe for you. They churn made-from-scratch, allergy-friendly recipes to satisfy anyone’s ice cream cravings, whether dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan. The ice creams, toppings, and other goods are plant-based and kosher and they make their recipes in small batches for quality-control. FoMu is also sustainable, serving up local ingredients in 100 percent compostable or recyclable dishes.

Try: Bourbon Maple Walnut, Cherry Amaretto, or Rosewater Saffron.

481 Cambridge Street, Allston, 617-903-3276, fomu.com