Sundae Funday Returns!

By mid-July, people are ready for something cold, and National Ice Cream Day on July 19 offers the perfect excuse to hit the road. From working dairy farms and kitchens to roadside favorites just off the interstate, the state's ice cream shops turn an ordinary summer drive into a delicious destination.

Four Stops Worth the Detour

If your summer plans leave room for a little wandering, these local favorites make a strong case for skipping the grocery store freezer aisle and going out for dessert. 

• Chaney's Dairy Barn in Bowling Green keeps things close to home by making its ice cream with milk and cream from the family's own Jersey cows. Visitors can pair a scoop with a self-guided farm tour, meet the animals, and let kids burn off some energy at the playground before everyone heads back for one more cone.
• Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream in Lexington has built a loyal following with small-batch flavors that showcase many locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes often enough to reward repeat visits, making every stop feel like a new discovery instead of the same old order.
• Louisville Cream leans into handcrafted quality with Kentucky dairy, house-made sauces, and freshly baked mix-ins. It's the kind of place where reading the flavor board takes almost as long as eating the ice cream.
• Ella Mae's Sundaes in Dry Ridge sits just off Interstate 75 near the Ark Encounter and Piddle Park, making it an easy stop for travelers. Soft serve, hand-dipped favorites, milkshakes, banana splits, sundaes, and the shop's signature Mae Dae creations give everyone in the car something to look forward to.

National Ice Cream Day may last only one day, but the ice cream scene has no expiration date. From Bowling Green's farm-fresh scoops to Louisville's inventive creations, these destinations turn dessert into part of the journey instead of the finish line. If your July calendar still has an open afternoon, this might be the easiest road trip you'll plan all season. Bring a cooler if you must, but don't be surprised if nothing makes it home.

Want more sweet treats? Check out https://www.guidetokentucky.com/ice-cream-parlors!