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Ice cream guide: Here’s where you can get a scoop (or 2) in central, southern and Midcoast Maine
Vacationland is ice cream land in the summer when many seasonal ice cream shops serve up their frozen treats.
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What goes well with a day at the beach, a round of mini golf, a paddle on of of Maine’s pristine lakes or a trek down a wooded trail? Ice cream, of course.
Maine has more than its fair share of places that have been making their own creamy flavor concoctions for decades. And if soft serve is more your pleasure, there’s plenty of places to get a twist, a dip or a sundae.
We’ll do our best to keep this list updated, so keep checking back. And, may we recommend a waffle cone?
For ice cream in Cumberland County with hard serve and dairy free options choose all three buttons.
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AGGIE’S ICE CREAM
What: More than 100 flavors to choose from including Death by Chocolate, Rum Raisin and Mint Moose Tracks. Soft serve and frozen yogurt also available.
Where: 104 Agamenticus Road, South Berwick
When: Opens April 19, 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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BACKS DAIRY BAR
What: Family-owned and operated seasonal ice cream shop offering hard and soft-serve ice cream. Has novelty items such as Chilly Bar, Whippy Dippy and Back’s Bar.
Where: 390 Route 3, South China
When: 1 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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BEALS OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM
What: Beals has been serving its old-fashioned ice cream since 1988 and has featured 100 homemade flavors. They also offer sherbert, frozen yogurt, sorbet and dairy-free ice cream.
Where: 12 Moulton St., Portland; 18 Veranda St., Portland; 585 Main St., Gorham
When: 2 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 12 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Gorham. 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.. at Moulton Street location, check Facebook for Veranda Street hours
Website
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BEN & JERRY’S
What: Serving the famous Vermont-made ice cream in flavors like Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, Marshmallow Skye and Brownie Batter Core.
Where: 1 Freeport Village Station, Suite 300 S, Freeport
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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BIG DADDY’S
What: Big Daddy’s started in 1976 and has been making ice cream in-house ever since. Enjoy scoops of crazy or classic flavors and plenty of specialty treats.
Where: 22 Hollis Road, Hollis; 2165 Post Road, Wells; 478 Main St., Ogunquit; 47 Shore Road, Ogunquit
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Ogunquit and Wells) 12 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday through Monday, 2 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday (Hollis)
Website
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BIG DIPPER
What: They have cakes, pies and even ice cream “nachos.” Plus, dairy free and gluten free options.
Where: 501 Lisbon St., Lisbon Falls
When: 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
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BIG LICKS
What: Classic-style ice cream in inventive flavors like Salted Caramel Cashew, Butterfinger, Pineapple Pina Colada and more.
Where: 8 West Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach
When: (Opening Memorial Day weekend) 12 to 10:30 p.m. daily
Website
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B & R DAIRY BAR
What: Offering 30 flavors of homemade ice cream plus 27 flavors of soft serve and frozen yogurt. Dairy free options available. Look for the B & R Dairy Bar on wheels at local events.
Where: 19 Portland Road, Gray
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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BRAY BROOK FARM
What: A combination farm (with donkeys) and ice cream shop with several unique hard-serve flavors, and lots of rainbow sprinkles!
Where: 382 Union Road, Appleton
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday 2-8 p.m., 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
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BRESCA & THE HONEYBEE
What: Small batch made from scratch and locally sourced ice cream, sorbet and vegan options. Daily list with 26 to 32 rotating flavors including chamomile with apricot swirl, burnt honey with rosemary and pears and black raspberry chocolate chip.
Where: 106 Outlet Road, Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester
When: Opens Memorial Day weekend. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Website
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CADDY’S ICE CREAM SHACK
What: Serving Round Top Ice Cream from Damariscotta.
Where: 169 Gray Road, Cumberland
When: Opening in May. 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Website
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THE DAIRY CORNER
What: Dairy Corner boasts more than 70 Maine-made flavors, plus soft-serve and a slew of frozen yogurt choices, including some that are fat and sugar free. Plus, homemade waffle cones, ice cream cakes and ice cream pizza.
Where: 612 Route 1, Scarborough
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Website
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DAIRY DELITE
What: Serving 18 flavors of Gifford’s hard-serve ice cream, including Cotton Candy and Peppermint Stick. Sorbet, frozen yogurt and soft serve also available.
Where: 6 School St., Berwick
When: Opening April 21. 11 a.m to 9 p.m. daily, closed on Wednesdays
Website
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DAIRY FROST
What: First opened in 1955 and is still going strong with hard- and soft-serve cones, ice cream shakes, candy shakes and sundaes.
Where: 107 Bath Road, Brunswick
When: Opening in June. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Monday
Website
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DAIRY JOY
What: Family-owned and operated ice cream stand offering both soft serve and hard serve, as well as sundaes, parfaits, shakes, banana boats, freezies, floats and other speciality servings.
Where: 109 Campus Ave, Lewiston; 137 Spring St., Auburn
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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DOLCE AMICI GELATO AND COCKTAILS
What: Serving gelato scoops and desserts.
Where: 427 Main St., Norway
When: 11 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Website
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DORMAN’S DAIRY DREAM
What: Open since 1951.
Where: 189 New County Road, Thomaston
When: 12 to 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
Website
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DUNNE’S ICE CREAM
What: More than 50 flavors including Black Raspberry Explosion, Grape Nut and Wild Maine Blueberry. Also serving sherbet, frozen yogurt and dairy-free soft serve.
Where: 214 Nubble Road, York
When: Opening May 2. 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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FAST EDDIES
What: Drive-in restaurant with its own ice cream bar. Makes its own homemade ice cream.
Where: 1308 Route 202, Winthrop
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Facebook
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FENN PARK AT POLAND SPRING RESORT
What: Grab a cone of Gifford’s Ice Cream after playing a round of disc golf or mini golf.
Where: 547 Maine St., Poland Spring
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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FIELDER’S CHOICE
What: Family-owned business started 15 years ago in Sabattus. Fielder’s Choice offers 30+ flavors of hard serve (including sugar-free and dairy-free ice cream and sorbet) and six flavors of soft serve to choose from.
Where: 637 Sabattus Road, Sabattus; 271 Bath Road, Brunswick; 937 Western Ave., Manchester; 156 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach; 680 Minot Ave., Auburn
When: Check website for individual stand hours
Website
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FREEZE KOMPANY
What: A family-owned homemade ice cream stand serving both hard and soft-serve ice cream, as well as shakes and sundaes. Cash only.
Where: 78 Pigeon Hill Road, Mechanic Falls
When: Opening Memorial Day weekend. 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
Website
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GARSIDE’S ICE CREAM
What: Open since 1955, Garside’s flavors include Double Stuffed Oreo, Ginger Cream and Strawberry Delight. Also custom-made waffle cones, parfaits and ice cream pies.
Where: 320 Ferry Road, Saco
When: Opening May 15. 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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THE GELATO FIASCO
What: Expect up to 40 flavors of gelato and sorbetto, including best-selling classics and seasonal flavors. Popular options include Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp, Sweet Resurgam and Mascarpone Pistachio Caramel.
Where: 74 Maine St., Brunswick; 425 Fore St., Portland; Truck located on Portland’s Eastern Prom
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (Brunswick), 12 to 11 p.m. daily (Portland)
Website
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GIFFORD’S FAMOUS ICE CREAM
What: Gifford’s first stand opened in Skowhegan in 1980 and they’re still making ice cream from fresh, local ingredients. They’ve been named Ice Cream Grand Champion 5 times at the World Dairy Expo.
Where: 307 Madison Ave., Skowhegan; 170 Silver St., Waterville (both stands feature mini golf); 1109 Broadway, Bangor
When: 12 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily at all locations
Website; Skowhegan Facebook; Waterville Facebook
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THE GOLDENROD
What: Also a candy shop and restaurant. More than 135 ice cream flavors.
Where: 2 Railroad Ave., York Beach
When: Opening May 16. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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GOOSE ROCKS DAIRY
What: With more than 20 flavors and both hard and soft serve, Goose Rocks Dairy is a great summer spot known for delicious ice cream.
Where: 278 Mills Road, Kennebunkport
When: Opening Memorial Day. 12 to 10 p.m. daily
Website
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GORGEOUS GELATO
What: The owners came to Maine from Milano in 2010 and have been on a mission ever since to produce “the best gelato west of Italy.” Popular flavors include almond, coconut, pistachio and whiskey chocolate.
Where: 434 Fore St., Portland
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Website
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ICE CREAM DUGOUT
What: The menu includes Shaker Pond hard ice cream, soft-serve and a grand slam of baseball themed sundaes, plus the Curse of the Bambino, featuring eight scoops of ice cream.
Where: 3 Storm Drive, Windham
When: Noon to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – FARMINGTON
What: Family-owned and operated since 1988. Offering new flavor of the week day.
Where: 171 Wilton Road, Farmington
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Facebook
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ICE CREAM SHOPPE OF OAKLAND
What: Serves ice cream and cold drinks only.
Where: 902 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Oakland
When: 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily
Website
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THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – RANDOLPH
What: Hard- and soft-serve ice cream. On Mystery Monday’ the shoppe offers grab bags with mysterious items.
Where: 167 Water St., Randolph
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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THE ICE CREAM SHOPPE – SKOWHEGAN
What: Flavors of soft serve include everything from the classics to Deep Dish Apple Pie and Whitehouse Cherry. Check out their Facebook page for weekly specials.
Where: 209 North Ave. #2, Skowhegan
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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THE INSIDE SCOOP
What: Locally owned ice cream parlor featuring 24+ flavors of homemade ice cream. Flavors include vanilla bean, cotton candy, peppermint stick, nutella and cookies, lemon chiffon, grapenut and more.
Where: 156 Main St., South Paris
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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JEFFERSON SCOOP
What: Located in the heart of Jefferson, offers Gifford’s ice cream in various cone varieties. Also serves smoothies and slushies.
Where: 271 Waldoboro Road, Jefferson
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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JIMMIES
What: Serves lobster rolls (seasonal), deep-fried Oreos, nachos and other fair-type foods. Outdoor seating.
Where: 856 River Road, Mexico
When: Opening April 24 at 11 a.m.
Website
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JOHN’S ICE CREAM FACTORY
What: Family-owned ice cream shop. Offers take home pint- and quart-sized options. Ice cream tradition dates back to the late 1800’s with the current owner’s grandfather having made desserts in Italy.
Where: 510 Belfast Augusta Road, Liberty
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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KETTLE COVE CREAMERY AND SHACK
What: More than 30 flavors of homemade hard-serve ice cream including pumpkin pie and peanut butter cup. Soft serve and frozen yogurt also available.
Where: 2 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth
When: Opening May 9. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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LIB’S DAIRY TREATS
What: Soft serve, including non-dairy Dole whip and rotating specialty flavors; Gifford’s hard serve, rotating flavors; shakes and sundaes.
Where: 32 Auburn St., Portland
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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THE LOG YARD DAIRY BAR
What: Serves up seasonal frozen custard and soft service ice cream. Current custard flavors include sweet cream, chocolate, dirt cake and cotton candy.
Where: 1184 Maine St., Poland
When: Early-season hours: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Website
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MAIN STREET DAIRY TREAT
What: Serving soft serve, homemade hard serve and low-carb ice cream. Here’s hoping the Warm Apple Pie Sundaes return.
Where: 688 Main St., Lewiston
When: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily
Website
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MAIN STREET DAIRY TREAT
What: Hard- and soft-serve ice cream. New creations include a Chocolate/Black Raspberry Oreo Shake.
Where: 50 Main St., Richmond
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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THE MAINE SCOOP
What: Expect some unique flavors at the shop that’s just a short bike ride from the beach. All ice cream is made on site.
Where: 161 Pint Point Road, Scarborough
When: Noon to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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MAINELY CUSTARD
What: Offering about six flavors of homemade custard daily. Flavors include apple cinnamon and cookie dough.Check Facebook for each day’s featured flavors. There are also vegan options.
Where: 150 Route 1, Freeport
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Website
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MARTEL’S ICE CREAM
What: Find more than 40 homemade flavors from the shop that’s been open since 1986. Rotating fan favorite flavors include Grasshopper, Maine Mud, Zach’s Brownie Delight and Ladybug. Play a game of mini golf on one of their two courses before or after your cool treats.
Where: 757 Portland Road, Saco
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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NORTHLAND DAIRY TREAT
What: Serving the Turner and surrounding areas since 1990. .
Where: 1355 Auburn Road, Turner
When: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Facebook
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NORWAY/PARIS SOFT SERVE
What: Despite the name, Norway/Paris Soft Serve, which boasts 24 flavors of soft serve, also offers hard serve and non-dairy ice cream options. Specialities include The Norway, which the menu describes as a sundae in a shake.
Where: 65 Main St., South Paris
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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PAPA’S ICE CREAM
What: Serving hard ice cream from Gifford’s and soft serve from Hood with specialty options like Cyclones (mix-ins), sundaes, parfaits, shakes and root beer floats.
Where: 62 Ossipee Trail, Standish
When: 12 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday
Website
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RAYMOND’S FROZEN CUSTARD
What: Flavors change frequently but expect eight every day plus hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, lobster rolls and fried clams.
Where: 857 Roosevelt Trail, Casco
When: Opening April 25. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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RED’S DAIRY FREEZE
What: Soft serve, including rotating specialty flavors. Other treats include slush, sundaes, shakes, root beer floats, Nor’easters (soft serve blended with candy), Dole dairy free, gluten-free soft serve and Newberry’s sugar-free soft serve.
Where: 167 Cottage Road, South Portland
When: 12 to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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ROCOCO ICE CREAM
What: Hard-serve ice cream with international flavors like Cuban Coffee and Horchata Rum Cake.
Where: 8 Western Ave., Kennebunk
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday, 12 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Website
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ROUTE 160 ICE CREAM
What: Offering more than 20 flavors of hard-serve ice cream and some soft-serve flavors. Route 160 also offers frappes, floats, sundaes and freezes. Grab a red snappah as a snack!
Where: 5 Brownfield Road, Hiram
When:Opening May 3. 12 to 9 p.m. Monday, Thursday through Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday
Website
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THE SACO SCOOP
What: Nearly 40 flavors of Shaker Pond ice cream including Play Dough (yellow vanilla with red and blue sugar cookie pieces) and Planet Earth (blue vanilla with chocolate cookies and marshmallow). Vegan flavors and sorbet also available.
Where: 209 Main St., Saco
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Website
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SAWYER’S DAIRY BAR
What: Sawyer’s has been around since the 1950s serving shakes, soft serve, sandwiches, lobster rolls and more.
Where: 34 North Main St., Newport
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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SCOOP DECK
What: More than 60 flavors, from Blueberry Crumble to Coconut Cheesecake Brownie, plus hard serve frozen yogurt, sherbet, dairy free and no sugar added options. Available in sundaes, banana splits, frappes, floats and famous homemade waffle cones. Hot dogs, fresh lemonade and frozen doggie treats available.
Where: 6 Eldridge Road, Wells
When: Opening May 23. 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Website
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SUGAR SHACK
What: This family owned restaurant offers ice cream in the summer months. STart with a burger, pizza or lobster roll, then get your ice cream for dessert.
Where: 156 West Bethel Road, Bethel
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Facebook
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SWEETCREAM DAIRY
What: Sweetcream Dairy uses locally sourced ingredients to create an array of ice cream flavors.
Where: 128 Main St. Unit 101, Biddeford
When: Spring hours – 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 1 ro 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Website
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SUPER SCOOPS
What: Serving Gifford’s ice cream with 32 flavors of hard serve, plus soft serve, frozen yogurts, sherberts and sorbets.
Where: 178 Route 1, Falmouth
When: 2 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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TABERS: MINI GOLF, DRIVING RANGE, RESTAURANT AND ICE CREAM
What: Choose from 23 different flavors of hardserve ice cream, including cherry vanilla, Andes Mint chip, Maine Blueberry and more. Their menu also offers low fat-ice cream, frappes, shakes and sundaes. Play a round of mini golf or hit the driving range while you’re there.
Where: 470 Lake Shore Drive, Auburn
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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TOOTS ICE CREAM
What: The Walnut Hill location opened in 1998 in a renovated rail car. In 2002, Toots started making its own ice cream using a mix from a dairy in Windham. They use milk from their own goats for gelato.
Where: 21 Memorial Highway & 137 Walnut Hill Road (seasonal), North Yarmouth
When: 12 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (Memorial Highway), 12 to 9 p.m. Thursday to Monday (Walnut Hill)
Website
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TUBBY’S ICE CREAM
What: Don’t miss their famous homemade waffle cones. They make their ice cream from scratch in flavors like Awe-Thentic Vanilla, Black Dog (black licorice), Cookies & Caramel and Peanut Butaah. Check out their lobster rolls.
Where: 512 Main St., Wayne
When: Opening Memorial Day weekend. Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 4-7 p.m., Friday 4-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website
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TWIN SWIRLS
What: Nasons Corner shop serving Gifford’s ice cream.
Where: 865 Brighton Ave., Portland
When: 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
Website
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VILLAGE SCOOP ICE CREAM
What: More than 20 flavors, as well as frozen yogurt, sorbet and sherbet. Suggestions include Almond Joy, Campfire S’mores and Peanut Butter Oreo.
Where: 286 York St., York
When: 12 to 8 p.m. daily
Website
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WICKED GOOD ICE CREAM
What: Featuring 50 flavors of hard serve, including Cappuccino Crunch, Graham Central Station (graham cracker ice cream, graham cracker swirl, milk chocolate covered and honeycomb crunch) and strawberry cheesecake. Other offerings are soft serve, frozen yogurt and Richie’s Italian Ice.
Where: 2 Beach St., York
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Website
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WILLARD SCOOPS
What: About 20 gourmet flavors including Halloween (vanilla with chopped up candy bars) and key lime pie.
Where: 429 Preble St., South Portland
When: 1 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 1 to 9:30 p.m.Friday, 12 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 12 to 9 p.m. Sunday
Website
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