Ice Cream in Virginia's River Realm
There’s no right way to eat ice cream, except with a smile. Anytime of the year, this treat is one of our favorites in the River Realm. Here, you can polish off a farm-to-table meal with a custard sundae, order a cone for your pup, or take home a tub of homemade butter pecan. It might be messy, but it’s always good.
Here are our favorite places to get a lick (or a hundred!)
Chef Helen Elizabeth Ward shares her passion for homemade family recipes passed down by generations at her restaurant, The Table at Wilton. That passion pours into the restaurant’s soft serve frozen custard. They serve up the classic flavors, chocolate and vanilla a variety of ways. Get a swirl on top of a homemade waffle cone, slurp down a coke beer float, dig into a brownie sundae or take a bite out of an ice cream sandwich.
This is an all American River Realm classic. The classic, funky vibe of Stevie’s is infectious. Pull up and park the car to treat the family, even the dogs! Ask for the “pup cup” if you have a furry friend with you! For the humans, you can enjoy soft serve ice cream, sundaes, and more. Go ahead and indulge. That’s what vacation is all about.
Sometimes the sweeter things in life are best enjoyed with a cup of Joe. You’ll find a special combination of ice cream and coffee at Front Porch Coffeehouse. This quaint and welcoming meeting spot always smells good–they roast their own beans on site! Be sure to snap a photo out front with the large-than-life ice cream cone.
This little haven is chock full of sweet surprises. As you walk through the gardens out front and into the store inside, you’ll find so many flavors of homemade fudge and Hershey’s ice cream, everyone in your crew will walk away happy. They offer gluten free ‘scream too! Order a milkshake or classic cone and enjoy them outside this cute little sanctuary. Bring home fudge flavors like Key Lime, Orange Cream, and White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.
Chesapeake Doughnut Co. is all about their Fresh, Made Daily Doughnuts, but they also serve up hand-dipped Hershey’s Ice Cream. Have you ever tried a Fronut?! The folks at Chesapeake Doughnut have come up with the perfect way to marry these two sweet treats together with their Fronut Ice Cream Sandwiches: Hershey’s Ice cream nestled between two halves of their delicious doughnuts served in a cup for easy enjoyment!
Time slows down when you walk into this old-fashioned family drugstore. Take a seat on a swiveling stool behind the retro bar and order up a milkshake. They’ve been making them here since 1929, alongside other classics like hot dogs, shrimp salad, limeades and more. While you’re waiting for your shake, walk around and discover a large collection of coastal gifts, daily essentials and nostalgic items like Silly Putty.
There are memories waiting to be made here! Set next to one of our favorite campgrounds, this fun celebration of all things dairy is adorable and delicious. Cowtopia is a farm-themed miniature golf course designed by sculpture artist Mark Cline. On the golf course, you’ll find photo opps with carnival cows, funny farm animals fountains and a train. Inside, you can indulge in 20 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream and homemade waffle cones, sundaes and shakes, yum!
Chitterchats Second Scoop Ice Cream Parlor is a haven for ice cream enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Kilmarnock, the parlor brings a warm and inviting atmosphere that welcomes visitors of all ages. With its wide array of flavors that range from classic vanilla and chocolate to innovative options like almond amaretto and salted caramel, Chitterchats promises a delightful journey for the taste buds.
Capture & Share Your Favorite Ice Cream Moments!
With every river bend and wind in the road, we’re sure you and your travel buddies captured memories of the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of the River Realm. After your adventures are done, check out your photos and share the best with us! We hope more people like you can enjoy the calming and enchanting spirit of the River Realm. Tag us using @virginiasriverrealm and we’ll share your photos.
