It’s official, the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail released on July 25, 2024, in conjunction with National Ice Cream Month! The concept has been in development for several years now by the Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board as well as the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Office of Travel and Tourism. Locals couldn’t be any more excited, sharing more than 250 responses to who they believe deserves to be on this trail.
Small businesses are the heart of our state economy and contribute so much to the fabric of our communities,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “We are excited the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail celebrates our state’s dairy industry and showcases the businesses that deliver delicious treats and family-friendly activities for residents and visitors to Massachusetts.
The ice cream trail is inspired by those already implemented in neighboring states like New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail includes 42 local business, half scoop shops, and half farms with a digital map and passport to explore them all!
It’s also modeled similar to existing trails in Boston like the new Innovation Trail. Except you’ll probably need a car for this one, since it’s statewide! The map below highlights all the different shops spread across the state.
Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail map
You might notice, to our surprise, that two of Bostonians’ favorite ice cream shops aren’t on the trail, Toscanini’s and J.P. Licks. See if your favorite parlor or dairy farm is on the trail map.
The Massachusetts ice cream trail doesn’t just highlight ice cream parlors, it’ll also emphasize local dairy suppliers that serve an integral part of making delicious scoops all around the state.
The Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail is more than just a map – it’s an invitation to experience the family-owned small businesses that make up the best of Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. “Grab your map and embark on a delicious journey, supporting local businesses in every region of the state while celebrating the Commonwealth’s rich agricultural heritage.
Massachusetts is home to over 100 dairy farms, all playing a vital role in our environment and local food ecosystem. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism held open enrollment for farms to submit an application for feature on the trail. The enrollment is now closed as the trail is being finalized and will help promote education, travel, and tourism around the state.