10 Places to Enjoy National Ice Cream Month in Charlottesville and Albemarle County

What other Charlottesville hot spot would we kick off National Ice Cream Month with besides Chaps? Located on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall, Chaps serves breakfast, lunch, and a good cup of java in addition to their delicious ice cream. They’ve used family recipes to make their ice cream for more than 75 years so you can be sure that what they serve you is freshly made. Walking into Chaps is like walking into the 1950s, and the old-fashioned décor offers a sense of nostalgia you can’t find anywhere else.

Chaps has two locations. Visit their Downtown Mall location to enjoy your cone in one of their comfortable, retro booths or walk around the mall to people watch. Or visit their new storefront on the Corner by UVA where you can pick up a sweet treat to enjoy while you explore UVA Grounds.

SugarBear Ice Cream has offered their specialty flavors in various shops around Charlottesville and Albemarle County - but their brick and mortal store officially opened in May 2024! Swing by their new location for scoops, sundaes, and cookie ice cream sandwiches. Enjoy your treat in their outdoor ice cream garden or take your scoops next door to Hogwaller Brewing.

SugarBear specializes in incorporating local produce and goods into each of their flavors. Try Wild Woman Whiskey featuring Ragged Branch Whiskey, Plum Blackberry made with locally-made jam, and Chocolate Ice Cream that includes Gearhearts maya chocolate shavings.

Crozet Creamery is located in Piedmont Place in Crozet. All of their ice cream is made from scratch using fresh ingredients! They have two special, yummy sundaes, the 434, named after Charlottesville’s area code, and the 22932, named after Crozet’s zip code. People all over Crozet have been raving about Crozet Creamery for good reason, so be sure to check it out.

La Flor Michoacana was opened in July 2015 by Colombia native Birzavith Polania. Located on Cherry Avenue across from the Salvation Army, La Flor Michoacana has come to be known for their yummy popsicles and ice cream. Everything is freshly made, and the unique flavor combinations make them a must visit. The "Mangoneada," one of La Flor Michoacana’s most popular popsicles, is a mix of mango sorbet, fresh mango, and chamoy sauce. Be sure to stop by and check out the classic Mexican flavors. And during the summer, you can enjoy these popsicles while floating on the Rivanna River at the Rivanna River Company. Click here to learn more!

Moo Thru, a Charlottesville classic located at the Dairy Market, is the perfect place to enjoy delicious ice cream and indulge in a wide variety of summertime flavors. Highlighted flavors include Blackberry, Cake Batter, and Raspberry Sorbet. They even offer pints for purchase in case a cone just wasn’t enough. You’ll spot their classic red barn and cow logo from a mile away.

Moo Thru ice cream is also available at Pro Re Nata Brewpub and Music Hall in Crozet. It's a great spot to bring larger groups and the whole family, including your furry friends! Enjoy their outdoor seating, lawn games, playground, and pet-friendly indoor taproom.

Carter Mountain Orchard is a local favorite for peach and apple picking fun, as well as their spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their apple cider donuts are famous, and they also have peach crisps and pies that pair well with the locally made hard cider and wine sold at the orchard. In the summer, their soft-serve ice cream is one of the most popular yummy treats! It comes in two flavors, peach and vanilla, and is perfect when paired with a peach crisp or apple cider donut! Every Thursday in the summer, Carter Mountain Orchard hosts a sunset concert series where anyone can watch the sunset and enjoy free live music. Make sure to take advantage of the stunning view of the sunset from Carter Mountain Orchard and enjoy some ice cream to complete the night! Click here for more information about Carter Mountain Orchard!

Another Charlottesville favorite, Splendora’s has been providing Charlottesville with fresh, authentic Italian gelato for years. Using local ingredients, they specialize in the smooth, frozen treat that was the first style of ice cream. Gelato contains less fat than American ice cream, but is just as thick and satisfying! Located at the Shops at Stonefield, Splendora’s is locally owned and operated and serves new flavors based on the season.

Along with their innovative ice cream flavors like the colorful “Superman” and the delicious toasted coconut, Kilwins also offers a wide selection of other desserts like caramel candy-covered apples and handmade fudge (they literally make it in front of you). So stop in, cool down, and enjoy a sweet treat, or take it to go for a stroll along the historic Downtown Mall. Click here for more info about Kilwins!

Looking for the perfect soft serve ice cream? Kohr's offers a variety of smoothies, treats, and frozen custard flavors available in either a cup or cone. Stop by for some classic Charlottesville ice cream and come back in April for their famous Nickel Cone day, when each cone is only 5 cents!