Marshall has an abundance of ice cream parlors for any sweet-treat lover. Whether you prefer a traditional ice cream joint, out-of-the-box flavors and ideas, or something new like alcohol-infused ice cream, there is plenty of variety. Here are four places in the Marshall area that you and your family can stop by for some delicious ice cream and other satisfying summer desserts!

Join in on a longtime Marshall tradition

If you’re not from Calhoun County, you may not know that Ice Cream Dream has been serving the area since 1939. Make it an evening out, because they serve dinner, drinks and dessert. The menu features a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, nachos and hot dogs if you’re in the mood for a meal.

Dessert is obviously their specialty, with picture-perfect ice cream presentation and even more perfect tastes. 

Try the cereal flurries for an extra flavorful taste of the Battle Creek and Marshall area. They have Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Captain Crunch Berries, Fruity Pebbles and Froot Loop flurries available. The flavors pop and the cereal bits give it a crunch.

Entertaining guests? Celebrating a family member or coworker? Consider ordering an ice cream cake from them, they’re perfect for any birthday party or celebration. As an added bonus, the staff is friendly and heart-warming, making any trip to Ice Cream Dream worthwhile and full of smiles.

Think outside the cone

Who doesn't love to shake things up? (No pun intended.) Great Lakes Candy & Cones is always pushing the boundaries of ice cream creativity. There are more than 30 different flavors of Hershey’s Ice Cream as well as Dippin’ Dots, slushies and lemonades. 

One of the new Hershey’s flavors will transport you to a place where summer never ends: The new Graham Central Station ice cream is the perfect reminder of s’mores over the fire.

If a cone doesn’t sound right, consider some of the Dippin Dots for a different way to eat some ice cream – they even have a frozen coffee flavor for all java-lovers. 

For those with dietary restrictions, there are several options that are gluten-free and one option that is completely dairy free.

If you’re over 21, all signs point to True North

From Italian-style Affogattos to refreshing tropical fruit smoothies, True North is doing it like no other. True North ice cream makes homemade ice cream in-house every day. Try their butter pecan, s’mores, or the brand new summer orange crush sorbet! 

While taking a trip into True North to try their flavors for myself, the shop was full of other anxious patrons waiting for a sweet experience. I received high recommendations from a young woman named Allie, who raved about True North’s more unique flavors. 

“The honey lavender is to die for,” she noted.

Under the alcohol-infused section of their menu, you can order a French Toast, Bailey Mountain, or True North Slide to add some extra pizzazz to your ice cream. Honey bourbon and cherry amaretto are two other feature flavors definitely worth a shot. True North finds an impeccable balance between strong, delicious, and creamy with all of their 21+ flavors. The boozy ice cream is available for those of the drinking age. 

Enjoy more sweet treats… the old-fashioned way.

For an alternative to the standard ice cream shack, try some of the other delicious desserts that they have at the retro Hi-Lite Cruz-In! 

When you ride up, they come right out to your car or the outside patio to deliver your food so you can relax and enjoy it. It is rare to find drive-in service nowadays, but the Cruz-In gives you a chance to show the little ones how dessert used to be done. 

Give the kiddos a taste of the past with Hi-Lite’s homemade root beer floats. You can even take your special someone to split a milkshake and fall in love the way we used to. This iconic diner-drive-in has been in Marshall since 1946. If you have not been, see what you've been missing out on before summer is over.