When the summer heat hits in Hot Springs, there's no better way to beat the heat than with a delightfully frosty treat. From creamy cones to loaded sundaes, Hot Springs boasts a fantastic array of ice cream parlors, each offering the perfect antidote to a sweltering summer day. After a day on the water slides at Magic Springs Theme & Water Park, or a day on one of our three lakes, an ice cold treat will be calling your name. Here's the scoop on Hot Springs' best spots for an ice cold treat!
Scoops Homemade Ice Cream | 4043 Central Avenue
Located on Central Avenue, Scoops Ice Cream offers a delightful array of rich and creamy homemade ice cream flavors with a retro diner aesthetic. Bright blue walls and glitter vinyl diner seating, Scoops serves up familiar favorites like Cookies & Cream, Death by Chocolate, Blueberry Cobbler, and Cake Batter, in addition to unique seasonal rotations like Pistachio and Pumpkin Spice. This traditional ice cream parlor offers a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy your waffle cone or cup.
Kilwin's Ice Cream | 264 Central Avenue
As you stroll through downtown Hot Springs, you'll likely be drawn to the window at Kilwin's, where you can watch tempting sweet treats being crafted right before your eyes. There's no place you'll find traditional sweets done better than at Kilwin's, where the aroma of freshly made confections fills the air. Beyond their handcrafted chocolates, fudges, and caramel dipped Granny Smith Apples, Kilwin's offers premium ice cream with flavors like Key Lime Pie, Rocky Road, Lemon Meringue, and Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel. Enjoy a scoop or two in a freshly made waffle cone, crafted right before your eyes, in this nostalgic shop right across from Bathhouse Row!
The Purple Cow | 1490 Higdon Ferry Road
Located on Higdon Ferry Road, Purple Cow is a vibrant, retro-themed restaurant that serves up delicious old school burgers and delicious premium Yarnell's Ice Cream. Beyond classic scoops, they specialize in creative shakes, banana splits, and sundaes, including their signature "Purple Vanilla" ice cream and the decadent Triple Treat Chocolate Malt. Purple Cow's fun and family-friendly diner atmosphere is a great spot for a classic ice cream parlor experience after a day on the lake or at Magic Springs Theme & Water Park for the whole family.
Dolce Gelato | 222 Cornerstone Boulevard
For an authentic taste of Italian ice cream in Hot Springs, head to Dolce Gelato on Cornerstone Blvd. Dolce Gelato offers over 40 rotating flavors of authentic gelato including classic flavors like Stracciatella, Hazelnut, Wildberry Sorbetto, Rocky Road, Biscoff, and Capuccino. This café-style spot provides a relaxed atmosphere to savor truly exquisite Italian ice cream plus, rich and delicious gelato cakes and pies!
King Kone Drive-In | 1505 Malvern Avenue
A beloved Hot Springs institution on Malvern Avenue since 1971, King Kone Drive-In offers a nostalgic walk-up window experience for classic soft-serve ice cream and a variety of delicious sundaes and shakes. Their menu boasts an impressive array of flavors, from traditional vanilla and chocolate twists to exciting creations with a wide selection of toppings. It’s the perfect spot for a quick, satisfying, and authentically retro ice cream fix on a warm day.
Mamoo's Creamery | 239 Central Avenue E (Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa Mall)
Nestled in the underground mall of the historic Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa on Central Avenue, Mamoo's Creamery boasts the only homemade ice cream right on Bathhouse Row. With staple flavors like Mamoo's Gold, Cookie Monster, Dreamsicle, and Southern Bourbon Butter Pecan, plus rotating options, there's always something new to discover. Mamoo's also creates homemade delicious vegan and non-dairy options including strawberry, chocolate, and coconut. Enjoy your homemade Mamoo's ice cream from the veranda of the Arlington with views of Arlington Lawn and downtown Hot Springs!
Frosty Treat | 1020 East Grand Avenue
A true Hot Springs classic open since 1951, Frosty Treat, located on East Grand Avenue, is a beloved local spot offering a taste of Americana with its delicious variety of ice cream treats. While famous for mouthwatering burgers and chicken tenders, be sure to save room for a refreshing root beer float or a decadent sundae, perfect for cooling down on a summer day. This enduring spot embodies the charm of a classic American eatery, providing a satisfying sweet finish on a hot day.
Bailey's Dairy Treat | 510 Park Avenue
Step back in time at Bailey's Dairy Treat on Park Avenue, a historic Hot Springs institution with a distinctive Art Moderne style. This charming drive-in opened in 1995, formerly Butchie's Drive-In, serves up classic American fare alongside its namesake dairy treats, enjoyed from service windows. You can savor a timeless soft serve ice cream experience in a unique, historically significant setting, with a small outdoor seating area.
Indulge Sweet & Savory | 256 Central Avenue
Located in downtown Hot Springs, Indulge Sweet & Savory offers a sophisticated yet playful twist on sweet treats, featuring exquisite artisan gelato. Beyond their creamy gelato, you can pair your scoop with a freshly made crepe, coffee, or even a gourmet cookie for a truly indulgent experience. Choose from a number of sweet flavors including Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Maple Roasted Butter Pecan, Tiramisu, Cherry Almond Chocolate Chip, and Argentine Sea Salt Caramel. This stylish spot blends sweet and savory offerings, creating a unique culinary destination for a cool dessert in downtown Hot Springs on a hot day.
Pour Some Sugar on Me Sweet Shoppe | 502 Central Avenue
Bright and whimsical, Pour Some Sugar On Me Sweet Shoppe is a vibrant destination for all things sweet, including delicious ice cream and handmade milkshakes! Located across from the Buckstaff Bathhouse and next to the Gangster Museum of America, Pour Some Sugar On Me Sweet Shoppe is a fun and colorful shop packed with a wide variety of candies and treats, from cotton candy to jelly beans, making it a perfect family-friendly sweet spot. Delicious ice cream flavors include Blueberry Cheesecake, Pistachio, Birthday Cake, Pralines n Cream, and more!
Make time for a frosty treat during your visit to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas!
For a full list of places to eat while in Hot Springs, click here.
