Nettie Marie’s at the Keeter Center
If you want homemade ice cream in a beautiful setting, Nettie Marie’s at the Keeter Center is hard to beat. The ice cream is made onsite, and the cream comes from cows at College of the Ozarks, which makes the whole experience feel extra special.
I tried the Bobcat Crunch and Banana Pudding flavors, and both were excellent. Another nice part of visiting is that the Keeter Center is run by students from College of the Ozarks, often called “Hard Work U,” as part of their tuition-free education.
Good choice for: Homemade ice cream in a peaceful, polished setting.
The Sweet Shack
The Sweet Shack in Hollister has the feel of a small local place you are glad you found. Their homemade flavors are creative without feeling overdone, and the Ice Cream Flight is a fun way to try several things at once.
I especially liked getting to sample flavors like Maple Bourbon Bacon and Peach Italian Ice. The owner, Lynn, also makes the place feel warm and personal, which is one of the reasons it stands out.
Good choice for: A friendly local shop with handcrafted flavors.
Mr. B’s Ice Cream Parlor
Mr. B’s in downtown Branson is a good pick if you like an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The decor has a nostalgic feel, and the service is friendly in a way that fits the place.
One of my favorite things there is customizing a banana split. On my last visit, I went with an Ozark Turtle banana split with pecans, caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream, and cherries. It was exactly the kind of treat you hope for when you walk into a classic ice cream shop.
Good choice for: Banana splits, sundaes, and an old-time ice cream parlor experience.
Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor at Silver Dollar City
If you are spending the day at Silver Dollar City, Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor is a fun stop. It fits the old-time feel of the park, and a fresh waffle cone makes a nice break between rides, shows, and walking around.
Good choice for: A sweet stop while visiting Silver Dollar City.
Sammy Lane’s Sweets & Treats
Sammy Lane’s Sweets & Treats at Shepherd of the Hills is more than just ice cream. They have candy, desserts, and plenty of sweet options, so it is a good place to stop if everyone in your group wants something a little different.
Good choice for: Ice cream, candy, and a fun dessert stop in one place.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Andy’s Frozen Custard is a Branson classic, and we have been going there since our kids were little. The location on Highway 76 can get busy, but there is a reason people keep lining up.
Our usual favorite is the Ozark Turtle concrete with caramel, hot fudge, and pecans. I also like changing it up sometimes by adding fresh raspberries. It is rich, creamy, and very satisfying.
One tip: if you are driving through Springfield on your way to or from Branson, stopping at Andy’s there may save you from the longer Branson lines.
Good choice for: Frozen custard, concretes, and a dependable Branson favorite.
Sweet Susie’s
Sweet Susie’s on Green Mountain Drive is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop, which makes it a good choice if you like building your own dessert. You can mix flavors, add toppings, and make it exactly how you want it.
Just keep in mind that a full cup can add up quickly, often around $12 or more depending on what you choose.
Good choice for: Frozen yogurt with lots of topping options.
YOLO Rolled Ice Cream
YOLO Rolled Ice Cream, now on 76 Country Blvd, is a fun one, especially if you have kids or just want something a little different. They pour the cream onto a very cold plate, mix in the flavor, and roll it up right in front of you.
I tried the Strawberry Fields flavor and really enjoyed it. They also have Italian gelato at their indoor location on the Strip, so there are a couple of ways to try them.
Good choice for: A fun rolled ice cream experience.
The Funky Twig
The Funky Twig in Kimberling City is the place to go if you like trying unusual flavors. They make small-batch ice cream with options like Dark Chocolate Almond Cherry, Cranberry Pear Sorbet, Pecan Pie, S’mores, Roasted Corn, and Maple Bourbon Bacon.
The Funky Flight is a good way to sample several flavors before choosing one. I especially liked the Roasted Corn, but my favorite was the Maple Bourbon Bacon. It may sound unusual, but both flavors worked surprisingly well.
Good choice for: Creative flavors and ice cream flights.
Sweet stops with their own personality
There are a lot of good sweet stops around Branson, and each of these has its own personality. Nettie Marie’s is great for homemade ice cream in a beautiful setting. Andy’s is the classic frozen custard stop. Mr. B’s has that old-fashioned parlor feel. The Funky Twig is the place to try something different.
So if you are visiting Branson and looking for a good dessert stop, these are the places we would start with.