It’s no secret that our family loves ice cream. In the summer months, you can catch us getting ice cream multiple times a week and each time, we have to try someplace new. Southern Maine is filled with so many great ice cream options so here are just five of our current favorite places to grab an ice cream cone (all kid-approved, of course!).
Lib’s Dairy Bar
Portland, Maine
Lib’s is continuously recommended in the Greater Portland area so it was the first place we grabbed ice cream this summer. It was a chilly evening for ice cream and the line was quite long, but it was well worth it! Hailey ordered a soft serve vanilla cone, Allie ordered mint chocolate chip, and I indulged in a peanut butter shake (easier to consume while driving). All were fantastic and we’ll definitely be back again!
Scoop Deck
Wells, Maine
Scoop Deck first opened in 1983 and is now one of the most popular ice cream spots in Southern Maine. We came across it through TikTok and knew we had to try it out. With hundreds of ice cream flavors, there’s an option (or five) for everyone in the family. The staff were super friendly and helpful and while the line was pretty long, it moved quickly. The last time we visited, I got myself a cake batter cone and the girls both got cookies and cream. Both were excellent flavors! There’s also plenty of parking and quite a few picnic tables and benches to sit at and eat your ice cream. It’s a touristy spot, but worth the visit. Our family rates Scoop Deck 5 out of 5 stars!
Raptor Falls Mini Gold & Ice Cream
Arundel, Maine
Since opening in 2019, Raptor Falls has been known for its dinosaurs and mini golf, but did you know they also have ice cream? After enjoying 18 holes of mini golf surrounded by some life-like animatronic dinosaurs, be sure to stop by the ice cream stand for a well-deserved treat. While there aren’t a ton of ice cream flavors to choose from, it’s all locally made from Shaker Pond and so creamy and filling. We highly recommend their salted caramel ice cream (if that’s your jam)! Hailey got strawberry and for once, she ate almost all of it! It was that good. Raptor Falls is perfect for a summer outing with kids of all ages (or even a kid-free date night).
Martel’s Ice Cream
Saco, Maine
Martel’s is located right off Route 1 across from Funtown Splashtown in Saco and even has two mini golf course options as well: Maine Getaway or Serenity Falls. We went for mini golf for our oldest’s birthday and then tried the ice cream a few weeks later and both were a hit with our kids (we then went back four or give more times throughout the summer). Martel’s has over 40 homemade flavors as well as rotating specials so there’s a little something for everyone!
Lakeside Dairy Bar
Naples, Maine
Growing up in the lakes region area of Maine, the Lakeside Dairy Bar in Naples holds a special place on this list. It’s located right off Route 302 on the Naples Causeway and while this place can get super packed with tourists in the summer months, it’s always fun to me to grab an ice cream and walk the Causeway. Located right next to the Long Lake Marina, it’s the perfect stop for boaters to dock and enjoy a treat.
