The best way to celebrate Independence Day? With your favorite cold treat in hand. Whether you prefer a scoop of ice cream, a cup of Italian ice, or a snow cone, here are 11 shops in Lakeland and what we recommend from each to keep your cool on a hot summer day.
Mayday Ice Cream, The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.
Scoop this: A cup of Parent Trap ice cream (peanut butter + Oreo) topped with homemade sprinkles
Andy’s Frozen Custard, 4046 Florida Ave. S.
Scoop this: The Freedom Berry Jackhammer made with vanilla custard, blended with berries, and filled with marshmallow crème
Cake Makers Studio, 115 S. Kentucky Ave.
Scoop this: A unicorn “Freakshake” made with blue Cookie Monster + pink strawberry ice cream, topped with an ice cream cone “unicorn horn”
Lakeland Ice Cream Company, 2973 Duff Rd. + 2972 Lakeland Highlands Rd.
Scoop this: The cotton candy burrito, filled with bubble gum ice cream and sprinkles
Lakeland BBQ & Ice Cream Company, 2101 S. Combee Rd.
Scoop this: Your choice of ice cream in an Elvis sundae (topped with banana, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and whipped cream)
Pelican’s Snoballs, 2510 S. Florida Ave.
Scoop this: A POG shaved ice (pineapple, passion fruit, orange + guava) with coconut cream added
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 2117 E. County Rd. 540A
Scoop this: A Sugar Cookie gelati, made with cookie butter + cake batter Italian ice layered with vanilla soft serve
Milkster Nitrogen Creamery, 5178 County Line Rd.
Scoop this: The Biscoff Voyage, a mixture of local cream, organic decaf coffee, and Biscoff spread topped with a Biscoff cookie
Mimi’s Italian Ice, 3120 S. Florida Ave.
Scoop this: Any flavor of dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan ice cream or Italian ice
Twistee Treat, 4945 US Hwy. 98 N.
Scoop this: A classic waffle ice cream cone with a swirl of chocolate + vanilla soft-serve
Have another favorite ice cream parlor or milkshake stand? Let us know where else we should try so they don’t get left out in the cold.