There are few things that say Ontario summer quite like a road trip in search of the perfect ice cream cone. Whether you are a fan of towering soft serve, handcrafted waffle cones, sweet and delicious hard scoop, or nostalgic roadside stands, Orillia & Lake Country is home to some incredible independent ice cream destinations, all within an easy day trip.
We have mapped out the Ultimate Orillia & Lake Country Ice Cream Crawl, taking you from Oro-Medonte through Orillia, then north to Washago before looping along the Trent-Severn Waterway through Severn, Coldwater and ending in Port Severn. The best part? You can complete the drive in about three hours (not including ice cream breaks, of course!) BUT that is a lot of ice cream. The beauty of this crawl is that there is no wrong way to enjoy it. Complete all eleven stops in a season, in a week, in a day even or simply treat yourself to whichever ice cream shop happens to be along your route to the cottage, the lake, or your next adventure.
So grab your friends, bring a cooler with some water, and get ready to discover eleven locally owned ice cream stops that are worth every kilometre.
Stop 1: Loobies
Craighurst | Oro-Medonte
2066 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Barrie, ON
Start your adventure in the heart of Oro-Medonte at Loobies. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, Loobies is known for generous portions, friendly service, and plenty of flavours to choose from. It is the perfect place to kick off your ice cream crawl before making your way toward the lake.
Drive to next stop: Approximately 15 minutes.
Stop 2: Scoops at Carthew Bay
Carthew Bay | Oro-Medonte
2804 Lakeshore Rd E, Oro-Medonte, ON
Nestled along the shores of Carthew Bay, Scoops is the perfect lakeside stop before heading into Orillia. Enjoy a cone while taking in the waterfront views, or soak up the sunshine before continuing your sweet adventure.
Drive to next stop: Approximately 10–15 minutes.
Stop 3: Sweet Dreams Ice Cream
Tudhope Park | Orillia
450 Atherley Rd, Orillia, ON
With beautiful views of Lake Couchiching, Sweet Dreams Ice Cream is one of Orillia’s quintessential summer stops. Located at Tudhope Park, it is easy to pair your cone with a stroll along the waterfront, a walk on the boardwalk, or a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
Drive to next stop: 2–3 minutes.
Stop 4: French’s Stand Orillia
Couchiching Beach Park | Orillia
Lightfoot Dr, Orillia, ON
No list of iconic Orillia summer traditions would be complete without French’s. Serving visitors for generations, French’s has become synonymous with summer at Couchiching Beach Park. Whether you are craving a classic cone or simply soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere, this stop is a must.
Drive to next stop: Approximately 5 minutes.
Stop 5: Casa Colibri
Downtown Orillia
149 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON
Formerly known as Cool Cones, Casa Colibri continues the tradition of serving delicious ice cream from its downtown location while also bringing fresh Mexican-inspired cuisine to Orillia. Grab a cone and wander the charming streets of downtown while exploring local shops, patios and boutiques.
Drive to next stop: 4–5 minutes.
Stop 6: Unfallen Ice Cream
Downtown Orillia
161 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON
One of Orillia’s newest sweet spots, Unfallen offers handcrafted ice cream and creative flavours from a convenient walk-up window just adjacent to its retail store.
Drive to next stop: 1 minute.
Stop 7: The Cone
North Orillia
461 Laclie St, Orillia, ON
Simple, classic and consistently delicious, The Cone has earned a loyal following for its soft serve, hard scoop, sundaes and specialty treats. Whether you are sticking with a traditional vanilla cone or trying one of their signature creations, it is the perfect final stop before leaving the city behind and heading deeper into cottage country.
Drive to next stop: 14-18 minutes.
Stop 8: Scoopz
Washago
3395 Muskoka St, Washago, ON
As you leave the city behind, you will arrive in the charming village of Washago. Scoopz has become a favourite stop for cottagers, paddlers and road trippers exploring the region. It is the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy the relaxed pace of cottage country.
Drive to next stop: 20–25 minutes.
Stop 9: The Suga Shack
Severn | Lock 42
2605 Bonsor Rd, Washago, ON
Located beside the historic Lock 42 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, The Suga Shack is the sweet companion to the popular Sando Shack Restaurant featuring great eats, cold drinks and a great patio. Treat yourself to an ice cream while watching boats navigate the locks, then spend a little time enjoying one of the region’s most picturesque waterfront settings.
Drive to next stop: 20–25 minutes.
Stop 10: Coldwater Ice Cream
Coldwater
32 Coldwater Rd, Coldwater, ON
The historic village of Coldwater is well worth exploring, and an ice cream stop along the river makes it even better. Browse the local shops, stroll the charming main street, or relax beside the water before tackling the final leg of your adventure.
Drive to next stop: 15–20 minutes.
Stop 11: The Icebreaker
Port Severn | Lock 45
3279 Port Severn Rd, Severn, ON
Finish your crawl in Port Severn at The Icebreaker. Surrounded by the beauty of the Trent-Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay, it is the perfect place to end a day filled with scenic drives, charming communities and plenty of ice cream.
Take your cone down to the water, watch the boats pass through the historic marine railway and locks, and toast to completing the ultimate Orillia & Lake Country summer road trip.
Whether you are a local looking to start a new summer tradition or a visitor planning a weekend in Orillia & Lake Country, this self-guided ice cream crawl is a delicious way to experience some of the region’s most beloved independent businesses.
Have you completed the Ultimate Orillia & Lake Country Ice Cream Crawl? Tag @OrilliaLakeCountry in your photos and let us know which stop was your favourite!
