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Read More about this safari issue.Tall Arkansas Ice Cream Cones Worth Chasing This Summer
One of the greatest joys of summer is an ice cream cone.
Ice cream somehow tastes better between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s the nostalgia. Maybe it’s the simple tradition of piling into the car after dinner and answering the familiar question: “Can we go get ice cream?”
In Arkansas, ice cream isn’t just a dessert; it’s part of summer. It shows up after baseball games, lake days, family reunions, and long afternoons spent exploring small towns. It’s the reward at the end of a hike and the excuse for an evening drive with the windows down.
One of the things we love most about Arkansas is that nearly every corner of the state has a beloved ice cream stop. Some are old-school dairy bars that have served generations of families. Others are newer shops that put their own spin on frozen treats. Together, they create a statewide treasure hunt for anyone willing to chase the perfect cone.
Here are a few of our favorite Arkansas ice cream stops, along with several that are still on our summer bucket list.
14 Arkansas Ice Cream Cones Worth the Detour
Short Stop | Garfield
Many Arkansans will tell you this is the state’s tallest ice cream cone, and they’re probably right. Short Stop, located on the road to Beaver Lake, is famous for its towering soft-serve cones. The unique twist? You order by the number of swirls you want. Whether you’re headed to the lake or simply exploring Northwest Arkansas, this roadside tradition is worth a stop.
Kreme Kastle | Benton
For generations of travelers heading to and from Hot Springs, Kreme Kastle has been a must-stop. The menu is full of tempting comfort food, but a simple vanilla cone from the walk-up window remains one of Arkansas’s great summer traditions.
Dairy King | Portia
If you’re traveling through Northeast Arkansas, make time for Dairy King. This small-town favorite serves the classic dairy bar menu everyone loves, but the real star is the soft serve. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why roadside ice cream stands have endured for generations.
Breaker Drive-In | Monticello
A summertime staple in South Arkansas, Breakers blends classic drive-in charm with oversize cones. Whether you’ve spent the day on the water or exploring the region, a chocolate cone from Breakers is the perfect ending.
Lighthouse Drive-In | Wickes
The Lighthouse is known for its impressive lineup of ice cream flavors and combinations. With more than twenty flavors, there’s something for everyone. It’s a favorite stop for travelers returning from river adventures and summer weekends in Western Arkansas.
The Spark Café | Bentonville
Located within the Walmart Museum experience on the Bentonville Square, Spark Café serves ice cream in one of Arkansas’s most iconic downtown settings. Grab a cone, find a bench on the square, and enjoy a scoop of Sam Walton’s favorite butter pecan or another classic flavor.
The Soda Jerk | Searcy
The Soda Jerk captures the old-fashioned ice cream parlor experience. House-made waffle cones, generous scoops, gelato, and creative seasonal flavors make it a destination for ice cream lovers across Central Arkansas.
Barnett’s Dairyette | Siloam Springs
Few places capture the nostalgia of small-town Arkansas like Barnett’s Dairyette. Serving cones, burgers, and milkshakes for generations, it’s the kind of place where locals still pull up in farm trucks for an afternoon treat. The simple vanilla cone remains a classic.
Onyx Coffee Lab | Springdale
It surprises some visitors to learn that Onyx serves ice cream, but it fits perfectly with the brand’s creative approach to food and beverage, they are the #1 coffee in the world after all! Seasonal flavors and artisan ingredients make it one of the more unique cone stops on the list.
Dairy Dream | Mountainburg
For many families, Dairy Dream is part of the summer tradition of traveling to and from the mountains or nearby lakes. Grab a cone, then head across the street to the city park, where kids can climb on the realistic dinosaur playground equipment before continuing the adventure.
King Kone | Hot Springs
When the walk-up line wraps around the building, you know you’re in the right place. King Kone has served oversize cones and frozen treats for decades, and its towering creations remain a favorite among locals and visitors.
Scoops Homemade Ice Cream | Little Rock
Scoops has built a loyal following by making ice cream the old-fashioned way, using real ingredients and plenty of flavor. Their cones are piled high and packed with handcrafted goodness, making them a favorite stop in the capital city.
Tacker’s Shake Shack | Marion, Manila, Wynne
The original Tacker’s location delivers everything people love about a classic roadside diner. Red-and-white checkered decor, burgers, shakes, and towering ice cream treats make it feel like stepping into another era.
Salem Dairy Bar | Benton
There’s something magical about a classic dairy bar. Salem Dairy Bar serves burgers, fried pies, and the kind of soft-serve cones that feel frozen in time. A chocolate cone here on a hot afternoon is hard to beat, especially if it’s chasing a freshly made burger.
More Arkansas Ice Cream Stops to Add to Your List
If you’re building your own Arkansas ice cream trail, these spots deserve a look too:
- Dari-Delite | Ozark
- Dairyette | Mount Ida
- Loblolly Creamery | Little Rock & around the state
- Gelatissimo | Rogers
- Hawkins Variety Store | Murfreesboro
- ZAZA Fine Salad + Wood Oven Pizza Co. | Little Rock
- Burton’s Creamery | Fayetteville
- The Original ScoopDog | North Little Rock
- Little Dippers | Mountain Home
- Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream | Rogers & Fayetteville
- Dog N Suds | Paragould
- Myers Cruizzers Drive-In | Mena
- Gary’s SlingBlade Drive-In | Benton
The Sweetest Part of Summer
The best ice cream cone isn’t always the fanciest one.
Sometimes it’s the cone you enjoy while sitting on a tailgate after a baseball game, celebrating a home run. Sometimes it’s the one melting faster than you can keep up on a July afternoon, and you need a spoon to finish it. And sometimes it’s the cone you stumble upon unexpectedly while exploring a new Arkansas town. (Those are my favorite!)
This summer, keep an eye out for the little dairy bars, roadside drive-ins, and hometown favorites that make Arkansas special. You never know when your next favorite ice cream cone might be just around the corner.
If summer sweet treats are on your radar, check out these other lists that might keep you company this summer.
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