Nothing provides relief from the summertime heat at the beach like ice cream. The combination of cold to cool off your insides and sweet to satisfy your sweet tooth puts a smile on every sticky face, from small children to those of us who are still kids at heart.
There are lots of place to get ice cream in Myrtle Beach, but a handful stand out in the crowd. Whether it’s the traditional ice cream parlors you grew up with as a kid or the new make-your-own sundae outlets your children love, you will find the sweetest treats on the Strand at these local outlets:
- Ben & Jerry’s: This New England-based chain has gained international fame for its all-natural, cow-friendly brands of ice cream with the funny flavors, such as Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey and Americone Dream. Ben & Jerry’s also serves great sundaes, shakes and other frozen treats. This popular franchise has two locations on the Strand, both at Broadway at the Beach.
- Cold Stone Creamery: This national chain has an outlet at Market Common that packs in lovers of sweet treats. Pick your favorite flavor and toppings and watch as Cold Stone’s fun-loving staff blends it all together on a marble slab. Cold Stone also makes some creative frozen treats you won’t find anywhere else.
- Kirk's 1890 Ice Cream Parlor: This classic ice cream parlor is a throwback to the old-timey soda fountain. Featuring more than 40 different flavors (take that, Baskin-Robbins), Kirk's offers the traditional scoops in a house-made waffle cone, as well as all the old favorites, such as floats, milkshakes, banana splits and more. Kirk's has two Myrtle Beach locations off Kings Highway at 27th and 62nd Avenues North.
- Mad Myrtle’s: This locally owned and operated sweet shop offers a wide selection of ie creams along with a little history lesson. The walls are decked out with historic photos of downtown Myrtle Beach that will take longtime visitors back in time. If you are feeling really adventurous, try one of the house specialty ice cream pizzas.
- Maggie Moo's: This Barefoot Landing store is easy to spot thanks to its cow-pattern paint scheme, but also because of the long lines that form outside during the summer months. Patrons can choose between traditional ice cream or frozen yogurt and pile them high with a wide selection of toppings. Large parties might want to pick up an ice cream cake to take back to your room.
- Sugar Shack: This downtown North Myrtle Beach location is a local institution. The colorfully decorated building has been serving generous scoops to locals and visitors for decades, and they keep coming back for more every summer. Situated at the corner of Ocean Drive and Main Street, the Sugar Shack serves Blue Bell ice cream, house-made frozen yogurt and all the toppings.
- Sweet Frog: This hopping national chain landed a downtown Myrtle Beach location on the Boardwalk and frozen-yogurt lovers have packed the pad for the unique flavors and toppings. Patrons make their own treats, from pouring the fro-yo into their cup or cone and loading it up with candy pieces, flavored syrups and even gummies.
- Sonic: This national fast-food chain may be better known for its burgers, but the drive-in restaurant also makes some mean ice cream treats. Offering shakes and sundaes with a wide variety of fixings and mix-ins, Sonic offers half-price shakes after 10 p.m. for an affordable late night snack for the whole family. Get it to go, eat in the car or relax at one of the outdoor picnic tables.
(Posted: 5/18/15)
