Hopkins Students Scream for Ice Cream!
Lily Meyers '20, Assistant Features Editor
Summer vacation is here, along with all of the activities and traditions that go with it. One such ritual is going out for ice-cream. Many students have a favorite local ice-cream shop to visit when the temperatures get high, but if you do not know where to go, or are just looking for some new places to try, here are some recommendations from Hopkins students.
Ashley’s Ice Cream is a favorite of many students. Ashley’s makes its own products and uses ingredients from local farms, such as Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. The stores are located in New Haven, Hamden, Branford, Guilford, and Madison, convenient locations for many students. This is the case for Mary Halvorson ’21, who frequents the franchise because “it’s very close to my house, and it’s also a fundraising place, so that’s a plus.” Phillip Delise ’20 also appreciated its location, “I like it because it’s a nice treat after whatever you’re doing in New Haven, and it’s convenient.” They suggest trying cookie dough, coffee, or cookies and cream.
Another New Haven location, Bill’s Carousel Ice Cream is familiar to many students who go their with Hopkins sport teams during the fall and spring. Joseph Hutchinson ’21 explained the appeal of the destination, “they have a lot of variety, flavors, styles,” and recommends cookies and cream, his favorite flavor. Their extensive ice-cream list includes both hard ice-cream and soft serve. The carousel horse in
front gives the shop its name and is a popular spot for taking pictures.
Higgy’s, in Haddam, is another roadside stop, carrying both food and ice-cream. CC Rocco ’20 loves it because “it’s super close to my house, so we go there all the time every summer, and ... it’s really cute.” It also makes her “think of when I was younger, and we would go there a lot. My mom’s friend used to own it, so one time I got to go in the back and use the soft-serve machine.” To those visiting Higgy’s, she recommends Oreo. For sweet-seekers in Fairfield County, Saugatuck Sweets is a popular option. Similar to Ashley’s Ice Cream, they have multiple locations- one in Fairfeld and one in Westport, on the Saugatuck River. Isabel Vlahakis ’19 said, “They’ve got a lot of different ice-creams, and you can also get candy... so, [there is] lots of sugar.”
Ice-cream is not the only cold treat. Frozen yogurt and gelato are also satisfying summer sweets. Kate Collier ’21 recommends Gelatissimo Artisan Gelato in New Canaan for those in the mood for gelato. She
explained, “They give you the most gelato possible in the smallest cup. It’s perfect.” Their gelato is handmade in the store in small batches. Collier recommends the creme brulee favor.
These locations are only a few of the many ice-cream shops in Connecticut for hot summer days and any other time of the year. The accessible shops are rarely more than a short drive away and are pleasant summer afternoon destinations to visit alone, with family, or with friends you have not seen since the end of school. Each one has a unique fare, but all will provide a satisfying ice-cream experience.
Back