In all honesty, this post began as my search for the best blueberry ice cream in Maine. Since blueberries are the official Maine fruit, this seemed like like an ideal summer quest. However, I soon realized that there are countless versions of blueberry ice cream and many were very good. Choosing a favorite was near impossible. Still, I did come up with my favorite way (so far) to serve blueberry ice cream. That honor goes to the Scoop Deck in Wells and its blueberry ice cream float. At $8.50 it was rather pricey. But, it was equally yummy.
Since they have outdoor seating, most ice cream shops are pet friendly. Some even have servings especially designed for pups. Oscar and Sadie loved their treat at Wicky Ralph’s.
The list below contains the top ice cream shops from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Portland, Maine. Most shops between the cities are clustered around route one. A handful are a bit more inland. Our list is organized to reflect this.
Many independent ice cream shops are seasonal so it’s best to call if you have a craving before Memorial Day of after Labor Day. Dairy Queen (listed at the end of this posting) is more likely to be open into the colder months.
I’m still working my way through this list. As I visit more places, I’ll add a fun fact or two about each one. If I’ve missed your local favorite, drop me a note in the comments.
Portsmouth, NH
Red Rover Creamery
150 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
M-W: Closed; Th: 12-7pm; F & Sa: 12-9:30pm; Su: 12-7pm
(603) 427-8172
Kilwins Portsmouth
20 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Open 7 days 10am-9pm
(603) 319-8842
Izzy’s Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream
33 Bow St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Open 7 days 11am-10pm
(603) 431-1053
Annabelle’s Natural Ice Cream
49 Ceres St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Open 7 days 11am-10pm
(603) 436-3400
Near Route One Between Portsmouth and Portland
Mrs & Me
400 US-1, Kittery, ME 03904
Open 7 days 11:30 am-9pm
(207) 703-0169
toasttab.com
Village Scoop Ice Cream
A tradition ice cream shop with seating inside and out.
286 York St, York, ME 03909
Open 7 days 12-8pm
(207) 363-0100
maine-ice-cream-llc.square.site
Dunne’s Ice Cream
Visit Dunne’s on your way to the Nubble Lighthouse. You can sit on the benches and enjoy a breathtaking view of the lighthouse and the ocean. Fun Fact — Lady Gaga stopped here when she was in town for her sister’s wedding. She had the chocolate walnut, which has been renamed in her honor.
214 Nubble Rd, York, ME 03909
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 363-1277
York Beach Dairy Bar
An old-fashioned ice cream stand right across from the beach.
97 Long Beach Ave, York, ME 03909
Open 7 days 11am-10pm
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057079014754&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Wicked Good Ice Cream
2 Beach St, York, ME 03909
Open 7 days 10am-10pm
(207) 361-4044
wickedgoodicecream.net
The Goldenrod
2 Railroad Ave, York Beach, ME 03910
Open 7 days 9am-10pm
(207) 363-2621
thegoldenrod.com
Corner Cafe
91 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Su, M & Th 7am-5pm; Tu & W 7am-6pm; F & Sa 7am-9pm
(207) 351-6863
https://www.facebook.com/OGTPerkinsCove/
Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream
This sweet little shop is right in downtown Ogunquit, so expect to pay Ogunquit prices.
37 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Open 7 days 11am-11pm
(207) 646-6788
https://www.sweetpeasogunquit.com/
Big Daddy’s Ice Cream
With two shops in Ogunquit and others in Wells and Kennebunkport, Big Daddy’s is a southern Maine staple.
47 Shore Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Open 7 days 12-11pm
(207) 360-0109
478 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 216-9235
Dairy King
128 Beach St, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Ben & Jerry’s
238 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 646-2401
benjerry.com
Skin’s Scoop Ice Cream Shop
259 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
M, Tu, W, F: Closed; Th & Sa 3-9pm
(207) 646-9959
Scoop Deck
The Scoop Deck is home to one of my favorite frozen treats in the area — their blueberry float. Scoop Deck isn’t cheap — a visit here with a large family will strain the wallet, but it is a great experience. The young staff seems to genuinely enjoy their work and their enthusiasm is contagious.
6 Eldridge Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Open 7 days 11am-10pm
(207) 646-5150
scoopdeck.com
Forbes
The key attractions to Forbes restaurant is its location — adjacent to the beach at Wells. Like many places along the coast, Forbes is not cheap ($7 for a small), but the portions are big.
427 Mile Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Open 7 days 7:30am-9pm
(207) 646-7620
forbesrestaurant.com
Big Daddy’s Ice Cream
With two shops in Ogunquit and others in Wells and Kennebunkport, Big Daddy’s is a southern Maine staple.
2165 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 646-5454
Rococo Ice Cream
On the pricier side, this gourmet shop is great for those who love exotic flavors and great gelato.
8 Western Ave Unit 5, Kennebunk, ME 04043
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 835-1049
rococoicecream.com
Ben & Jerry’s
5 Union St, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 967-2322
benjerry.com
Big Daddy’s Ice Cream
With two shops in Ogunquit and others in Wells and Kennebunkport, Big Daddy’s is a southern Maine staple.
6 Spring St, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 204-0329
Goose Rocks Dairy
278 Mills Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Open 7 days 12-10pm
https://www.facebook.com/gooserocksdairykpt/
Sprinkles
Located in a small food truck park directly across from Bently’s, Sprinkles may be the best value for high-quality ice cream along Route 1. A very large two-scoop waffle cone costs $4. They serve Gifford’s, a favorite local brand from Skowhegan Maine.
1632 Portland Rd, Arundel, ME 04046
M: Closed; Tu-F & Su: 3-8pm; Sa 12-8pm
Raptor Falls Mini Golf & Ice Cream
1912 Portland Rd, Arundel, ME 04046
Open 7 days 10am-9pm
(207) 467-3131
Dairy Joy
311 Elm St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Open 7 days 12-10pm
places.singleplatform.com
Sweetcream Dairy
128 Main St Unit 101, Biddeford, ME 04005
Open 7 days 1-9pm
(207) 494-4852
The Saco Scoop
209 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
Su-W: 12-9; Th-Sa 12-10
(207) 370-9311
Garside’s Ice Cream
320 Ferry Rd, Saco, ME 04072
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 283-0045
garsidesmaine.com
Martel’s Ice Cream
With smalls going for $5, Martels falls on the more affordable side. Enjoy some mini golf while you are there.
757 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072
Open 7 days 11am-9pm
(207) 283-1775
Ocean Park Soda Fountain
Temple Ave, Ocean Park, ME 04063
Open 7 days 7am-10pm
(207) 937-8580
Fielder’s Choice
156 Saco Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Open 7 days 11am-10pm
(207) 934-4402
places.singleplatform.com
Gelato Supreme Candy Shop & Ice Cream
26 Old Orchard St, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Su-F: 9am-10pm; Sa: 9am-10:30pm
(786) 916-1169
Uncle Joel’s Ice Cream & Candy
1 Old Orchard St, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
W-M 10:30am-11:30pm; Tu: 11am-11:30pm
(207) 934-2855
Big Licks
8 W Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Tu-Su: 12-10:30pm; M: 12-6pm
(207) 934-8484
biglicks.net
The Dairy Corner
A generous soft serve cone for less than $5!
612 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074
Open 7 days 11am-11pm
(207) 883-6939
Bayley’s Ice Cream
161 Pine Point Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074
Th-Tu: 12-10pm; W: 12-9pm
(207) 883-3040
Harmon’s Dairy Bar
3 Spurwink Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074
M-F: 5-9pm; Sa-Su: 12-9pm
Inland from Route One
Midge’s Ice Cream
152 Ossipee Trail, Limington, ME 04049
M-TH 12-9pm; F-Su 11am-10pm
(207) 252-9323
Route 160 Ice Cream
5 Brownfield Rd, Hiram, ME 04041
M-Tu Closed; W-Sa 1-9pm; Su 1-8pm(207) 625-9190
Wicky Ralph’s Ice Cream
The proceeds from Wicky Ralph’s go to Grammy Rose Dog Rescue and Sanctuary. So, you know that the $7 price tag is supporting a great cause. While you are there, play a round on their fantastic mini golf course.
1542 ME-109, Acton, ME 04001
Open 7 days 11am-8:30pm
(207) 850-1089
wickyralph.com
Bowdini’s Ice Cream
471 Main St, Springvale, ME 04083
Open 7 days 4-10pm
bowdinisicecream.com
Shaw’s Ridge Farm Ice Cream, BBQ Barn & Mini-Golf
59 Shaws Ridge Rd, Sanford, ME 04073
Open 7 days 10am-8:30pm
(207) 409-1988
https://www.shawsridgefarm.com
School House Ice Cream & Farm
253 Bakers Grant Rd, Lebanon, ME 04027
W-Su: 12-8pm
(207) 457-2200
schoolhouseicecreammaine.com
Dairy Delite
6 School St, Berwick, ME 03901
Th-Tu: 11-9; Closed Wednesday
(207) 698-4700
johnsonsdairydelite.com
Aggie’s Ice Cream
104 Agamenticus Rd, South Berwick, ME 03908
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 384-5016
Polar Plug Ice Cream
201 Main St, East Waterboro, ME 04030
Th-Tu 12-8pm; Closed Wednesday
(207) 229-4595
Shaker Pond Ice Cream
148 Waterboro Rd, Alfred, ME 04002
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 459-5070
Smiling Hill Farm
781 County Rd, Westbrook, ME 04092
Open 7 days 10am-8pm
(800) 743-7463
Beal’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
585 Main St, Gorham, ME 04038
Open 7 days 12-9pm
(207) 839-3032
Portland and South Portland
Red’s Dairy Freeze
Try the blood orange ice cream (pictured). A generous large cone is less than $5.
167 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
Open 7 days 12-9:30pm
redsdairyfreeze.com
Willard Scoops
429 Preble St, South Portland, ME 04106
M-Th: 1-9pm; F: 1-9pm; Sa: 12-9:30pm; Su: 12-9pm
(207) 517-6880
Zephyr Ice
129 Spring St, Portland, ME 04101
W-F: 3-9pm; Sa: 2-9pm; Su: 1-6pm; M-Tu: Closed
(774) 249-0012
Gorgeous Gelato Portland
434 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Su-Th: 11am-10pm; F-Sa: 11am-11pm
(207) 699-4309
gorgeousgelato.com
Gelato Fiasco Old Port
425 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Open 7 days 12-11pm
(207) 699-4314
gelatofiascopickup.square.site
Coastal Creamery
136 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
M-Th: 11am-10:30pm; F-Su: 11am-11pm
(207) 536-1170
Beal’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
12 Moulton St, Portland, ME 04101
Open 7 days 12-10pm
(207) 828-1335
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
51 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Open 7 days 11am-10:30pm
(207) 210-3432
mdiic.com
Sticky Sweet
119 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
W-Su: 2-8; M-Tu: Closed
North Street Creamery
8 North St, Portland, ME 04101
Open 7 days 1-7pm
The Shop Window By Island Creek Oysters
123 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Open 7 days 11am-9pm
(207) 536-0790
Down Front
20 Welch St, Peaks Island, ME 04108
Open 7 days 10am-8pm
Dairy Queen
There are several Dairy Queens in the region. Check the website for hours and seasonality.
1012 Main St, Sanford, ME 04073
1517 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
1 York St, Kennebunk, ME 04043
447 Elm St, Biddeford, ME 04005
517 Main St, Saco, ME 04072
317 Main St, South Portland, ME 04106
dairyqueen.com
Things to Do in Southern Maine in the Coming Week
Here is a roundup of bargains and/or things to do in Southern Maine. This includes Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Portland, Maine and north to Brunswick along the coast. We also include inland communities in Cumberland and York Counties, and a tiny bit of Oxford County, too. This is all in the next week or so.
If we’ve missed an event you think people should know about, please drop us an email to let us know at news@southernmaineOnTheCheap.com or via our contact page.