ice cream

Ice cream, floats, frozen custard, vegan frozen treats and more

Ice cream is everyone’s favorite summertime treat, and Asheville offers a variety of places that serve up cones, floats, sundaes and shakes. Even if you want something a little different, like dairy-free ice cream or Guinness Stout-flavored ice cream, you’ll find it here.

Downtown, check out the old fashioned soda fountain at Woolworth Walk. You can get all the soda shop classics like chocolate Cokes, root beer floats and yummy banana splits.

If you’re looking for non-dairy treats, The Hop on Merrimon Ave has ice creams made with soy, rice, or almond milk in addition to their large selection of hand made regular ice creams. They offer hot fudge cakes, sundaes, shakes, cups and cones. In fact, The Hop was cited by GoVeg.com as a great place to sample non-dairy ice cream when naming Asheville the Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small City.

Ultimate Ice Cream Company on Tunnel Road (map it) sells non-dairy soy cream, gelato and sugar-free varieties. In addition, the shop offers a large variety of homemade ice creams, including some unusual flavors like locals-favorite Highland Brewing Company Black Mocha Stout ice cream. It's made with the locally-brewed beer, which is simmered to a syrup and mixed into the ice cream. They also offer cones, sundaes and other frozen delights.

Pineapple Jack’s and Two Spoons, located on Haywood Road in the West Asheville neighborhood, are friendly hangs out that serves up delicious shakes and smoothies.

If you like your ice cream with a little something extra, Marble Slab Creamery offers dozens of tasty things to mix into your ice cream like nuts, M&M’s and even gummy bears for the kids. If you want a cool break from shopping, check out Dippin’ Dots at Asheville Mall or Cold Stone Creamery in the Wal-Mart shopping center.

In nearby Weaverville, stop in at Blue Mountain Pizza has some of the best milkshakes and floats you’ll find, along with family-friendly entertainment six nights a week. And Weaverville Drug Company on Main Street will remind you of an old fashioned drug store soda fountain.

Also see our Where to Eat listings for Ice Cream, Desserts and Chocolate.