Malley’s Chocolates’ Ice Cream Parlor

Ice Cream Island | Cadiz

This Harrison County spot has a daily happy hour. Pull up between 3 and 4 p.m. for $1 cones featuring a choice of 12 soft-serve flavors. Ice cream fans also flock here for the Mason Jar milkshake, a towering creation topped with sweet treats like buckeyes or s’mores 812 E. Market St., Cadiz 43907, facebook.com/icecreamislandllc

Jerry’s Dari-Pride | Wickliffe

Family-owned and -operated since 1952, this Lake County spot sells classic soft serve and 16 hand-dipped homemade flavors, the most popular of which is Butter Pecan. Another favorite is the Peanut Butter Cup Sundae, hot fudge over soft serve topped with peanut butter, Reese’s cups and whipped cream. 30136 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe 44092

Lakewood

Those who live in northeast Ohio know that good things come wrapped in pastel hues of pink and green. Malley’s Chocolates, which opened in Lakewood in 1935, sells sweets in all shapes and sizes at the company’s 19 shops across Greater Cleveland.

Its Lakewood spot holds the distinction of being home to the first Malley’s ice cream parlor, although the family business now has them at the Bay Village, Mentor and North Olmsted locations, too.

Yet the ice cream (made by New York-based Perry’s Ice Cream) is a mere co-star to the true draw here. Malley’s makes its own marshmallow topping as well as a hot fudge recipe that has been in the family for almost 90 years.

“It’s a recipe my grandfather invented,” says third-generation owner Dan Malley. “It’s made in a big copper kettle, is super fresh and has the highest grade of ingredients that you’re going to find in a hot fudge sauce.”

Open since 1949, the Lakewood ice cream parlor is wall-to-wall pastel pinks and Alice in Wonderland decor that’ll make you feel a little like you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole. Be sure to order a sundae that features the famous hot fudge, which is ladled into a small glass cup so you can drizzle it over the ice cream as you’d like.

“For decades and decades,” Malley says, “there’s a line out the door on a hot summer night to get in for a table and have a sundae.” 14822 Madison Ave., Lakewood 44107, 216/529-6262, malleys.com —

Gracie Wilson

Kreamy Kreations | Marietta

Located in a pink-and-green, candy-striped trailer just steps from the Ohio River, this Marietta spot has been serving customers since 2017. Flavors range from Cherry Nut to classics like Mint Chocolate Chip, with dairy-free, gluten-free and sugar-free options Kids and adults alike love the Animal Cracker placed atop each scoop. 112 Greene St., Marietta 45750, facebook.com/kreamykreationmtta

Mason Whippy Dip | Mason

Located just 4 miles from Kings Island amusement park, this stand beckons visitors with its vibrant purple patio. Soft serve is the focus here, and the spot is locally famous for its animal and creature creations. Swirled up servings of different ice creams take the form of unicorns, dogs, chicks and more. 127 E. Main St., Mason 45040, 513/459-7966, facebook. com/masonwhippydip