We All Scream for Lancaster Ice Cream
July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse (not that you needed one) to explore all the tempting frozen treats Lancaster County has to offer. And we're not talking about your average ice cream here, no sir! We're talking about premium quality, farm-to-cone goodness. As Pennsylvania's top milk-producing county, Lancaster is dotted with dairy farms and creameries where you can taste the smooth, velvety goodness of ice cream made from farm-fresh milk and local ingredients. Let your summer tasting adventure begin!
Start by experiencing Lancaster's powerhouse ice cream producer, Turkey Hill. The Frey family began selling bottles of milk from their farm to their neighbors back during the Great Depression. Today, Turkey Hill has customers all over the country. Learn how the company makes its famous ice cream and other products at the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia. Plus, venture into the taste lab where you can create your own flavor by the pint. Oh, and did we mention unlimited samples?
Lancaster County has plenty of small, independent dairy farms that are churning out some amazing ice cream. Here are a few of our favorites. You also can download a printable ice cream trail of Lancaster County here.
Lapp Valley Farms │ 244 Mentzer Road, New Holland
For almost 50 years, the dairy store at Lapp Valley Farm has offered customers farm-fresh products made from hormone-free milk from the farm's Jersey cows. When you visit, stroll the farm and visit with the cows and other animals (including peacocks!) while you indulge in 16 varieties of rich, small-batch ice cream served in homemade waffle cones. Over the years, Lapp Valley Farm has developed a loyal customer base who appreciate the fresh goodness of its ice cream, milk and butter. Their ice cream is so popular, Lapp Valley Farm also has ice cream stands at Green Dragon Market and Kitchen Kettle Village.
Down on the Farm Creamery │ 509 May Post Office Road, Strasburg
Savor the many flavors of homemade ice cream at Down on the Farm Creamery in Strasburg. In the summertime, they stay open until dark to satisfy your ice cream cravings. Say hi to the cows, horses, goats and chickens during your visit. Down on the Farm has a second creamery location at the Choo Choo Barn in downtown Strasburg. Stop for the ice cream, then shop for other fresh-made dairy products like cheese, butter and yogurt. It's farm-to-table goodness!
Fox Meadows Creamery │ 2475 West Main St., Ephrata
Not only does Fox Meadows Creamery in Ephrata serve up decadent ice cream, they also offer hand-crafted burgers, sandwiches and other farm-to-table menu items. So come for the dessert but stay of lunch! (We won't tell if you eat the dessert first.) When you visit the creamery, you can get a peek at how their premium ice cream is made with milk from the small farm the Fox family has owned and tended for nearly seven decades. Word has clearly gotten around, as they're getting ready to open a second location in Leola.
The Milkhouse at Oregon Dairy │ 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz
What started as a small farm business selling milk, eggs and produce has expanded to include a full market, bake shop, restaurant and, of course, ice cream shop. The Milkhouse Ice Cream Shoppe in Lititz offers more than 25 flavors of hand-dipped Oregon Dairy ice cream. Enjoy your frozen treats on the deck that looks out over the beautiful Lancaster countryside. They offer tours and events throughout the year to give visitors an immersive farm experience.
Pine View Dairy │ 2225 New Danville Pike, Lancaster
Part of the Lancaster community since 1971, Pine View Dairy gives visitors an up-close look into farm life. Indulge in a homemade waffle cone filled with creamy goodness, watch the cows being milked, and pet a calf. This family-owned farm and store has been making their homemade ice cream on the premises from the very beginning. Which hand-dipped flavor will you choose? Maybe Butter Brickle, Chocolate Marshmallow, Raspberry or classic Vanilla. Can't decide on one flavor? Try a sampler with four small scoops.
