Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream in the Golden Heart
Story and photos by Amber McCain
July is National Ice Cream Month and what better way to celebrate than by visiting some of Fairbanks' coolest ice cream spots? Whether you’re after soft serve, hand-packed scoops, or quirky local flavors, the Golden Heart City has the perfect treat to beat the heat.
CreamBear, a new food truck in town, brings delicious treats on wheels. Usually parked most afternoons in the Lowe’s parking lot, just a quick 3-minute drive (1.2 miles) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, they offer soft serve ice cream and tasty toppings. Want a donut with your ice cream? This is the spot for you.
Frosty Paws at Pioneer Park is about a 6-minute drive (2.8 miles) from campus. They serve favorites like cherry dipped Dole Whip, and chocolate-dipped cones. Grab a cup or cone and walk around Pioneer Park. Open every day from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For those craving variety, Sassy Scoops - small batch hand packed ice cream, made in house weekly - on 3rd Street downtown a 7-minute drive, (3 miles from UAF) offers unique flavors like cookie butter, caramel apple, flavors of the week, like Linda’s Animal Party (cake batter ice cream with frosted animal cookies, sprinkles, and fluffy cream cheese swirls) or Getting Lucky (sweet cream ice cream with chunks of graham cracker crunch and marshmallow fluff), as well as classic chocolate and vanilla soft serve. With moderate prices, it’s a casual, fun spot in the heart of the city.
Please don’t feed the moose!
A local fav - Hot Licks, serving Fairbanks since 1986 with their ice cream made in-house, they offer a creative menu with specialty flavors like Aurora Borealis, inspired by the Northern Lights. Located just a 5-minute drive (.5 miles) from campus, it’s a cool spot to enjoy premium ice cream. Parking fills fast, so be ready to park across the street or walk/bike from campus.
Located about a 6-minute drive (2.7 miles) from campus, an ice cream chain, Cold Stone Creamery, open 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., offers design-your-own creations hand-mixed on a cold granite slab. Cold Stone offers ice cream, ice cream cakes, shakes, smoothies, and more.
If you’re in the mood for a mini road-trip, the Knotty Shop, just past Eielson a 20-minute drive, (12 miles from UAF), is a tourist favorite that locals love too. Serving cones, cups, soft serve and sherbert, it’s a welcoming spot full of small-town warmth.
Last but not least on our list, Golden Heart Treats, a food truck, located across from Big Daddy’s BBQ downtown a 6-minute drive, (2.8 miles from UAF), offers a smaller menu but standout options like their lavender honey ice cream or giant sundaes. It’s a great stop to satisfy your sweet tooth after exploring downtown Fairbanks. Bonus points: it’s near a Little Free Library as well.
No matter your craving, Fairbanks serves up an array of ice cream experiences, from food trucks to cozy sit-down shops. Grab a friend, hit the road, and treat yourself to some of the best scoops in town this National Ice Cream Month.
