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Our Favorite Ice Cream Shops in Johnstown/Altoona

Is there anything better than an ice cream cone on a hot summer day in the Laurel Highlands?

By Jestine Mayes, publisher Macaroni Kid Johnstown - Laurel Highlands - Altoona June 25, 2022

Is there anything better than treating the kids to an ice cream cone on a hot summer day? We can't think of one. 

Luckily, We have a lot of great locally-owned ice cream shops in the Laurel Highlands where we can indulge in yummy goodness. Here are some of our favorite places for ice cream:





The Buckhorn Drive In

2069 Fieldstone Ave., Summerhill

What we love: With a walk-up and drive-thru option, we go here more than I'd like to admit. My recent favorite is the Peach Dumpling Sundae (photo above) with a warm dumpling made with peach slices, cold vanilla soft serve, whipped cream and a delicious sauce and cherry on top. It's seriously so good that I took my family three nights in a row just so that I could get one! Some of our other favorites include Snickers flurries, Kids flip cones (soft serve cone flipped upside down into a cup and served with a spoon - the best of both worlds), and of course the Strawberry Flavor Burst for our pink obsessed two-year old daughter.





Ligonier Creamery

105 East Main St., Ligonier

What we love: With amazing hand made ice cream concoctions, you never know what you might come across at the Ligonier Creamery. The shop is also a great place to grab souvenirs or something special for loved ones. 





Krauses Soft Freeze

8015 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown

What we love: This super busy spot in Jennerstown has some awesome cool treats and some really good food as well. Try the weekly flavors or grab a chili cheese dog and some of the best fries you'll ever have!





The Ranger Ice Cream & Miniature Golf

490 Locust St., Sidman

What we love: Named after the mascot for the Forest Hills School District, located just across the street, you will be hard pressed to find a busier ice cream stand as the day goes on. With kid cones that rival any other shop's large, weekly flavors that will please even the pickiest of eaters (watermelon ice cream anyone?), and a fun miniature golf course with a waterfall, the fun keeps going at The Ranger.





Frosty Cow Soft Serve

3424 6th Ave., Altoona

What we love: A family friendly spot to grab a sundae or a cone of one of the featured flavors. Friendly staff and generous portion sizes.



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