Here's the scoop

COLUMBUS — It's just a few days after the official start of summer, and Ohio is ready, now that it's released the 2025 Ohio Ice Cream Trail. Now in its eighth year, this summer tradition returns bigger and better — boasting a record 150 mouthwatering stops in 54 counties across the state. In Northwest Ohio, Findlay's Dietsch Brothers and the Bluffton Dari Freeze again made the list, along with nearby ice cream shops in Gilboa, Tiffin, Lima and Delphos. "Some of the best memories are made over a simple scoop of ice cream," said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in a news release. "From small towns to big cities, every community has its own go-to spot — and Ohio's Ice Cream Trail is a celebration of those places and the people who make them special." This year's Ohio Ice Cream Trail highlights family-owned shops and nationally recognized chains, just in time for National Ice Cream Month in July. The list of area ice cream eateries in Northwest Ohio: • Findlay — Dietsch Brothers, 400 W. Main Cross St. and 1217 Tiffin Ave. • Bluffton — Dari Freeze, 595 S Main St. • Gilboa — Knueven Creamery & Market, 207 Main St. • Tiffin — Big Dipper Ice Cream, 380 Wentz St. • Tiffin — FroZone Frozen Yogurt, 114 S. Washington St. • Tiffin — Neumeister's Candy Shop & Ice Cream, 2447 W. Market St. • Lima — Hefner Dairy Barn, 725 Brentlinger Road • Lima — Pete's Ice Cream, 3270 S. Dixie Highway • Lima — Sharon Dairy King, 2825 W. Elm St. • Delphos — Delphos Dairy Hut, 910 E. 5th St. • Delphos — The Creamery, 252 N. Canal St. "Ice cream is part of Ohio's summertime identity — whether it's a shop that's been serving scoops for generations or a new spot with bold flavors and fresh ideas," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. "The Ice Cream Trail celebrates the entrepreneurs and small businesses that make Ohio special — creating jobs, using Ohio-grown ingredients, and turning main streets into destinations for families." TourismOhio launched the Ice Cream Trail in 2018 with just 15 shops. Since then, it has grown into a statewide summer tradition featuring 150 destinations. "Two scoops are good, but three are better — so we nearly tripled the stops on this year's Ohio Ice Cream Trail," said State Tourism Director Sarah Wickham. "Ohio's creameries and scoop shops dish out unforgettable summer memories, so we are spotlighting as many as possible." New stops on this year's trail include Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights, which adds a twist to its unique treats by using its own orchard-grown fruit blended with vanilla ice cream, and Erin Ann's in Sylvania, known for its allergen-friendly menu of dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and dye-free treats. You'll also find Poncho's Ice Cream in Circleville, dishing out bold Mexican desserts, and The Jug in Middletown, famous for its classic root beer floats made with house-brewed root beer. TourismOhio partnered with county convention and visitors bureaus to ensure that every corner of the state is represented - from downtown scoop shops to main street creameries. Priority was given to businesses serving Ohio-made ice cream and those with a meaningful, long-standing presence in their communities. Made in Ohio ice cream isn't just the cherry on top of a perfect summer day — it also plays a major role in Ohio's economy. Home to more than 1,400 dairy farms and 250,000 dairy cows, Ohio is ranked 11th in the nation for milk production with Ohio cows producing nearly 650 million gallons of milk annually. "Ohio is home to a rich agricultural scene, and that definitely includes local ice cream made from farm fresh ingredients," said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. "From pasture to pint, every scoop is made possible by the hardworking dairy farmers and creameries who get up early to deliver fresh, high-quality milk and products. Choosing Ohio-made ice cream is supporting local communities and Ohio agriculture." The full trail is available online and as a printable version at Ohio.org.