Seven Ice Cream Shops to Visit in SouthWestern Minnesota

If you know me well, you know ice cream is one of my guilty pleasures. We often try to save money for adventures by finding free or cheap places to go, packing lunch or snacks from home, and bringing coffee from home. Yet, ice cream is a spending category that we have no problem using. Most adventure days aren’t complete without an ice cream stop. Here are seven of our favorites in southwestern Minnesota.

MN Eis- New Ulm: This is by far, my favorite ice cream place. Not only do they have delicious ice cream, they also have edible cookie dough, boba tea, shakes, and root beer floats made with the amazing 1919 root beer. Located in downtown New Ulm, this is a cute store that you can enjoy your ice cream in or walk along the main strip of downtown. Our favorite thing to do is buy a flight of ice cream which includes 6 scoops (in a muffin tin) of ice cream for $12. Each person gets to pick a flavor and we pick a family favorite for the sixth. Such a good deal and delicious ice cream!

Mom & Pops – Mankato: This is such a fun ice cream stop in old downtown Mankato. They have delicious ice cream for very affordable prices. Perfect for kids, they have a “mini” size and every size comes with 2 flavors! My kids love that part! You can enjoy your ice cream inside with a view of the main street downtown or in back at the picnic tables. Another family favorite!

Dairy Freeze -Fairmont: Such a fun soft-serve ice cream spot! We love the flavor twists and the unique kinds they have. It’s a fun atmosphere where you walk up to the window (not many ice cream places like this left!). There are a few picnic tables to eat at or take it to a nearby park (our favorite is Gomsrud). As a note, this is a cash-only spot. Plan accordingly, so you don’t miss out on their awesome treats!

Grafitti Corner- Fairmont: This is a favorite for my kids. Graffiti corner has a calming atmosphere and has delicious options of food. They serve sandwiches, coffee, and smoothies, but the real hit for my kids is their frozen yogurt. Having several flavors of frozen yogurt and many toppings, it’s a build-your-own frozen yogurt place. At $0.64 an ounce, people can build their own special treat and enjoy it inside or outside. Each of my kids built a different frozen yogurt and were highly satisfied while I sipped my latte. One of the tables there has a built in game board where my son happily played chess with his sister (meaning he told her what to do, so he could win!)

Schuette’s Ice Cream Shop – Henderson: Originally, we came to this cute town because I heard it was a small town to visit! The town is adorable and fun to walk along. We especially liked the Prince memorial. Growing up close to Prince’s studio, I love to see stuff about him in other places. This is an adorable ice cream shop and restaurant. You order your ice cream right up at the counter, which the kids loved. Definitely a fun experience to visit Henderson and Schuette’s Ice cream shop! It’s not too far off Highway 169/60.

Scoops-Elysian: This is an adorable place not only to get ice cream, but to hang out. The ice cream is delicious, but it truly is about the experience here. They have a stage for live music sometimes, a small playground, a disc golf area, and some yard games. It’s a great atmosphere in a beautiful area. Pick up your ice cream after a bike ride or hike through Sakatah State Park or after being on the water all day on one of the many lakes around the area.

Frozen Yogurt Creations- Mankato: I’m a big fan of frozen yogurt and my kids love to add their own toppings. Tucked into a strip mall in Mankato, you wouldn’t notice this place unless you knew it was there. Yet, you definitely want to take a visit! This is a spot where you pay for the weight of your frozen yogurt. After picking a flavor of frozen yogurt, you pick your toppings ranging from fresh fruit to cookie dough to candy pieces. No two sundaes are the same! Such a fun place to stop!

How many of these have you tried? Make sure to add ones to your list that you haven’t tried, there’s LOTS of summer left to enjoy some ice cream.