Every real Hoosier knows the best ice cream in the state comes from Indiana’s tiny ice cream stands. We’re talking about the places that are so small, there is no inside for you to stand or sit. If you’re lucky, these places will have outdoor seating, but otherwise, you’ll have to enjoy your favorite shake or cone in the car.
All across the state, these seasonal stands are integral for making summer memories. Scroll to the bottom to tell us some of yours.
- Cabell’s Ice Cream
Facebook/Cabell’s Ice Cream
Facebook/Cabell’s Ice Cream This adorable little stand has been around since 2014 and is the perfect place to go if you love spending time outdoors. It offers bench seating with tables and canopies to enjoy your treats. You’ll find both cold and hot food at 1658 E, IN-44, Shelbyville, IN 46176.
- Dairy Belle Ice Cream Store
Facebook/Dairy Belle Ice Cream Store
Facebook/Dairy Belle Ice Cream Store This classic place is one of the oldest tiny ice cream stands in the state. It opened in 1950 and has three locations. The original is located at 7102 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN 46324, while the others are in Schererville and Cedar Lake. Guests enjoy sundaes, ice cream cakes, ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, and even a few hot items like walking tacos, hot dogs, and nachos.
- Mrs. Curl
Facebook/Mrs Curl
Facebook/Mrs Curl In business since 1962, this popular ice cream stand is a summer must for any local. It is an outdoor cafe that serves a plethora of different flavors of milkshakes and malts, dipped cones, sundaes, razzles, and floats. Find it all at 259 S Meridian St., Greenwood, IN 46143.
- Polly’s Freeze
Facebook/Polly’s Freeze
Facebook/Polly’s Freeze In addition to delicious ice cream treats like shakes, cones, and sundaes, this wonderful little stand sells hot food like burgers and other sandwiches. It has been in operation since 1952 and is open daily during the warm months. Find it at 5242 IN-62, Georgetown, IN 47122.
- The Stand “Coneys & Ice Cream”
Facebook/The Stand “Coneys & Ice Cream”
Facebook/The Stand “Coneys & Ice Cream” In operation since 2003, this classic and simple ice cream place has both a walk-up and a drive-thru. The ice cream is a secret family recipe that will drive your taste buds wild. There are many unique sundaes and flavored cones to try here. Find them all at 2164, 5200 Bluffton Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46809.
- Joe’s Ice Cream Supreme
Google/Trent Dailey
Facebook/Joes Ice Cream Supreme This unassuming little ice cream stand is more than meets the eye. Enjoy hand-dipped varieties as well as soft serve at this fantastic place. Find it at 1201 S Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567.
- Dairy Freeze
TripAdvisor/Mbizi
TripAdvisor/Mbizi This itty bitty ice cream stand is one of those places locals wait for all year to open. You’ll find all the classics here from banana splits to cones and more. You can’t miss this remote little walk-up at 1400 N Main St., Auburn, IN 46706.
- The Chief Ice Cream
Facebook/The Chief Ice Cream
Facebook/The Chief Ice Cream Known for some of the best ice cream in Indiana, this nostalgic stand has been around since 1994. It serves hand-dipped delights that are homemade daily. Find it at 502 W Lincoln Ave., Goshen, IN 46526.
Looking to make more summer memories? Check out the nine best things to do in Indiana on a warm night.
Facebook/Cabell’s Ice Cream
This adorable little stand has been around since 2014 and is the perfect place to go if you love spending time outdoors. It offers bench seating with tables and canopies to enjoy your treats. You’ll find both cold and hot food at 1658 E, IN-44, Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Facebook/Dairy Belle Ice Cream Store
This classic place is one of the oldest tiny ice cream stands in the state. It opened in 1950 and has three locations. The original is located at 7102 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN 46324, while the others are in Schererville and Cedar Lake. Guests enjoy sundaes, ice cream cakes, ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches, and even a few hot items like walking tacos, hot dogs, and nachos.
Facebook/Mrs Curl
In business since 1962, this popular ice cream stand is a summer must for any local. It is an outdoor cafe that serves a plethora of different flavors of milkshakes and malts, dipped cones, sundaes, razzles, and floats. Find it all at 259 S Meridian St., Greenwood, IN 46143.
Facebook/Polly’s Freeze
In addition to delicious ice cream treats like shakes, cones, and sundaes, this wonderful little stand sells hot food like burgers and other sandwiches. It has been in operation since 1952 and is open daily during the warm months. Find it at 5242 IN-62, Georgetown, IN 47122.
Facebook/The Stand “Coneys & Ice Cream”
In operation since 2003, this classic and simple ice cream place has both a walk-up and a drive-thru. The ice cream is a secret family recipe that will drive your taste buds wild. There are many unique sundaes and flavored cones to try here. Find them all at 2164, 5200 Bluffton Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46809.
Google/Trent Dailey
Facebook/Joes Ice Cream Supreme
This unassuming little ice cream stand is more than meets the eye. Enjoy hand-dipped varieties as well as soft serve at this fantastic place. Find it at 1201 S Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567.
TripAdvisor/Mbizi
This itty bitty ice cream stand is one of those places locals wait for all year to open. You’ll find all the classics here from banana splits to cones and more. You can’t miss this remote little walk-up at 1400 N Main St., Auburn, IN 46706.
Facebook/The Chief Ice Cream
Known for some of the best ice cream in Indiana, this nostalgic stand has been around since 1994. It serves hand-dipped delights that are homemade daily. Find it at 502 W Lincoln Ave., Goshen, IN 46526.
What other tiny ice cream stands do you love to visit in Indiana? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.
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