You may not realize this but July is National Ice Cream Month. A whole month to celebrate the cold drippy goodness that is ice cream!
In an effort to bring you, our valued readers, a list of some of the best ice cream spots in our fair city, I made the HUGE sacrifice of testing out some places around town. It was rough, let me tell you. So rough. But my waistline and I muddled through just for you.
So here it is.
Oh, and be sure to check the bottom of this post for places you can get free or great deals for National Ice Cream Day on July 17!
Sweet Cream Company
First, let me just say that this place is so stinking cute! I love the setup. It’s a small quaint little shop on Main Street just a few steps away from the Nickelodeon. When I stepped into this shop and saw the ice cream flavors, I knew I was in for a real treat.
Sweet Cream Co. offers unique flavors like Earl Gray, Lemon Poppyseed, Cherry Coke, and Whiskey Pecan. They also have a variety of delicious sorbet flavors including honey lemon ginger and strawberry basil (with local strawberries from Cottle Farms!).
I sampled both Earl Gray and Lemon Poppyseed. Besides having the most amazingly rich flavors, it was also the creamiest, smoothest ice cream I have ever had! So, next time you’re on Main Street, be sure to stop at Sweet Cream Co. for an ice cream experience like none other!
**Note** Sweet Cream Co. sells pints of ice cream as well! You can take your favorite flavors home with you.
The Baked Bear
Located in Five Points, this magical ice cream store allows you to make a dream-worthy ice cream sandwich.
You can choose from a variety of cookie flavors or brownies (or you can even do one of each!) and then you choose your ice cream flavor. They also have toppings, if you want to add a little something extra. Then, it’s all put together in one large yummy sandwich. They’ll even warm the cookies up if you want.
Anyone else drooling right now? If you don’t want an ice cream sandwich, don’t worry, they’ve also got cones and brownie bowls. You can’t go wrong at The Baked Bear!
Sweet Pea’s Ice Cream and Cafe
Sweet Pea’s is a cute little place tucked away in downtown Blythewood serving up some yummy goodness. They proudly serve Hershey’s ice cream and offer a variety of super fun flavors your kids will love!
My son especially enjoyed the Crazy Cookie Dough flavor (colorful cookie dough ice cream!). Here you’ll also find fun ice cream inventions like ice cream nachos and the Awful Waffle (ice cream) Taco. Mmmmmmm!
As a bonus, Sweet Pea’s sells pints of Columbia-born Epworth ice cream (all proceeds from pints go to support the Epworth Children’s Home). Not only do they serve up delicious ice cream, but Sweet Pea’s also offers a variety of café foods like sandwiches, wraps, hot dogs, and soft pretzels.
Manny’s Shaved Ice
I saved this one for last because while they do offer ice cream, their specialty is actually shaved ice. But, shaved ice is also a delicious summertime treat, so I decided to include Manny’s on my list. Trust me. You’re gonna thank me.
Located in a small plaza on Augusta Road in West Columbia, Manny’s Shaved Ice offers 60 different shaved ice flavors. Flavors vary from Classic/Natural (cherry, bubble gum, strawberry, etc.) to Mixed (Mango Strawberry, Berry Lime, Pina Berry, etc.) to Creamy (Vanilla ‘n cream, Coconut, Chocolate, etc.) to Spicy (Mango Diablo, Chamoyada Tamarind, Pina Diablo, etc.). I tried the Guava Mango flavor. It was amazing! It even had small chunks of mango in it.
Manny’s also offers Frapps and Milkshakes (more ice cream!), plus a variety of traditional Hispanic snacks and treats (Flavored corn, Corn bowls, and Mexican Wagon Wheels). A crazy bonus to this place is that it’s super cheap! Shaved ice prices start at just $2 and go up to just $4. Manny’s is a place you MUST check out!
Now that I’ve given you the low down on some outstanding ice cream joints around Columbia, let’s get to the deals for National Ice Cream Day (July 19).
National Ice Cream Day Free Deals (July 17)
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins is celebrating National Ice Cream Day by offering $5 off any purchase of $15 or more from July 17 through July 23, available in-store and online. Guests can use the code BECOOLER at checkout for online orders or scan their Baskin-Robbins mobile app coupon in shop during checkout.
Cold Stone Creamery
On July 17, Cold Stone Creamery will offer guests $4 off a purchase of $20 or more. This offer will be valid on the Cold Stone app. The brand will also be offering free delivery on online orders all weekend long, from July 15 through July 17. Guests can get a $5 BONUS eCard when they purchase $25 in gift cards from ColdStoneCreamery.com.
Dairy Queen
On July 17, get $1 off a Chocolate Dipped Cone. This deal can be redeemed through the DQ mobile app at participating locations nationwide.
DoorDash and Unilever
In celebration of National Ice Cream Day, those who shop for Unilever brands Breyers, Talenti, Magnum ice cream and Ben & Jerry’s can enjoy $5 off their entire order with a purchase from The Ice Cream Shop on DoorDash all day on July 16 and 17. For those who haven’t tried The Ice Cream Shop before, it’s a way to get ice cream delivered right to your door, sometimes in under 30 minutes. To score this deal, add your chosen Unilever frozen treats from The Ice Cream Shop to your DoorDash cart and use promo code ICECREAM5 at checkout.
Insomnia Cookies
This cookie spot will be celebrating National Ice Cream Day all weekend long from July 15 through July 17 with a free scoop of ice cream to level-up any in-store purchase or order for local delivery.
LICK Ice Cream
Buy a Regular Scoop and get one Kiddie scoop free. Valid July 17 only.
Marble Slab Creamery
For all of July, rewards members can redeem a variety of deals that will be randomized throughout the month, including a free small ice cream and a buy one, get one free small ice cream.
Menchie’s
Frozen yogurt chain Menchie’s is celebrating National Ice Cream Month and their 15th birthday with a month-long game through their app. Everyone who completes the game in July will get $5 in Menchie’s Money, plus a chance to win a $2,000 gift card.
Whole Foods
From July 6 to 19, all ice cream frozen treats are 25% off at Whole Foods, making this one of the best ways to save money at Whole Foods this summer.
TCBY
Sign up for TCBY’s TCBY Insider program and get special exclusive deals for National Ice Cream Day and beyond.
