Lancaster County's Ice Cream Trail

Nothing says summertime like a delicious scoop (or three) of ice cream. It's pure happiness in a cone! Lancaster is the cream of the crop as Pennsylvania's top milk-producing county, so it should come as no surprise that we're home to so many creameries and ice cream shops, each with their own unique vibe. During your next stay with us at the Inn and Spa at Intercourse Village, satisfy your sweet tooth by checking out Lancaster's mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail.

The Ice Cream Trail is a tasty way to highlight Lancaster County's small, independent dairy farms that are churning out some amazing ice cream — not to mention the many scoop shops, stands and parlors. With 23 locations along the trail, you'll have fun exploring all the scrumptious frozen treats Lancaster County has to offer. Download a printable Ice Cream Trail map and list here.

Here are a few of the stops not far from the Inn and Spa at Intercourse Village where you can begin your summer tasting adventure.

Start at Lapp Valley Farms, just up the road in New Holland, where you'll find small batch ice cream with big time flavor. When you visit, stroll the farm and visit with the cows and other animals while you indulge in 16 varieties of rich, premium ice cream served in homemade waffle cones. Also in New Holland, you'll find Lickity Split. This old-time ice cream parlor and sandwich shop is now in its 12th year serving lunch and dessert in a historic downtown building. Be sure to try their teaberry ice cream. What's teaberry, you ask? It's a flavor that's uniquely Pennsylvania — bright pink ice cream with a surprisingly minty taste.

You'll find more stops on the Ice Cream Trail in nearby Strasburg. Down on the Farm Creamery offers farm-to-table goodness, not just their homemade ice cream, but also fresh-made dairy products like cheese, butter and yogurt. Down on the Farm has a second creamery location at the Choo Choo Barn in downtown Strasburg. Also in the heart of downtown Strasburg is the Strasburg Creamery, which has been serving up premium ice cream for almost 40 years. They use the freshest ingredients to make their velvety ice cream onsite and rotate 140 unique flavor creations throughout the year. This location doesn't just serve ice cream. You also can grab breakfast or lunch at the cafe, visit the bakery, and check out the country store for gifts and PA Dutch treats and candies.

Here's a bonus stop for you: Hayloft Ice Cream in Leola. While it's not on the Ice Cream Trail, it's definitely worth a visit. Enjoy their delicious homemade ice cream and soft pretzels as you sit under the pavilion and watch ducks swim in the pond. Or eat inside, where the unique interior wilderness decor represents the boys’ camp they support with the proceeds from all sales.