You’ll Love This Whimsical Ice Cream Train Ride In Maine
You don’t usually expect to get ice cream out of a train car, but that’s exactly what happens at one spot in Maine. This place serves scoops out of a real railroad caboose, with a small farm right nearby.
It’s the kind of setting that immediately feels a little different in the best way. People hang out at picnic tables, kids wander over to look at the animals, and everything just feels easy and unhurried.
Before you know it, you’ve been there longer than planned. It’s not just about grabbing ice cream.
It’s the kind of stop that turns into a small tradition without much effort.
The Ice Cream From A Real Railroad Caboose
Not many ice cream shops can say their storefront once rolled down a railway track, but Toots Ice Cream absolutely can. The original location at 137 Walnut Hill Road, North Yarmouth, ME operates out of a full-sized railroad caboose that has been transformed into a charming and fully functional ice cream stand.
The caboose gives the whole experience a playful, storybook quality that sets it apart from any ordinary scoop shop. Kids light up the moment they see it, and adults tend to reach for their phones to snap a photo before they even order.
The quirky setup is not just for show. The service window is practical and efficient, and the staff handles the line with ease.
There Are Two Locations To Know About
Toots Ice Cream now operates two distinct locations in North Yarmouth. The original spot at 137 Walnut Hill Road is the seasonal caboose location set on a farm, where visitors can enjoy ice cream alongside the unique setting and occasional presence of farm animals.
A second location at 21 Memorial Highway offers a year-round, indoor ice cream shop experience with a more modern setup. This location provides the same house-made ice cream and baked goods in a traditional storefront environment.
Each location offers a different atmosphere, with the Walnut Hill Road site known for its outdoor, farm-based charm and the Memorial Highway shop providing a more conventional and weather-independent option.
For the most current details on hours and offerings at each location, visiting the website is recommended.
Ice Cream With Farm Views
A trip to Toots is not just about the ice cream. At the Walnut Hill Road location, the property includes a working farm, and wandering around to visit the animals is part of the experience.
Goats, cows, chickens, and even pigs have all called this farm home.
One particularly memorable resident is a pig named Strawberry, who has a well-known habit of trotting over when called by name. That kind of personality makes the farm feel warm and alive rather than just a backdrop.
Families with young children will find that the animals add an extra layer of fun that most ice cream stops simply cannot offer.
The open farm layout gives kids room to roam, and parents can enjoy their cones at a picnic table while watching the whole scene unfold at a relaxed pace. It is a genuinely enjoyable bonus that makes the outing feel complete.
Flavors Beyond The Basics
Classic flavors like mint chocolate chip and cookie dough are on the menu, but Toots is where you come when you want something more interesting.
The flavor lineup includes options like Maple Walnut, Caramel Coffee, Blackberry, Peach, Hazelnut Chip, Grandma’s Peanut Butter Fudge, and Caramel Cashew, among many others.
Weekly specials keep things fresh throughout the season, so there is almost always something new to try on each visit. Past special flavors have included creative combinations that reflect both New England tradition and a willingness to experiment.
The variety means that even the most indecisive visitor will find something exciting. Toots also offers a tiny sample cup option, which is ideal for anyone who wants to taste a few flavors before committing.
That small but thoughtful detail shows a real understanding of what ice cream lovers actually want from their experience at the counter.
A Creamier Kind Of Scoop
There is something about the texture of Toots ice cream that makes it stand out from most hard-scoop varieties. The ice cream has a notably soft and creamy consistency, sitting somewhere between traditional hard ice cream and a premium gelato-style product.
That softer texture means each bite melts in a way that feels rich without being heavy. It is the kind of quality that comes from using good ingredients and paying attention to the process rather than cutting corners for speed or volume.
Gelato is also available, adding another option for those who prefer a denser, silkier frozen treat. The overall quality of the base, regardless of the flavor chosen, is consistently smooth and satisfying.
For anyone who has ever felt let down by grainy or icy commercial ice cream, a visit to Toots tends to feel like a genuine reset on what a frozen dessert can actually taste like.
Custom Cakes That Impress
Beyond the scoops and cones, Toots offers custom cake orders that have earned a strong reputation in the area. The cakes are handcrafted with real care and creativity, and the results are the kind that stop a room when they are brought to the table.
Olivia, the baker behind these creations, has handled orders under tight timelines and challenging circumstances, including power outages, and still delivered cakes that looked and tasted extraordinary. Her ability to take a vague idea and turn it into something beautiful is a genuine skill worth knowing about.
Whether the occasion calls for a classic birthday cake or something more adventurous, the custom options at Toots allow for real personalization.
Half angel food, half yellow cake with a surprise decoration is just one example of what is possible. Reaching out early is recommended, especially during busy summer months when orders fill up quickly.
Easy On The Wallet
Good ice cream does not have to come with a big-city price tag, and Toots proves that point consistently. The shop is priced at the budget-friendly end of the scale, with a dollar sign rating that reflects genuine accessibility for families and individuals alike.
A banana split, for example, has been available for around eight dollars, which is a solid deal for a generously built dessert. The smallest serving option, a baby cup or sample size, has been available for well under a dollar, making it easy to try multiple flavors without spending a lot.
That pricing philosophy makes Toots feel welcoming rather than exclusive. A family of four can enjoy a full ice cream outing without the bill becoming a stressful part of the experience.
For the quality and portion sizes offered, the value here is genuinely hard to beat in the greater Portland, Maine area.
Best Times To Visit
Toots Ice Cream is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM. Monday is the one day the shop stays closed, so planning around that detail will save a wasted trip.
The afternoon opening means it pairs perfectly with a late lunch outing or an early evening dessert run.
Summer weekends tend to draw the most visitors, particularly families with children who are out of school. Arriving closer to opening time at noon can mean shorter waits and a more relaxed atmosphere at the counter.
Fall visits also have their own appeal. The farm setting takes on a different kind of beauty as the leaves change, and the cozy interior of the caboose becomes even more inviting when the air gets crisp.
For the most current schedule and any seasonal updates, checking the website or calling ahead at +1 207-489-9344 is always the safest approach before making the drive.
Friendly, Fast Service
The team at Toots has built a reputation for being genuinely warm and welcoming without feeling scripted or rushed. The staff greets visitors with real energy, takes orders efficiently, and consistently makes the experience feel personal rather than transactional.
Even during busy weekend rushes, the pace at the window tends to stay manageable. The crew clearly knows the menu inside and out, which helps when customers have questions about flavors or want a recommendation for a first visit.
That kind of attentive, unhurried service is part of what makes Toots feel like more than just a quick stop. It feels like a place where the people behind the counter actually enjoy being there.
For newcomers, do not hesitate to ask for a sample before committing to a flavor.
The staff is happy to help narrow things down and make sure every visitor leaves with something they genuinely enjoy.
A Maine Summer Favorite
Some places just naturally become part of a town’s summer routine, and Toots Ice Cream is one of those spots in North Yarmouth. It’s not just the homemade ice cream.
It’s the whole experience. Between the caboose setting, the farm surroundings, and the friendly people behind the counter, it feels like the kind of place that has been there forever in the best way.
Sitting at a picnic table with a cone while the sun starts to dip behind the fields is about as simple and satisfying as it gets. There is no rush, no pressure, just an easygoing vibe where you can lose track of time without even realizing it.
Whether you are just passing through Maine or you live nearby and make it a regular stop, Toots feels like more than just an ice cream run. It is one of those little traditions that sticks with you.