I Scream, You Scream: Get a Taste of Connecticut’s Sweet Treats

When it comes to tradition, nothing beats the Dairy Bar at the University of Connecticut, located in Storrs. Vestiges of the university's beginnings as an agricultural school can be found all over campus. After spending some time with the dairy cows on Horsebarn Hill, head into the retro-themed ice-cream shop, which has been in operation since 1953. There, you will find dozens of flavors that will satisfy even the hungriest Husky. Go for the signature Husky Tracks, vanilla ice cream with a fudge swirl and Reese’s peanut butter cups. Yet another national champion!

Across the state, nestled among the lush hills of Newtown, another creamery awaits you. The Ferris family has been farming in Newtown for more than 300 years, and today Ferris Acres Creamery is still a family affair. Grab a picnic table (if you can!) and watch the cows grazing about. The Ferris family has made it their mission to show that Connecticut farming can be profitable in the 21st century—and a big part of that is their rich, silky farm-made ice cream.

Ashley’s Ice Cream has been at it for more than 30 years; accumulating all sorts of “Best of” awards along the way. It is now as much a part of the Yale campus as the world-famous architecture that surrounds the small shop. Ashley’s provides a plethora of toppings too, surely enough to please all kids—be they in college or preschool.

“Not just an ice cream shop, a destination” is the tagline for the Wells Hollow Creamery in Shelton. Indeed, with a goal always to have 50 different flavors available, Wells Hollow is the destination for ice-cream-loving families over and over again. Run by a fifth-generation farming family, Wells Hollow is a real working farm that also makes and serves great ice cream on the 3,000-square-foot patio.

Gofer Ice Cream is a somewhat newer player in the Connecticut ice-cream game. Perhaps that’s why it tends to be a little more inventive and playful with its offerings. While Gofer does serve traditional hard ice cream, it is the soft serve—a little denser than typical soft serve—that brings in the crowds. Gofer has invented “Flavor Twist” and “Flavor Fusion” to add to the base flavors. The resulting treat is as much of a work of art as an ode to deliciousness. Who wouldn’t want to eat a psychedelic-looking swirl of soft serve?

For more of a sit-down meal, A.C. Petersen’s Farms in West Hartford has been serving families since 1914. Originally started as a “farm fresh” ice-cream stand, it is now a full-service restaurant—with ice cream still at its heart. Don’t forget to add the famous hand-whipped heavy cream and gourmet hot fudge as finishing touches to your dessert. A.C. also features a seasonal roadside location in Old Lyme.

Formerly a street side Carvel Ice Cream shop, the family owned and operated Sea Swirl serves up delicious ice cream, from soft serve to milkshakes, and all the other classic treats. Not to mention fantastic seafood favorites and one of the most beautiful sunsets on the horizon. They’ve even been featured in the New York Times, The Boston Globe & The Hartford Courant.

Why just have ice cream, when you can have an insta-worthy ice cream experience? Whether it’s served in an unusual setting, or flash-frozen right in front of you, or it’s an over-the-top work of art—Connecticut is full of innovative twists on this classic treat.

Does all of this sweet talk make you crave hand-dipped, small-batch chocolates? Find these delicacies throughout the state at popular shops that specialize in turtles, truffles, nut clusters and caramels. Ice-cream lovers, fear not: find plenty of ice cream and gelato—chocolate of course—along the trail. Head to the Connecticut Chocolate Trail and find many ways to live out your Willy Wonka fantasy on a chocolate factory tour.

Author Stephen Wood’s favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.