You won’t have trouble finding an ice cream shop in North Myrtle Beach! Our sandy shore is home to several sweet spots, some only steps from the beach, serving frozen concoctions, from Instagram-worthy milkshakes to decadent hot fudge sundaes, all year long. To help you choose which scoop is right for you, we’ve curated a list of our top five picks.
1. Melt
After a day at the beach, walk over to Melt on Main Street for a sweet treat. The family-owned destination stands out with its baby-blue exterior, a theme that continues inside. Melt prioritizes fresh ingredients, serving a variety of hand-made and hand-scooped ice cream flavors (honey roasted peanut butter, moose tracks, chocolate chip cookie dough, and more) in a cup or a cone. There are also vegan options available.
2. The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar
Find a selection of mouth-watering shakes and more at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar inside the popular entertainment spot, 810 Billiards & Bowling.
The Crazy Mason opened its first location along the Grand Strand before expanding to NMB and beyond. Known mainly for its over-the-top milkshake served in a mason jar, you can choose from over 30 fun flavors (with equally fun names), like Have Your Cake & Eat it Too, a blend of birthday cake ice cream with extra fun toppings like vanilla buttercream, sprinkles, a cupcake, and a lollipop. There’s also the Simple Mason if you prefer the classic milkshake with your choice of ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. The sweet shop also features a selection of other ice cream desserts – waffles, sandwiches, nachos, and sundaes.
Once you make your selection, watch the ice cream artisans do their work before taking a bite of their creation and be sure to have your camera ready for the final masterpiece! You even get to take home your mason jar, a fun souvenir that you can continue to enjoy at home!
3. Original Painter's Homemade Ice Cream
No ice cream journey in North Myrtle Beach is complete without a stop and a scoop at the Original Painter's Homemade Ice Cream. For over 70 years, Painter's has been serving homemade flavors with a smile to visitors who return each year for their favorites.
In North Myrtle Beach, it's a well known fact that Vanna White, our hometown celebrity, stops by Painter's when she's back in town. Her favorite flavor? Maple nut!
4. The Dairy Hut
After a day at Cherry Grove Beach, walk over to The Dairy Hut off Ocean Boulevard for lunch, dessert, or both. Since 1972, the local red-roofed dessert stop has delighted ice cream lovers with its fresh ingredients. In addition to seriously thick milkshakes, soft-serve ice cream cones and sundaes, and frozen yogurt, there are food options, from hot dogs and nachos to BBQ and soft pretzels. You can eat your selections on the outdoor deck. Whether you're craving something sweet, salty, or both, The Dairy Hut has everything you'd want to eat after a day at the beach.
5. Whit’s Frozen Custard
If you love frozen custard or are looking for a new go-to frozen treat, check out Whit’s Frozen Custard in the Shops on Main shopping center. The local Whit’s is part of a popular franchise and churns fresh custard throughout the day, and while the regular vanilla and chocolate flavors are always on hand, there’s also a flavor of the week, like key lime pie or butter pecan.
You can enjoy your custard in a cup or dipped, cake, or waffle cone, with toppings of your choice, ranging from candy to hot fudge. There are also custard sundaes, shakes, banana splits, brownie blitz, or whitsers, a special treat that combines your choice of custard and toppings. There’s even a kid's ice cream menu, grab-and-go options, and vegan and no-sugar treats.
With so many delicious options available, you may not be able to choose just one on your next trip to North Myrtle Beach!
