My Favorite Ice Cream Spots Around Howard County, MD
Looking for more foodie inside scoops? Check out my latest blog on: My Guide to the Best Donuts in Maryland. If there’s one thing I love, it’s a sweet treat!
If you know me, you know that when temps start climbing, I’m basically on a mission to find the perfect scoop (not gossip, Ice cream). And when you’ve got kids, a good ice cream outing can feel like the highlight of the week. Luckily, here in Howard County, MD we are absolutely spoiled with delicious, family-friendly ice cream to cool off and indulge.
So whether you’re a chocolate-all-the-way person, a classic vanilla fan, or someone who gets way too excited about seasonal flavors (hi, same), here are some of my very favorite ice cream stops right here in HoCo!
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar – Old Ellicott City
Address: 8225 Main St, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Okay, we have to start here because The Crazy Mason is a full-on experience. Think massive mason jar milkshakes stacked with brownies, cookies, sprinkles, basically your childhood dreams come true in a jar. We usually split one between me and the kids because they’re that big, but every visit is like a mini celebration.
Pro tip: go early or on a weekday to beat the lines!
The Charmery – Columbia
Address: 6000 Merriweather Dr Suite B185, Columbia, MD 21044
If you haven’t been to The Charmery in the Merriweather District yet, let me just say, GO! This is a classic business that is born and bred in Baltimore, The Charmery has 6 main core values being, mastery, hospitality, happiness, community, consideration and spirit.
It’s colorful, whimsical, and just fun. They’re known for super creative flavors like Maryland Mud, Malty Vanilla Chip, and even an Old Bay Caramel that sounds strange but somehow works. I love that they lean into local flavor (literally and figuratively), and their scoopers are always so friendly. We’ll grab a cone here and walk around the area, great excuse for a post-dinner stroll.
Park Ridge Creamery – Old Ellicott City
Address: 3741 Hamilton St, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Park Ridge Creamery, located in Old Ellicott City right next to Little Market Cafe, holds a huge place in my heart. After all of the floodings in Old Ellicott City, Park Ridge Creamery was able to come about and really make that area what it is. Their flavors are bold, fun and always rotating. Peanut Butter Oreo is a crowd pleaser in our house, and their blueberry cheesecake was a total hit last summer. Plus, Old Ellicott City is just such a fun area to walk around with a cone in hand. Grab a scoop, window shop a bit, and make a little afternoon of it.
Cindy’s Soft Serve – Elkridge
Address: 6330 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075
Cindy’s Soft Serve feels like stepping into a time capsule, in the best way. It’s got that retro roadside ice cream stand charm. My kids always ask for rainbow sprinkles (non-negotiable), and I go classic with a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. Simple. Perfect. Summer in a swirl. They do have variety though depending the type of person you are, so whether your looking for traditional soft serve, sundaes or snowballs, they have it all!
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – Ellicott City
Address: 9396 D Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Bruster’s, is brand new to Ellicott city, but they have already made quite the name for themselves. Their menu of flavors is massive and incredibly unique. They are always rotating and right now their flavor of the summer is Kickin’ Mango Strawberry Sorbet, which brings a little spice to the table. Bruster’s is the perfect summer nights spot. Although the line can get long the service is insanely quick. The servings are perfect, the flavors are spot on and the ambiance? Couldn’t get better.
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard – Columbia
Address: 6470 Freetown Rd #205, Columbia, MD 21044
Okay, if you’ve never tried frozen custard, this is your sign to stop by The Meadows Original Frozen Custard. It’s smoother, richer, and somehow even more satisfying than regular ice cream. Their menu is definitely original, you won’t find a place like this often. From their hand made Apple Dumplings to their Shakes. The best thing that i’ve had while stopping by is what they call a Turtle. It’s basically vanilla custard, caramel, pecans and hot fudge. Is your mouth watering? Because mine is just writing this.
Pete’s Snowballs – Elkridge
Address: 9220 Old Montgomery Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
Maryland summers + snowballs = match made in heaven. Pete’s has so many flavors, it’s a little overwhelming (in a fun way). My kids love the “rainbow” option, and I’m all about a classic egg custard with marshmallow. You can also add ice cream in the middle, which is kind of genius. This place just feels like summer.
Pete’s Snowballs is also ran by Greek-Americans, so everything is fresh. They press their own olives, and they make their own fresh honey that they incorporate into their snowball flavors. It’s just so authentic.
The Snowball Stand – Woodstock
Address: 1970 Woodstock Rd, Woodstock, MD 21163
This one is legendary. People line up for these snowballs, and for good reason. Over 50 flavors, picnic tables, a beautiful gazebo, shade, and that old-school charm that feels like a slice of Maryland summer nostalgia. We usually stop here after hikes at Patapsco or when we just want to slow down and chill (literally and figuratively).
My absolute favorite thing to get when I go here is the dole whip. It’s unique because you can’t find dole whip in many places. But, The Snowball Stand has Pineapple and Strawberry dole whip that you can even twist together. Its out of this world and so refreshing.
Kyoto Matcha – Ellicott City
Address: 10045 Baltimore National Pike Ste A6, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Okay, so Kyoto Matcha isn’t your typical ice cream shop. While I actually have not been here yet I have been wanting to try it forever. They serve more than just ice cream but their ice cream is what I’ve heard they are known for. They serve Matcha soft serve, in parfait form, in a cup or in a cone. Just by the look of it, it looks smooth, pretty and honestly gives me such aesthetic vibes. So if you’ve tried let me know what you think and I will definitely be popping over some time this summer!
Rita’s Italian Ice – Ellicott City
Address: 9095 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Yes, it’s a chain. Yes, we still go all the time. Rita’s is a classic for a reason: Italian ice, frozen custard, and the unbeatable Gelati combo. Mango with vanilla custard is my forever fave, but my kids are partial to cotton candy. Great for post-game treats or random Tuesday nights.
Yogi Castle – Ellicott City
Address: 10132 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Alright, so this one technically isn’t ice cream but it’s ice creams little sister. Yogi Castle is a self serve Frozen Yogurt store that is just so good i couldn't not include it. Yogi Castle has toppings for days and flavors that will blow your mind. This place is build-your-own bliss. The kids pile on gummy worms and Oreos (every time), and I try to sneak in something with fresh fruit (but let’s be real, cookie dough always wins). Super easy, low-key, and always fun.
Start Your Ice Cream Adventure in Howard County, MD
I like to think of ice cream outings as our family’s version of pressing “pause.” Whether it’s the four of us squeezed around a picnic bench, my kids giggling over whose cone is melting faster, or me sneaking off for a solo swirl, I swear ice cream just makes life feel lighter.
If you’re looking to make your own summer ice cream circuit, I hope this gives you a good place to start, and let me know if I missed any of your faves!
