5 Michigan Ice-Cream Stands To Pass On & 5 That Are Worth Every Lick
Summer in Michigan has always meant one thing to me—ice cream adventures! As a self-proclaimed frozen dessert detective, I’ve spent countless sunny afternoons and breezy evenings crisscrossing the Great Lakes State in search of the perfect scoop.
From tiny roadside stands serving up simple, creamy classics to bustling, decades-old parlors known for outrageous sundaes, I’ve tasted it all. But let’s be honest—not all ice cream is created equal.
Some spots will have you scraping the bottom of your bowl, savoring every last drop, while others might leave you wishing you’d spent that cash on lake souvenirs instead. Here’s my ultimate scoop report.
1. Skip It: Frosty’s Frozen Fantasy in Lansing
Frosty’s promises big but delivers small. Their Instagram-worthy cones look spectacular in photos but taste like they’re made from artificial flavor packets rather than real ingredients.
Last summer, I waited 45 minutes in line only to receive a soupy mess that melted faster than Michigan snow in April. The staff seemed completely overwhelmed, and the prices were nearly double what you’d pay at quality shops.
The cherry on top of this disappointing sundae? Their signature “Michigan Cherry Blast” contained exactly three sad cherries swimming in bright red syrup that stained my favorite t-shirt.
2. Worth Every Lick: Moomers Homemade Ice Cream in Traverse City
Moomers isn’t just ice cream – it’s a Michigan institution! Nestled on a working dairy farm, you can actually watch the cows whose milk will become tomorrow’s treats while enjoying today’s scoop.
Their Cherries Moobilee flavor changed my life with its perfect balance of tart Traverse City cherries and dark chocolate chunks. Owner Nancy creates over 150 rotating flavors, but somehow maintains consistent creamy perfection in every batch.
Bonus points for the wraparound porch where you can rock in Adirondack chairs while gazing at rolling farmland. Just be prepared for a line – but trust me, watching those sunset views makes the wait part of the experience.
3. Avoid: Polar Pete’s in Detroit
What a brain freeze disappointment! Polar Pete’s claims “gourmet” status but serves ice cream that tastes suspiciously like it came from the grocery store freezer section.
My scoop of vanilla bean had actual ice crystals throughout, a cardinal sin in quality ice cream. Their famous “Detroit Motor City Crunch” was mostly stale nuts and hard candy pieces that threatened dental work with every bite.
The shop itself needs serious TLC – sticky floors, grumpy service, and bathrooms I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to use. Save your dollars and your taste buds for literally anywhere else in Detroit’s otherwise fantastic food scene.
4. Pure Delight: Sherman’s Ice Cream in South Haven
Those iconic blue cows on the roof aren’t just cute – they’re a beacon guiding you toward ice cream nirvana! Since 1958, Sherman’s has perfected the art of classic flavors that transport you straight back to childhood summers.
Their Blue Moon ice cream (that mysteriously delicious Midwest flavor) tastes like summer memories in frozen form. The scoops are generous enough to share, but you won’t want to!
Family-owned for generations, Sherman’s still makes everything in small batches. The staff remembers regulars’ orders and treats first-timers like old friends. Pro tip: order the butter pecan – it’s loaded with so many nuts you’ll wonder how they make any profit.
5. Hard Pass: Sprinkles Supreme in Ann Arbor
College towns should have amazing ice cream, but Sprinkles Supreme misses the mark completely. Their claim to fame is adding candy toppings to mediocre soft serve – hardly revolutionary.
During my visit, the machine was dispensing ice cream at room temperature. When I mentioned this to the teenager behind the counter, she shrugged and said, “It usually works fine.” Their signature “Wolverine Tracks” was just vanilla with a sad drizzle of chocolate and three – I counted – peanut butter cups.
The final straw? Watching an employee texting with the same gloved hand they were using to serve cones. There are too many excellent Ann Arbor dessert spots to waste calories here.
6. Sweet Success: House of Flavors in Ludington
Holy waffle cones, Batman! House of Flavors isn’t playing around when it comes to serious ice cream business. This third-generation ice cream institution once set a Guinness World Record for the longest ice cream dessert – a true commitment to frozen greatness!
Their Mackinac Island Peanut Butter Fudge flavor makes me weak in the knees. Rich, buttery base loaded with ribbons of fudge and peanut butter cups that somehow stay perfectly chewy even when frozen.
The retro diner atmosphere adds to the charm with jukebox tunes and chrome-edged booths. Kids receive special treatment with animal-shaped scoops, while adults appreciate the generous portions that won’t empty your wallet.
7. Disappointment Served Cold: Glacier’s Edge in Marquette
Glacier’s Edge perfectly captures its name – cold and disappointing. Located in beautiful Marquette, you’d expect ice cream that matches the stunning Lake Superior views. Instead, you’ll find overpriced scoops that taste like they’ve absorbed freezer odors.
My “Superior Sunset” raspberry cheesecake flavor had an odd chemical aftertaste. The texture was simultaneously icy and gummy – a truly impressive feat of bad ice cream making.
Customer service falls flatter than their waffle cones. When a young family ahead of me asked about nut allergies, the server replied with an uncomfortable “I think it’s fine” rather than checking ingredients. Beautiful location, terrible execution.
8. Creamy Champion: Love’s Ice Cream in Grand Rapids
Love’s isn’t just an ice cream shop – it’s a temple of frozen perfection inside Grand Rapids’ Downtown Market. Their commitment to organic, locally-sourced ingredients creates flavors that dance on your tongue with surprising complexity.
The Madcap Coffee ice cream (made with beans from the famous local roaster) converted this chocolate-only devotee into a coffee ice cream believer. For my dairy-free friends, their coconut milk-based options taste so rich you’ll question if they’re really vegan.
Owner Chris crafts each small batch himself, experimenting with seasonal Michigan harvests. The sustainable practices extend to compostable packaging and spoons made from plants. Good for your taste buds and good for the planet!
9. Skip This Scoop: Frozen Mitten in Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth attracts tourists year-round, and Frozen Mitten seems to bank on visitors who won’t return rather than building quality. Their gimmicky Michigan-shaped waffle bowls can’t disguise the freezer-burned ice cream inside.
Flavors sound enticing – “Bavarian Chocolate Cherry” and “Great Lakes Blue Raspberry” – but taste like artificial air fresheners. During my visit, the shop was understaffed with a single frazzled employee managing a line out the door.
Most disappointing was their signature “Fudge Ripple” which contained exactly zero ribbons of fudge in my scoop. At $7.50 for a single, you’re paying for the touristy location rather than quality. Walk down the street for better treats at the fudge shops instead.
10. Pure Michigan Magic: MSU Dairy Store in East Lansing
College ice cream that deserves a PhD in deliciousness! The MSU Dairy Store isn’t just campus nostalgia – it’s legitimately some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever taste, made right on university grounds as part of their agricultural program.
Students help create each batch, learning while churning out flavors like Spartan Swirl and Sesquicentennial Swirl (celebrating MSU’s 150th anniversary). The ice cream has that unmistakable richness that only comes from dairy processed hours before freezing.
Prices remain student-friendly despite premium quality. The no-frills cafeteria setting means zero pretension – just focus on that perfect scoop! Visit during less busy hours or embrace the chaotic energy of post-football game celebrations.