Five West Michigan Ice Cream Shops That are Worth the Drive
By: Kate Ford
It’s above 40 in Michigan so that means it is time for ICE CREAM! As our favorite local spots start to reopen for the season and with warmer weather on the horizon, we could not think of a better tasty treat to end our day with! Below is the Soccer Buddies short list of Local West Michigan Ice Cream Shops that are Worth the Drive:
Captain Sundae
Located in Holland and Zeeland, Captain Sundae has been serving up all your ice cream favorites since 1980. Their most famous creation, the Tommy Turtle Sundae, is a delicious mix of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, butter pecans, and whipped cream. And bonus, the North Holland location is just 4 miles away from Holland State Park. Beach and ice cream trip anyone??
What the locals have to say:
“A must-try if you are in Holland! The ice cream is delicious, and the atmosphere is upbeat. This location is right next to a mini-golf course. There are many ice cream flavors, toppings, and sundaes to choose from. My personal favorite is the Tommy Turtle. Very kid-friendly. Reasonable prices and portion sizes. Highly recommend!” - Noelle
Houseman’s Ice Cream
Located in downtown Byron Center, Houseman’s ice cream is a community staple! The shop offers tons of different ice cream flavors, shakes, malts, and even vegan soft serve ice cream. It is near Kent Trails if you are on bike and also nearby another community favorite, Pete’s Grill and Tavern - aka the perfect dinner and dessert combination.
What the locals have to say:
“Hometown favorite! Lots of selection of quality frozen treats including hard to find and specialty ice cream flavors.” - Jason
Sherman’s Ice Cream
This South Haven classic dairy bar has been around since 1916 - over 100 years old! Offering tons of delicious homemade ice creams, this local treat is definitely worth the wait. We cannot wait for them to reopen on May 1st for the 2021 season!
What the locals have to say:
“Very tasty ice cream to cool off on a hot day. Beware, portions are huge! Their customer service was great. After telling the young lady who took my order about my child's nut allergy, they went above and beyond expectations to assure me there was no cross contamination. Get your ice cream now!” - N Fern
Love’s Ice Cream and Chocolate
Love’s Ice Cream is a relative newcomer compared to other shops on this list but it has already become a beloved fan favorite. This ice cream shop focuses on creating small batch, hand-crafted ice cream using dairy and produce from local West Michigan farms. Love’s also offers a huge selection of dairy free, gluten free, and nut free options for those with allergies and intolerances! As someone with allergies myself, I am beyond grateful to have a variety of tasty, dairy-free options.
Plus, Love’s is located within the Downtown Market so you are able to pick up delicious goodies from other local vendors (cheeses, pastries, sushi, meats, and more!)
What the locals have to say:
“My favorite ice cream! I really appreciate that they have vegan flavors! This is a favorite stop on birthdays, special occasions, and when we have friends stop in from out of town.” - Alissa
Jersey Junction
This old-fashioned dairy parlor opened its doors in 1963, right in the heart of East Grand Rapids and the Gaslight Village. The shop is steeped in local history and memorabilia while the menu offers guests both popular and unique Hudsonville Ice Cream flavors (Bananas Foster or the Sleeping Bear Dunes Hug to name a few).
What the locals have to say:
“Great service and fabulous ice cream options with a step back in history like the local candy store." - Russ
We hope you enjoyed our local favorites list and would love to hear about your ice cream adventures in the comments section! Happy eating everyone!
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