New Hampshire Soft Serve Stops Locals Keep Coming Back To

There are some foods that just taste like summer and for me, soft serve ice cream is at the very top of that list.

The only challenging thing about soft serve is trying to eat it before the summer heat turns it into a puddle! And while I will happily enjoy just about any soft serve you put in front of me, I have a very specific order: a chocolate-and-vanilla twist cone dipped in chocolate.

There’s just something about that combination of creamy vanilla, chocolate soft serve and that crunchy chocolate shell that I will never get tired of!

Luckily, we live in a part of the country where summer ice cream stands are practically a tradition. From longtime local favorites to little roadside spots worth making a detour for, there are plenty of places around New Hampshire serving up that perfect summer cone.

So, if you're looking for a soft serve fix, I've got you covered!

Here are 10 spots in the Granite State that locals say have the BEST soft serve cones:

1. Dover Delite: Dover, NH

Owned by Gail Fortin, this Dover, New Hampshire staple keeps its customers coming back every summer season. They serve chocolate dipped cones, hard ice cream, soft serve, frappes & sundaes.

2. Lickee’s & Chewy’s Candies & Creamery: Dover, NH

Owned by Air Force veteran Chris Guerrette, Lickee’s & Chewy’s has a sweet story behind its name. After seeing the care packages packed with snacks sent to them while serving in Afghanistan, one of Chris’ friends joked, “That’s a lot of lickees & chewies!” The name stuck, and today, the Dover candy shop is a Seacoast favorite for candy, gourmet shakes and soft serve.

Lickee's & Chewy's Candies & Creamery via Facebook

3. Twin Lanterns Dairy Bar: Kensington, NH

A roadside stand that's been around for over 50 years. They don't just serve ice cream; they offer sandwiches & sides as well.

4. Golick’s Dairy Bar: Rochester, NH

Locally owned, operated and opened since 1986. They offer a chocolate and vanilla twist, a princess twist and over 50 hand blended flavors!

5. Whippin Good: Raymond, NH

This place not only has soft serve and dole whip, but they also have the latest trends people are dying to try! I.E. Affogatos, Ice cream nachos, pup cups and more!

6. Shibley’s Drive-In: Alton, NH

Serving the Lakes Region for the last 30 years, Shibley's proudly serves fried seafood and ice-cream!

7. Sweet Dreamz: Penacook, NH

According to the Concord Monitor, "The new soft-serve ice cream shop, located in an old hardware store, offers unique creations such as 'The Unicorn' and 'Plywood' in addition to thirty flavors of soft-serve, other sundaes, frappes, root beer floats and cookie sandwiches."

8. King Kone: Merrimack, NH

King Kone has been proudly serving the community for over 54 years. Family owned & operated.

One customer wrote, "We love King Kone...Have been coming here for over 20 years... I do miss the bags of popcorn they used to sell... They have the most delicious soft serve."

9. Moo’s Place: Derry, NH (and Salem, NH)

Voted "Best of NH" from NH Magazine, this family owned & operated gem has been serving the community for over 20 years. Choose between hard ice cream, soft serve, sherbet and even italian ice.

10. Sundae Drive: Brookline, NH

Founded by Joan and Ed Delage, they named their business after family Sunday drives and ice cream! Known for their delicious soft serve.

The heartbeat behind Sundae Drive.

23 New Hampshire Ice Cream Shops Where It’s Handmade and Delicious

VisitNH.gov has an amazing New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail of 50 ice cream shops you can try and hit up. Let's take a look at the places on that list that serve handmade ice cream.

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

This Ice Cream Trail in New Hampshire is a Sweet Road Trip You Have to Take

Starting in Kingston, this scrumptious NH ice cream trail starts in Kingston and travels north all the way to Pittsburg before journeying back down to the Seacoast Rye Beach area.

Gallery Credit: Megan Murphy