Did you know that Maryland’s ice cream roots started in 1744, when then-Governor Thomas Bladen served strawberry ice cream for his guests at a dinner at his home in Annapolis? It was America’s first recorded ice cream scoop.
Why not celebrate Maryland’s unique history and summer’s start with your own delicious scoops? Visit these Baltimore area ice cream spots to get your fix of sprinkles and cones.
Baba’s (Peace A Pizza) | Catonsville
Located within Catonsville’s Peace A Pizza, this ice cream counter serves a variety of Hershey’s ice cream flavors and daily fresh-baked cookies, and you can even customize options to create your own ice cream sandwiches. Baba’s also offers fruit smoothies, milkshakes and more.
Broom’s Bloom Dairy | Bel Air
A family-run, nationally recognized spot, Broom’s Bloom Dairy produces old-fashioned ice cream right on its farm from “cow to cone.” Visitors can also enjoy Broom’s homemade lunches, special events and other homemade and local goods.
Catonsville Scoops | Catonsville
Located on Frederick Road, Catonsville Scoops is a favorite for families, students and the local community. The family-owned ice cream shop serves premium, small-batch ice cream from South Mountain Creamery with friendly, welcoming service and has an outdoor seating area and plenty of products to choose from, such as milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream pints and rotating seasonal ice cream flavors.
Hoffman’s Home Made | Westminster
Since 1947, Hoffman’s Home Made Ice Cream & Deli has been Carroll County’s landmark. The family-owned and operated Hoffman’s offers 50+ unique, fresh ice cream flavors for guests to choose from, plus ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches and more.
Opie’s Soft Serve and Snowballs | Catonsville
Since 1984, Opie’s has been a Catonsville staple and go-to for classic treats such as soft serve, snowballs, shakes, floats and more. Opie’s walk-up window, quality service and soft-serve and snowball staples make it a destination for both locals and visiting families. Parking and seating are also available.
Prigel Family Farm | Glen Arm
Prigel Family Farm, in addition to creamy and delicious ice cream, also has milk, cheese, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork and more. Located in Glen Arm, Prigel Family Farm offers ice cream, groceries and agricultural education for people of all ages. At Belvedere Square Market in Baltimore, Prigel’s also has a premium dairy and cheese shop for guests to visit.
Soft Stuff | Ellicott City
Soft Stuff is a family-owned ice cream shop serving locals in Ellicott City since 1984. A cash-only location, Soft Stuff is known for its soft-serve ice cream, flavor bursts and variety of options such as sundaes and milkshakes, and it offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail Challenge
Check out Maryland’s official ice cream trail, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which last year included 14 locations, many of them on-farm creameries. Learn which local creameries made the cut in 2026 at marylandsbest.maryland.gov/ice-cream-trail. Use the trail’s hiking map to visit them all, and you can become a “Maryland Ice Cream Trailblazer Champion.”
