Velvet Ice Cream at Ye Olde Mill utica

Although Joseph Dager started Velvet Ice Cream in downtown Utica in 1914, the ice cream-maker has long been associated with Ye Olde Mill, a country corn mill turned shop and cafe that has been a favorite for locals and travelers alike since it opened in 1970. The business has stayed in the Dager family over the years, too, with sisters Luconda and Joanne Dager serving as the company’s president and vice president, respectively.

“Joanne and I grew up in the business [dad] brought us around the plant and brought us around Ye Olde Mill,” recalls Luconda Dager. “Even as we got into high school, he would take us to food shows and we would be going to conferences and ice cream conventions and doing things that we thought other kids were doing, but they weren’t.”

After graduating from Xavier University, the sisters worked in outside jobs before returning to Utica to join the business and carry out the traditions of Ye Olde Mill. There, visitors can learn about the ice cream-making process at the on-site museum filled with artifacts and stories about crafting the company’s time-honored treats.

Favorites among the 50 ice cream varieties include the Buckeye Classic (peanut butter ice cream filled with tiny versions of Ohio’s famous buckeye candies) as well as the Super Friends, which has swirls of red, blue and yellow vanilla ice cream.

Ye Olde Mill’s park-like setting offers two playgrounds, a fishing pond, nature trails and an arcade in the shelter house. The landmark is a field-trip favorite for local schools each spring, and live music fills the air once summer arrives.

“We’ve created such an ambiance where it’s relaxing and you want to sit and enjoy your ice cream cone,” Dager says. “That’s what we do best.” 11324 Mount Vernon Rd., Utica 43080, 740/892-3921, velveticecream.com —

Gracie Wilson

Max’s Dairy | Wapakoneta

This blue-and-white stand has served its original soft serve recipe since 1950. Located in the hometown of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the place pays tribute to the city’s favorite son with its Buckeye on the Moon parfait: vanilla soft serve with layers of hot fudge and peanut butter sauce topped with buckeye candies. 901 Bellefontaine St., Wapakoneta 45895, maxsdairy.com

Pav’s Creamery | Akron

Pav’s Creamery started selling its homemade, soft-serve “kustard” and 25 flavors of ice cream at a stand near Portage Lakes in 1969. You can still stop by today for favorites like the Go Shorty, It’s Your Birthday sundae with scoops of birthday cake ice cream, hot fudge and sprinkles. 3769 Manchester Rd., Akron 44319, 330/644-8524, pavscreamery.com

Rita’s Dairy Bar | Grand Rapids

Situated in the heart of a historic canal town, this spot serves 15 small-batch, homemade ice cream flavors with names like Muddy Maumee and Berries of the Black Swamp that are inspired by the region’s history. Traditional favorites include the hot fudge sundae and banana split. 24030 Front St., Grand Rapids 43522, 419/832-7482, ritasdairybar.com different ones have made an appearance and include nostalgic favorites such as Higbee’s Chocolate Malted, which is available every Wednesday. 95 E. Aurora Rd., Northfield Center 44067, 330/9080889, rosatisfrozencustard.com

Terry’s Ice Cream Bar | Lynchburg

Open since 1978, this Highland County stand offers soft serve, a rotation of Dole whip flavors and over-the-top milkshakes. The Princess milkshake features colorful swirls topped with pink and purple whipped cream and a tiara, while the seasonal Crazy Carnival has cotton candy, Twinkie and rock candy on the top. 1505 U.S. Hwy. 50, Lynchburg 45142, facebook.com/terrysicecreamdairybar

Whipty-Do! | Maineville

It’s all about Dole whip and soft serve at this Warren County spot that features a blueberry flavor that has become a local favorite. Open since 2009, the stand also has a secret menu of creations, including the Peanut Butter Beast (soft serve blended with chocolate peanut butter toppings). 2529 U.S. Hwy. 22, Maineville 45039, whiptydo.com

Zip Dip | Cincinnati

Rosati’s

Frozen Custard | Northfield Center

Creamy, dense and more flavorful than standard ice cream, frozen custard brings the locals to this spot that features at least one special flavor each day. So far, 300

Since 1950, the white, red and green neon lights of this ice cream stand have called out to customers. Vanilla, chocolate and orange sorbet soft-serve ice cream and a rotation of frozen yogurt flavors are served in handmade cones and bowls. For an old-school favorite, try the Hot Fudge Malt 4050 Drew Ave., Cincinnati 45248. 513/574-6252, zip-dip.com