Our guest blogger, Rebecca Rowe (left), has more than 20 years of experience in community revitalization, working with state and local governments and nonprofits. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s ( DHCD) Community Revitalization Office (CRO), working to ensure the vitality of localities across the Commonwealth. Apart from being an agritourist, Rowe greatly enjoys a good road trip, especially one that ends with ice cream!

Anyone who knows me knows that my biggest love and my biggest weakness is ice cream! All seasons, any meal, I brake or detour and indulge. When I can visit ice cream shops while visiting Main Street districts, all the better! In celebration of National Ice Cream Month this July, I encourage you to visit these shops to support local in the most delicious way possible.

If you’re in Central Virginia, visit Hopewell where you’ll find the beloved Wonder City Bakery serving regional favorite Richlands Dairy or head to Fredericksburg to visit Abner Butterfields Ice Cream Company. Off of the beaten path, you’ll find The Market at Grelen serving their house made ice cream along with other local treats.

In Winchester, visit Red Fox at the pedestrian mall downtown. Just a bit south, in Harrisonburg, you can enjoy a legacy experience at Kline’s Dairy Bar (est. 1943) or support brand new business Branch’s Soft Serve (est. 2020). Afterwards, head down 81 to Lexington, and experience Sweet Things Ice Cream Shop.

Heading to Southwest Virginia? In Bristol, don’t forget to visit the Southern Churn or pop up to Marion to sample the delicious goods at Hester’s Country Store! Keeping east through Southern Virginia, check out Di’lishi in Danville or visit KJ’s Cake Creations in South Boston for a serving of Homestead Creamery’s best!

Whether you’re soaking up the sun in Cape Charles or just making the drive for the ice cream, Brown Dog is worth the trip!

These are just a handful of samples of the amazing ice cream venues around Virginia! If you’re equally passionate about ice cream, tell us about your favorite place to get a cone or a cup! Just writing this has made me hungry…