How do visitors (and locals) cool down after a day soaking up the sun? Ice cream! Whether you like it served in a cone or in a dish, with one scoop or four, we can all agree that indulging in this frozen treat is one of the sweetest parts of being on vacation.

We’ve rounded up some of the best ice cream shops in the North Myrtle Beach area:

ORIGINAL PAINTER’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM:

Summer after summer, generations of families return to Original Painter’s Ice Cream. Located on Highway 17, this iconic, family-owned establishment has been scooping up homemade ice cream for more than sixty years.

MELT:

If a delightful blue and white shop near the famous intersection of Main Street Ocean Drive catches your eye, you have found Melt. This craft ice cream store has even been called the best ice cream shop in the state by EatThis.com. We think their regularly rotating menu of one-of-a-kind flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Salted Caramel Truffle and Lemon Cheesecake Blueberry Swirl is a perfectly acceptable reason to visit Melt (more than) a few times during your beach vacation. 

THE CRAFTY COW:

Seeing a show? On a shopping spree? Enjoying a delicious meal? Sounds like you’re in Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach’s 100+ acre shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Trust us: you won’t want to leave without stopping by The Crafty Cow. Their variety of flavors are featured in both frozen yogurt and non-dairy sorbet options, so everyone in your group can find something they love at the counter.

THE DAIRY HUT:

In the heart of North Myrtle Beach’s Cherry Grove neighborhood, you’ll find The Dairy Hut. Part of the beloved Boulineau’s family, The Dairy Hut offers soft-serve cones, old-fashioned milkshakes, and frozen yogurt. Looking for a special treat? Try their famous banana split!

SWEET MOLLY’S:

With locations at Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, Sweet Molly’s Creamery gives out more than a cone (or cup) of delicious ice cream with your favorite mix-ins. Sweet Molly’s is named after the family’s rescued dog, Molly, and a portion of revenues go to local animal shelters.

SUGAR LIFE:

Inspired by the board game Candyland, it’s hard to miss the bold and brightly-colored Sugar Life stores. With three locations on the Grand Stand, Sugar Life has over 30 unique flavors of ice cream ranging from Superman and Bubble Gum to Moose Tracks and Almond Fudge.  

COOKIE DOUGH BLISS:

Edible cookie dough is a thing, and it pairs perfectly with ice cream! Give it a try at Cookie Dough Bliss, located in the Coastal Grand Mall, where you can try a scoop of cookie dough on your ice cream cone, a cookie sandwich or their classic ice cream bar—vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two layers of chocolate chip cookie dough.

Share your favorite photos and videos of local ice cream with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using #JustCoast and #ExploreNorthMyrtleBeach. We’d love to share them!