Treat Your Kids to Chicagoland's Best Ice Cream Shops

We all scream for ice cream! There are many ways we can enjoy the creamy, frozen treat, but nothing beats visiting an ice cream parlor where you can get an old-fashioned scoop of the slow-churned goodness with all the toppings your heart desires.

In Chicagoland, we have so many great ice cream shops to choose from. We highlighted some of our favorites, including many local mom-and-pop shops that just know how to do ice cream right. Note: Please check ahead on seasonal hours for each ice cream shop before visiting!

Here are the top ice cream shops in Chicago and the suburbs serving up the best double scoop around.

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Ice cream shops in Chicago

Lickity Split Frozen Custard

Address: 6056 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago and 7000 N. Western Ave., Chicago

You’ll feel like you’re in a different time as soon as you step in Lickity Split. They offer great custard ice cream with rotating flavors. Kids will love the My Way Sundae where they can choose their own flavor frozen custard and additional toppings.

Margie’s Candies

Address: 1960 N. Western Ave., Chicago and 1813 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago

For more than 90 years, Margie’s has served up hand-dipped candies, homemade sundaes and delicious shakes. Margie’s Candies has seated The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Al Capone and countless others who couldn’t resist Margie’s homemade treats. Don’t leave without a jar of fudge.

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

Address: 2353 N. California Ave., Chicago and 709 W. Belden Ave., Chicago

Consider Pretty Cool to be the open-year-round ice cream truck of Logan Square (only with much tastier options). From Peanut Butter Potato Chip ice cream custard bars to the Banana Cream Icicle, there’s a nostalgia-inducing pop for everyone in the family. For dairy-free folks, the shop’s coconut-cream “plant bars” are vegan and delicious.

Shawn Michelle’s

Address: 46 E. 47th St., Chicago

This Bronzeville shop has shined in the ice cream game with old-fashioned, handmade ice cream. Try their combo flavors including Barack Supreme (Pralines and Cream and Chocolate), or specialty flavors like Jamaican Rum Raisin and Strawberry Cookies and Cream. They also have a second location in Olympia Fields.

The Original Rainbow Cone

Address: 9233 S. Western Ave., Chicago

The Original Rainbow Cone knew how to make a beautiful ice cream combination long before Instagram rolled around. The signature dessert comes with five colorful flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House, Pistachio and Orange Sherbet. They also have locations at Navy Pier (open seasonally) and around the Chicago suburbs.

Vaca’s Creamery

Address: 2324 W. Giddings St., Chicago; 1436 W. Blackhawk St., Chicago (Wicker Park)

This all-vegan creamery has won over many ice cream loving Chicagoans! Try a dairy-free swirl cone, a PB&J twist or one of the yummy rotating soft serve flavors like pistachio, peanut butter, pumpkin or olive oil, just to name a few. Our favorite? The candy bar sundae: chocolate and vanilla soft serve topped with peanut butter, caramel, a chocolate shell and peanuts. It’s like a dairy-free Snickers and Reese’s cup had an ice cream baby!

Ice cream shops in North/Northwest Suburbs

Capannari Ice Cream

Address: 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect

While Capannari offers unique and modern flavors like Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel and Bordeaux Cherry Vanilla, you can still expect a classic ice cream experience at this family-owned business. Their homemade ice cream is so good that you can try four different flavors at once with their ice cream flight.

Graeter’s Ice Cream

Address: 1347 Shermer Road, Northbrook and 940 Green Bay Road, Winnetka

If you’re planning to go to Ravinia Festival this summer with your family, you have to make a stop at Graeter’s. The family-owned business originated in Ohio generations ago and we’re lucky enough to have two locations in Chicagoland. They’re known for their many chocolate chip ice cream flavors, so make sure you grab a scoop!

Daisy’s Malt Shoppe

Address: 807 N. Quentin Road, Palatine

You won’t be disappointed on the unique flavors at Daisy’s Malt Shoppe including a variety of classic ice cream brands like Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and Calliope Ice Cream. For families who love root beer, you can’t go wrong with a classic root beer

Dairy Star

Address: 3472 W. Devon Ave., Lincolnwood

For soft serve ice cream, this Lincolnwood shop should be at the top of your list. You’ll find all the best sundaes including Turtle, Rocky Road and Pina Colada. Plus, depending on the weather, you can enjoy a round of mini golf at Novelty Golf and Games just down the street.

Ice cream shops in South Suburbs

The Plush Horse

Address: 12301 S. 86th Ave, Palos Park and 7903 W. 171st St., Tinley Park

Here’s another ice cream spot that has been serving ice cream for more than 75 years. Other than offering more than 60 flavors of ice cream, sorbets and other frozen treats, your kids will get a kick out of the life-size plush horse in the shop. How cute is that?

Premo’s Ice Cream

Address: 5540 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn

Fans of soft serve ice cream need to visit Premo’s! The shop gets creative with their ice cream specials (for Fourth of July, they offered a Firecracker Sundae). Customers of all ages will especially love their sundaes and brownies topped with edible eyes.

Hazel Marie’s

Address: 24030 Lockport St., Plainfield

Hazel Marie’s ice cream flight gives you the option to try their unique flavors like Cotton Candy Twist and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, which is a cheesecake ice cream.

Cool Creations

Address: 937 S. Hamilton St., Lockport

Cool Creations offers plenty of options to enjoy their homemade ice cream with cake cones, sundaes, shakes, flurries or sometimes even ice cream tacos!

Ice cream shops in Western Suburbs

Banana Split

Address: 820 Church Road, Aurora

For 40 years, Banana Split has served soft serve, over-the-top sundaes and, of course, banana splits to the ice cream lovers of Aurora. The seasonal walk-up window is beloved by the community. Stop by and find out why for yourself!

The Brown Cow

Address: 7347 Madison St., Forest Park

This charming ice cream parlor serves up root beer floats from an old-fashioned soda fountain. Their homemade ice creams, pies and cakes are fresh, delicious and definitely worth the trip to Forest Park. Double up on the chocolate-chip ice cream sandwiches — they are divine!

Cookie Dough Creations

Address: 22 Chicago Ave., Naperville

Cookie dough ice cream fans, you have to go here! This sweet shop features ice cream and milk shakes made with your choice of eight different kinds of cookie dough. Yum! Or, you can just get a scoop of cookie dough, no ice cream.

Kimmer’s Ice Cream

Address: 110 W. Park Ave., Elmhurst; 109 E. Front St., Wheaton and 1 Illinois St., St. Charles

While you won’t be disappointed by the gourmet flavors and homemade ice cream at Kimmer’s, the main reason to go is to try their Sparkle Cone. These ice cream cones are lined with sprinkles to give your ice cream experience a little more pop.

Tates Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop

Address: 25 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange

What’s even sweeter when visiting Tates in La Grange is that you’ll find your favorite old-fashioned candies. But of course, the delicious ice cream and waffle cones will make you want to visit again soon.

This article was recently updated on April 3, 2025 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her creating an interactive map to make it easier to find the best ice cream shops you. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.

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Treat Your Kids to Chicagoland’s Best Ice Cream Shops