Ice cream is my weakness. I love it all year long, then add to it the relentless summer heat and I can’t resist! We have so many local makers that make the most delicious cold treats, including shaved ice, gelato, milkshakes, and more. Here are the local spots to hit up when you need that little extra kick of cool during our hot summer months!

MEDFORD

MAHALO SHAVED ICE

Get traditional Hawaiian shaved ice at Mahalo Shaved Ice’s cute little food truck!  Homebase is the Post Office food truck pod in downtown Medford but you can catch them at various events and at the Ashland and Medford Rogue Valley Growers Markets weekly.  Make sure to get the snowcap and lava dust they make your tastebuds dance!

SWEET CREAM

Owner of Sweet Cream, Yumi, makes the funnest combinations of flavors and always has vegan options.  They are located inside the Rogue Organic Cafe or catch them at special events with their cute little ice cream cycle! Want to order ahead of time? Hours are limited, but you can always order online and schedule pickup for later!

CENTRAL POINT

CRATER CAFE

Crater Cafe is the only place you can find frozen custard in southern Oregon!  What is frozen custard you ask?  While ice cream is made from milk or cream, frozen custard is made from milk, cream, AND egg yolks.  It’s extra creamy and rich and in my humble opinion extra yummy.  Stop in and try it and you can choose from  more than 37 different mix-ins and flavors!

JACKSONVILLE

VIOLET’S & CREAM

This cute little retro candy shop is tucked into a side street in Jacksonville and has an ice cream counter with tons of yummy flavors.  It’s a great spot to start your stroll around historic Jacksonville where you can shop all of their cute little boutiques and stores!

ASHLAND

MIX BAKE SHOP

Mix Bake Shop has been an Ashland icon for years where they not only offer their baked goods, but a choice of house-made ice cream with rotating, unique flavors like Early Grey and Salted Caramel.  One of our favorites is their Affogato, a shot of espresso over ice cream.

Adult only tip: Add a shot of bourbon to your Affogato for a fun kick; so yummy!

ZOEY’S CAFE & ALL NATURAL ICE CREAM

If we have the kids with us we can not leave Ashland without a stop at Zoey’s Ice Cream!  They have a huge ice cream counter with 40 flavors of ice cream, sorbet, gelato with a choice of dipped waffle cones to scoop up your favorites into.  They also have milkshakes, sundaes, and more!

GRANTS PASS

GRANTS PASS PHARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN

When we are in Grants Pass we HAVE to stop into this iconic location in downtown Grants Pass!  Their old-fashioned soda fountain gives you all the choices for flavored sodas and ice creams. This cool spot makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

UDDERS ICE CREAM & GELATO

We haven’t visited yet but it’s definitely on our list!  At Udders they offer handcrafted ice cream and gelato with a choice of 36+ flavors, with dairy free, sugar free, and gluten free options.

SHADY COVE

PHIL’S FROSTY

If you’ve driven highway 62 you’ve seen Phil’s Frosty!  Get gigantic scoops as big as your head of your favorite flavors of Umpqua Ice Cream, humongous soft serve ice cream (swirls the best), milkshakes and malts.  It’s a definite must stop after a day of rafting the upper Rogue, hiking Crater Lake and adventuring!

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comment section below!