Ohio is home to over 2,200 dairy farms and hundreds of ice cream parlors, so the sheer selection at your disposal can seem daunting. Tourism Ohio broke it down into fifteen must-try scoop shops, launched as the Ohio Ice Cream Trail this past month, and asked me to embark on the arduous task of tasting all the best ice cream Ohio has to offer. Obviously, it was a huge imposition. The things I go through for you people…
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
I began my journey at our nation’s ice cream darling and Columbus’ pride and joy, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. It’s easy to write Jeni’s off as trendy and hipster, and that may be true, but the woman has been making inventive ice cream for over twenty years. I’ve seen her discuss the craft and the science of what makes good ice cream, and she knows her stuff (tip: eat from a cone to properly take in the full scent and flavor.) Contrary to this good advice, I went with a cup (mostly for functional reasons.) Bramblerry Crisp, with its sweet and tart bramblerry jam and oven-toasted oat streusel layered in vanilla ice cream, is my go-to flavor and pairs well with the black currents, sweet orange, and lavender notes of Wildberry Lavender. I sat on a bench and enjoyed my cup as a bird poked around nearby, waiting in vain for crumbs.
Johnson’s Real Ice Cream
Next, I headed to Bexley for Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, an Ohio favorite (and for good reason.) It’s been in business since the 1950s, has a wide array of flavors, including all the classics + others like Salted Caramel Pretzel, Black Raspberry, Praline, and more, and the vibe is very nostalgic. I went with my childhood favorite flavor, Mint Chocolate Chip, along with a scoop of Birthday Cake for good measure.
The sun was beating down, and I tried to lick the melting ice cream as it dripped onto my fingers, but I was a mess by the end of it. But a mess in that way we all were as kids eating ice cream—sticky-fingered and happy.
Sweet Moses Soda Fountain & Treat Shop
I took a day trip to Cleveland for my final stop on the Ice Cream Trail. I appreciate dedication to a theme, and Sweet Moses is as old-timey as it gets, from the music to the uniforms to the treats. They offer everything from sundaes, malts, and milkshakes to cones, floats, and classic soda fountain drinks. The boy at the register widened his eyes when I ordered the Terminal Tower, a gargantuan sundae with ten scoops of each classic flavor topped with almonds, pecans, sprinkles, hot fudge, and cherries. I took his doubt as a personal affront, so I dived in, shoveling spoonfuls of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and banana ice cream dripping with fudge into my mouth. Fifteen minutes later, I had brain freeze, a full stomach, and what seemed to be a still heaping bowl of ice cream. If you plan to attempt this, then bring along five (or ten) friends. They weren’t kidding when they called it terminal. I am now a ghost writing this from the beyond.
Overall, I had a great time experiencing all of our different ice cream shops and flavors. The map was easy to follow, and it was fun to feel like a kid again. And who doesn’t like ice cream? Except for that one weirdo you know. (No one trusts your opinion anyway, Diane.)
The Ohio Ice Cream Trail spans the state from Cleveland to Cincinnati to Athens to Zanesville. Use the map to chart your own ice cream tour and be sure to tag #MyOhioScoop and #OhioFindItHere on social media for a chance to win prizes.
Sponsored by Tourism Ohio. All opinions are my own.
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