When a hot summer day hits the Dairy State, there's no shortage of locally-made cold, refreshing treats to cool off with. Whether you're looking for a scoop, a sundae or a smoothie, check out some of our favorite ice cream and frozen custard spots near Madison homes for sale.

Beat the Heat at These Top Ice Cream Shops Around Madison, WI

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream - Madison, WI

Address: 468 State St., Madison, WI 53703

Founder Chuck Deadman Sr.'s pursuit of excellence powered the opening of the first Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream in 1962. The family's second generation is now operating the successful business, including the manufacturing plant and 10 ice cream shops throughout the Madison area, including the State Street location, which opened in 1964.

In addition to classics like Blue Moon and Old-Fashioned Vanilla, Chocolate Shoppe offers a variety of creative signature flavors, including: 

• Exhausted Parent—bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream swirled with bittersweet chocolate chunks 
• Fat Elvis—banana ice cream with salty peanut butter ripple and chocolate chips
• This $&@! Just Got Serious—salted caramel ice cream with sea salt fudge and salted cashews

Hours at the State Street location are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily except Friday and Saturday, when doors are open until 11 p.m. Check their website for hours at other locations. 

Good News Café & Ice Cream - Madison, WI

Address: 117 King St., Madison, WI 53703

This summer's headline: Enjoy cool, creamy treats and more at Good News Café & Ice Cream. Whether your taste buds are crying out for a cheeseburger, a cold brew coffee, or a few scoops of homemade ice cream, this downtown spot satisfies.

Add some kick with these ice cream cocktails for ages 21 and up:

• Mexican Hot Chocolate, with State Line coffee liqueur 
• Rum-spiked Piña Colada
• Blueberry Honey Lavender French 100, with Prosecco and rosé wine

Get the Good News from 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. - midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.

Michael's Frozen Custard - Madison, WI

Address: 3826 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53714

What sets the namesake treat at Michael's Frozen Custard apart from ice cream? The answer is egg yolks, which give frozen custard a richer flavor and more velvety texture. This local favorite is celebrating its 40 year anniversary this summer. 

Try the flavor of the day, or give these blended Twister treats a whirl:

• Mad Hatter: melted chocolate chips, cookie dough, and M&Ms
• Camp sm'Oreos: marshmallows and Oreos
• Flying Monkey: bananas and peanut butter

Michael's Frozen Custard is open 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Blended - Madison, WI

Address: Hilldale Shopping Center, 717 Hilldale Way, Madison, WI 53705

The bowls, smoothies, and juices from Blended taste so good that you'll find it hard to believe they're also good for you. Most menu items feature antioxidant-rich açaí, along with other organic and natural ingredients.

Take home some pre-blended bowls in your choice of flavors, try their handmade energy bites, grab a freshly-made smoothie or enjoy some fresh-pressed juice.

Blended is open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily except Sunday, when doors close at 5 p.m.

Calliope Ice Cream - Madison, WI

Address: 3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI 53704

When you first peruse the flavor list at Calliope Ice Cream, you might think a mad scientist was running the show. But there's a method to the madness: the quirky combinations are intended to conjure up favorite food-based memories, with flavors like Brandy Old Fashioned and Hearty Breakfast. 

In addition to their standard offerings, Calliope creates unique, limited time, small batch flavors that rotate throughout the year, such as:

• Sweet Corn Ice Cream
• Goat Cheese & Beet Ice Cream
• Watermelon-Tajin Sorbet

Find Calliope Ice Cream inside Ian's Pizza at Garver Feed Mill. The hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions About Madison Ice Cream Shops

Where can you find locally made ice cream in Madison?

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has been making ice cream in Madison since 1962, while Good News Café & Ice Cream produces house-made flavors at its downtown shop. Calliope Ice Cream also creates small-batch flavors at Garver Feed Mill.

Does Madison have dairy-free frozen treats?

Yes. Several local shops offer dairy-free choices, including fruit-based smoothies and açaí bowls at Blended. Good News Café & Ice Cream, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and Calliope Ice Cream also offer rotating non-dairy ice cream or sorbet flavors; check with the store before you go to be sure they have what you're looking for.

Which Madison ice cream shops are near downtown attractions?

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream is located on State Street, while Good News Café & Ice Cream is on King Street near the Capitol Square. Their central locations make them convenient stops during a day of shopping or sightseeing downtown.

Cool Vibes in Madison, WI

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