I Scream, You Scream: Ice Cream Guide, Pt. 1

On a very, very hot day this summer, my friends & I forced our way through multiple ice cream destinations, so we could bring you a few of our favorites. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it right? (I’d like to always be that someone).

All photos by Alyssa Broadus. 

First up, Betty Rae’s! It was love at first scoop my first time walking through these doors, and now they’re getting ready to open a second location in the River Market to please the-ice-cream-loving masses! Their flavor profiles range from local collaborations with Thou Mayest, to cereal milk, jasmine green tea, and my personal favorite being the goat cheese, apricots, and candied walnuts option. To checkout their current offerings & learn more about renting their ice cream truck, (yes, you read that right!) checkout their website: http://bettyraes.com.

7140 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114

Second on our ice cream adventure leads us down the road to Ice Cream Bae, located inside the beautiful new Made in KC Marketplace on the Country Club Plaza. If you’re in the mood for artisanal ice cream with toppings such as matcha Kit-Kat sticks or fruity pebbles, you’ve found your new favorite shop! With colorful cone options, (the orange cone is Dreamsicle!), Ice Cream Bae makes you excited about each creation, no matter how old you are. With it being located in the Marketplace, were able to browse through tons of local vendors booths while enjoying our sweet treats. All three of us tried something different, and they were all equally delicious! I recommend any dang thing on the menu! For more on hours & locations, visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/icecreambaekc/.

306 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112

Next up is a new favorite of mine, Paleteria Tropicana on Southwest Boulevard. At this point, we needed a little break from our ice cream cones & went with a lighter option! They have every single flavor of popsicle under the sun, and all of the options are made with fresh fruit. Best part? If you’re on a budget, this place is a dream. Two popsicles cost less than $5! I ended up trying the spicy mango option, but cannot wait to go back in the future for a handful of things off the menu; including fresh juice, elote, and freshly made funnel cake. 

830 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Another favorite sweet treat destination of mine is always & forever Miami Ice. This stop feels like a Kansas City institution after being around more than 39 years, and offers SO many options. From traditional ice cream cones to shaved ice on top of custard (my personal favorite), you’ll be hooked after your first visit! If the patio is busy on a nice night, take your cup or cone to go & take a stroll through the 39th street neighborhood. (My favorite bookstore, Prospero’s, is right down the way!) For more information on Miami Ice, checkout their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/miamiicekc/reviews/?ref=page_internal.

1624 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Last, but definitely not least, is Lilo’s Shaved Ice & Soda. This location is more of a trek for me, but so worth it! With over 30 flavors to choose from, the combinations are endless. They also have an entire section of the menu dedicated to ‘Lilo’s Specialities’ & ‘Specialty Sodas’ (one of which is called North Shore and consists of passion fruit, mango, pineapple with pineapple coconut ice cream & snow cap. I hear it comes with the capabilities of instant teleportation to the closest tropical beach. Just sayin’!) To find out more about Lilo’s and their offerings, head to http://www.lilosshavedice.com/p/flavors-menu.html.

7617, 8300 N Oxford St, Kansas City, MO 64158

Whew… we did it! We officially ate our weight through sweet treats & lived to tell the tale. I hope you enjoyed following along on our ice cream tour! Can’t wait to share more adventures with you soon.