We've all been there. You're outside cleaning up the yard, playing with the kids, or enjoying a beautiful summer day when you suddenly stop and listen. Is that the ice cream truck?

That familiar tune has a way of turning everyone into a kid again. It signals that summer is here, the weather is warm, and a cold, creamy treat is close by. Whether your favorite flavor is the chocolatey crunch of Moose Tracks, the sweet surprise of Rocky Road, or the simple perfection of vanilla, ice cream has a way of making warm-weather memories even sweeter.

We recently asked our Cedar Rapids office to share their favorite ice cream flavors, and their answers were just as fun and varied as the shops found throughout our region. From classic cones and soft serve to hand-dipped scoops, shakes, sundaes, malts, soda fountains, and nostalgic local favorites, there are plenty of places to satisfy a sweet craving across the communities we serve.

Watch the video to see which flavors our Cedar Rapids agents picked, then use this guide to discover some of our favorite local spots to grab a shake, sundae, float, or simple cone this season.

Cedar Rapids

Sweet Mercantile Soda & Fountain Shop - Sweet Mercantile is a nostalgic gem in the heart of Czech Village, offering an old-fashioned soda shop experience with plenty of charm. Visitors can enjoy classic treats like malts, sundaes, floats, and handcrafted sodas in a setting that feels like a step back in time. Not sure which flavor to choose? Order a flight and sample a few favorites while exploring one of Cedar Rapids' most beloved historic districts.

Parlor City Ice Cream - Parlor City has been a longtime Cedar Rapids favorite since 1962, serving generations of locals with classic ice cream treats, lunch, and dinner. Known for its fresh soft-serve reduced-fat ice cream and famous low-fat yogurt of the day, this locally owned and operated spot is a nostalgic stop for families, friends, and anyone craving something sweet. With more than 50 flavors of shakes and malts, Parlor City makes it easy to find a favorite, though choosing just one might be the hardest part.

Kool Moo Ice Cream Parlor - Kool Moo is a beloved seasonal ice cream stop on Old Marion Road NE, offering classic soft serve, colorful Flavorburst cones, refreshing Dole Whip, shakes, sundaes, and other frozen treats. With its casual walk-up feel and family-friendly menu, it is a great place to cool off during the warmer months or enjoy an easy summer dessert in Cedar Rapids. Kool Moo has been a popular summer stop since 1973.

Muscatine

Tee's Ice Cream & Burgers - Tee's is a local favorite on Park Avenue, serving up classic comfort food and cool treats in one easy stop. Established in 2003, Tee's is known for its burgers, fries, banana splits, homemade Tee Bars, ice cream sandwiches, shakes, malts, sundaes, and soft-serve favorites. Whether you're grabbing lunch, treating the family after a busy day, or cooling off with something sweet, Tee's offers a casual, nostalgic ice cream shop experience with plenty of options for every craving.

Wilton Candy Kitchen - Just a short drive from Muscatine, Wilton Candy Kitchen is a true step back in time and one of the most historic sweet stops in the area. Founded in 1860 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this old-fashioned soda fountain and ice cream parlor has been serving generations of visitors with ice cream, candy, classic sodas, and lunch items. From its vintage soda fountain charm to its long local history, Wilton Candy Kitchen is more than a place to grab a treat. It is a nostalgic destination worth visiting.

Iowa City

Heyn's Premium Ice Cream - Heyn's is a longtime local favorite known for rich, homemade ice cream made in-house. With locations in Iowa City and North Liberty, Heyn's offers a wide variety of hard-scoop flavors, soft serve, shakes, sundaes, and specialty treats. Their premium ice cream is made with a higher butterfat content for a creamy texture, and they also offer gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options, making it an easy stop for almost any sweet tooth.

Dane's Dairy - Dane's Dairy has been an Iowa City classic since 1960, serving generations of locals with soft serve, cones, shakes, malts, sundaes, and simple summer treats. Known for its casual, old-school feel, it is the kind of place people return to year after year for a quick cone or a nostalgic dessert after dinner. If you are looking for a no-fuss ice cream stand with familiar favorites and longtime local charm, Dane's Dairy is a great addition to the list.

Yotopia Frozen Yogurt - Yotopia brings a fun, build-your-own twist to the Iowa City dessert scene. Located downtown, this locally owned frozen yogurt shop is known for rotating soft-serve flavors, plenty of toppings, and a community-focused feel. All of Yotopia's frozen yogurt flavors are gluten-free and sourced from a local family-owned farm, making it a great option for anyone looking for a customizable, refreshing treat with local roots.

Jon's Ice Cream Store and Restaurant - Jon's is a popular nearby stop in Tiffin, making it a great Iowa City-area option for families and anyone willing to take a short drive. With a walk-up window, drive-thru, and both indoor and outdoor seating, Jon's offers plenty of ways to enjoy a treat. Their menu includes scoops, shakes, sundaes, soft serve, yogurt, and their locally loved Clipper Whippers, which are mixed with your choice of candy.

Moline

Lagomarcino's - Lagomarcino's is a Quad Cities classic with a turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor feel, homemade chocolates, and old-fashioned soda fountain charm. Located in downtown Moline, this longtime family-owned favorite has been serving sweets since 1908. Known for treats like hot fudge sundaes, ice cream, lunch items, and handcrafted confections, Lagomarcino's offers a nostalgic experience that feels like part dessert stop and part local tradition.

Whitey's Ice Cream - Whitey's Ice Cream is one of the Quad Cities' most iconic ice cream names, with roots dating back to 1933 in Moline. Known for its scoops, shakes, malts, sundaes, banana splits, and wide variety of flavors, Whitey's has become a must-stop for generations of local families. With its bright red-and-white look, clean shops, and classic ice cream menu, it is an easy favorite for anyone craving a true Quad Cities treat.

Country Style Ice Cream - Country Style is another longtime Quad Cities favorite, serving rich soft serve that "tastes like homemade" since 1947. Founded in Moline, Country Style is known for its creamy cones, sundaes, shakes, smoothies, and classic soft-serve treats. Their ice cream is gluten-free, reduced fat, kosher, and made without high fructose corn syrup, making it a familiar and family-friendly stop for a quick frozen treat.

Wellington Toffee & More - Wellington Toffee & More in nearby Milan is a sweet hidden gem offering more than its signature homemade toffee. This local shop has expanded into premium ice cream, with a menu that includes more than 30 flavors, cones, caramels, popcorn, and other treats. With options that include gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free choices, Wellington Toffee & More is a great Illinois Quad Cities stop for anyone looking for a small-town sweet shop experience with plenty of variety. Even better, a portion of the proceeds goes toward helping kids in need, making every purchase a little sweeter.

Burlington

Grandpa's Homemade Ice Cream - Grandpa's is a beloved Burlington favorite known for its nostalgic charm and creamy, homemade ice cream. Located on Roosevelt Avenue, this local ice cream shop serves a variety of flavors, along with classic treats like cones, shakes, malts, root beer floats, mixers, and specialty sundaes. With its simple, old-fashioned feel and loyal local following, Grandpa's is a great stop for anyone craving a classic ice cream experience in the Burlington area.

Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company - Jefferson Street Ice Cream Company is another sweet stop in downtown Burlington, offering hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, and classic frozen treats in a family-friendly setting. Located along Jefferson Street, it is an easy place to stop while exploring local shops, grabbing dessert after dinner, or treating the kids to something cold on a warm day. With a simple, welcoming feel and plenty of classic ice cream options, it is a great addition to any Burlington sweet treat list.

Mississippi Moon Ice Cream Parlor - Mississippi Moon brings old-fashioned ice cream parlor charm to downtown Burlington. Located on Jefferson Street and connected to Black Water Mini Golf, this riverboat-themed shop serves locally made Hinterland Dairy ice cream in cups, cones, sundaes, shakes, and old-fashioned ice cream sodas. With candy, snacks, soft drinks, and other local treats also available, it is a fun stop for families, visitors, or anyone exploring Burlington's downtown district.

Davenport

Sweet Delite Ice Cream - Sweet Delite Ice Cream is a family-owned and operated seasonal ice cream shop in West Davenport, serving classic frozen treats with a neighborhood feel. Located on West 4th Street, this local favorite is a great stop for cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, and other warm-weather favorites. With its casual walk-up style and family-friendly menu, Sweet Delite is the kind of place that makes summer in the Quad Cities feel a little sweeter.

Here's the Scoop - Here's The Scoop is a locally owned ice cream and candy shop in the Village of East Davenport, known for small-batch handcrafted gourmet ice cream made in-house. Opened in 2017, this colorful neighborhood stop serves creative flavors in homemade waffle cones, bowls, or cups, along with ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes, and candy-shop favorites. With its second location in LeClaire, Here's The Scoop is a great pick for anyone looking for a locally made treat with plenty of Quad Cities charm.

DeWitt

Smilee's Ice Cream & More - Smilee's Ice Cream & More is a DeWitt favorite for super-premium ice cream, creative flavors, and classic frozen treats. This local shop serves cones, cups, sundaes, shakes, malts, floats, Dole soft serve, smoothies, and hand-packed pints, making it an easy stop for almost any sweet craving. With food options like pulled pork sandwiches and nachos, Smilee's is more than just an ice cream stop. It is a casual local favorite for treats, quick bites, and family-friendly fun.

Cups & Cones - Cups & Cones is a simple, classic ice cream stop with the kind of small-town charm that fits perfectly in a DeWitt sweet treats guide. Located on 11th Street, this seasonal favorite is a great place to grab a cone, cup, or cool treat after school, after dinner, or on a warm weekend afternoon. With its easygoing feel and family-friendly setup, Cups & Cones is a sweet stop for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed ice cream outing.

Bettendorf

Toppings and More - Toppings and More is a fun Bettendorf dessert shop known for fresh rolled ice cream, creative toppings, boba tea, crepes, waffles, and other sweet treats. Located on Middle Road, this colorful stop gives visitors a more customizable ice cream experience, with plenty of ways to build something unique. Whether you are craving rolled ice cream, a drink, or a dessert that feels a little different from a classic cone, Toppings and More is a great Bettendorf spot to add to the list.

Clinton

Northend Sweets & Treats - Northend Sweets & Treats is a Clinton favorite for ice cream, bakery items, and classic sweet treats. Formerly connected to Carol's Original Dairy Treat, this local spot has been part of the community in some form for more than 50 years and continues serving homemade ice cream favorites. The menu includes soft serve, hard-scoop ice cream, Dole Soft Serve, dipped cones, Frost Bites, shakes, sundaes, ice cream nachos, quarts, and bakery treats, making it an easy stop for families, visitors, or anyone craving something sweet.

Fulton Ice Cream Shop - Fulton Ice Cream Shop is a great nearby stop for anyone exploring the Clinton area or crossing the river into Fulton. Located on 4th Street, this seasonal ice cream shop serves classic frozen treats with a small-town feel, including hard-serve flavors, Dole Whip or frozen yogurt options, and soft-serve favorites. Just a short walk from downtown Fulton and the de Immigrant Windmill, it is an easy add-on for families, visitors, or anyone looking for a cool treat close to the riverfront.

Dubuque

Bliss Ice Cream - Bliss Ice Cream is a charming downtown Dubuque stop located on historic Main Street, offering a sweet break while exploring local shops, murals, and riverfront attractions. The shop features 36 flavors of Chocolate Shoppe premium ice cream, including gluten-free and dairy-free options, making it an easy choice for families, visitors, and anyone looking for variety. With its friendly feel and walkable downtown location, Bliss is a great place to grab a cone, cup, or cool treat during a day in Dubuque.

American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor - American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor is a classic downtown Galena stop with a nostalgic soda fountain feel and a long local history. Serving Galena since 1970, this old-fashioned parlor is known for homemade waffle cones, floats, shakes, malts, banana splits, and premium Cedar Crest ice cream. Located along Main Street, it is an easy treat stop while shopping, sightseeing, or wrapping up a day in one of Galena's most beloved historic districts.

Find Your Favorite Local Ice Cream Stop This Summer

From neighborhood ice cream stands and old-fashioned soda fountains to candy shops and locally owned sweet treat stops, Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois are full of places that make summer feel special. These local favorites are more than just dessert stops. They are part of the community, the memories, and the small moments that make each town feel like home.

Whether you are exploring a new neighborhood, planning a weekend outing, or thinking about your next move, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors is here to help you feel connected to the communities we serve. Because with Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors, you're Never on Your Own.

Ready to find a community that feels like home? Connect with a Ruhl&Ruhl Agent today.