At the two Matt’s Homemade Alabama Ice Cream locations in Gulf Shores, you’ll find ice cream made from scratch. Blueberry Cheesecake, Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookie Monster (a blue ice cream with cookies in it) are tried and tested favourites. However, there's more than 40 to choose from, plus splits, shakes, floats and sodas.

The best ice cream parlour in Alaska is Wild Scoops in Anchorage. It’s constantly coming up with new ideas, such as Sunshine Club (a sweet cream base with snickerdoodle chunks and lemon curd), Ginger Limeade freezer pops, Cold Brew Floats and Baked Alaska, to serve at its two outposts. It also has seasonal rhubarb trades where you can exchange homegrown produce for a cone.

This massively-loved ice cream shop gets incredible press and reviews, and was awarded a James Beard entrepreneur fellowship. People compliment the smooth and delicious ice creams such as Salted Butter Caramel Swirl and Belgian Chocolate; the light and refreshing sorbets which include Strawberry and Coconut; and the s’mores sundae. There's a second location in Phoenix.

The prettiest ice cream in all of Arkansas can be found at Loblolly Creamery, a small batch parlour in Little Rock. The store makes everything from scratch, down to the brownie chunks and marshmallow fluff that goes into its ice creams. Customers love their texture and flavours. Choose between options such as Bourbon Pecan and Banana Pudding, and be sure to try the macarons and oatmeal cream pies too.

Make your way to Smitten Ice Cream for fresher than fresh ice cream, made in a machine invented by its founder Robyn Sue – ice cream is churned in 90 seconds. It has a few very good flavours including Classic Vanilla and Fresh Strawberry. The branch on Octavia Street, San Francisco, is the most popular but there are four more outposts in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.

If you love ice cream and are from Denver, you need to visit Smith+Canon. It's been open a little over a year and often sells out before the end of the day – check social media before you go. There are 10 flavours to choose from. Foxy Brown (which tastes like cinnamon rolls and cheesecake) and Thai Tea (sweet black tea and vanilla) get rave reviews.

You know you’re getting the real deal when you’re greeted by grazing cows and the smell of waffle cones being made. Customers at Rich Farm Ice Cream Shop are firm believers it’s the best you can get and particularly love the Black Raspberry, Toasted Almond and Peanut Butter flavours. It also has two other locations in Connecticut.

Customers rave about family-owned Woodside Farm Creamery, which dates back to 1796. Pay a visit to see its beautiful Jersey cows and taste some of its flavours such as Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough and Motor Oil (coffee ice cream with caramel and fudge). At the moment, it’s drive-thru only due to COVID-19 and its sundaes, splits and milkshakes have been temporarily suspended.

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream has one store in Washington D.C., three in Maine (one of which was visited by the Obamas) and one in Japan. It makes unusual flavours, such as Blueberry Sour Cream Crumble and Lemon Curd Coriander Streusel, which customers say are out of this world.

Widely regarded as the best spot for ice cream in South Florida, Proper Ice Cream has a huge variety of creative ice creams, soft serves, frozen custards, vegan ice creams and sorbets at its two locations in Delray Beach. If you can’t decide on what to have, order a flight. Alternatively, check out its specials such as the Bread Pudding Sundae and Hot Ice Cream Sandwich.

If you aren’t regularly going to Sweet-Stack Creamery, you’re missing out. It serves amazing flavours such as Cereal Milk, Cuban Coffee and Cookie Monster, and vegan flavours such as French Press (coconut cream and cane sugar) and Let The Man Go (mango). You can also have your ice cream in a cookie or doughnut sandwich.

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Walter Lappert’s dream of spending more than two weeks a year in Hawaii led him to founding his own ice cream shop here. It has three locations on Kauai, plus two more on Oahu and Maui. But Koloa, Kauai is the favourite. Customers say it’s an absolute must-visit and they love the local flavours such as Kauai Pie (coffee, coconut flakes, dark chocolate fudge and macadamia nuts), Banana Fudge and Green Tea.

An acronym for The Sweetest Things in Life, The STIL in Boise doesn’t have a bad review. Its flagship location is Downtown, but it has a second in southeast Boise. It's known for very creamy ice cream, boozy flavours and dairy-free offerings. Stop by for a huge scoop of Idaho Wilderness (lavender and berries) or Licking the Spoon (brownie batter). Or if you’re after something alcoholic, opt for Surprise Party (strawberry rosé).

This charming shop is known by locals at the go-to place to get gooey, chunky, textured ice cream in flavours such as Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Zanzibar Chocolate, and unique milkshakes such as Dreamsicle (orange soda mixed with vanilla). It also serves over-the-top sundaes such as the Grasshopper (mint ice cream loaded with mint chocolates and cookies, Oreos and hot fudge).

Owned by a mother and daughter, Wyliepalooza offers a huge number of ice creams including Peach, Pumpkin and Lemon Poppy Seed that you can usually sample before you buy. Those who don’t eat dairy have options such as Black Cherry Soy and Espresso Oreo Soy. The main store is located on East Washington St. and there's a second in SoBro. 

For the most mouth-watering flavours such as Blueberry Lemonade, Avocado with Coconut and Dark Chocolate, and Apple Crisp, head to The Outside Scoop in Indianola. Nearly everything that goes into them is made from scratch and the toppings such as the hot fudge sauce are highly recommended too. There's a second store in Ankeny and pink food trucks in the Des Moines metro area.

Churn & Burn in Wichita is an essential stop for coffee and ice cream lovers. The spot is famous for its special namesake drinks: a Churn & Burn is a made-to-order combination of freshly brewed coffee churned into ice cream, with mix-ins such as Snickers or amaretto. Alternatively, try one of the ready-made flavours such as Cheesecake, Fresh Mint or Buttered Popcorn.

When people started visiting Thai Orchid Cafe for the coconut ice cream, Toa and Mark Green knew they had something special, so they opened Crank & Boom in the Lexington Distillery District exclusively for the cold stuff. Customers can’t get enough of flavours such as Banana Chocolate and Coffee Stout, and its lovely location. There's also a pop-up shop on Clays Mill Road.

The favourite spot for ice cream in New Orleans, The Creole Creamery serves colourful treats in refreshing flavours such as Cucumber Sorbet, Pineapple Whip Sherbet, Lemon Verbena with Blueberry Jam, Petit Four and Lavender Honey. What’s more, the portions are big, prices reasonable and customer service spot on. It has three more locations in Lake View, Metairie and Bay St. Louis.

Owned by Italian couple Mariagrazia Zanardi and Donato Giovine who moved from Milan, Gorgeous Gelato is one of the top-rated dessert shops in the state. Here you can get beautiful vegan and dairy gelato in flavours like Amaretto, Hazelnut and Stracciatella. There's also cannoli and ice cream cannoli, espresso and affogato (espresso with a scoop of gelato) on the menu. Customers say it’s the best you’ll find outside of Italy.

Visitors to Annapolis Ice Cream Company often say it’s the best ice cream they’ve ever had. Beloved flavours include Oatmeal Cookie and Apple Pie, plus there’s always two vegan options such as Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Chip. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to add hot fudge sauce.

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Established in 1981, Toscanini’s is a long-time Cambridge favourite. Over the years it has received glowing reviews, including the title of “The World's Best Ice Cream” from The New York Times. Customers agree, describing it as smooth, rich and creamy. Choose from classic and unusual flavours such as French Vanilla, Burnt Caramel, Churro, and Cherries & Chocolate Chips.

If you’re anywhere near Moomers Homemade Ice Cream in Traverse City, it’s a stopover you need to make. It's situated on a dairy farm and there are more than 160 flavours including Banana Bread, Bubble Gum, Chocolate Malt and Creamsicle, plus other treats like frozen yogurts, sorbets, sundaes and ice cream sandwiches.

Family-owned Sebastian Joe's was founded in 1984 and has two stores in Uptown and South Minneapolis. It has stood the test of time with flavours such as Mint Milano which has huge chunks of cookie, Chocolate Amaretto and Blueberry Mint Sorbet. In addition, its waffle cones are homemade and it also serves affogato and ice cream sandwiches.

This small batch ice cream shop in Hernando is Mississippi’s best-kept secret. Its flavours, made with local ingredients, include Cedar Hill Blackberry Goat Cheese, Cedar Hill Blueberry Cobbler, Pontotoc Peach Sorbet and Blueberry Lemonade Sorbet. People who've tried it say it’s the best they’ve had and you won’t find a bad flavour. It has another location in Crosstown.

If you like boozy ice cream, head to this tiny St. Louis shop to try the Manhattan containing rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, dark sour cherries and vanilla. For a booze-free option, check out Gooey Butter Cake – the rich and tangy cream cheese ice cream with chunks of pastry is said to be divine. There are three more locations in St. Louis, Lake St. Louis and Clayton.

This spot on Higgins Avenue never disappoints with ultra-creamy, homemade ice creams in flavours like Cardamom, Maple Walnut, Orange Cream and everyone’s favourite, Huckleberry. There are good vegan options and chocolate-dipped cones for those wanting to go all out. There are two stores in Missoula plus locations in Helena and Billings.

Regulars say Ivanna Cone in Lincoln serves the best scoops in the area and they love the excitement of trying the ever-rotating flavours. At the moment it’s serving from a walk-up window and you can get flavours such as Salted Melon, Pineapple Orange Sorbet and Baileys Fudge Cake in cups, cones and waffles cones. It's well-priced too.

This family-owned gelato bar in southwest Las Vegas is known for wonderful customer service. Choose from indulgent and unusual flavours such as Matcha and Black Sesame, and sorbets including Blood Orange and Guava. Or go straight for the favourite, Ube, which is made from purple yams. It sells scoops in cups, cones and sometimes Rice Krispie sandwiches.

Exceptional service and delicious desserts are what you’ll get at Lago’s Ice Cream, which dates back to 1981. It offers every frozen treat imaginable, from cones, sundaes and banana splits, to frappes (blended ice cream drinks), freezes (frozen fruit-flavoured drinks) and floats. Flavours include Banana, Rocky Road and Cherry Vanilla, and servings are generous.

This local ice cream spot has been around since 1968 and during the pandemic it continues to serve customers via its online ordering and pick-up system. You can get scoops, cones, pints, ice cream sandwiches, sundae kits, ice cream cakes and pies. Standout flavours include Vanilla Fudge, Butter Pecan, Dulce De Leche, Tamarind Sorbet and Coffee Cookies.

Ever had mole or green chile ice cream? What about saffron rose? These are just a few of the local and seasonal flavours at La Lecheria in Santa Fe, alongside classics such as Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sea Salt – which is said to be life-changing. Having trouble deciding? Order a flight of four scoops.

Calling itself an experimental ice cream shop, Ice & Vice has a store on the Lower East Side and a pop-up in Long Island City. Even its core flavours, such as 9am (Vietnamese coffee and doughnut truffles), are gourmet. And the seasonal options are even more adventurous, like Blue/Purple (butterfly pea flower, yuzu and coconut) and its blue corn waffle cones.

Regulars at The Local Scoop swear by its handcrafted ice cream and waffle cones, saying it’s the only place they’ll visit for a cold sweet treat. They rave about the non-dairy options, which include Birthday Cake, Mint Chip and Coconut, just as much as the dairy choices. Due to COVID-19, customers must order online or outside the front door.

If you’re looking for a sweet treat in Fargo, Scoop N Dough Candy Co. is a one-stop shop for popcorn, cookie dough, ice cream, floats and milkshakes. It has options like Blueberry Waffle Cone, Lemon Sorbet and Firecracker (strawberry with chocolate-covered Pop Rocks). Plus there are loads of fun toppings such as peanut butter cups, gummy bears and hot fudge. Customers say you can't go wrong here: the quality is great, the service is friendly and the prices good.

“Favourite ice cream shop of all time” is just one of the kind things fans say about Honey Hut Ice Cream in Cleveland. It has been in the neighbourhood since 1974 and now has four more stores throughout the state. Customers love the ice cream because it's creamy and not overly sugary. Banana and Orange Blossom are two top choices.

Customers can’t stop talking about the Graham Cracker flavour at Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, which has three outposts in Oklahoma City and one in Edmond. You can also get ice cream floats, ice cream sandwiches and sundaes at good prices. The spot is an all-round neighbourhood favourite.

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Cloud City Ice Cream in Portland should be your first choice for vegan ice cream. It has flavours such as Sunshine (coconut milk, turmeric, candied ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon and chai spices), Marionberry Lime (a type of blackberry and lime) and Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel. While there are other great spots in the area, this one is seriously underrated: people love the great variety, staff are friendly and, most importantly, the ice cream is delicious.

Pretty pastel-hued ice cream, Hong Kong-style egg waffles and plenty of toppings is what you’ll find at Arctic Scoop in Philadelphia. It's only been open a year and already has outstanding reviews praising its flavoured cones, ice creams such as Pandan, Taro and Lychee Rose, and toppings including kiwi, mochi, nuts, condensed milk, Pocky sticks and Fruity Pebbles.

At Tricycle Ice Cream, it’s all about ice cream sandwiches and waffle tacos, drumsticks (ice cream in a cone) and push pops. You can get flavours such as Dulce de Leche between two brownies and Tart Lemon ice cream on vanilla cookies. Its customers are always delighted after a visit. Due to COVID-19, orders must be placed online for pick-up at the store.

Visitors to Off Track Ice Cream in Charleston are always impressed with the number of vegan ice creams on the menu. The dairy-free range includes Peppermint Chip, Piña Colada and Strawberry Pop Tart while its dairy blends include Springbok Cold Brew & Cookies, Bourbon Honeycomb and Sweet Tea. Beyond that, you can get ice cream sandwiches, affogato, floats, milkshakes and sundaes.

Local favourite, family-run Leones’ Creamery is currently serving customers from its to-go window. Choose from flavours such as Vegan Lemon Poppyseed, Cheddar Apple Pie and Blueberry Goats' Cheese, made with ingredients sourced from nearby farms and businesses.

A hot spot for people wanting something sweet in downtown Nashville, Mike’s Ice Cream has a large variety of flavours such as White Chocolate Banana Pudding (banana ice cream with white chocolate sauce and vanilla wafers), Tennessee Fudge (vanilla with chunky fudge) and Blueberry Cornbread. The waffle cones are super fresh too.

Regulars at Lick Honest Ice Creams on Lamar Boulevard are big fans of both the ice cream and staff. The scoops such as Coffee with Cream and Roasted Beets with Fresh Mint are smooth, creamy and not too sweet. It also has great vegan options and everything, including the waffles cones, is handmade. The people are friendly, laid-back and helpful. There are three branches in Austin and two in San Antonio.

Up there with some of the oldest vendors in America, Aggie Ice Cream has been in business since 1888. Located at Utah State University, the parlour offers a range of flavours including Aggie Blue Mint (mint ice cream with white chocolate and cookies), Lemon Custard, Huckleberry and Orange Sherbet. Its customers say the ice cream is super creamy and the best in the state.

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You’ll find soft serve, regular ice cream, waffle bowls, sorbets, sundaes, ice cream cakes and smoothies on the menu at friendly, local ice cream shop The Village Scoop. Located in Colchester, it’s open for drive-thru and walk-up, and has great reviews from customers who love its personable servers and flavours such as Maple and Walnut or Strawberry.

More than just an ice cream parlour, Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue in Norfolk is an all-American diner and drive-in. Around since 1919, its founder claims to have created the world’s first ice cream cone – and customers say they're the best ever. Fancy something extra special? Check out its mighty floats and sundaes, loaded with whipped cream and cherries.

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At Frankie & Jo’s, based in Capitol Hill (it has a second store in Ballard), the ice cream is plant-based. You can get flavours like Brown Sugar Vanilla, Chocolate Date and Turmeric Ginger, which have been described by customers as creamy, beautiful and magic in your mouth. What’s more, there are gluten-free waffle cones available too.

Launched in 1947, Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream in Ceredo has built up a big fan base. In fact, many online reviewers insist they always make time for a visit whenever they’re in town. Popular flavours include Grape Pineapple, Key Lime Pie, Cherry Nut and Dreamsicle soft serve.

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The Kelley family’s Fond du Lac farm has been around since 1861 and 10 years ago they started producing ice cream. Flavours include Blackberry Pie (blackberry ice cream with vanilla cake and pie pieces), Blueberry Almond (blueberry ice cream with almond slices) and Blonde Brownie (blondie ice cream with white chocolate and walnuts). It also has convenient, socially-distanced picnic tables overlooking the farmland, or you can bring your own lawn chairs.

The Wild Huckleberry flavour from Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream is a must-try for anyone visiting Jackson. It’s refreshing and won best dessert in Wyoming according to Food Network in 2013. However, there are tonnes of other exciting options such as Blood Orange, Lemon Honey and Mango Sorbet. It even has Zonker Stout ice cream made with malt from Jackson Hole Brew Pub.

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