Philly is known the world over for its delicious local fare. Cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and Tastykakes may top that list, but did you know we are also known for our ice cream? It’s true. In addition to being the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia is also home to the oldest ice cream company in the country, which means we know how to do ice cream.
From bowtie-wearing ice cream jockeys to places where you can get a scoop of Earl Gray Sriracha (no, I did not make that flavor up), the City of Brotherly Love has it all. And the best part? These are all places you can grab a scoop with your kids in tow, or the perfect activity for sitters and nannies to keep the little ones happy. So grab your family, pack extra wet wipes, and put these awesome ice cream shops on your summer bucket list!
The hours listed below reflect the operating hours for Summer 2017.
Little Baby’s Ice Cream, East Kensington
Address: 2311 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Summer Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 10 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 11 p.m.
This is my favorite ice cream parlor. Not only is there a pizza place attached (which makes the entire building smell like ice cream and pizza, an amazing combo), but there is plenty of room, with indoor and outdoor seating. They provide high chairs for smaller guests.
Little Baby’s has flavors that you can’t get anywhere else, like the impossibly fresh tasting strawberry celery and cool yet spicy chipotle chocolate. Remember when I mentioned Sriracha Earl Gray ice cream? Well this is where you can get it! The very best part is of Little Baby’s is that you can try them all! They offer samples, and you’ll find that you love them all and can’t decide on just one flavor. In that case, you can order an entire flight of ice cream, which includes six different mini-scoops!
There is a ramp for strollers so you won’t have to struggle up a flight of stairs, and once you get the stroller in there’s plenty of room to park it. The décor adds to the experience with nostalgic pizza- themed toys, album covers, and movie posters on display.
Philly Flavors, Fairmount
Address: 2004 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Hours: Sunday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight
If you’re into fresh-baked waffles or pretzels with your ice cream, then this is the place for you. Heck, even if you’re not into ice cream, this is the place for you. They have other things like water ice, popsicles, hot dogs, and pretty much all the standard summer fare you can think of in a range of awesome flavors. Although my favorite is Crazy Vanilla, you may want to try some of their more traditional flavors like chocolate chip or French vanilla.
There are bathrooms for customers but no changing tables, so you’ll want to change those diapers before you head here. There’s a small amount of seating inside, but the building is not stroller-accessible. There is seating outside and giant windows in the shop, so I just leave my stroller outside and bring my kids in to order.
There are plenty of surrounding stores for window shopping while enjoying your ice cream. We like to eat our ice cream in front of the Fairmount Pet Shoppe and read the rescue stories while watching the cats play.
Bassetts Ice Cream, Reading Terminal Market
Address: 1211 Chestnut St. #410, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Nestled inside Reading Terminal Market, Bassetts Ice Cream is the oldest ice cream company in America. They got started in 1861, which means they have pretty much perfected ice cream! Bassetts has a large selection of flavors. My favorite is the raspberry chocolate truffle, and they also have gluten-free options.
Although the market is usually crowded on the weekend, Bassetts is a great place to go when you’re trying to get ice cream and avoid the elements. You can sit down at any number of spots inside of the terminal or walk around with your kids looking at everything from handmade jewelry to fresh-cut flowers.
The lines are long but move fast and have very clear instructions for streamlined ordering (and it’s not as stressful as ordering a cheesesteak). The ice cream stand is easy to access with the stroller, as is most of the terminal. The noise level can get pretty high, so if you or your little one gets easily overwhelmed by crowds, you’ll want to skip this one or send someone else inside while you sit across the street at the park. Reading Terminal Market is currently under construction but is still open to the public.
Franklin Fountain, Old City
Address: 116 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Hours: Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – midnight | Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
You’ll think you’ve taken a step back in time when you enter the Franklin Fountain — and you will literally be stepping into it because there are stairs, so keep that in mind if you are out with your stroller. The Old City location is very popular, so be prepared to stand in line for a little while. This is an ice cream experience, not a quick in-and-out trip. The inside is set up like an old-fashioned ice cream bar without the seating. The seating has long since been removed to accommodate the large crowds that the delicious ice cream draws to the Fountain.
It’s perfect for older children, who will be entertained by the old-timey experience as their ice cream, milk shakes, and floats are served by people in bow ties and hats. And if you can talk them into ordering their ice cream in a cup instead of a cone, they’ll have it served to them in a Chinese food takeout container. There are plenty of choices — including vegan options — and everything is made with fresh, local ingredients.
They more than make up for the lack of indoor seating with an outdoor seating area, and a lot of it is even in the shade. You can’t beat the location for people-watching because it’s so close to all the downtown attractions. Elfreth’s Ally, Betsy Ross house, and the Liberty Bell are all within a six-block walk.
Bredenbeck’s Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor, Chestnut Hill
Address: 8216 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tucked away in the gorgeous Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia that is so quaint it’s hard to believe you’re still in the city, you will find Bredenbeck’s Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor. The two shops are separate and keep different hours, so be sure to double check the times if you want to hit both. The hours listed above are for the ice cream parlor only.
The ice cream itself is delicious. As it should be, it’s Bassetts, the oldest ice cream company in the country! They offer several gluten-free flavors, of which the birthday cake ice cream is my daughter’s favorite. This is the best place to stop for an in-and-out ice cream experience. There is only one small bench inside, and there isn’t any outdoor seating available, which makes this the kind of place that is perfect for grabbing a cone and taking a walk.
Chestnut Hill isn’t known as the Garden District for nothin’. There are many parks and green spaces to walk to. Be sure to bring quarters for the meters if you want to park on the street. There is no public bathroom, which means no changing tables, and the shop is not stroller-accessible, so this is a trip you’ll want to take with a child who is comfortable on foot or in a carrier.
