Nothing says Boulder summer like a cone in hand and the Flatirons glowing in the background. Whether you’re strolling Pearl Street, cruising 28th, or taking a post-creek dip detour, these five spots deliver the cold, creamy magic—classic scoops, silky gelato, and plenty of dairy-free options—worthy of your sweetest afternoon.

Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato

A true local legend. Glacier keeps a deep bench of rotating flavors—rich classics, playful mashups, bright fruit sorbets—so there’s always something new to discover. The texture is dense and ultra-creamy, and the staff knows how to steer you to a perfect two-scoop combo. Pro move: get a classic + a wildcard (think chocolate next to a seasonal surprise) for maximum contrast.

Sweet Cow (North & South Boulder)

Neighborhood ice cream at its friendliest. Sweet Cow’s small-batch approach shows in the clean flavors and balanced sweetness, and their lineup covers every mood—scoops, sundaes, shakes, and those dangerously good “sammies.” It’s the place you take friends after a hike or swing by for a late-night scoop. Community vibes, quality ingredients, and a menu that keeps families happy.

Gelato Boy (Pearl Street, two locations)

Italian technique meets Colorado creativity. Gelato Boy serves glossy, slow-churned gelato with that signature elastic sheen and super-fine texture. Expect bright fruit, nutty classics, and modern riffs you’ll want to eat with a tiny spoon just to make it last. Bonus: you can do a tidy Pearl Street gelato walk and hit either of their shops depending on the crowd.

Heaven Creamery (Arapahoe Ave)

For the ingredient sleuths and treat tweakers. Heaven Creamery leans artisanal, with thoughtfully crafted ice cream, gelato, and sorbets, plus options that skip artificial colors and heavy additives. If you’re hunting for creative cones, dairy-free flavors, or a little “I feel good about this” energy, this is your destination. Grab a bright, fruit-forward scoop and call it summer.

Van Leeuwen (29th Street)

An elevated scoop shop that still hits the comfort notes. Van Leeuwen brings an expansive board—nostalgic flavors dialed up, along with excellent vegan choices—so mixed groups can all land happy. It’s also a perfect refuel between errands on 29th Street, or an add-on to a mellow evening stroll.

How to turn it into a perfect Boulder afternoon

Start with a creek walk, then wander the Pearl Street Mall for buskers and people-watching before your first taste test. Save round two for sunset—if you time it right, you’ll catch those alpenglow moments that make a simple cone feel like an event. For more locally loved ideas woven into your day, our team at aboutboulder.com keeps a running pulse on what to try, where to go, and how to do it like a local.

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