Philly Ice Cream Guide: Sweet and unique treats to try in the city

Being at the peak of summer, a Philly Ice Cream Guide seems to be in order—especially when you factor in National Ice Cream Day is also coming up this weekend (July 21.) To indulge in all of the sweet and refreshing local goodness, we’ve rounded up some tempting options for locals and visitors alike.

Irv’s Ice Cream

There’s nothing sweeter than free ice cream, and with Irv’s, some customers will be able to grab some scoops at no cost this weekend. Irv’s is one of the three food concession trolleys that make up La Placita Cherry Street Pier by Cantina La Martina (located at the Pier), and on Sunday July 21, the brand will be serving up kiddie-sized ice cream to the first 50 people who stop by, beginning at 11 a.m.

121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd., cherrystreetpier.com

Scoop DeVille

This fun and creative sweet treat and cake shop offers enticing options for a Philly Ice Cream Guide. The offerings span custom blends (and you can even create your own flavor on the spot), “Stacker Sundaes”, and a buffet of different toppings that vary in sweetness and uniqueness (to give you a clue, bacon is one of the options.)

The brand also offers catering and events, and Philadelphians can find locations in Center City, on South Street and in Old City.

Multiple locations, scoopdevilleicecream.com

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

This brand is known for their unique spin on flavors, and they have a new batch of them for the summer in Philly. Locals can head to the brand’s Center City or Fishtown location to try out their new pint offerings, which span Sparkling Cherry Pie, Snow Cone Sorbet, Burnt Orange Dreamsicle, Tahini Oat Chocolate Cookies and Double Dough.

If you can’t make it out to one of their storefronts, the summertime pint collection is available to order online as well.

Multiple locations, jenis.com

Weckerly’s Ice Cream

Weckerly’s is known for their ice cream sandwich specialties, but you can get much more than just their tasty handhelds at their Fishtown scoop shop (or even online.) Their menu currently spans a Lavender Lemon Bar ice cream sandwich, Butterscotch Brindle ice cream sandwich, variety of scoops (think Almond Joy, Meadow Mint Chip, Matcha Strawberry Rose, Cookie Dump and more) in a variety of cones (including a house-made fudge filled waffle cone.)

9 W. Girard Ave., weckerlys.com

The Franklin Fountain and Art in the Age

The Franklin Fountain is an iconic stop, so it makes sense that they would be included in a Philly Ice Cream Guide. But, this weekend holds a special collab for the brand with their partnership with Old City bar and libation shop, Art in the Age. The duo will be offering a “sweet and boozy limited-edition special” on Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the famous ice cream shop.

Dubbed the Ferocious Float ($17.50), the treat is made with classic Franklin Root Beer, Art in the Age’s Siege of Wolves Spiced Rum, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. While at The Franklin Fountain, Philadelphians can also try other treats like their house-made ice cream sandwiches, mango and vanilla shake, or try out one of their many sundae or scoop options (think flavors spanning Green Tea, Maple Walnut, Sea Salt Caramel, Cotton Candy, Fudge Brownie, Caramelized Banana and more.)

116 Market St., franklinfountain.com

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

A dumpling shop might not be first on your list when thinking of a Philly Ice Cream Guide, but this Sunday, the brand will be offering a unique ice cream paring for one day only at its South Street location.

As a release notes, for a limited time only, on July 21, customers can enjoy the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop PHL and Scoop Deville smash dumpling and ice cream combo, aka Apple Pie Smash Dumplings and Maple Crunch Delight Ice Cream (a maple scoop ice cream sweetened by Cinnamon Toast Crunch pieces.) Or, visitors can opt for the classic Smash Dumpling options including Brownie and PB &J for $10.

Multiple locations, brooklyndumplingshop.com

Please Touch Museum

Okay, another one where you might be wondering what it’s doing on a Philly Ice Cream Guide. But, this Saturday, July 20, locals can head to the cultural institution for their official Ice Cream Day. While there, visitors can make their own ice cream out of different materials, or explore the science of ice cream/create your own in the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace.

Bassett’s will also be on-site serving up free sundaes from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m (or while supplies last.)

4231 Avenue of the Republic, pleasetouchmuseum.org