The City Creamery is the perfect addition to Cave Creek’s Western landscape with its traditional and simple, small-batch ice cream that comes in more than a dozen flavors. As the Southwest’s only location of the mini-chain, it’s become such a destination that there’s even see a map where guests can mark where they’re visiting from.

This family-owned ice cream shop has all kinds of sweet treats, from classic scoops of ice cream in flavors like butter pecan or bubblegum, to ice cream-topped crepes and waffles as well as creamy shakes. The original sundae is a nostalgic go-to made with rich, vanilla ice cream, and topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, crushed nuts, and a maraschino cherry. 

The Screamery is as Arizona as it gets — from its locally-made ice creams to the fun treat names, such as Sweet Sonoran Dessert with sweet cream and honey ice cream, peanut butter swirl and homemade toffee or the Cowboy Cookie made with a salted caramel base, oatmeal, walnuts and chocolate chip cookies. Try the ice cream nachos made with waffle chips drizzled with hot fudge, topped with any flavor of ice cream. 

Sweet Provisions offers the nostalgic feel of a neighborhood ice cream shop stocked with classic candies, cookies, pies, and of course — ice cream. Options include ice cream scoops with a variety of toppings, soda floats, milkshakes, sundaes and an old school banana split. Customers can also pair ice cream a la mode with a slice of one of the shop’s pies. 

This nationally recognized ice cream shop makes everything from scratch with high quality ingredients — starting with milk and cream from Arizona dairy farms and ending with homemade waffle cones, sauces, and toppings. Other offerings include ice cream sandwiches, floats, milkshakes, and sundaes. Don’t sleep on the simple scoop of this spot’s classic ice cream, which comes in flavors like refreshing real mint chip or strawberry buttermilk.  

Jeni’s, an Ohio-based ice cream company recently opened one if its whimsical scoop shops in downtown Scottsdale, and the area’s ice cream scene hasn’t been the same since. Flavor options include brambleberry crisp and sweet cream biscuits and peach jam, making it a go-to spot for grabbing a stacked ice cream cone and strolling through Old Town. 

Sugar Bowl is as much a tourist destination as it is an ice cream haven. It opened in 1958 and has been serving up sweet treats in its all-pink, retro-style ice cream parlor ever since. The floats, sundaes, ice creams and shakes are all delicious, but for a real peek back in time, try the old-fashioned super soda made with vanilla ice cream and soda water smothered in marshmallow, caramel or fudge sauce. 

Zuzu at the vibrant, retro Hotel Valley Ho serves a great American brunch or dinner — but customers should seriously consider ordering dessert first to fully appreciate the now legendary, over-the-top Show Stopper Shake. The theme (and flavors) changes every month. Recent choices include the Cup o’ Joe pumpkin spice milkshake topped with a chocolate mousse filled chocolate coffee cup, and the Let’s Go Party Barbie-themed milkshake with sprinkles and edible glitter. 

This downtown Phoenix ice cream staple is instantly recognizable thanks to its Chinese takeout box-style cups and fortune cookie topper. Find this spot’s constantly changing ice cream and sorbet menu in the downtown Phoenix Arts District inside Jobot Coffee. 

This fast-growing, Shark Tank-featured ice cream chain has become a Valley favorite with Instagram-worthy milkshakes that are as beautiful as they are tasty. The Camelback Mountain is made with orange blossom ice cream, blue drizzle, orange and yellow whipped cream, a yellow star made of chocolate and a dusting of blue sprinkles. The orange blossom ice cream pays homage to Arizona’s long history as a citrus producer.