Ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes are essential for cooling off from the blistering summer sun. Rather than grabbing icy treats at your local parlors, consider visiting creameries in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. You can taste a variety of unique flavors with your favorite toppings while learning about the creation of ice cream.
Strasburg Creamery
Image via Flickr by joyosity (CC BY 2.0)
Satisfy your sweet tooth with an afternoon visit to the Strasburg Creamery. You can customize your ice cream by choosing from over 100 flavors. Stick with the traditional favorites, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and cookies and cream. For an extra flair, consider the butter cashew, black raspberry, or fudge swirl flavors. You can also try the creamery's seasonal flavors, which include cotton candy, teaberry, and chocolate marshmallow. Lick scoops of ice cream from a homemade waffle cone, or use a spoon to enjoy the dessert from a dish or bowl.
Make your treat even more refreshing by ordering a sundae, which includes an ice cream flavor of your choice and an assortment of delectable toppings, such as cherries, sprinkles, and chocolate chips. If you prefer a cold beverage, then opt for a milkshake or ice cream float. Strasburg Creamery provides indoor and outdoor seating for you to enjoy your summer snack. Here are the details to keep in mind when planning your first visit:
- Location: 1 W. Main St., Strasburg.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Fox Meadows Creamery
Fox Meadows Creamery in Ephrata allows you to try fresh ice cream that's processed from its farm. If you want a taste of fruit with your ice cream, then you might enjoy the strawberry or vine-ripened black raspberry flavors. Chocolate peanut butter and mocha brownie are ideal for chocolate lovers, while birthday cake and sea salted caramel can provide the sweet sensation you're craving. Choose brown butter almond brickle or Nutella if you're a fan of nuts, or keep things simple with mint chocolate chip or vanilla.
You can personalize a milkshake or float or pair scoops of ice cream with a chocolate chip cookie or brownie. Caffeinated beverages on the menu include iced coffee, frappuccinos, and iced mochas. After placing your order, peer through the viewing window to see the processing of the ice cream in real time. Fox Meadows Creamery is waiting for your visit at the following hours and address:
- Location: 2475 W. Main St., Ephrata.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Rolled Cold Creamery
Rolled Cold Creamery in Lancaster has a wide selection of dessert items for every member of your family, including your four-legged companion. Quench your thirst with a milkshake, smoothie, or root beer float, or soothe your taste buds with the first bite from a banana split. If ice cream is what you're looking for, you can choose either a small or regular-sized serving and request a waffle cone shell to hold the ice cream scoops. You can also ask for a substitute of oak milk or dairy-free options to fit your dietary preferences.
For cookie lovers, ask to try the cookies n' cream, cookies n' mint, or cookie dough flavors. Hershey's chocolate and Reese's peanut butter cup may appeal to you if you're a fan of the candy bars, while Nutella crunch may be ideal if you enjoy this cocoa spread. The taste of your ice cream may resemble other dessert favorites if you order the cupcake, cheesecake, or fudge brownie flavor. You can top your ice cream with decadent goodies, such as gummy bears, peanuts, and rainbow sprinkles. You can also drizzle honey or chocolate syrup to give your snack extra sweetness.
Besides desserts, Rolled Cold Creamery provides lunch items on the menu. Select ingredients to make your own panini, which can contain cheese, meat, and sauce. Instead of eating your ice cream in a waffle cone, you can have it with a Belgian waffle or eat the waffle with a unique combination of toppings and syrup. If you're thirsty, consider trying a mocktail, which comes in flavors such as mango orange and vanilla blackberry. Additional drink options include coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Here's some more information to help you plan your visit to Rolled Cold Creamery:
- Location:Â 24 E. Orange St., Lancaster.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Turkey Hill Experience
Purchase tickets for Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia to learn about the process of making ice cream. At the taste lab, you can create a pint of your own ice cream in your desired flavor. The experiment allows you to use a base ice cream as a foundation and put in additional ingredients to produce a unique flavor that you choose. The instructor in the class also gives directions to ensure your ice cream tastes as good as it looks. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance to participate.
Another activity involving your taste buds is Tea Discovery, where you can drink samples of Turkey Hill tea and explore the benefits of drinking tea. The Turkey Hill Experience also delivers educational opportunities for children. They can create a television commercial where they recite the words from a script and discuss ice cream. They can also undergo ice cream creation virtually and try out Turkey Hill flavors for themselves. Expect to spend a full day with your family at this attraction by coordinating your schedule with the following information:
- Location: 301 Linden St., Columbia.
- Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 1 to June 10, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 11 to June 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 25 through the end of August.
AutoOne has given you new destinations for ice cream in Lancaster County. If there's another creamery in the area you feel deserves some shine, contact us to let us know so that we can add it to our list.
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