A beloved, frozen treat: Ten ice cream shops you need to visit in Eastern Connecticut

As summer winds down and fall breezes its way across New England, we wanted to celebrate a creamy, chilly, American treat: ice cream. It's hard to think of a better way to spend an evening driving up to a local ice cream stand and enjoying a cone, cup, sundae or shake. Here's ten of the best ice cream shops across Eastern Connecticut to visit before the season ends!

Berry's Ice Cream in New London

If you're looking for some adventurous sundaes, Berry's Ice Cream has you covered. A few of their inspired and delicious creations include Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Orange Pineapple, Black Raspberry, Chocolate Toasted Coconut, and Lemon Berry Shortcake. If milkshakes are more your speed, try out the Coast Guard Coconut, Chai Tea shake, or German Cake Shake. They even do ice cream cakes for events, expertly decorated to your liking.

Buck's Soft Serve in Woodstock

A tucked away treasure in the heart of Woodstock, Buck's Soft Serve has become a popular stop in the community. Their specialties are the Nor'Easters, where soft serve ice cream is layered with freshly baked goodies like apple crisp or cobblers. The owners, Judy and Emilie, have a couple of namesake Nor'Easters to choose from as well: The Judy comes with hot fudge, raspberry sauce, and cheesecake bites, while The Emilie comes with chocolate syrup, peanut butter syrup, and chopped Reeces.

More: Buck's Soft Serve in Woodstock dishes up sweet treats with a smile

Hank's Dairy Bar in Plainfield

A classic spot that needs no introduction, Hank's Dairy Bar is a popular destination for some delicious ice cream. Try out their Banana Split, with strawberries, pineapple, hot fudge, whipped cream, walnuts and a cherry. Or how about their Ice Cream Soda: your choice of soft serve with flavored soda water like chocolate, coffee, vanilla or strawberry. They've even do ice cream sandwiches and malted milk shakes!    

Michael's Dairy in New London

Situated at Mitchell College, Michael's Dairy serves up over 30 different flavors of the delicious treat. Enjoy classics like Vanilla and Chocolate or spice things up with Cotton Candy, Campfire S'Mores, and Vegan Coconut Strawberry Swirl. They offer sundaes, cones, and pints to go, as well as milkshakes, floats, and other menu options!

More: Where you can go in New London, Windham counties for your fall food fix

Millie's Ice Cream Stand in Norwich

While they'll be closing this weekend for the season (they open back up in April), Millie's Ice Cream Stand is a must-visit destination if you're in Norwich. Sundaes, ice cream cones, or hard or soft, they've got you covered. Spend some time at Malerbas Golf Driving Range as well; they both share the space! Hard to think of a better way to spend an autumn day than driving some golf balls and enjoying some ice cream.

Oliver's Dairy Bar & Grill in North Windham

From live entertainment to a kid-friendy playscape, Oliver's is an easy choice when it comes to ice cream. All ice cream comes from Gifford's, an award-winning, New England based creamery. Have it in a bowl, cone, shake, sundae, or float, all topped how you want it. There's over 28 different flavors to choose from, not that you have to tell us twice!

More: A summertime stop you're sure to love: The Main Moose in Columbia, CT

Riverview Ice Cream in Putnam

Ice cream and mini golf is a match made in heaven at Riverview. They've got all the fan favorites—vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, cotton candy, peanut butter fudge, cake batter, pistashio, cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, cookies n' cream, creamsicle, pumpkin, cherry vanilla, orange pineapple—and there's still a dozen more after that! Have them as a sundae, shake, or on a cone, all while you put 18 holes with the whole family.

The Main Moose in Columbia

A tucked away treasure, The Main Moose is a beautiful outdoor destination for ice cream, hot dogs, and burgers aplenty. There's plenty to choose from, whether it be a dozen hard ice cream choices, soft serve, or the litany of different toppings like cookie dough, walnuts, cherries, Kit Kats, Recces, Oreos, gummies; the list goes on! Swing on by and grab a cone topped with your favorites.

The Village Ice Cream Shoppe in Oakdale

You've likely seen the gigantic t-rex standing out in front of The Village Ice Cream Shoppe in Nature's Art Village. Along with mini-golf, a museum, and all sorts of different activities, there's a delicious assortment of ice cream from Gifford's. Choose from a wide assortment of flavors served in cups, cones, milkshakes, and sundaes. Your kids will thank you later, trust us!

More: Cheeseburgers are the classic, American staple, here are 10 places in Eastern Conn. to try

We-Li-Kit Ice Cream in Pomfret Center

It's hard to beat farmstead fresh ice cream, and We-Li-Kit knows it. You'll find staples served year round as well as seasonal options like Ginger, Grapenut, Rum Raisin, Cheese Cake, Pumpkin, and many more. Try out some specialties too, like the Purple Cow: a black raspberry ice cream with white chocolate chips. There's the Roadkill: a vanilla ice cream base with walnuts, white chocolate chips, and a cherry swirl. Or how about the chipmunk tracks, with vanilla ice cream, M&Ms, and a peanut butter swirl? Give 'em a try!