5 Fantastic Stops on the Hendersonville NC Ice Cream Trail

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I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream. And if the screaming appears to be more intense in the vicinity of the Western North Carolina town of Hendersonville, you can blame the racket on the 13 stops on the Hendersonville NC Ice Cream Trail.

The trail made its debut in the summer of 2023, and the popularity of this unique activity continues to grow. With every passing day, more locals and visitors are discovering the joys of following this tasty trail of frozen delights.

Throughout Hendersonville and Henderson County, ice cream lovers will find an impressive array of local ice cream shops and parlors. Each location has its own list of unique flavors and frozen concoctions, from classic to creative, these businesses know how to satisfy every palate, as well as making sure customers requiring dairy-free and vegan options aren’t left out.

The Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail also offers the added pleasure of taking in the scenic beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiking and biking trails, as well as water sports, make it easy to burn off those extra calories in order to hit the trail for more ice cream.

Below are five Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail stops that are definitely worth a lick, scoop, or slurp, as well as a couple of bonus locations just outside the city limits.

5 Fantastic Stops on the Hendersonville NC Ice Cream Trail:

Celtic Creamery (#2 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

227 7th Avenue E, Hendersonville, NC 28792 // +1 (828) 595-9250

As my husband and I stepped through the door of Celtic Creamery, we were immediately enveloped in the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones. This set the tone for what was to follow: a unique experience involving outstanding hand-made ice cream and a delightful backstory.

Celtic Creamery has 58 flavors in its rotation and offers 14 flavors every week. Even with only 14 flavors from which to choose, deciding what to try was a challenge.

My husband selected the Irish butter pecan  – one of several popular flavors available every week, and I went for the C & B – salted caramel and honey.

We both opted for some of the Key Lime Pie, as well. All were creamy, with natural flavors taking center stage. The Key Lime was tart, refreshing, and had a natural lime taste. I could definitely taste the honey in the C & B. It was sweet without being cloying. As for the Irish Butter Pecan, the flavor and texture were a cut above any I had ever tasted.

Not to be left out, my guide dog was thrilled to indulge in a Pup Cup, consisting of whipped cream and peanut butter, topped with a dog bone treat. Since Celtic Creamery has outdoor seating, this treat is available to all visiting pooches.

So why the name Celtic Creamery? Owner, Kim Hogan, gave us the non-ice cream scoop.

On a visit to Ireland, Kim’s brother Jeff discovered and fell in love with Sundaes, an award-winning, family-owned ice cream parlor in Ballybunion, a charming northwestern town. Jeff also fell in love with the idea of bringing Sundaes homemade velvety smooth ice cream to North Carolina. He persuaded owner Joanna McCarthy, to work with him to make it happen.

Everyone agreed it was important to keep the Irish connection strong, so the ice cream shop opened its doors in Carolina Beach as Celtic Creamery. Today, you can find several locations in North Carolina, including Wilmington, Surf City, and Hendersonville.

The Baker’s Box (#12 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

1508 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28791 // +1 (828) 595-9983

The best way to describe the Baker’s Box décor is playful. A toy train runs between two beams, and an impressive collection of more than 150 assembled LEGO sets decorate the restaurant. Yes, playful is definitely the word, but for owners, chefs George and Mara Nicholas, producing quality food is serious business.

The Baker’s Box is a restaurant serving excellent lunch and dinner options and is one of the most recent additions to the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail.

Mara and George are professional chefs, and both bring their individual talents to making the restaurant a success. Mara is a pastry chef who creates pastries and desserts for the restaurant, stunning made-to-order wedding cakes, and outstanding ice cream. And George performs his magic, turning out juicy burgers, fresh salads, and a variety of other savory offerings.

My husband had a bourbon ice cream with fudgy swirls throughout. It emitted a genuine bourbon flavor, and the richness of the fudge made it a killer combination. Although it was sweet – it is ice cream, after all – the sweetness was subdued by the creamy texture and pops of flavor.

I chose a caramel peach ice cream, which was smooth going down on a hot afternoon. Both the peach and caramel flavors came through as natural with no hint of artificial flavoring. The pecans, roasted in honey, added a sweet layer of crunch to this exceptional ice cream.

George and Mara create and prepare all the food themselves. From the burger buns to the ice cream, everything is hands-on quality. They are also dog lovers, and well-behaved pups are always welcome on the patio.

Piggy’s Ice Cream (#5 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

102 Duncan Hill Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792 // +1 (828) 692-1995

Piggy’s has been a Hendersonville’s ice cream haven since Harry Thompson and his wife, Sallie (nicknamed “Piggy”), opened its doors in 1979. Today, their son, Michael Thompson, and his wife, Elaine own the business and have made few changes in how things are done. After all, why mess up a good thing?

You can choose from between 24 and 30 flavors on any given day. Besides cones and cups, Piggy’s serves up thick milkshakes, decadent banana splits, and those beloved hot fudge sundaes. 

My husband zeroed in on the Black Cherry, which was loaded with fruit. I went the chocolate chip route, which scratched my chocolate itch in all the best ways. Piggy’s uses quality ice cream from producers such as Mayfield and Bluebell.

In 1993, shortly after Harry Thompson’s death, his family expanded Piggy’s to include Harry’s Grill. Now you can enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbecue and get your ice cream fix all in one place.

El Rio Ice Cream & Paleteria (#4 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

2000 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 200, Hendersonville, NC 28792 // +1 (828)575-6496

Looking to expand your ice cream options? Head on over to El Rio Ice Cream and Paleteria, offering more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream such as blackberry cream cheese, peach, pine nut, avocado, queso, and passion fruit. This family-owned shop has been in operation since 2014.

Want more than a cup or a cone? Try one of El Rio‘s substantial banana splits or choco fresas. If you want to try something a little unconventional, take a chance on a chamoyada, esquites, or street corn paired with frozen strawberries.

When temperatures rise, there’s nothing like a refreshing sorbet-like frozen treat made with seasonal fruit. Treat yourself to a paleta (popsicle) in a variety of tropical flavors such as mango, pineapple, raisin, pistachio, guava, watermelon, cantaloupe, lemon, and key lime.

McConnell Farms Ice Cream (#10 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

177 Old Dana Road Hendersonville, NC 28792 // +1 (828) 692-2819

This haven for lovers of homemade ice cream is located on a family-owned farm that also produces small fruits, vegetables, ciders, fruit butters, and preserves.

McConnell Farms owners, Danny and Kathryn McConnell, have been making traditional ice cream since 1999, when they resurrected a 1908 machine called Miss Gaudy. For the first two years, they stuck with producing only strawberry ice cream. It was such a hit,  that the couple decided to upgrade their ice cream-making equipment. They then took the necessary classes to become certified ice cream makers.

Many of McConnell’s ice cream flavors include fresh fruits and other items produced on the farm. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, figs, honey, ginger, peaches, and apples all find their way into Danny’s creations. You’ll also find some uncommon combinations such as rum raisin, blackberry chocolate chip, lemon blueberry, and fig mascarpone.

The Coolness Continues

Although it’s called the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail, the deliciousness doesn’t end at the city limits. Here are two more must-try trail stops in Henderson County, a few minutes from downtown Hendersonville.

Karolina Kremes (#6 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

96 Etowah Center Drive, Etowah, NC 28729 // +1 (828) 891-6384

Karolina Kremes is a colorful kiosk located in an Etowah strip mall parking lot in Henderson County. This family and pet-friendly business offers a bubble machine, sidewalk chalk, and a hopscotch course. It also is home to some of the best ice cream and shakes in the area.

Brothers Brandon and Aaron Miller took over the popular business in March 2024. Although they haven’t made many changes, their strong commitment to quality food and customer service, as well as their outgoing personalities keep the happy customers coming back again and again.

My husband sampled the Black Cherry, I sampled the Brown Butter Bourbon Truffle, my guide had a Pup Cup (vanilla ice cream topped with a dog treat), and we – excluding the dog – shared a luxuriously thick raspberry white chocolate shake. Both ice creams were creamy, and mine had tiny bourbon balls that reminded me of one of my favorite holiday treats.

The shake gave off a strong hit of raspberry from the first sip, and the smooth white chocolate made the entire drink seem like an extravagance that was well worth the calories. Whipped cream is optional, but if you choose to indulge, know that the cream is real and not some nasty stuff from a can.

The Millers use Hershey’s for their ice cream and soft-serve. Popular flavors include Superman, a strawberry, banana, and blue fruit concoction, as well as Cappuccino Crunch. The milkshake options are dizzying, with more than 50 combinations from which to choose. Some have playful names such as the Redheaded Monkey, a combo of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate ice creams, topped with a cherry.

If you’re in the mood for a hit of protein before grabbing your ice cream fix, Brandon and Aaron also sell all-beef hot dogs with or without homemade chili, all-beef Angus burgers, and chicken wraps.

Baabals Ice Cream Shoppe & Family Grille (#1 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail)

188 St John Road, Fletcher, NC 28732 // +1 (828) 676-6449

Last but definitely not least, Baabals is where the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail begins. Boasting the largest daily selection of ice cream along the trail, with 36 outstanding flavors of Hershey’s ice cream. Baabals also concocts 40 milkshake flavors, plus an impressive selection of sundaes, banana splits, floats, and homemade desserts.

Located in a 1906 house that was once a tea room, Baabals provides a welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy a favorite ice cream treat with or without lunch. The indoor space includes a game room and an upstairs consignment shop. But the best place to be is the large covered wrap-around porch, where soft breezes add to the dreamy vibe.

The lunch menu features seven different Nathan’s hot dog creations, pulled-pork barbecue, sandwiches, salads, and Brunswick stew, all prepared by owner Roy Dickerson. He rented the space more than a decade ago, built up his ice cream business, and used the first letters of his children’s and grandchildren’s names to create Baabals.

If you have the capacity or are willing to share, try the decadent Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae with warm double chocolate brownie, your choice of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and crowned with  whipped cream. My husband and I didn’t have the capacity even to share, so he opted for peach ice cream and I chose the Cappuccino Crunch.

Roy elected to use Hershey’s for his ice cream because he felt it had the best flavor. And after my first spoonful, it was obvious he was right. The coffee flavor was on the money, and the thick fudgy chunks and crunchy toffee added texture and even more flavor to the ice cream. My husband’ selection had generous peach chunks, and both flavors had a velvety texture.

Although not visible from the street, Baabals has a wheelchair ramp on the other side of the building and an accessible restroom on the first level.

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The Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail Wrap-Up

It seems as though trails are everywhere these days: historic trails, food trails, beverage trails, craft trails, and more. But who can resist a trail that leads from one cold, refreshing treat to another? This, plus the opportunity to meet some of the friendliest, kindest, most fun people you’ll ever encounter, is the joy of the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail. And whether your goal is to sample ice cream at each of the stops, or partake in a select few, you’ll be sure to end up with a huge smile on your sticky face.