Treat your kids, grandparents, siblings, parents, a date, a friend, or YOURSELF to one of summer’s all-time favorites from one of Bucks County’s finest creameries and icy treat parlors. With so many places to choose from, you will not be disappointed!
Pretzel Factory-Langhorne
Pretzels are quick, affordable, filling, and best of all, FRESH. Co-owners, brothers, and operators, Brian & Shaun, have been in business selling pretzels in this popular spot for seventeen years this past October. You can now add a delicious, thirst-quenching lemon icy drink to your order. Why not pick up a Phillies custom-made pretzel ahead of time on your way to the game, and grab a bag of pretzels for a delicious road trip snack? You can even grab an individual container of cream cheese to dip your pretzel in. What an incredible combination! Don’t knock it until you try it!
Fairless Hills Ice Cream
The water ice and ice cream here are scrumptious. On one of my frequent trips, my dad ordered peanut butter hard ice cream in a cup. I ordered a 6 pack of their delicious ice cream sandwiches for my family. So YUMMY! They also have pies, cakes, and an endless amount of sundae selections. Pictured is the Reese’s Pieces Cake which contains vanilla and chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, hot fudge, and of course, Reese’s Pieces on the outside and inside of this outstanding cake. Marysa shared some of the flavors of their Philadelphia Water Ice: chocolate, rainbow, mango, and one that I had never heard of before, UNICORN. This unique flavor consists of blueberry, vanilla, and cotton candy. I sampled the Dole whip/pomegranate soft serve. It was the perfect ending to a long day. There are some chairs out back for plenty to sit and enjoy right at the store, or you can do what Dad and I did which was take a sharp left out of the parking lot and head right up the road and eat it by Bucks County’s beautiful Lake Caroline.
Dairy Delite
I have lived in this area for over fifty years and learned so much on this recent visit to one of the oldest ice cream places in the Levittown area. Did you know that the original Dairy Delite locations on Bristol Pike and Woodbourne Road were once owned by the same family back in 1952? From 1952-1962 the location in Levittown was located on the corner of Route 1 and Woodbourne Road. The building was moved on a flatbed truck to its current location after it was sold. It was called Cuckoo Clock for a little while until it was sold again. Dave, the current owner, has been in the Levittown spot for approximately six years. Dave makes the water ice and explained to me that the popular flavors in order of preference are mango, cherry, raspberry, and root beer. The two Dairy Delites are independently owned now and have been since the early 60’s. I was impressed by the cleanliness of the building inside and out and with how friendly everyone was when I visited. Dairy Delite's gift cards are plastic poker chips that you can fit right in your pocket. So fun! Pick them up to give to your kids, parents, students, friends, and neighbors who could use a little “pick me up”.
Volpe’s Original
Treat yourself to an Italian Ice, a milkshake, a sundae, or my absolute FAVORITE: fresh warm waffles right off the griddle, topped with hand-dipped ice cream of your choice! John and Jerry were both fun and welcoming, full of personality, sharing the history of this amazing ice cream and water ice family adventure. To think that this business began in a garage in Northeast Philly with the sole choice of homemade lemon water ice like no other fascinated my daughter and me! Not only can you get their delicious lemon water ice, but the menu has expanded in terms of water ice to mango, blueberry, peach, Swedish Fish, chocolate, cherry, and root beer! Volpe’s is a family-run store located where the old Warner’s Candy Store once lived. Some new additions to the menu are ice cream sandwiches, homemade “Freezy Pops,” and ice cream cakes. Make sure you call at least two days in advance if you plan on picking up one of these scrumptious cakes. There is plenty of colorful and comfortable outside seating, along with a pretty painted butterfly photo opportunity!
Newtown Ice House and Yardley Ice House
When my daughter and I visited, we enjoyed the Cherry Bordeaux and Peanut Butter Cup Gourmet Water Ice. Both flavors were delicious, refreshing, and smooth. The Ice House’s main mission is to bring the community together over delicious and refreshing handcrafted water ice. The Yardley location opened in 1994. The owners at that time wanted to create a place where the community could gather to enjoy delicious desserts. Jackie, the owner of the Newtown location shared with me that what used to be a limited menu has turned into items like Orange Creamsicle, Frozen Hot Cocoa with mini marshmallows, Mint Cookies and Cream, and Key Lime Pie! The business is still in the family but now has two locations serving soft-serve custard, gelatis, sundaes, shakes, malts, and floats. If you dare to be different, try Matcha, Butterbeer, or even Brownie Dough water ice-wow!
Mom’s Homemade Water Ice & Ice Cream
I spoke with Glen, the owner and operator of this amazing spot in the Pine Watson Shopping Center, who shared that they have been a family business for over twenty-five years. There were sixteen flavors to choose from on the afternoon that I visited including tangerine, strawberry lemonade, creamsicle, and even cotton candy. I sampled a crowd-pleaser, homemade mango water ice. It was refreshing, sweet, and satisfying! Mom’s also offers soft serve orange/vanilla, strawberry/banana, and Dole-whip/vanilla frozen yogurt, along with sundaes, Blasts, milkshakes, root beer floats, banana split, gelatis, and Gusto Shakes. There is something for everyone!
Jo Jo’s Ice Cream and Water Ice
This spot must be on your bucket list! Jo Jo’s won first place this year in the Bucks Happening contest. Both of Jo Jo’s ice cream and water ice are homemade by the owner, Joe. Have you ever heard of “The Elvis”? Well, you can try it at Jo Jo’s. It’s a fan favorite, topped with chocolate syrup, peanut butter, marshmallow, and banana slices. A new popular hard ice cream flavor is Butter Brickle. I nearly died and went to heaven after the first bite! Treat yourself to Pineapple or Cherry Dole Whip soft serve which won’t be available forever since the flavors are always changing. Joe is very passionate about coming up with flavors that are sure to please those looking to satisfy the palate. You can even grab yourself an ice cream-stuffed donut from Piazza’s Bakery. There is nothing plain about it, even though it is served on a plain donut. Starting in June, you can treat yourself to Rocket Pop Water Ice. And if your favorite season is fall, wait until you try the crowd-pleaser sundae, Pumpkin Spice Supreme Sundae with ginger snaps and hot caramel.
Le Macaron-Doylestown
Doylestown is another great spot to stop for a cold, refreshing treat, especially after stopping in Fabby-Do, a Creative Boutique for Kids. This fun shop is inspired by a 1950’s penny candy store. Le Macaron French Pastries on Oakland Avenue in downtown Doylestown has the most amazing gelatos! When visiting the town with my mom we enjoyed the scrumptious pistachio gelato which was the perfect ending to a delicious meal that we experienced at a local pub. The macaron glace is the ultimate cookie ice cream sandwich combining everyone’s two favorite treats, French gelato and macarons. You can try other unique and refreshing flavors such as chocolat, caramel, and a French sorbet for those who prefer fruity flavors.
