Best Ice Cream Shops in Ocean City
9 ice cream shops in this cape-may County beach town
Browse the top ice cream shops in Ocean City with pricing, features, and local tips to help you choose.
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Top 9 Ice Cream Shops
Cone Appetit
$$Boardwalk ice cream shop with creative treats. Located in Ocean City.
Crazy Susan's Cookie Co
$$Cookie bakery and sweet shop. Located in Ocean City.
Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor
$$Located in Ocean City.
Jilly's Ice Cream Factory
$$Located in Ocean City.
Dairy Queen
$Blizzards and soft-serve on the boardwalk. The Blizzard Treat bar is the family fallback when Kohr Bros has a line wrapping down the boardwalk.
Drip & Scoop
$Dual-concept shop on Asbury Avenue pairing specialty coffee drinks with hand-scooped ice cream. Morning cold brew crowd transitions to afternoon ice cream crowd — it works surprisingly well.
Kohr Bros Frozen Custard
$5/5 Yelp, "the ultimate Ocean City boardwalk food" since 1919. Orange/vanilla and peanut butter/chocolate twists. Uses eggs to prevent melting in shore salt air. 5 locations. "A trip without Kohr's is a waste of time!"
Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge
$Boardwalk's oldest business since 1898. 30+ taffy flavors, homemade fudge (pumpkin, Irish mint, Black Forest cherry). Watch candy being made.
Our Top Picks Reviewed
Best Overall: Cone Appetit
Cone Appetit stands out as our top pick for ice cream shops in Ocean City.Boardwalk ice cream shop with creative treats. Located in Ocean City. At $$ pricing, it delivers excellent value for the quality. Specializing in ice-cream, this spot is perfect for both locals and visitors.
Best Value: Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor
Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor delivers solid quality at $$ pricing.Located in Ocean City. A reliable pick for families and groups on a set budget.
Best for Special Occasions: Crazy Susan's Cookie Co
For a nicer night out in Ocean City, Crazy Susan's Cookie Co is a strong choice.Cookie bakery and sweet shop. Located in Ocean City. The quality and atmosphere hold up well at this price level.
What to Know Before You Go
The ice cream shops scene in Ocean City varies by season. During peak summer months (June through August), wait times at popular spots can exceed an hour, especially on weekend evenings. We recommend making reservations at least a week in advance for weekend dining. Off-season visitors (September through May) will find it much easier to secure tables, and many establishments offer seasonal specials and promotions.
Price-wise, expect to spend between $15-30 per person at $ spots, $30-50 at $$ establishments, $50-80 at $$$ venues, and $80+ at $$$$ fine dining locations. Most Ocean City ice cream shops are BYOB-friendly, which can significantly reduce your total bill if you bring your own wine or beer.
Quick Comparison
| Name | Price | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cone Appetit | $$ | Families & Groups | ice-cream |
| Crazy Susan's Cookie Co | $$ | Families & Groups | cafe, ice-cream |
| Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor | $$ | Families & Groups | ice-cream |
| Jilly's Ice Cream Factory | $$ | Families & Groups | ice-cream |
| Johnny B Goode Ice Cream Prlr | $$ | Families & Groups | ice-cream |
Planning Your Visit to Ocean City?
Check out our complete guide to Ocean City with beaches, events, parking info, and more.
View Ocean City Guide →About Ocean City
Ocean City has operated as a "dry town" since Methodist ministers founded it in 1879—no alcohol sales, period. What could feel restrictive has instead created a unique culture: one of the most family-focused shore towns in America, a thriving BYOB restaurant scene, and summer nights centered on boardwalk rides and ice cream rather than bar-hopping. The "America's Greatest Family Resort" slogan isn't marketing—it's an accurate description of what 1 million+ annual visitors experience. The beach here is what you picture when you imagine the Jersey Shore: wide, clean, well-patrolled by lifeguards. Badges cost $10/day, $20/week, or $35/season—under 12 and military are free. The water quality consistently ranks among the best in New Jersey, and the gentle wave break makes it ideal for families with young swimmers. Beaches stretch the full 8-mile length of the island, but most visitors cluster between 6th and 12th Streets where the boardwalk offers easy access to food and restrooms. Locals know that the beaches south of 34th Street stay quieter even in peak summer. The 2.5-mile boardwalk is the main attraction beyond the beach. Playland's Castaway Cove operates 30+ rides including GaleForce, a 125-foot launch coaster hitting 64 mph. (Note: Gillian's Wonderland Pier permanently closed October 2024 after 95 years.) Beyond rides, the boardwalk packs in arcades, mini-golf, bike rentals, and beach shops. Rainy days are covered—the Ocean City Aquatic Center has an indoor pool, and the downtown shops along Asbury Avenue offer browsing. Thursday nights in July and August bring Family Night with free entertainment along the boardwalk. Food is a religion here, with multi-generational traditions you won't find anywhere else. Manco & Manco Pizza serves their famous sauce-on-top slices (yes, sauce ON TOP of cheese—locals will correct you if you say it wrong). Johnson's Popcorn has hand-tossed caramel corn since 1940. Shriver's makes salt water taffy since 1898. Kohr Bros Frozen Custard (since 1919) adds eggs to the recipe so it doesn't melt in shore air. For sit-down meals, the BYOB scene is excellent—bring wine to Cafe Beach Club, Deauville Inn, or Spiaggia for upscale Italian. Expect $25-40/person at BYOB restaurants, $10-15 for boardwalk food. Ocean City draws primarily families with kids under 12. The dry policy means no rowdy bar scene, and the boardwalk empties by midnight even in peak summer. Peak season (July-August) fills hotels at $250-400/night; off-season drops to $100-150 and most attractions close. Night in Venice—a boat parade where residents decorate their vessels—draws 125,000 spectators each July and remains the signature event. The dry policy is not a hidden catch—it's the whole premise. Young adults and couples who want bars should go to Sea Isle City (30 minutes north) or Wildwood (20 minutes south). Ocean City is genuinely designed around the family with young children and grandparents who want clean beaches and a boardwalk that winds down by midnight. The Miss Crustacean hermit crab beauty pageant—complete with a tiny crown and runway—has been running since 1975, which tells you everything you need to know about the town's sense of humor about itself.
Why Ocean City for Ice Cream Shops?
Ocean City in Cape-may County draws visitors for its family friendly and boardwalk character. The ice cream shops scene reflects that mix — you can find options ranging from casual to upscale throughout this cape-may County beach town.
What Makes Ocean City Special
- family friendly atmosphere
- boardwalk atmosphere
- dry town atmosphere
- classic atmosphere
- wholesome atmosphere
Planning Your Visit
Ocean City is accessible from major cities, making it perfect for day trips or weekend getaways. For the best ice cream shops experience, consider visiting during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) when crowds are lighter but most establishments are open.
Getting to Ocean City
- From NYC: 2hr 30min
- From Philadelphia: 1hr 10min
- From Newark: 2hr 15min
Local Tips
- Parking: Limited free street parking away from beach. Metered spots fill early on weekends.
- Best Time: Weekday lunches offer shorter waits at popular spots.
- Reservations: Book ahead for summer weekends, especially waterfront venues.