Cape Codders love their ice cream. In fact, as spring makes its debut, many keep an eye on their favorite places for that magical opening day. They look forward to once again enjoying the sweet bliss of their favorite treats, knowing summer isn’t far behind. No matter if your favorite is hard-packed, soft-serve or gelato, there’s something for everyone here on Cape Cod. Here is a list of some of our favorite places for delicious ice cream.
Four Seas Ice Cream, Centerville
Four Seas is at the top of our list for a reason and many who live and visit Cape Cod visit Four Seas annually. This is definitely a must visit for ice cream lovers! Four Seas has been serving Ice Cream and Cape Codders since 1934. They’ve been winning national and local competitions for a decade and have been named in top ten ice creams by national publications. Four Seas is now open year-round, but only during certain days and hours. Off-season hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sundays. Located at 360 Main St., in Centerville. Check their website at fourseasicecream.com. (SHHH!!! Locals-Only Secret: If there is a BLUE CHAIR outside the front door during “off hours,” it means they are open for pints and quarts!)
Ice Cream Sandwich, Sandwich
Established in 1982, Ice Cream Sandwich is one of the only ice cream shops in the area that offers homemade ice cream that is actually made on-premises, and serves 24 flavors of Cape Cod’s tastiest homemade ice cream. In addition, Ice Cream Sandwich offers 11 flavors of low-fat, soft-serve ice cream, 10 flavors of non-fat, sof-serve yogurt and even low-carb and sugar-free ice cream! Top it off with homemade whipped cream, which is whipped fresh daily in the kitchen! Opening day is April 14! Located at 66 Route 6A, Sandwich. Visit icecreamsandwich.net for more information.
Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream, East Falmouth
Smitty’s, in Falmouth, is a great place to visit on a warm summer evening, with delicious homemade ice cream and whipped cream, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike. There’s a grassy area where kids can play while you keep an eye on them. Try the waffle cone! Smitty’s is located at 326 East Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth, and has locations at 538 Falmouth Rd., Mashpee, and 3261 Main St, Barnstable. Opening day has not yet been announced, so keep an eye on their Facebook page or visit smittysic.com.
Cape Cod Creamery, Hyannis & South Yarmouth
Cape Cod Creamery has some of the tastiest and richest ice cream this side of the bridge. Lounge in some of the chairs outside and catch a bit of shade under the umbrellas while you enjoy your ice cream. The new Hyannis location, at 645 Iyannough Rd, opened April 1, and the South Yarmouth location opens April 6. Route 132 in the Christmas Tree Plaza in Hyannis and 1199 Route 28 in South Yarmouth. Visit capecodcreamery.com for more information.
Sundae School, Dennis Port, East Orleans & Harwich Port
With three locations, Sundae School is easy to get to and a perfect spot to stop with the kids to get a cone or two. Enjoy your ice cream out in the sun! Sundae School originally opened its doors in 1976 and has been serving delicious ice cream ever since. Their ice cream is made at the locations and made in small batches, using the finest ingredients around. The Dennisport location opens May 4, while East Orleans and Harwich Port open in late May. For more information, visit sundaeschool.com.
Steve & Sue’s Par-Tee Freeze, Hyannis
If you enjoy ice cream and you enjoy miniature golf then Par-Tee Freeze is the place for you! Dig into some delicious soft serve before perfecting your mini-golf game against friends and family! Par-Tee Freeze is now open for the season 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, 455 West Main Street, Hyannis. Visit parteefreeze.com for more info.
Katie’s Ice Cream, Hyannis
Katie’s serves some of the most savory ice cream on the Cape. Be sure to stop by and treat yourself to Katie’s delicious ice cream, which is made on-premises. Katie’s, located in Hyannis, opens Friday, April 13, for the season at 570 Main St., Hyannis! Visit katiesicecreamcapecod.com for more information.
The Local Scoop, Orleans
Make your own creation at the Local Scoop in Orleans with plentiful choices of toppings and flavors in both soft and hard serve. Open year-round, you don’t have to wait to get your share of sweetness. There are many other treats available too – a perfect spot for kids! Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 34 Route 6A, Orleans. Visit thelocalscoopcapecod.com for hours and more information.
Ben & Jerry’s, Hyannis & Eastham
As an international ice cream manufacturer, many have heard of Ben & Jerry’s and know why they are on our list. If you haven’t, be sure to check them out, and try some of their crazy (but delicious) flavors! They are now open for the season daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 352 Main St., Hyannis. Don’t miss FREE CONE DAY on April 10! Eastham location will open for the season on April 10th (Free Cone Day there, too!) Visit benjerry.com/Hyannis for more information.
The Ice Cream Smuggler, Dennis
After a day at Mayflower or Chapin Beach in Dennis, there is nothing better than having an ice cream from the Ice Cream Smuggler. They offer a variety of flavors that range from vanilla to pistachio and beyond. The Ice Cream Smuggler is cash-only, so make sure you have some! It is now open for its 40th season, so head on down to 716 Main St, Dennis! You can visit their website at icecreamsmuggler.com.
Schoolhouse Ice Cream, Harwich Port
With a friendly atmosphere and great homemade ice cream, Schoolhouse Ice Cream is sure to please. The large selection provides something for everyone and the crowds speak for themselves! Schoolhouse opens for the season in mid-April at 749 Route 28 Harwich Port. Visit schoolhouseicrcream.com.
Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour, Mashpee
Serving generous portions of delicious ice cream, the Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour features a great selection of favors including their own mystery creations. Hand-rolled-to-order waffle cones make for an unforgettable ice cream experience! Polar Cave opens any day now at 22 Falmouth Road (Route 28) Mashpee, although no definitive date has yet been named, so keep an eye on the website, at polarcave.com!
Lewis Brothers Homemade Ice Cream, Provincetown
It’s worth the drive to Provincetown. But really, do we have to twist your arm for ice cream? Especially the rich, gelato kind, with flavors like grape nut, green tea and pumpkin spice? No, we don’t. Lewis Brothers, 310 Commercial St., Provincetown, creates new flavors daily and also has a small food truck which makes stops in other Cape towns. Keep checking the website, lewisbrothersicecream.com, for the opening day!
Somerset Creamery, Cataumet
Located in a sleepy village in Bourne, this standout creamery has long lines stretching into the parking lot for most of the season – even on weekdays. Inside, the air is thick with the aroma of freshly-made waffle cones and various frozen custards to stuff into them. Favorite flavors are supercharged with fresh ingredients and complimented with more original fare, like “cranberry bog,” ginger and the end-of-summer favorite: Indian Pudding. Don’t forget to try a Black Cow! It opens for the season on Friday, April 7 at 1268 Route 28A, Cataumet, so don’t miss out! Visit somersetcreamery.com for hours and more information.
Twin Acres Ice Cream Shoppe, Sandwich
What’s in a name? You’re liable to find this Sandwich shop’s Cape Cod-style structure and title to be rich with old country charm, but the real treat awaits you in the deep freeze. Bourbon Caramel Pistachio Brittle, Frozen Pudding, and the famed White Thunder (featuring white chocolate chips and black raspberry) are all mouthwatering flavors which speak for themselves. Twin Acres is now open for the season at 21 Route 6A in Sandwich. (Don’t miss 2 for 1 sundaes on Saturday April 7!) Visit twinacresicecreamshoppe.com.
Did we miss one? Let us know on the form below! We’ll look forward to trying it!
About Ann Luongo
