Patch Picks: Cool Spots For Ice Cream

While summer might be winding down, it's never too late to get the family together for a trip to the local ice cream shop.

Here are a few suggestions for places in the Woodbury area. If you have a favorite that's not listed here, add it to the comments section below the story.

Warning: This spot at Woodbury’s can get busy during the summertime. Cups ‘n Scoops offers several varieties of ice cream, plus coffee, sandwiches and a bag lunch deal that can’t be beat. Plus, you can get out of the heat and enjoy your ice cream at the city’s large indoor park and grab a book at the .

It’s not just the name that makes MaggieMoo’s a fun place to grab a treat—the store offers 35 flavors of ice cream and more than 30 candies to dress up the dish. Located at , MaggieMoo’s also offers ice cream cakes.

If you’re planning a day trip to Stillwater, venture out of the downtown area to Nelson’s Ice Cream. This quaint shop has been a Stillwater institution since 1923 and offers more than 40 flavors of ice cream.

Hometown Creamery

Just over the Oakdale border in North St. Paul, this shop features homemade waffle cones and the most mouth-wateringly long list of flavors you’ll find in the area including S’Mores, mocha almond fudge, Guinness, raspberry truffle cheesecake and more than 50 more (we lost count). Be warned, not all flavors are available at any one time, but if nothing else, their chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors have won national awards.

Baja Sol Tortilla Grill

Yes, we know this isn’t an ice cream shop, but their Baja Sundae deserves a mention. The sundae contains vanilla bean ice cream topped with caramel and chocolate sauce with light, crispy and cinnamon-y churro bites to dip in. We’re glad this south-of-the-border-inspired treat made it up to Minnesota.