A Sweet Road Trip Across Maine: Our Favorite Ice Cream Stops
There are road trips you plan for months.
And then there are the best kinds of road trips—the ones that simply happen.
You're driving through a small Maine town with the windows down. Maybe you've spent the morning at the beach, wandered through a bookstore, hiked a mountain trail, or explored a quiet harbor. Then you see it.
A hand-painted sign.
A line of families stretching out the door.
Kids with rainbow sprinkles covering their faces.
Someone carrying a towering cone that's somehow defying gravity.
Without even saying a word, everyone in the car knows what's happening next.
"We're stopping."
That's one of our favorite things about summer in Maine.
Ice cream isn't just dessert here. It's part of the adventure.
It's the reward after climbing a lighthouse. The final stop after a day exploring coastal villages. The excuse to take the scenic route instead of the fastest one. Some of our best memories have started with the simple question, "Should we get ice cream?"
Our answer is almost always yes.
Here are a few of the places we'd happily drive out of our way to visit again.
Some places never go out of style.
Red's Dairy Freeze is one of them.
Generations of Mainers have pulled into this iconic roadside stand, and somehow it still feels exactly the way you hope it will. The menu is familiar, the portions are generous, and there's a wonderful sense of nostalgia the moment you walk up to the window.
Order your cone, find a picnic table, and don't rush back to the car.
Summer feels just a little slower here.
207 Vibes Tip: Pair your ice cream with lunch and enjoy one of Maine's classic roadside traditions.
If summer had a soundtrack, we think it would sound a lot like Round Top.
Families laughing over miniature golf.
Kids trying to decide between chocolate and blueberry.
Parents secretly hoping someone doesn't finish their cone.
Round Top isn't just about incredible homemade ice cream—it's about making memories.
It's one of those places where nobody is in a hurry, and somehow everyone leaves smiling.
Order This: Maine Wild Blueberry.
Every scoop feels like a work of art.
Rococo doesn't make ordinary flavors.
This is the place for adventurous ice cream lovers.
Unexpected ingredients.
Small batches.
Creative combinations.
The menu changes often, which means every visit is a little different.
If you like surprises, you'll love Rococo.
207 Vibes Tip: Ask what they're most excited about today. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
There's a reason people talk about this place long after vacation ends.
Every flavor tastes thoughtful.
Nothing feels rushed.
You can tell they care about every ingredient that goes into each batch.
It's simple.
It's beautiful.
It's Maine.
If you're exploring Downeast Maine or Acadia, don't leave without stopping.
Every state has an ice cream brand people grow up with.
For Maine, it's Gifford's.
Family owned.
Award winning.
Generations of traditions wrapped into one scoop.
Sometimes the classics become classics for a reason.
Don't Skip: Camp Coffee.
It's legendary.
Bright.
Happy.
Fun.
That's exactly how this place feels.
After spending the day exploring Boothbay Harbor, there's something wonderful about grabbing an ice cream cone and continuing your walk along the waterfront.
Sometimes dessert tastes even better when there's an ocean breeze.
Portland has no shortage of incredible food.
Ice cream included.
Beal's feels like the neighborhood place locals quietly recommend.
The flavors are rich.
The ingredients are local.
And somehow every scoop tastes homemade.
Ask a Mainer where to get ice cream, and chances are someone will mention Fielder's Choice.
The portions are famously enormous.
The menu seems endless.
And every location has the same family-friendly feeling that makes it easy to understand why so many people return every summer.
Sometimes bigger really is better.
🍦 Worth the Detour
A true Maine summer favorite, Lib's has been serving generous scoops, creamy soft serve, and plenty of smiles for generations. Whether you're stopping in after a day exploring the coast or making it your destination, there's something wonderfully nostalgic about pulling into Lib's. It's the kind of place where families gather, traditions begin, and every cone seems just a little bigger than expected.
Order This: Their classic soft serve—or ask what's popular with the locals that day.
207 Vibes Tip: Grab your ice cream and slow down for a while. The best memories are often made when there's nowhere else you need to be.
Toots Ice Cream is one of those hidden gems that locals love introducing to friends. With friendly faces behind the counter, homemade flavors, and a welcoming small-town atmosphere, it's the perfect stop on a warm Maine afternoon. Every visit feels relaxed, unhurried, and exactly the way summer should.
Order This: Maple Walnut or one of their seasonal specialties.
207 Vibes Tip: If you're nearby, make the drive. Toots is the kind of place you'll find yourself talking about long after the last bite.
🍦 Best for Food Allergies
🍦 Schoolhouse Ice Cream & Farm | Lebanon
Some places make you smile before you even order.
Schoolhouse Ice Cream & Farm is one of those places.
Tucked inside a beautifully preserved historic schoolhouse in Lebanon, this seasonal gem feels like stepping into a simpler time. After choosing your favorite scoop, take a stroll around the rescue farm, say hello to the goats, burro, miniature horse, ducks, chickens, and other friendly animals, or browse local honey, antiques, and farm-fresh goodies inside the old schoolhouse. It's the kind of place where kids can explore, adults can slow down, and everyone leaves just a little happier. The shop also hosts community events throughout the season, making it much more than an ice cream stop—it's a place to gather.
One thing we especially appreciate is that Schoolhouse Ice Cream & Farm clearly provides nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and dye-free options, with ingredients and allergens identified for many flavors. While the shop is not a dedicated nut-free facility and also serves flavors containing peanuts and tree nuts, their commitment to offering allergy-friendly choices makes them a thoughtful stop for many families managing food allergies. As always, if you have a severe allergy, let the staff know about your needs before ordering.
Order This: Build your own "Circle Flight" and sample four different flavors if you can't decide, or try one of their Maine-inspired favorites.
207 Vibes Tip: Plan to stay awhile. Between the historic schoolhouse, the rescue animals, and the peaceful country setting, Schoolhouse Ice Cream & Farm is one of those hidden Maine places that turns an ice cream stop into an afternoon adventure.
Our Favorite Part Isn't the Ice Cream
Well...
Maybe it is a little.
But what we really love is everything that surrounds it.
It's the conversation while waiting in line.
The laughter when someone orders a cone that's much too big.
The sunset you didn't expect to catch because you decided to stop.
The little roadside stand you almost drove past.
Ice cream has a funny way of turning an ordinary afternoon into one you'll remember.
Maybe that's why every Maine town seems to have its favorite.
And maybe that's why we'll always say yes when someone asks,
"Should we stop for ice cream?"
Our 207 Favorite 🍦
If we had to choose just one stop to begin your Maine Ice Cream Trail, we'd send you to Round Top Ice Cream.
Not just because the ice cream is wonderful.
Because it feels like summer.
Miniature golf.
Families together.
Kids laughing.
Homemade cones.
A beautiful Maine afternoon.
It's everything we love about this state wrapped up into one sweet tradition.
If you're only making one stop this weekend, make it Round Top.
Then let us know if you agree.
Because around here, we're always looking for our next favorite scoop.
Happy exploring—and happy scooping!
—The 207 Vibes Team
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