Harris Vacations Staff Writer | July 16, 2024
Alabama sees one of its warmest months in July, with daytime temps averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit. A dip in the Gulf might offer some relief, but we’d prefer to sneak in a summer treat first. How do ice cream sundaes and gelato sound on your Gulf Shores vacation?
Here at Harris Vacations, we’ve curated hundreds of Gulf Shores vacays for travelers since 1983. And if you need recommendations for the best beach spots, things to do, restaurants, or ice cream shops? We’re your people.
After jumping off your Gulf Shores fishing charter or family day at the beach, it’s time to finally treat yourself to a Gulf Shores vacation, which wouldn’t be complete without the best ice cream shops in town. Keep reading for our favorite spots!
Photo Credit: stockcreations
If you’re after a truly indulgent experience, a stop at Island Ice Cream & Treats is a must on your Gulf Shores vacation. For starters, you can pick from over 40 different ice cream flavors, from butter crunch and brownie sundae to our personal favorite, blackberry cobbler. Feel free to stop at a couple of scoops — or if you want the full experience, try one of the banana splits with fudge, peanuts, and pineapple on top.
We also love the sundae menu, which resembles cocktails in their complexity. The Mint Green Grasshopper has mint-chip ice cream, Oreos, and a literal cherry on top!
Photo Credit: Kolpakova Svetlana
Fancy a day of shopping before heading to the beach? Pelicans Place is a shopping mall with a few beauty shops and beachy clothing stores like Reef Havoc and Sunrays. Once you’re all shopped out, meander on over to the Yard Milkshake Bar for a sweet treat. You might remember the name from a Shark Tank episode a while back. The Southern couple who started this franchise successfully expanded to over 30 locations nationwide.
As for the menu, it’s not just milkshakes that bring travelers to their yard! Think extravagance in every possible way—milkshakes with entire cupcakes and ice cream scoops on top or edible cookie dough that you can add to any creation. The price point is high, at nearly $20 for a loaded milkshake, but we can promise you that the generous portion and delectable taste make up for it!
Photo Credit: DimaSid
When was the last time you tried something truly homemade on vacation? If you crave a natural and homegrown kind of treat, look no further than Cowbell Rolled Ice Cream. These guys make their ice cream from scratch every day, and the presentation is striking and comforting all at once, with the cream rolled into thin sheets that fold together and welcome drizzles of fruit puree, whipped cream, and other toppings, too.
Photo Credit: JM Travel Photography
Gelato tugs on the tastebuds of many over the creamier counterpart, ice cream. This Italian ice cream’s slower churn gives it a dense texture and iciness that feels satisfying and even more refreshing. Plus, it’s a tasty way to travel back to Italy in time. Gulf Shores has its very own gelato bar known as Yumm Twister & Ice Cream.
Pick from classic gelato flavors like chocolate and vanilla, or go richer with unique flavors like tiramisu or cookies and cream. This joint takes things up a notch with their homemade twister cones that are the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Add some toppings like oreos or fudge, and you’re ready to go!
Photo Credit: lozas
Sometimes, you just want a traditional, creamy, satisfying scoop of ice cream like you had when you were kids. Matt’s is the place to get it here in Gulf Shores. The joint has tons of different flavors to choose from. Maple Walnut, anyone? We prefer raspberry chocolate ourselves, but we love returning to try all the variety.
Load up your ice cream or banana splits with hot fudge or sprinkles, and try to mosey on over to the benches outside or the nearby waterfront. This shop tends to get crowded, so bear with us as the kind staff does their best to get your order!
Photo Credit: Charles Brutlag
Craving a pina colada? Save it for cocktail hour — but if you want that sweet, sweet coconut icey flavor without the alcohol, you gotta check out Cherry on Top’s snow cones. Pina Colada is one flavor among others, like blue raspberry, cotton candy, or banana. They also make specialty milkshakes and floats using root beer, orange Fanta, or Sprite.
Honestly, we can’t think of a more refreshing snack than a snowcone on a hot Alabama summer’s day. But if you crave something creamier and richer, you can always opt for the peanut butter sundae or warm brownie sundae.
Photo Credit: Yala
Do you have a sweet tooth that yearns for all things chocolate? Sounds like the Chocolate Corner is a must-see on your Gulf Shores trip. Here, you’ll find homemade chocolates like pecan paws, pecan caramel turtles, and 15 different types of chocolate bark.
And don’t forget the ice cream — pick from a variety of different Blue Bell ice creams and sundae mixes, chock-full of goodies like toffee,, mint chocolate, and so much more. The whole family will find something to indulge in this joint’s endless variety, from fudge cups and truffles to sundaes, snow cones, and blended smoothies.
Bottom line? Delicious ice cream is never far away when you vacation on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Butter fudge sundaes, banana splits, and traditional scoops on waffle cones are a dime a dozen.
Ready to embark on the relaxing vacation you deserve? Book your stay with Harris Vacations today!
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