10 Fantastic Places to Get Ice Cream in Indiana

We are now at the time in the year where hot temperatures reign supreme. One of several glorious solutions to cool off is to get some ice cream. There are plenty of places to get ice cream, such as the grocery store, a gas station, or different fast food restaurants, but today we will be looking at ten different places in Indiana that really stand out. Places like Handel’s, Graeter’s, and Debrand’s, while all good, will not be listed because they are still chain stores.

 

1. Antiqology (Huntington)

This store has morphed quite a bit over the 5 years that they’ve been in existence. Currently, their store houses some cool antiques, which makes a very fun ambiance. There is also a wall of glass bottled sodas for you to try. Owners Adam and Rebecca Hanson sell over 700 different glass bottled sodas, many of which are from small businesses you’ve never heard of before. They even do their own line of sodas and have 1919 Root Beer on tap. For the sake of this entry, however, we must discuss the delicious ice cream that they have. If you’re more of a traditionalist, they do have your usual chocolate and vanilla, but they also have some more uncommon flavors. Some of my favorites include cinnamon churro, peanut butter brownie, and cookie jar. Others that are very popular are raspberry rendezvous, fudge mint cookie, and mocha almond fudge. Antiqology also changes things up by having a weekly flavor and having different flavors for different seasons, such as a peppermint one in winter and a strawberry cheesecake one in summer. What’s even better is that one can mix these ice creams with any of their sodas to create a float!

2.  Payne’s (Gas City)

Payne’s may be more well know for their excellent British themed menu, but their custard is certainly worth including on this list. You can get servings of it on its own (chocolate or vanilla), which are good, but their selections with mix-ins are really where it’s at. My personal favorite is the Cookie Monster, which is vanilla custard with Oreos, cookie dough (real, large pieces…not the fake stuff fast food restaurants have), and hot fudge. Other great options are: Jenny’s Reese (vanilla custard, peanut butter, hot fudge, Reese’s cups), Turtle (vanilla custard, hot fudge, pecans, caramel), Jimmy Dean’s Payne (vanilla custard, espresso, raspberries), and Worms and Dirt (vanilla custard, Oreos, gummy worms).

3. Ivanhoe’s (Upland)

Ivanhoe’s is probably best known for the sheer number of options that they have as far as ice cream is concerned. Sure, they have ice cream that you can simply get in a cone or bowl, but that’s not as fun as trying different mix-in options from their list of 100 different shakes and 100 different sundaes. They have something called the 100 Club, which is for people who have tried all 100 options on the shake or sundae menu. Ivanhoe’s is usually very generous with the portion sizes as well, which is another big plus. My favorite to get here is the Trojan Two, which consists of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge, peanut butter, and chocolate covered graham crackers. They are also known for their seasonal strawberry shortcakes, which are piled high with strawberries and whipped cream. Ivanhoe’s does have quite a bit of notoriety, and as a result, is often very busy. Plan on waiting for your food/ice cream while here.

4. Zaharakos (Columbus)

One of the oldest ice cream parlors in the state (since 1900), Zarharakos has a lot going for it. It boasts a retro ambiance and even has a small museum in it that shows some old soda fountains and music machines. You are able to get meals here, but the focus is the homemade ice cream. Because everything about the parlor is old fashioned, the ice cream flavors are pretty traditional: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mint chip, cookies n’ cream, etc. They also do floats, shakes, brownie sundaes, and banana splits. The one time I’ve been there, I got some cookies n’ cream and was very satisfied with it. The one downside to this place according to online reviews would be spotty service.

5.  Just Cream Ice Cream Boutique (Fort Wayne)

This is a fairly new ice cream parlor, but they bring 50 different flavors of ice cream to the table, complete with dairy-free, sugar-free, and vegan options. The location is not the easiest to find, but once you get in, you are greeted by a quaint atmosphere. The employees are usually pretty patient with people as they try and figure out what to get. They trend more towards the fun and interesting flavors, but the traditional ones are available as well. Prices are a little higher than your typical walk-up ice cream vendor, but portion sizes are decent for what you’re paying. They also serve the popular Intelligentsia coffee. They have a lot of competition in Fort Wayne, with Coldstone, Zesto, and Debrand’s, but they hold their own quite well.

6.  Fair Oaks Farm (Fair Oaks)

Fair Oaks deserves a place on this list not only for the ice cream they have, but for the whole experience they offer as well. Going to Fair Oaks gives you a chance to see how all of the dairy products we enjoy are made, starting with the cows. Visitors can go on different “adventures”, where they get to see how the whole process takes place, from milking the cows to turning the cream into cheese/yogurt/ice cream/etc. They have a café and a restaurant onsite and a lot of interactive things to keep kids interested. Reviewers rave about not only the ice cream, which is said to be quite creamy and smooth, but all of the dairy products they offer. A place like this that offers a lot will likely find a way to drain your wallet, so be wary of costs going in.

7.  Rocket Science (Nappanee)

Rocket Science often makes the lists of top ice cream places to visit in Indiana, and it’s because it was one of the first places to offer ice cream made with liquid nitrogen. Everything in an order is mixed together, then flash frozen, then served to you to enjoy. There are over 25 different options for you to pick from, all using quality grade ice cream and ingredients (something they pride themselves on). You are also able to create your own order. Many reviewers comment how this ice cream stands out and tastes much better than traditional ice cream, while other point out how portion sizes are great for the price they paid.

8. The Chief (Goshen)

This is a wildly popular walk-up ice cream parlor that almost always has a long line. Many reviewers say the line does go quickly, however. They boast flavors like mango pineapple, mint chip, raspberry, black cherry, peanut butter, blue moon, and more! They have weekly flavors that they cycle through as well as seasonal flavors. Their ice cream is homemade and hand scooped, and it seems like decently generous portions. They have been operating out of the same small building for quite some time now and seem to really know what they’re doing. They also offer shakes, sundaes, and some grill food. One accolade they boast is that Thrillist named them the best ice cream in Indiana in 2016. Like many walk-ups, they do have an off-season where they are closed and offer picnic tables for seating.

9. Trader’s Point Creamery (Zionsville)

Trader’s Point is similar in a lot of ways to Fair Oaks Farm (#5 on this list). They are a farm that gives tours to show how the whole dairy process works, plus there is a farm-to-table restaurant set inside a beautiful building. The ice cream is found at the dairy bar, which offers their chocolate and vanilla ice cream along with rotating seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, peppermint, and wildberry. Places like this that allow customers to get ice cream right from the source are almost always guaranteed to be delightful experiences. The farm store allows you to purchase ice cream too, along with all of their other products, which they proudly claim as 100% organic.

10.  Hartzell’s Ice Cream (Bloomington)

Rounding off the list is a place that works hard at pleasing traditionalists as well as those who like to try new things with their ice cream. Hartzell’s is a small parlor that has an amazing rotation of specialty flavors that are really worth trying. Here are a few examples: cherry wasabi, curried coconut, blueberry muffin, green tea, chocolate basil, black raspberry, and dirty vanilla. Be warned, though: as they are specialty flavors, they cost more than your traditional flavors. If you aren’t willing to spend more, then you still have dozens of flavors to pick from. Another interesting addition to Hartzell’s is their Carbolite ice cream, which only has 8 calories per ounce.

Honorable mentions: Valpo Velvet Shoppe (Valparaiso), Sycamore Drive-in (Logansport), The Chocolate Moose (Bloomington), BRICS (Indianapolis), Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream (Indianapolis), Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream (Carmel), Frosty Boy (New Palestine)

10 things to do in Indiana in the spring

Spring is the wonderful time of the year where everything starts growing and looking vibrant again. In Indiana, it tends to be a season where the temperatures fluctuate quite a bit, but there are plenty of fun outdoor activities that are only available during this time. Some items on this list are time sensitive, while others are best done in spring (in my humble opinion).

1. The Indianapolis Mini Marathon/5K (Indianapolis)
There are plenty of races in Indiana throughout the year, but the one that seems to really get a lot of attention is the Indy Mini. Tens of thousands of people register every year to do the 13.1 mile trek, and plenty of businesses in the area get involved in some way. One of the more unique aspects of this race is how the path of the race takes you into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to do a lap of the track. The racetrack is enormous and is a lot to take in. The park at the end of the race is packed full of things to look at afterward, including food trucks, a massage station, and different vendors. For those who want part of the experience for just a portion of the amount of running, there is a 5K at the beginning of the day. The Indy Mini is usually the first weekend in May, so even though it is too late for this year, it’s a great time to start training for next year!

2. The Quilt Gardens (Elkhart/Middlebury/Goshen area)
Beginning May 30 and going through October 1, the quilt gardens are a collection of 18 gardens that have flowers set in the shape of patchwork quilt patterns. Along with the gardens, there are also 21 different quilt-themed murals that can be viewed. The gardens and murals are free to view during this time, so you’d only be spending money on gas. There is a specific route to take to view the gardens in the different towns, which can be viewed at this address: http://www.amishcountry.org/assets/QGHTMap2018.pdf

3. Taltree Arboretum and Gardens (Valparaiso)
Taltree offers quite a wide variety of land on which to hike and explore. There are hiking trails there that pass through wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and manicured gardens that total 6+ miles in length. There are facilities available to rent for different venues, plus an area where concerts are performed a few times per year. One of the main attractions of the arboretum is the Railway Garden, a garden scale model of a train system with miniature trees, bridges, and water. Taltree costs $10 for general admission, though it offers discounts for young children, military, seniors, and college students. It is open April-October from 8am-7pm.

4. Gravity Hill (Mooresville)
This is an interesting phenomenon that involves optical illusions and a sense that you are defying gravity. The idea behind Gravity Hill is that you find the hill, put your car in neutral, and you get seemingly “pulled” uphill (backwards). Because of no real horizon line and the rolling hills around you, it looks and feels like you are going uphill, but you actually are not. There is no specific address to use for a GPS, but here are some helpful directions from Only in Your State’s website: “(the closest we can give you is 705 Keller Hill Rd.), but you will find it roughly a mile from the turnoff from Hwy 42 onto Keller Hill Road. It works best when you are facing west (away from Hwy 42—you will be pulled east, back toward the highway). When you think you’ve found it, stop your car at the bottom of the hill and shift into neutral. Be patient; it takes a few seconds for your car to start rolling. It may take you a few tries, but it really is worth the effort.” Be cautious while doing this, however. It is an active road with plenty of regular traffic, so be sure to use your hazards and be aware of other cars.

5. Wellfield Botanic Garden (Elkhart)
If you enjoy bright spring flowers, Wellfield is the place to go. The botanic garden is home to plenty of colorful flowers, especially tulips. You’ll find hundreds of tulips of different hues throughout the gardens, along with waterfalls, an Old English cottage, and a Japanese bridge. Like Taltree, there are plenty of events to watch for throughout the seasons, such as concerts, yoga classes, and other outdoor-themed gatherings. Wellfield is open from 9am-7pm Mon-Sat and 11am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is only $8 for adults and $4 for kids, and for a place where guests typically spend 2 hours at, that’s a great price.

6. Connor Prairie (Fishers)
Connor Prairie is a park in which you can immerse yourself in different aspects of Indiana’s history. It is divided into different areas, each of which represents an era of time. Staff in these areas dress in ways that people in that specific era would dress and show guests what life was like for someone during that time period. There is often quite a bit of audience participation involved. There is an area where a Civil War town is recreated, an area that shows what the pioneer lifestyle was like, a wigwam/log cabin area, and an area where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra puts on performances. One big draw here is the 105 foot helium balloon, which is tethered to the ground and gives rides to passengers to up to 377 feet in the air. Two other great areas are the petting zoo area and the treetop adventure, which has a 4 story treehouse with all kinds of engaging activities around it. Admission to Connor Prairie is $18 for adults and $13 for kids ages 2-13 (the balloon ride is $9-17 extra depending on the day you go). They are open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.

7. Lavender Lane (Rome City)
Lavender Lane is a unique garden whose name is self-explanatory. The farm grows over 21 different types of lavender and allows guests to roam around and take in the lovely smells. Peak time is June, so hurry in this month to get the most out of this experience! There are over 700 lavender plants here, as well as a gift shop that sells all things lavender: soap, tea, honey, lotion, shampoo, etc. For those who aren’t aware of lavender’s great qualities, it is know as a plant with soothing/relaxing properties that can even help you sleep. It also heals minor bug bites, scars, burns, and acne. Lavender Lane is open from April to December from 10am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays. DISCLAIMER: The farm’s Facebook post says this year in particular wasn’t great for crops due to the volatile temperatures, so there isn’t as much lavender as usual for 2018.

8. Rustic Driving Range and Miniature Golf (Indianapolis)
This is not like any type of mini-golf you have played before. This place offers 27 holes that are about 3 times as long as a typical mini golf hole and don’t have any barriers keeping your ball from going off the “green” …you’re playing in grass. It gives mini-golfers a chance to hit their golf balls a little harder than usual and is much more challenging (most pars are a par 4). Prices are as follows: $7 for 9 holes, $9 for 18 holes, and $14 for 27 holes. It is CASH ONLY. They are open from 10am-10pm Mon-Sat and are open from noon til 8pm on Sundays. There is also a driving range here.

9. Hiking
Hiking will honestly be on each of the lists I make of “things to do” for the 4 seasons. Indiana offers such a wide variety of hiking opportunities that a lot of time is needed to explore them all. Plus, hiking in spring is a totally different experience than hiking in the fall. If you’re willing to pay the $7 fee to enter a state park, I highly recommend it. If you’re looking for free hiking, check out a previous entry of mine where I detail some great free hiking places. Nature preserves are great for those not looking to spend a whole day hiking, as most preserves have trails that total 4 miles or less. There are also many state recreation areas, state forests, and city parks that contain great trails.

10. The Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Center Point)
This is a place that is worth the drive, no matter where in Indiana you’re coming from. Just like the name states, it is a rescue center for more than 200 exotic felines that have been abused or neglected. Since it was founded in 1991, the EFRC has rescued cats in 24 different states and has given them a home in which to live out the rest of their years. These animals get treated well and are quite cared for by a loving staff and plenty of volunteers. As more cats come in, the center continues to grow; the initial 15 acres bought for the cats has now turned into 108 acres. The public has the opportunity to come in and take a 1-hour tour of the center with a guide for $10 ($5 for kids under 12). One thing to realize is that this is not a zoo; it is not meant to be flashy by any means. Also, you will only get a chance to see about 25% of the cats at the center on your tour. For $200, 2 adults can stay overnight at a house of the premises that is not a part of the public tour area. The EFRC is one of the very few places that exist on Yelp and TripAdvisor that has a 5-star rating with over 100 reviews, and it is well worth the money to check out. They are open from 10am-5pm daily.