There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about stopping at your favorite ice cream shop. Maybe it reminds you of summers as a kid, getting your first taste of independence when you got permission to walk the few blocks to your town’s ice cream place.

Maybe you think of the long lines that would wrap around the shop after baseball games, when every team got a treat to celebrate. Maybe your first job was scooping and serving cones. Whether it triggers a core childhood memory or just helps cool you down after a long day, one thing is for certain: summer is ice cream’s time to shine. From walk-up soft serve stands to boutique creameries specializing in the trendiest flavors, there’s no shortage of great places to get your ice cream fix this summer in Trumbull County.

Cockeye Creamery (Warren)

Since opening in 2019, Cockeye Creamery has quickly become a favorite spot throughout Trumbull County and beyond. In 2023, they earned the Grandmaster Ice Cream Maker award from the North American Ice Cream Association, and has won national awards for their chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream. In addition to fun seasonal flavors (we’re still dreaming of the Samoa Girl Scout Cookie flavor from this past spring), Cockeye Creamery offers a wide range of unique flavors that rotate on a daily basis, such as Grape-Nut (yes, like the cereal!), Peanut Butter Pie, and Franky’s Cannoli. If you can’t make it to their main location on Parkman Road, don’t worry. They’ve opened a second shop in Canfield, and pints can be found at local stores throughout the area.

Where to Find Cockeye Creamery Locally: Find pints at B&K Farm Market in Cortland and Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy in Girard. Find scoops at What’s the Scoop on Main in Cortland and Ripley’s Scoop Shop in Brookfield Township.

Recommended Flavors: Buttermilk Pie, Honey Lavender, Peanut Butter Pie, or Franky’s Cannoli if you can find it!

Bacconi’s Lickety Split (Cortland)

It’s worth going a little out of your way to this Cortland mainstay, serving up a rotating menu of flavored soft serve, Dole Whip, and hard scoop ice cream with clever flavors. Don’t miss their incredible sundaes, parfaits, and floats. New this year is a full line of Dirty Sodas featuring your favorite sodas and Alani energy drinks with soft serve or Dole Whip. Watch for promotions like their Stuff Your Stanley event, where you can fill a 40-ounce tumbler with your favorite ice cream for only $10.

Recommended Flavors: The hard scoop ice cream Ohio Pot Hole (thick, “black tar” fudge in chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate “asphalt”) and the Grandma’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad sundae.

The Village Creamery (McDonald)

Although it’s only been open since summer 2025, The Village Creamery in McDonald is quickly making a name for itself in Trumbull County. Come to the village for premium hard scoop ice cream. The Village Creamery also offers parfaits and ice cream sandwiches made with homemade brown butter and sea salt chocolate chip cookies—get them early in the day before they sell out! Watch for fun seasonal menu items like hot apple dumplings and Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake sundaes. This summer, the Creamery is highlighting local small businesses with a weekly Farmer’s Market featuring local vendors, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and—of course—ice cream!

Recommended Flavors: Exhausted Parent (bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream with chocolate chunks) and Haley’s Comet (chocolate and vanilla ice cream with caramel ribbons and truffles).

Jesy’s Dairy Cove (Mineral Ridge)

There’s plenty to love about this roadside shop in Mineral Ridge, which truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re craving hard scoop ice cream, flavored soft serve, Dippin’ Dots, or slushes, Jesy’s Dairy Cove has you covered. They also offer an extensive menu of parfaits, sundaes, milkshakes, and floats. If you need something salty to balance out your sweet treat, take advantage of their delicious hot food menu, which ranges from fried cauliflower and loaded nachos to pizza bites and pulled barbecue pork mac and cheese.

Recommended Treats: Try a flavored soft serve, Dippin’ Dots, or a loaded sundae. And honestly, the hot food menu makes this a good sweet-and-salty stop.

Corner Ice Cream Shop (Leavittsburg)

This family-owned shop is a local favorite for a reason. Offering 24 flavors of soft serve and a full range of sundaes, parfaits, and other treats, this is a quintessential small town ice cream shop. We also have to mention their ice cream nachos, which come with a choice of two ice cream flavors, 3 mix-ins, 2 toppings, whipped cream, sprinkles, and waffle chips.

Remember: when you support a local ice cream shop, you’re supporting a local community. Every shop mentioned here is involved in their local community in a myriad of ways, from hosting fundraisers, sponsoring local sports teams, and leading community events. It’s a sweet deal all around.

Recommended Treat: The ice cream nachos, made with two ice cream flavors, three mix-ins, two toppings, whipped cream, sprinkles, and waffle chips.

Katie’s Korner Ice Cream (Howland, Cortland, Champion & McKinley Heights)

Katie’s Korner is a Trumbull County favorite with deep local roots. Started in 1983 by Katherine Martin and her family, Katie’s Korner has grown from its first location in a century-old house into a regional name for handcrafted gourmet ice cream. With more than 70 flavors produced for retail locations and commercial accounts, it’s the kind of place where everyone in the car can find something they want, even if it takes a few minutes of serious decision-making.

Recommended Flavors: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, Maple Walnut, Black Raspberry Cheesecake, or the Hot Apple Dumpling if you’re leaning into full dessert mode.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream (Niles & Liberty)

Handel’s is one of those names that immediately starts an ice cream debate, usually because everyone has a favorite flavor and very strong feelings about it. Made fresh in-store since 1945, Handel’s has become a Northeast Ohio classic, and the Niles location gives Trumbull County visitors an easy stop for big scoops, long flavor lists, and that “we should probably get ice cream” moment after shopping, dinner, or a summer night out.

Recommended Flavors: Graham Central Station, Buckeye, Salty Caramel Truffle, or Ooohh…Dough! for the cookie dough people.