Your Guide to the Best Ice Cream in Colorado Springs

For vegans and dairy lovers alike — Colorado Springs’ ice cream scene lacks nothing! Check out what makes these local spots so unique.

“Summertime and the living is easy” — except when it’s 90 degrees out and all you want is a cold, sweet treat to cool you down. Colorado Springs is full of fun ice cream shops! Soft serve, slow churned, dairy free, and rolled — there’s something for every ice cream lover!

Next time you’re about to head out to grab a cold treat from the grocery store, check out one of these unique, local ice cream spots instead!

Josh & John’s | 111 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

What started as a dream between two college friends became one of Colorado Springs’ favorite local spots. In 1986, two Colorado College graduates, Josh and John, opened shop on Kiowa Street. Since the beginning, their ice cream has been slowly churned in turn-of-the-century rock salt and ice freezers, making their cream exceptionally creamy and full of flavor. They’ve since moved to a bigger location on Pikes Peak, opened two new locations in Mountain Shadows and Flying Horse, and added some new, unique flavors to the original menu.

What to order: You really can’t go wrong, but we love the Rocky Mountain Road in one of their homemade waffle cones! See their full menu here.

Frozen Gold | 80 E Moreno Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Frozen Gold is one of the new kids on the block here in Downtown Colorado Springs, joining other fun spots on South Tejon Street like Dos Santos, Atomic Cowboy, and Cork and Cask. They’re serving up soft serve ice cream like you’ve never had it before — using toppings like salted potato sticks, Cheetos, and Pop Rocks. Their ice cream isn’t the only thing that’s funky. The environment feels like the Jetsons had a hip and trendy baby with Downtown L.A. So next time you venture down Tejon Street, to grab some tacos, whiskey, or pizza, and end your evening with a tasty soft serve treat to remember.

What to order: While they have so many fun and unique flavors, we’re loving their Samoa Samoa, inspired by everyone’s favorite Girl Scout Cookie. This flavor is completely vegan, but it’s as creamy and sweet as anything you’ve ever had. Check out there full menu here!

Tasty Freeze | 2309 N Weber St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

If summer was a place, it would be Tasty Freeze. Step back into the 1950s with Colorado Springs’ best kept secret. Imagine red Coca Cola umbrellas, a colorful neon sign lighting up the block, and the nostalgia of eating a cone before the heat melts it in your hand. Situated on the east edge of The Old North End, one of Colorado Springs’ most historic neighborhoods, Tasty Freeze feels like a quaint watering-hole for the Downtown community. There’s no indoor seating, so summer is the primetime to make your trip for some classic soft serve, sundaes, or shakes. And if you need some more sustenance, they’ve got you covered with burgers, hotdogs, fries, and beyond.

What to order: We love a good sprinkle-dipped soft serve, but if you’re up for something a little different, try their chocolate shake mixed with coffee and Oreo crumbles.

Ice Cream Lab | 2521 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Ice Cream Lab might be the most unique shop in town. Specializing in liquid nitrogen and rolled ice cream, this shop is definitely experimenting when it comes to the classic treat we all know and love. This science themed ice cream shop serves treats completely made to order by flash freezing the cream and scooping it fresh in front of the customer. Located on Colorado Avenue, this is the perfect pit stop as you’re checking out the many boutiques and art galleries Old Colorado City has to offer.

What to order: Where else can you order rolled ice cream in a waffle cone taco?! Whatever you get at the Ice Cream Lab, make sure you’re ready to try something you’ve never had before!

Legit Gelato Colorado | Various Locations

The mission behind starting Legit Gelato Colorado was simple: Bring authentic — or, dare I say, “legit” —  Italian gelato to Downtown Colorado Springs. And it was so. The handmade, small batch gelato and sorbettos are made from organic ingredients where possible, are GMO-free and gluten-free, and don’t use added color. And for all you vegans or dairy sensitive folks out there, there’s always a vegan option available. All-in-all, they’re the real deal. While Legit Gelato doesn’t yet have a storefront location, they are serving up gelato goodness at The Burrowing Owl, Carlos’ Bistro, and other pop-up locations around town.

What to order: It may not be ice cream in the classic sense, but our mouths are watering over their lemon gelato, made from fresh lemons.

Javalato | 9697 Prominent Point St.156, Colorado Springs, CO 80924

Like Legit Gelato Colorado, Javalato is serving up gourmet gelatos and sorbets, this time on the north side of  town. Not only are they serving delicious gelato, but their menu also includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, and specialty coffee drinks. Their ingredients are completely pure — the vibrant colors of their gelatos come solely from plant and vegetable extracts and all of their flavors come from real fruits and nuts. This is “guilt-free dessert” in the truest sense.

What to order: We love interesting flavors, so we have our eye on the peach basil sorbet!

So whether you’re the more traditional type or want something a little more global and experimental, grab your ice cream, sit back, and enjoy the sunshine!

Cheers! Your Rocky Mountain Food Tours Team

(So, what’s a food tour, anyway…?)

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