Cone or cup or on a stick, it doesn’t matter. The sweets are cool at all these spots.
The ice cream parlor and soda fountain is a deco dreamland, where nostalgic decor and vintage finds set the tone for retro indulgence. Perch on a swiveling stool and slurp mixologist Russell Davis’s nonalcoholic sodas, shakes, and floats.
The Ice Cream Bar and Soda Fountain, 815 Cole Street, San Francisco (415-742-4932 or theicecreambarsf.com).
Kim Malek of Salt & Straw wins over vanilla palates with varieties like dandelion sorbet with spring flowers and Arbequina olive oil. Got a more timid tongue? Cinnamon snickerdoodle should please.
Salt & Straw, 2035 Northeast Alberta Street, Portland (503-208-3867 or saltandstraw.com); 838 Northwest 23rd Avenue, Portland (971-271-8168).
Years ago you hit the bars, but boozing it up sounds less appealing with a toddler in tow. La Divina Gelateria’s gelato offers G-rated kicks both Uptown and in the French Quarter.
La Divina Gelateria, 3005 Magazine Street, New Orleans (504-342-2634 or ladivinagelateria.com); 621 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans (504-302-2692).
Molly Moon Neitzel reduces her carbon footprint by composting and building her Seattle-area shops with repurposed materials. Of course, the organic, local ingredients swirled into her recipes (salted caramel, maple walnut) encourage repeat visits, too.
Find Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream locations at mollymoonicecream.com.
Sometimes your tot subscribes to the more-is-more approach to dessert. Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles manages to wow him with simplicity on a stick.
Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles, 2905 12th Avenue South, Nashville (615-386-2101).
Pastry chef Amadou Ly churns out tiny batches of cold comfort as well as giant, filled-to-order cream puffs, macarons, seasonal tarts, and artisanal chocolates. The space is simple: vintage school chairs, Pippi Longstocking wallpaper, and a flavor request chalkboard.
Fort Grace Ice Cream & Sweet Shop, 229 DeKalb Avenue, New York City (718-222-1510).
Franklin Fountain sits just a few blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall; we think it’s equally deserving of landmark status. Tuck into a towering Mt. Vesuvius sundae, and you’ll understand why a line often snakes out the door.
Franklin Fountain, 116 Market Street, Philadelphia (215-627-1899 or franklinfountain.com).
Flavors change constantly at the West Coast favorite, but one thing you can look forward to every time is the self-serve toppings bar. Let him ladle a shower of sprinkles onto a cone.
Scoops, 3400 Overland Avenue, Los Angeles (323-405-7055 or scoopswestside.com); 712 North Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles.
Your babe dreams of peanut butter swirled with licorice and marshmallows. Lucky for her, Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream fields customer suggestions and then whips up new flavors each month.
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream, 749 Moreland Avenue Southeast, Atlanta (404-622-0210 or morellisicecream.com); 1220 Caroline Street Northeast, Atlanta (404-584-2500).
All Bostonians flock to J.P. Licks, including those with tricky bellies. Gluten- and dairy-free flavors allow everyone to indulge.
Find J.P. Licks locations at jplicks.com.
Your tyke takes an hour to choose between banana and spicy chocolate — and five minutes to devour it. At the D.C.-area Pitango, the staff patiently doles out tiny spoonfuls of samples until a decision is made. If he still can’t come to a conclusion, no worries. Each regular serving includes two scoops — choose both.
Find Pitango locations at pitangogelato.com.
Have a side of nostalgia with your hot fudge sundae. Ginormous portions and retro decor get rave reviews.
Margie’s Candies, 1960 North Western Avenue, Chicago (773-384-1035 or margiesfinecandies.com); 1813 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago (773-348-0400).
The hot dog statue and smell of just-made waffle cones at Wild About Harry’s have greeted families for years. Introduce the newest members of your clan to its famous frozen custard.
Wild About Harry’s, 3113 Knox Street, Dallas (214-520-3113 or wildaboutharrys.com).
Natives cope with the Florida humidity at The Frieze Ice Cream. Cones that land on the floor after one lick are quickly replaced, and you can see batches being made in the back. Could be why it’s been around for 25 years.
The Frieze Ice Cream, 1626 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach (305-538-0207 or thefrieze.com).
The team of brothers stirs only wholesome ingredients into their recipes. Sample flavors made with local produce and hormone-free milk at parlors throughout Cleveland, Ohio.
Find Mitchell’s Ice Cream locations at mitchellshomemade.com.
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