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From chunky scoops in waffle cones to luscious milkshakes topped with whipped cream, ice cream holds a nostalgic spot on everyone’s summer itinerary. There’s something dreamy about hitting the drive-thru on a road trip for a swirly soft serve or capping off the perfect day at the beach with a frozen delight.
From the coast of Florida to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, we’ve rounded up some of the South’s most enduring ice cream parlors. You might even be tempted to hit the road just for a tasty treat from these historic shops.
Doumar’s | Norfolk
In 1904, Syrian immigrant Abe Doumar had a craving for ice cream and a keen eye for business when he bought a waffle at the St. Louis World’s Fair and topped it with ice cream. For the rest of the fair, Abe sold ice cream in his new creation, the world’s first waffle cone.
Doumar’s still uses the original four-iron waffle cone machine that launched the Virginia family’s successful chain. The Norfolk location became the most successful, selling nearly 23,000 cones in one day. The menu now includes indulgent treats like cheesecake shakes, ice cream sundaes, and those original handmade waffle cones filled with custom scoops.
Carl’s Frozen Custard | Fredericksburg
Since 1947 Carl’s has attracted fans with a classic lineup of frozen custard, ice cream’s richer, thicker cousin. The secret? Lots of eggs, and Carl’s vintage Electro Freeze machines that blend the custard without adding air like newer models, resulting in a thicker frozen treat.
Carl’s sticks with the winning formula: unchanged recipes for vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry custard, with a few sundae toppings to round things out. You better come early since the custard is made fresh daily and sells out quickly. You can’t miss Carl’s – just look for the scoop-shaped neon sign, a Virginia Historic Landmark.
Fava’s 1910 Diner | Georgetown
Started as a Kentucky confectionery by Italian immigrants Lois and Susie Fava more than a century ago, Fava’s maintains its vintage soda fountain charm. This multi-generational diner has expanded its menu over the years, but the nostalgic experience remains. Slide into a booth or hop on a swivel stool for a classic shake or hand-dipped sundae. Go all out and order a slice of homemade pecan or apple pie. Pie a la mode anyone?
Leopold’s Ice Cream | Savannah
The original Leopold’s Ice Cream nailed the location: a busy intersection of two streetcar lines. Started in 1919 by three Greek brothers, this historic shop relocated but still features original flavors like Tutti Frutti – rum ice cream with candied fruits and Georgia pecans – served behind the black marble soda fountain. Classic Banana splits, shakes, and sodas share the menu with vegan flavors and modern hits like the Savannah Socialite – milk and dark chocolate ice creams with roasted Georgia Pecans and swirled with homemade bourbon infused caramel.
Piggy’s Ice Cream | Hendersonville
Road tripping through the Blue Ridge Mountains? Piggy’s Ice Cream is known for its quirky décor and thick milkshakes. It’s one of over a dozen stops on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail so why not try more than one?
Family owned in North Carolina since 1979, this scoop shop is hard to miss with its two-story-tall statue of Yogi Bear holding an ice cream cone. Animal figurines on the roof, retired restaurant advertising signs and a collection of antiques add to the nostalgia. Try a Hooterville Cooler (a citrusy shake with orange sherbet) or a decadent Hot Fudge Cake, layers of cake, ice cream and hot fudge.
Trowbridge | Florence
In 1917 founder Paul Trowbridge fell in love with this Alabama town and set up shop with Trowbridge Ice Cream’s original orange pineapple flavor. Still on the menu today, this refreshing scoop has been recognized by many as one of the best things to eat in the state.
Stop at this vintage-style soda fountain for the popular citrus flavor or try the decadent “Oh My Gosh” sundae: a shareable-sized warm brownie-topped ice cream, caramel syrup, and whipped cream. Non-dairy options include cookies and cream, and an unusual dill chill, pickle flavored ice cream.
Smith Drug Company | Hattiesburg
Part museum, part milkshake parlor, Smith Drug Company holds a special place in Mississippi history. Founded in 1926 by E. Hammond Smith, the drug store served as a commerce center and focal point for the community during the Civil Rights era. Now open on Saturdays only, stop in for a tour and famous malt shake served up with stories of resilience, triumph, and community.
Borroum’s Drug Store & Soda Fountain | Corinth
As the oldest drug store in the US still operated by the same family, Borroum’s Drug Store spans multiple generations, managed by the late Camille Borroum-Mitchell into her nineties. The original charm is preserved, with photos and memorabilia from this Mississippi shop’s early days. Try a hot fudge brownie, cherry phosphate, or an M & M milkshake made with real malted milk. And you can’t stop without trying an iconic slug burger, a depression-era hamburger invented in Corinth.
Dairy Queen | New Smyrna Beach
More than a franchise, this Central Florida Dairy Queen is a family legacy spanning three generations. With iconic signage and blue and yellow patio umbrellas, this retro soft-serve spot is one of the first things visitors see when hitting New Smyrna Beach, one Florida’s favorite local beaches. As original founder Mary McGuirk added all the DQ favorites over the years, the New Smyrna Beach Dairy Queen became one of the most successful in the Southeast.
It’s still a popular gathering spot for locals and beachgoers, who come for classic ice cream sundaes, Blizzards, and banana splits on the historic oak tree-lined patio.
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