Must-Try Ice Cream Shops Near DC for a Cold Treat

Though summer in the DC area can be hot and sticky, there are plenty of fun ways to beat the heat—including a plethora of delicious ice cream shops near DC that are sure so satisfy any sweet tooth. And while we've got plenty of love for the nationwide ice cream chains, sometimes you just want to go somewhere more local and special.

Read on for our list of 15 great ice cream shops near DC, many of which are near other attractions like parks and playgrounds. Some of them stick with what they do best (ice cream), while others offer extra goodies such as cookies and cakes.

For more great ways to keep cool this summer—including our lists of outdoor water parks and free public swimming pools near DC—check out our Summer Activities Guide for DC Kids. 

Be sure to call the shops or check their websites for operating hours, as some of these ice cream shops near DC are closed on certain days or don't open until the afternoon.

Here's the Scoop! in DC serves hand-dipped ice cream and other treats. Photo courtesy of Here's the Scoop!

Best Ice Cream Shops in Washington, DC

1. Here's The Scoop! — Northwest

This Black-owned ice cream shop serves hand-dipped ice cream in a variety of fun flavors such as cinnamon churro, salted caramel pretzel, and birthday cake. The shop also offers several vegan, non-dairy flavors such as blueberry cheesecake and passionfruit sorbet, as well as cookie sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes, and other ice cream treats.

More to try: Freshly baked goods by local bakers, including red velvet cake and apple crumb pie.

2. Larry's Homemade Ice Cream — Dupont Circle

Since 1985, this Dupont Circle shop has been serving up ice cream, baklava, and cookies that are all homemade on site. More than 30 flavors of ice cream are made using pure sweet cream and all natural ingredients, with no corn syrups, eggs, or sugar added. Larry's also offers ice cream cakes and ice cream sandwiches.

More to try: Unique signature flavors such as Key West Chocolate Fever (orange chocolate) or Fred & Ginger (peach, brandy, and ginger).

3. Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream — Mount Pleasant

Mt. Desert Island began with three shops in Maine before opening its DC location, which has been visited by White House residents. There's also a fifth location in Japan. Mt. Desert Island serves up nearly 20 creative flavors of small-batch ice cream, including toasted coconut, fresh mint, and the Harry Potter-inspired Butterbeer.

More to try: Vegan, non-dairy flavors like chocolate cherry and grasshopper pie

4. Thomas Sweet — Georgetown

This popular ice cream shop is the only Thomas Sweet location in DC (the other four are in New Jersey). In addition to Thomas Sweet's variety of delicious handcrafted ice cream flavors and "blend-ins," you can also get all kinds of decadent chocolates and frozen yogurt.

More to try: Gourmet coffee

5. Van Leeuwen — Union Market, Georgetown, Adam's Morgan

This cult New York City ice cream spot opened three DC locations in 2023. It offers about 20 flavors of homemade ice cream, from classics like vanilla and mint chip to creative choices such as Early Grey tea and peanut butter brownie honeycomb. Though it is a chain, we just couldn't leave it off this list.

More to try: Vegan flavors such as chocolate chip cookie dough and cookie crumble strawberry jam

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Moorenko's offers roughly 30 flavors of small-batch ice cream. Photo courtesy of alexandriava.com

Best Ice Cream Shops Near DC in Maryland

6. Moorenko's Ice Cream — Silver Spring

Moorenko's makes its ice cream by hand in small batches, using milk from grass-fed cows raised on small, family-owned farms. The ice cream's blend of all-natural ingredients forms a base of 17% milk fat, which is considered "ultra-premium". There are about 30 flavors, from classic vanilla and Swiss chocolate to more imaginative choices like cotton candy gummy bear and cherry stracciatella. There are several vegan offerings, too. Moorenko's also has a location in DC.

More to try: Over a dozen flavors of sorbet, including lemon, coconut, and chocolate

7. The Baked Bear — Bethesda

Build your dream ice cream sandwich at The Baked Bear. First, choose your top and bottom (you can mix and match) from nearly a dozen cookie and brownie options including Funfetti, snickerdoodle, and the classic chocolate chip cookie. Next choose your center from over a dozen ice cream flavors, from simple vanilla to unique options like blackberry crumble and toasted s'mores. Last, pick from 12 toppings including brownie bits, Fruity Pebbles, and sprinkles. You can also order ice cream by the scoop.

More to try: Gluten-free ice cream flavors like mint chip and dark chocolate

8. Hovermale's Tastes Best — Fort Washington

You'll feel like you stepped back in time when you visit this old-fashioned, cash-only frozen custard stand. The choices are simple, yet delicious—vanilla, chocolate, or swirl custard in a cup or cone with your choice of toppings. You can also order a sundae, a malt, a milkshake, or a banana split.

More to try: Hot dogs with chili, cheese, or other toppings

9. Sarah's Handmade Ice Cream — Bethesda

Sarah's, which has two locations in Bethesda, was created by mother-daughter team Sarah and Annie Park. Sarah uses her original small-batch, all-natural recipes using local ingredients whenever possible. Up to 40 ice cream flavors range from the classics to more creative choices like lemon poppyseed shortbread and orange creamsicle (served in an orange peel). There are also vegan flavors and loads of topping choices.

More to try: Additional treats like ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and floats

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The Dairy Godmother in Alexandria, Virginia is known for its frozen custard. Photo courtesy of The Dairy Godmother

Best Ice Cream Shops Near DC in Northern Virginia

10. The Dairy Godmother — Alexandria

This shop specializes in creamy, freshly made Wisconsin-style frozen custard. You can choose between traditional vanilla and the flavor of the day, which could be anything from toasted almond to Funfetti. See the daily flavor ahead of time by checking out the website's flavor forecast. The Dairy Godmother also offers fat-, dairy-, and egg-free sorbets.

More to try: All-vegan donuts made in-house and homemade marshmallows in various colors and flavors

11. The Creamery — Alexandria

This family-owned shop founded in 1984 is the oldest continually operated ice cream shop in downtown Alexandria. It serves up roughly 30 flavors of handcrafted, small-batch ice cream, custard, and sorbet. The Creamery is especially proud of its Southern regional flavors including lemon custard, banana pudding, and orange chocolate chip.

More to try: Delicious ice cream cookies

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Peterson's serves up delicious homemade ice cream in historic Clifton, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Marino Walters

12. Peterson's Ice Cream Depot — Clifton

This family-owned ice cream shop, located in an old carriage house in the historic town of Clifton, serves up a dozen homemade ice cream flavors daily from its total of over 30 flavors. Depot favorites including cookies n' cream, chocolate drama, and Strawberry Fields are always on the menu, while the other flavors rotate. You can even bring your dog for a Pup Cup! Head to the cute little playground next door when you're finished with your ice cream.

More to try: Hot dogs, homemade Carolina barbecue, hand-cut fries, and more from the on-site Dog Pound, where you can play outdoor patio games such as checkers

13. Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co. — Alexandria

Ray "Pop" Giovanni started out in the ice cream and dessert business in the 1940s and spent much of his career catering White House events, where he'd serve Eleanor Roosevelt her favorite ice cream. In 1998, he left behind his "little black book" of recipes, which are offered at this Alexandria ice cream shop. There are over 30 flavors, with the more unique ones including Kahlua chocolate chip and Butterfinger coffee.

More to try: Lactose-free soft-serve, five kinds of pie, and fun specialty sundaes like the Johnny Appleseed (vanilla ice cream, apple pie chunks, butterscotch, caramel, and whipped cream)

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Woody's offers more than 30 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream. Photo courtesy of Woody's Ice Cream

14. Woody's Ice Cream — Fairfax

This mom-and-pop shop in the heart of downtown Fairfax serves up more than 30 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream from a local creamery, as well as soft-serve, sundaes, milkshakes, and more. Some of the more unique flavors include apple pie and coconut chocolate crunch, and Woody's also offers seasonal flavors like pumpkin and cinnamon.

More to try: Enjoy your ice cream on the large patio, then head across the street to the splash pad or the public library to continue the fun.

15. The Yard Milkshake Bar — Ashburn

This over-the-top milkshake shop with locations across the US serves up massive milkshakes in souvenir jars that are sure to cause a sugar rush, so it's probably best to save them for special occasions. The themed milkshakes are topped with all sorts of treats like cookies, candy, marshmallows, and more. Exclusive to the Ashburn location is the "Virginia is for Lovers" shake—strawberry cheesecake ice cream topped with sprinkles, red-striped whipped cream, a rock-candy stick, and a strawberry cookie dough heart.

More to try: Cookie dough pops and specialty ice cream bowls with fun themes like The Unicorn and The Mermaid