Best Ice Cream in Indianapolis (Parents Share the Scoop)

Parents are submitting their picks for the best ice cream around Indianapolis to our interactive list - with a handy map so you can easily find a spot near you!

Review your favorite Indianapolis ice cream shops below and help other parents find a new place to score a cool treat with the kids.

Our list of favorite Indy dessert spots has plenty of sweet ideas, too.


 
    CRAVE Ice Cream Social
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     (203.5 mi)

    Beth Wood:  CRAVE Ice Cream Social, located at Geist Marina, offers 24 flavors of premium hand-dipped ice cream. They also serve gourmet coffees and delicious sweet treats.

    Sundae's Homemade Ice Cream
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     (207.0 mi)

    Sundae's Homemade Ice Cream is an award winning, locally-owned family business that still makes ice cream the old fashioned way, one batch at a time. Featuring all your favorite classics (think Banana Cream Pie, Butter Brickle) and new twists such as Maple Bacon and Lemonilla. Sorbets and Yogurts also available.

    Graeter's Ice Cream
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     (207.5 mi)

    Graeter's is an ice cream shop with over 145 years of history. In 1868 Louis Graeter sold ice cream on the streets of Ohio. Nowadays you will find Graeters franchises all throughout the country. They use French Pot freezers and two gallon batches. You will not be disappointed in this ice cream. With over 20 classic and signature flavors as well as special seasonal flavors - there is something for everyone! Cones, shakes, malts, sundaes and other special treats are offered.

    Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard
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     (208.2 mi)

    You'll find delicious frozen treats at Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard in Fishers. Menu items include: Italian Ice, Cream Ice, Frozen Custard, Sugar Free Italian Ice, Sundaes, Gelati, Misto, Blendini, Milkshakes, Frozen Drinks, Frozen Custard Cakes and Custard Cookie Sandwiches. There's something for everyone at Rita's!

    Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
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     (208.4 mi)

    Handel's is an Indiana staple. They pride themselves on never skimping on the toppings. Since 1945 Handel's has been making ice cream and yogurt fresh on the premises daily. Each batch is made exclusively by Handel's with recipes and equipment designed for them. Handel's is known as one of the best parlors in the country.

    Alexander's Ice Cream
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     (208.4 mi)

    Alexander's On the Square in downtown Noblesville and Alexander's on the Water in Cicero off of Morse Reservoir offer unique selections of hand-dipped flavors, soft serve and other ice cream favorites. Alexander's also features a full menu of food and beverages. Stop in for a cool treat, a bite to eat, or both!

    Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
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     (211.8 mi)

    If you have been searching for a unique ice cream experience, this is the place for you! Choose your cream base, flavor and mix-ins and stand back and watch your creation freeze with liquid nitrogen! The result? Super creamy ice cream customized just for you! Vegan, Lactose-Free, Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free options available.

    Wyliepalooza Ice Cream Emporium
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     (212.8 mi)

    Wyliepalooza Ice Cream Emporium is a family-owned ice cream shop offering super premium ice cream in a variety of flavors as well as egg free, gluten free and soy free ice cream. They also offer ice cream cakes and their unique Bubble Tea.

    Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
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     (215.4 mi)

    Beth Wood:  Stop in for Freddy's delicious frozen custard! Offering cones, sundaes, milkshakes, malts, concrete mixers, custard cookie sandwiches, custard cakes and pints of custard.

    *Full lunch and dinner menu featuring Freddy's famous steakburgers and fries also available.

    Mrs. Curl Ice Cream Shop and Outdoor Cafe
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     (216.1 mi)

    Time

    Open March-October

    If you're looking for a super casual quick bite with the kids, this is a great option. Open seasonally, March-October, Mrs. Curl's has been serving the area since 1962. Menu includes hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream, shakes, malts and floats!

    Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream - Carmel
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     (216.4 mi)

    Beth Wood:  Known throughout Indianapolis for their burgers, Bubs is located in downtown Carmel in a charming wooden house right on the Monon Trail. Along with their full lunch and dinner menu, their ice cream shop is a popular stop on the Monon Trail serving ice cream cones, cups and tasty hand-dipped shakes.

    Lick Ice Cream
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     (217.2 mi)

    Self described as the Anti-Ben and Jerry's, this local ice cream shop offers artisan, local fruit, herb and spice-infused ice cream and organic waffle cones. Mouthwatering seasonal flavors like Balsamic Dark Chocolate, Salted Carmel and Sage, Gorgonzola Candied Pecan, Cedar & Whisky, Lavender Lemon, Strawberry and Champagne, Elderberry Ginger Honey and more. Vegan options available. Lick Ice Cream is often found at the Broad Ripple and other local farmers markets.

    Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station (BRICS)
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     (217.3 mi)

    Erin P.:  Indianapolis' BRICS, which stands for Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station, is known for its hand-dipped ice cream and sundaes, with 36 flavors and a dozen toppings or more. BRICS is the home of the former Monon Train Station. Today, the building is reminiscent of a train station and is located right on the Monon Trail.

    Nicey Frozen Treats
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     (217.4 mi)

    Brittany Kozielski:  Nicey Frozen Treats serves all-natural, homemade frozen pops in unique flavors.

    Ritter's Frozen Custard
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     (224.3 mi)

    Ritter's specializes in frozen custard and Italian ice. Ritter's is headquartered in New York, but has shops throughout the Midwest.

Primary photo:   Jenny Smith on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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