Featuring a beautiful coastline, lighthouses, and dozens of state and national parks, Maine provides an adventurous experience at every turn. One that you might not expect to be adventurous, though, is ice cream. The state is known for its homemade frozen treats, and the ice cream shops let your imagination run wild with scoop combinations. Let’s take a look at the best ice cream Boothbay Harbor has to offer.
Downeast Ice Cream Factory
When Boothbay Harbor residents want the freshest frozen desserts, they go to the Ice Cream Factory. As of 2022, it has 4.5 five stars on TripAdvisor and has earned the Certificate of Excellence many of those years.
Since 1978, this shop has been making fresh, homemade ice cream every day. With more than 60 flavors, there are a significant number of combinations to try. In addition to traditional ice cream, Downeast Ice Cream Factory makes sorbet, sherbet, low-fat frozen yogurt, and sugar-free ice cream. You can even order frappes. There’s seating to enjoy your treat inside, or you can take it on the go.
The Ice Cream Factory has two locations: on Pier 1 and in the mini-mall near Flagship Inn & Suites. The pier shop opens in May, and the mini-mall location opens in April. Both close for the winter season.
Sarah’s Scoops
Just a few steps from Flagship Inn, Sarah’s Scoops is an extremely popular ice cream shop in Boothbay Harbor. Reviewers on TripAdvisor have rated it 5 stars, and the shop earned the Certificate of Excellence in 2016.
Open from early spring until fall, Sarah’s Scoops serves a variety of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream flavors. You can get a cup or cone of any combo, and the menu includes milkshakes, floats, sodas, specialty sundaes, parfaits, and signature frappes as well. Along with ice cream, you can order sorbet or frozen yogurt.
Wannawaf
For a unique ice cream experience, check out Wannawaf by the harbor. Since 2003, Waffle Ninjas have been serving sweet and savory treats together. For the ultimate sundae, you can add a hot Belgian waffle. If you want something savory, order a gourmet waffle dog.
Wannawaf uses Shain’s of Maine ice cream, which is based in Sanford, and has a range of sundae toppings, including homemade sauces and fresh fruits. Its concoctions are the reason why it earned the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and is rated 4.5 stars. The shop is open seasonally from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, and outdoor seating is available.
Finn McCools
Also located on the harbor, Finn McCools is an ice cream shop that uses all-natural and local products from Stone Fox Farm Creamery, which is located in Monroe. It’s the reason why customers have rated it 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor.
You can enjoy sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, frappes, malts, and floats. The menu even includes smoothies, hot and iced premium coffees, and cold drinks, such as lemonade, canned soda, and bottled water. Make sure that you take cash, or visit a nearby ATM before you order.
Ice Cream Hut
Dolphin Mini Golf is an unexpected place to find some of the best ice cream Boothbay Harbor offers. Since 1993, this mini-golf course in Boothbay has operated the Ice Cream Hut, delivering the best all-around family experience.
The ice cream shop has 28 to 32 flavors of Round Top Ice Cream, which is made in nearby Damariscotta. On top of that, it has 33 soft serve flavors. You can order your sweet treat to go or take advantage of the available outdoor seating. You can even call in an order for pickup. The Ice Cream Hut opens from May to mid-September and has extended hours during the summer.
Best Ice Cream Near Boothbay Harbor
Round Top Ice Cream
You have the chance to get Round Top Ice Cream from the source if you take the short drive to Damariscotta. Behind the farmhouse-looking shop are rolling pastures. With other ice cream shops serving its ice cream flavors, it’s no wonder why TripAdvisor reviewers rate it 4.5 stars.
However, there’s more to the Round Top Ice Cream shop than frozen treats. You can order burgers, carnitas, tacos, and quesadillas as well. The shop is open Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Sunday during the spring, summer, and fall.
Wicked Scoops
Although it’s a fairly new ice cream shop, Wicked Scoops in historic downtown Damariscotta is popular for serving 25+ flavors of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. It opened in 2017 and has earned a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
You can order your scoops with a variety of toppings, or choose a fun sundae, float, or gourmet frappe. The menu includes wicked wieners too. The shop is open Sunday through Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
S. Fernald’s Country Store
Another unexpected place to find some of the best scoops near Boothbay Harbor is S. Fernald’s Country Store in Damariscotta. The reason is that it serves a variety of Round Top Ice Cream flavors.
However, there’s more at this general store than ice cream. It serves made-from-scratch breakfast dishes all day. You can order a cup of Rock City Coffee Roasters, which is located in Rockland, to go with your order. Also, there’s a lunch menu with housemade soups and specialty sandwiches.
On the other hand, you can enjoy your ice cream with a wide selection of bakery items. S. Fernald’s makes its own brownies, cookies, muffins, pies, and scones. Additionally, it gets fresh bagels from Hole in the Wall Bagels, which is in Rockland. There are even old-fashioned penny candies to satisfy your sweet tooth. With its wonderful selection, it has earned 4.5 stars and the 2017 Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor.
Witch Spring Hill Ice Cream
If you’re exploring the coast near Bath, consider stopping by Witch Spring Hill Ice Cream. This family-owned ice cream shop has only been open since May 2019 and has received a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
Open in the spring and summer, it offers soft serve from Oakhurst Dairy in Portland and Round Top Ice Cream with numerous toppings to choose from. You can also enjoy a freshly steamed, natural-casing hot dog with chips and any flavor of soda imaginable. On top of that, kids get to have fun on the playground.
Best Place to Stay Near Delicious Ice Cream Boothbay Harbor Shops
If you’re visiting Boothbay Harbor, you can’t go wrong staying at Flagship Inn. From our hotel, a search for “ice cream near me” will provide a selection of awesome ice cream shops. In fact, Sarah’s Scoops is only a one-minute walk away.
When you need more substance for exploring the area, though, we offer a wonderful complimentary breakfast to start your day. We’re close to many of the best restaurants in Boothbay Harbor, too.
