Maple View Farm & Dairy
Voted Best Ice Cream ( Chapel Hill News Rose Award 2004 and 2005).  Also named one of the Top 12 Ice Cream Parlors Nationwide in Saveur Magazine (June/July 2005 issue).  Maple View Farm is a family dairy farm located just northwest of Chapel Hill, and its ice cream shop/Country Store is a destination outing for everyone!  Enjoy delicious freshly made ice cream while lounging on rocking chairs on the shop's front porch, which looks out over a vista of rolling countryside and the Maple View Farm.  Check their website for a calendar of Maple View weekly specials and events.  During the holidays try the yummy egg nog, and the pumpkin ice cream!  The Country Store also sells milk, cream, and other fresh dairy products year round.  Maple View dairy products do not contain hormones.  (You can also purchase their milk products at Harris Teeter, Whole Foods and Weaver Street Market.) 

3109 Dairy Land Road, *Hillsborough, NC 27278.
(919) 960-5535.

Note:  *The store is not in the town of Hillsborough proper (not in downtown Hillsborough).  From Chapel Hill, take Airport Road to Homestead Road, turn west on Homestead Road and go straight for approximately 10 miles (Homestead Road becomes Dairyland Road) to intersection with Rocky Ridge Road.  Ice Cream Store will be on your right at corner intersection of Dairyland and Rocky Ridge.  Maple View Farm map and directions.

 

Ben & Jerry's
National chain serves everyone's old favorites in primo location right on West Franklin St. Kids will enjoy the brightly painted interior (not to mention the dazzling selection of ice cream).  Open daily, 12pm - 11 pm.

W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 27516.
(919) 967-9068.

Cold Stone Creamery
Several locations in the Triangle area offer yummy made-to-order ice cream with mix-ins (mixed in front of you on an ice-cold slab of marble) and huge waffle cones.  There are so many flavors and specialty cones (for example, the strawberry shortcake cone, apple pie cone, "Black Forest Dream," and "Mud Pie Mojo" cones) that you may have a hard time deciding!  Cold Stone Creamery also offers beautiful ready-made ice cream cakes, and kids' theme cakes (such as Winnie-the-Pooh, Harry Potter, and Nemo).  A fun family outing right on E. Franklin St. (as well as other area locations listed below).

131 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, 27514.
(919) 933-2313.

Francesca's Dessert Cafe
Elegant ice cream parlor offers gelato and sorbets along with coffee, tea, cakes and other desserts.
706B 9th St, Durham, NC 27705.  
(919) 286-4177.

La Vita Dolce Espresso & Gelato Cafe
Wonderful gelato, Italian Sodas, coffee and espresso and baked goods.  We were transported back to Italy as we tried some of the many delicious home-made gelato flavors!  The decor and ambiance are soothing, and the large shop-front windows offer a nice view of the Southern Village green.
610 Market Street, Southern Village Marketplace .
(919) 968-1635

Lickity Split Ice Cream
Hand-dipped ice-cream and hot dogs makes for happy kids!
503 Meadowmont Village Cir, Chapel Hill.
(919) 929-8402.

S&T's Soda Shoppe (further afield, in Pittsboro)
Beautifully restored old-fashioned ice cream parlor located in the heart of Pittsboro.  Menu includes lots of great lunch and dinner selections for grown-ups and kids.  A destination in itself; but you may also wish to visit some of the many Pittsboro area attractions, such as the Carnivore Preservation Trust.
85 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro, NC.
(919) 545-0007

TCBY
National frozen yogurt chain offers cones, specialty drinks, cakes and other treats.  There are tables inside and outside seating as well.
Eastgate Shopping Center, 1800 E Franklin St #22, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
(919) 967-0629.