Top 4 Places to Get a Tasty Scoop of Ice Cream in Gatlinburg

• Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts: 24 hand-dipped flavors, soft serve, milkshakes, and a dog-friendly patio, perfect for guests with pups.
• Maddi Mae’s Café & Creamery: Located in the Village Shops, offering cones, shakes, root beer floats, and Italian sodas in a charming European setting.
• Kilwins: Famous for super premium ice cream since 1985, with freshly made waffle cones and decadent fudge or caramel toppings.
• White Oak Creamery: A hidden gem in Elks Plaza, known for its creamy Gooey Butter Cake flavor and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
• All four shops are an easy walk from Sidney James Mountain Lodge in downtown Gatlinburg.

Where to Find the Best Ice Cream Places in Gatlinburg

The Gatlinburg Strip is lined with dessert shops offering flavors you won’t find anywhere else! As you wander down the Parkway, the sweet aroma of freshly baked waffle cones drifts through the air, drawing you closer to a world of creamy, colorful treats. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or your four-legged companion, Sidney James Mountain Lodge is the perfect home base for a delicious ice cream adventure in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg. Keep reading to learn more about the top places for ice cream in Gatlinburg TN:

1. Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts: 24 Flavors & Dog-Friendly Fun

Mad Dog’s Creamery & Donuts is a must-visit for anyone craving variety and fun. With 24 hand-dipped premium ice cream flavors, there’s something for every palate, think Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake, Smoky Mountain Fudge, Orange Pineapple, and Blueberry Pie. You’ll also find soft serve, milkshakes, and even donuts if you want to double up on your dessert!

What really sets Mad Dog’s apart is its dog-friendly atmosphere: four-legged guests are welcome to join you on the patio, complete with doggie treats and a bowl of fresh water. If you’re staying at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, it’s a quick and easy walk to this colorful, welcoming spot.

Summary: Mad Dog’s Creamery stands out for its huge flavor selection, dog-friendly perks, and convenient location. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself (and your pup!) before heading to your next sweet stop.

2. Maddi Mae’s Café & Creamery: Charm & Classic Treats

Tucked just off the Parkway, Maddi Mae’s Café & Creamery is a delightful spot for classic and creative treats. Choose from ice cream cones, creamy shakes, root beer floats, smoothies, slushies, and Italian sodas, all served in The Village Shops in Gatlinburg TN, which feels like a European escape. Stroll along brick pathways, relax by the bubbling fountain, and enjoy lush landscaping as you savor your dessert from one of the top Gatlinburg ice cream shops!

3. Kilwins: Waffle Cone Heaven

Step inside Kilwins and you’ll be greeted by the irresistible aroma of freshly made waffle cones. Since 1985, Kilwins has been crafting its original recipe of super premium ice cream, known for its rich, creamy texture and decadent flavors. Whether you go for a classic scoop or top it with handcrafted fudge or caramel, every bite is a treat. The shop’s location right on the Parkway makes it a favorite for visitors exploring the downtown Gatlinburg Strip

Summary: Between the European charm of Maddi Mae’s at the Village Shops and the rich, premium scoops at Kilwins, Gatlinburg’s Parkway is a dessert lover’s dream. But there’s one more stop you won’t want to miss: a hidden gem that’s quickly becoming a local legend.

4. White Oak Creamery: Local’s Best-Kept Secret

White Oak Creamery is Gatlinburg’s best-kept secret for ice cream lovers. Tucked inside Elks Plaza, this cozy shop offers milkshakes, a variety of ice cream flavors, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The real star here is the Gooey Butter Cake ice cream: simple, creamy, and absolutely unforgettable. Most visitors walk right past Elks Plaza, but those in the know make the short stroll down the Parkway to discover this hidden gem.

Quick Recap: Gatlinburg’s Top Ice Cream Shops

Can’t get enough? Sips & Sweets, Baskin Robbins, and Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar are even more options for ice cream in Gatlinburg TN!!

Q&A: The Best Ice Cream in Gatlinburg

Is there a dog-friendly ice cream shop in Gatlinburg?

Yes! Mad Dog's Creamery & Donuts welcomes four-legged visitors with doggie treats and a bowl of fresh water. If you are staying in one of the dog-friendly rooms at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, you can bring your pup along for the treat. It’s a fun, easy walk right along the Parkway.

What makes Kilwins Ice Cream in Gatlinburg special?

Kilwins has been crafting its original recipe super premium ice cream since 1985. What sets it apart is the combination of an exceptionally creamy texture, freshly baked waffle cones made in-house, and a selection of handcrafted fudge and caramel toppings. It’s the kind of treat that keeps visitors coming back every trip.

What is the locals' favorite ice cream shop in Gatlinburg?

White Oak Creamery, located at Elks Plaza, is Gatlinburg's best-kept dessert secret. Most visitors walk right past it, but those who stop in discover a wonderful selection of flavors, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and the unforgettable Gooey Butter Cake ice cream. It’s simple, creamy, and one of the most unique scoops you will find anywhere on the Parkway.

Where to Stay: Sidney James Mountain Lodge

After a day of exploring Gatlinburg’s ice cream shops, there’s no better place to relax than Sidney James Mountain Lodge. Our downtown hotel is just steps from all four creameries, making it easy to satisfy your sweet tooth any time. We are a pet-friendly Gatlinburg hotel for guests traveling with dogs and offer a refreshing outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool complex with a hot tub and sauna, an exercise room, outdoor picnic tables, and cool, air-conditioned rooms for a restful night.

Ready to plan your own sweet adventure in the Smokies and enjoy some of the best ice cream in Gatlinburg? Check availability and book your stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge today!