10 best places to go for ice cream in Southwest Michigan

Finding the perfect ice cream is a cherished summer tradition. No place along Lake Michigan’s shore makes searching for the best flavors more fun than Southwest Michigan. These moments of sweet indulgence offer cool relief from the heat and, best of all, they bring us together to make the happiest memories. Check out these places — many are open year-round.

KILWINS | ST. JOSEPH & SOUTH HAVEN

The thing that’s magical about Kilwins is you will smell the mouthwatering aromas of fresh-made waffle cones and fudge wafting down the street BEFORE you reach the shop’s screen door. Kilwins ice cream is renowned for its velvety texture and delectable flavors churned with premium ingredients and hand-scooped by friendly staff. Besides the classic vanilla and decadent chocolate choices, look for seasonal peach, Mackinac Island Fudge, blueberry, and apple or pumpkin pie. Your kids will love watching them make fudge on the marble tables. 

SOUTH BEND CHOCOLATE CAFE | ST. JOSEPH

This treat destination is more than just an ice cream shop. Besides a selection of scoopable flavors, South Bend Chocolate Cafe is the place to go for gourmet chocolates, tantalizing baked goods, the world's best hot chocolate, and steamy cups of freshly roasted coffee. This is a fun place to pull up a chair and people-watch from their street-level windows. 

CABANAS | ST. JOSEPH

This charming, downtown ice cream shop is open from April through November. Whether you're cooling off with one of Cabanas’s refreshing cones, milkshakes, or smoothies or indulging in fresh-baked pastries, there's something for everyone. The menu also includes nut-free and vegan options, ensuring all visitors can enjoy a sweet treat as they walk or relax on a bench or swing along the tree-lined bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

DAIRY KORNER | ST. JOSEPH

Dairy Korner on Lakeview Avenue has been perfecting soft-serve ice cream since 1956. About a mile from most downtown attractions, you can drive or walk through St. Joseph’s Victorian-era neighborhood or along Main Street to reach it. Choose from traditional soft-serve, frozen yogurt, and non-dairy flavors. Its menu is loaded with sundaes, parfaits, shakes, floats, and flurries. Pair them with their hot-off-the-grill beef or veggie burgers, chicken, grilled cheese or BLT sandwiches, hot dogs, and more. 

SHERMAN'S DAIRY BAR | SOUTH HAVEN

Once you taste Sherman’s ice cream, you will instantly know why people drive for miles and wait patiently until their numbers are called to bring them to the counter. Ice cream lovers give high marks for their rich-and-creamy offerings, including crowd-pleasers like Blue Moon, Butter Pecan, and Cherry Amaretto, plus fun options like Superman and Moose Tracks. Seasonal specialties ensure there's always something new to try. With generous portions and a welcoming indoor and outdoor setting, Sherman's is a must-visit for an authentic taste of summer.

SOUTH PIER CREAMERY & MARKET | SOUTH HAVEN

Within steps of the scenic downtown river walk, South Pier Creamery & Market specializes in classic and innovative dairy and non-dairy, hand-dipped ice cream flavors. Its market is great for your picnic basket foods and charcuterie board delights to wow your guests. Its quick-service menu features broasted chicken tenders, burgers, and submarine sandwiches, so you can spend less time cooking on vacation. 

CARUSO'S CANDY | DOWAGIAC

At Caruso’s Candy, some things haven’t changed in 100+ years — like serving sumptuous ice cream, candies, old-fashioned ice cream sodas, and phosphates. They still use some of the original family recipes and do things how the shop’s founders Antonio and Emilia did in the early days. Yet, when you walk through the doors, there’s always something new to tantalize your taste buds in this day's store. 

MAIN STREET BURGERS PIZZA & ICE CREAM | EAU CLAIRE

A treat for those craving sweet delights alongside their meal or after visiting nearby orchards, trails, and wineries, Main Street offers a lot of tempting ice cream flavors. Will you choose Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, Blue Moon, or Peanut Butter Cup?

OINK’S DUTCH TREAT | NEW BUFFALO

This across-the-Indiana-border ice cream shop is a Harbor Country legend. You must stop at least once each year (although it's rare to quit coming after one visit). Oink’s is celebrated for dishing up some of the best ice cream and doing so with exceptional customer service. Enhancing the experience is the store’s unique, floor-to-ceiling decor. We doubt you have ever seen more pig-themed and nostalgic ice cream memorabilia — anywhere! 

NEON MOON GELATO | UNION PIER

You don’t have to sit in an Italian piazza for a dreamy, gelato experience. Neon Moon proudly scoops Palazzolo's Artisan Dairy’s authentic, Italian-style gelato and sorbetto made in nearby Fennville. Every week, there are new flavors to entice you back. If you plan to hike or bike on nearby trails, it’s also an excellent source for homemade freeze-dried snacks and trail mix. 

STAY OVER TO TRY MORE

If there is ever a perfect excuse to stay for more than a day in Southwest Michigan, it’s turning your vacation into a multi-day quest for the best ice cream shop. All our lodgings are a quick drive to our top ice cream destinations, and some are within walking distance. Like our ice creams, they offer a range of rates and amenities to fit your tastes. Southwest Michigan also has many things to do to burn off calories while you are here. 

Please tell us your number one ice cream spot and flavor using our hashtag #swmichigan. 

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