Best Spots for Homemade Ice Cream in Western Mass
Six scoops worth stopping for: If you are looking for the best places to visit in Western Mass’s Pioneer Valley for the most delicious homemade ice cream then you are in the right spot! Each of these six stops has its own personality - from dairy farms to ice cream parlors. And all six spots are within about 25 miles of each other making it easy to visit multiple locations in a single afternoon.
Flayvors of Cook Farm
📍 Hadley, MA · 129 South Maple St
Our first stop is Flayvors of Cook Farm and one of the spots I visit most frequently on this list.
The ice cream itself is top-notch — super creamy, rich, and full of flavor. Black raspberry chip is a must, and one of my all-time favorite flavors. Be sure to check out their fun seasonal specials too, like the asparagus ice cream or my favorite - s’mores!
This spot is very allergy friendly, with allergens clearly labeled. They also take extra care with any allergy orders. Gluten free friends - this spot offers gluten-free waffle cones which are so good!
Say “hello” to the cows!
One of the reasons their ice cream is so good is because the milk they use is fresh from their farm.
On your visit, you can watch the cows grazing in the field, while taking in some beautiful views. And you can even walk up and say hello to them!
And if you’re traveling with pups - they can enjoy a tasty scoop as well. Flayvors offers a doggie ice cream option (pup cup) which comes topped with cute treats! Dakota tried it and 100% approves!
Mt. Tom's Homemade Ice Cream & Candy Store
📍 Easthampton, MA · 34 Cottage St
Mt. Tom’s ice cream flavor list is impressive -with about 50 flavors of homemade ice cream including daily specials! My favorite is their chocolate chip cookie dough. I absolutely recommend ordering it in one of their homemade waffle cones - their freshly made cones really complete the ice cream experience.
In addition to ice cream, you will find a full wall filled with all types of fun candy.
Enjoy your scoop at one of the seats at Mt. Tom’s or take your ice cream to go and enjoy it by scenic Nashawannuck Pond, which is just a short walk away.
Maple Valley’s Scoop at the Silos
📍 Hadley, MA · 102 Mill Valley Rd
Our next stop, Maple Valley’s Scoop at the Silos, was featured in Yankee Magazine’s best ice cream spots and for good reason. They have a solid list of unique and classic flavors made with milk from their own cows, and they also offer dairy-free options. My favorite flavors here are black raspberry chocolate chunk, graham cracker, and strawberry cheesecake.
This spot is great for those with allergies as well and they always take extra care with allergy orders.
I love the outdoor space here which includes lots of outdoor seating, looking out across their fields.
In addition to the ice cream, you can make your way through their store which is packed with delicious goodies including their homemade ice cream and raw milk, as well as local cheeses and other items.
You will also find live music, cow yoga, and pop-up events here on select weekends.
And you may even get a free ice cream depending on which day you visit! One of the most fun features of this ice cream spot is that they announce on their Facebook page a list of names each day. If your name is called then you get a free small ice cream that day.
Batch Ice Cream Scoop Shop
📍 South Hadley, MA · 15 College St · Also in Longmeadow, MA
Batch Ice Cream in South Hadley is perfectly located in the walkable village center. You’ll find several restaurants here, a book store, a local theater, and even a full hair salon and spa — making it the ideal stop for a treat while you're exploring the area or even a full day destination!
The shop is bright and cheerful, and the staff are super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the flavors. Batch prides itself on small-batch production with all-natural ingredients, and you can absolutely taste the difference.
My go-to flavor here is definitely the salted caramel. I also love their strawberry and mint chocolate chunk flavors. Batch is also super accommodating if you have dietary restrictions or allergies and the allergens are clearly labeled.
While you're in South Hadley: Skinner Mountain State Park is just minutes away and the views from the top of Mount Holyoke, overlooking the Connecticut River Valley, are absolutely stunning. It makes for the perfect pre-scoop hike!
Herrell’s Ice Cream
📍 Northampton, MA · 8 Old South St · Also in Amherst, MA
Herrell's has been in downtown Northampton for decades, and it comes with some fun history too. It was founded by Steve Herrell, the man widely credited with inventing the mix-in ice cream style. The Northampton location is located within Thorne's Marketplace, where you’ll find a cute collection of local shops.
My favorite flavor is their dutch orange chocolate, but you really can’t go wrong with any flavor you try. I highly recommend trying their homemade hot fudge too - it is seriously some of the best hot fudge ever!
Looking for a non-dairy option? Choose from several vegan options from the “no-moo” section of the menu.
While you’re in Northampton: After enjoying your ice cream, there is plenty to explore in downtown Northampton. Take a walk through the town to explore cute shops, tasty restaurants, and discover several unique murals throughout the town.
Elsie's Creamery
📍 Ludlow, MA · 631 Center St
Elsie's Creamery completes the homemade ice cream list on the southern end of the valley. It’s located at Randall's Farm in Ludlow, where you will find an outdoor and indoor greenhouse as well as a full market filled with fresh veggies and fruit, pantry staples and of course you’ll find their ice cream in the freezer section here too so you can take a pint home with you.
The creamery itself has multiple ordering windows and a numbered pickup system as it can get busy here especially on weekends. There is plenty of outdoor seating here including spots overlooking the beautiful plants for sale at their greenhouse.
Their ice cream is so thick and creamy and the portion sizes here are huge! There are so many unique and classic flavors making it hard to choose just one! My absolute favorite flavor that I have tried so far is their Maine blueberry - it truly feels like New England summer in a cup! I also love their Mint Chip and S’mores flavors. They also have dairy-free and gluten-free options available too.
The Pioneer Valley is seriously one of the best kept secrets when it comes to homemade ice cream, and I hope this list inspires you to get out and explore it! Whether you visit one spot or all six, you are in for a very fun day in Western Massachusetts.
