Scooping up History: Canada’s Historic Ice Cream Spots

Central Smith Creamery, a family-owned and operated business since 1896, offers over 125 years of expertise. They are 100% Canadian, using local cream marked by the blue cow. Their distribution network ships coast to coast, from BC to Newfoundland, offering wholesale ice cream year-round. Their ice cream parlour, open from May 1st to Thanksgiving Weekend, serves the biggest, creamiest cones in the Peterborough area. Truly, they “Dream In Ice Cream!”

At MacKay’s Ice Cream in Cochrane, the pursuit of perfect ice cream begins with the richest butterfat cream, ensuring every scoop is incredibly dense and creamy. In business for over 75 years, MacKay’s handcrafts small batches using the finest ingredients, creating a delightful variety of flavors. With over 300 recipes, notable past flavors include Dill Pickle, Ginger with candied ginger, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Wasabi! Housed in a building from the late 1800s, the shop displays historical artifacts about Cochrane and MacKay’s. One mouthful of MacKay’s Ice Cream will convince you of the exceptional quality and care put into every batch.

La Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée is one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in Quebec. Since 1940, they have produced ice cream, ice milk, ice cream logs, and various cheeses. Discover their delights and visit their museum of milk. It’s with “Pure Pleasure” that La Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée shares its delicious offerings.

La Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée, un des plus importants fabricants de crème glacée au Québec. Depuis 1940, ils produisent de la crème glacée, du lait glacé, des bûches à la crème glacée et plusieurs variétés de fromage. Découvrez leurs délices et visitez leur musée du lait. C’est avec « Pur Plaisir » que la Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée partage ses délicieuses créations.

The King’s Head Inn, our onsite restaurant, is located in the heart of the Village and offers a selection of traditional and modern fare. Dine in the spacious Simeon Jones room or enjoy a drink in the King’s Head Inn garden.  The Axe & Plough Café offers coffee, ice cream and grab-and-go items (including Mary’s Brown Bread) at the Welcome Centre.  

Travel back in time to the lovingly restored Laura Secord Homestead and be enchanted by stories of her adventures and surroundings as interpreted by authentically costumed guides. Light refreshments, ice cream, Laura Secord chocolates and a selection of quality souvenirs are available to enjoy!

The Dickson Store Museum is a 1930’s restoration of the general store, post office, cold room, and living quarters. Outside facilities include a grassy picnic area and the restored lumber shed. Old fashioned candy, souvenirs and local artisan crafts are available in the museum store and Foothills Ice Cream is served in our quaint Ice Cream Room.

Pete’s Dairy Bar, a family-owned gem in St. George, New Brunswick, Canada, has been serving up frosty delights since 1984. Originally a theater built in 1940, Pete’s transitioned to an ice cream shop in the early 1960s under Florence Rubin’s management. Today, Florence’s daughter continues the tradition, making Pete’s a cherished spot for generations of locals enjoying ice cream, fountain sodas, and fries in a historic setting.

The Markerville Creamery museum is the main attraction, with a museum in the original building set to display how a creamery would operate in the 1920’s. The Creamery also has a Kaffistofa (Coffee Shop) which serves up ice cream, light lunches and Icelandic specialties.

The Lefurgey Centre, home of Culture in Summerside PEI. Is an architectural gem, where ice cream and rhubarb punch made onsite during the summer months can be purchased and enjoyed on the veranda or in the dining room!

The Food Science building at the University of Guelph has a rich history in dairy science and ice cream technology. Since 1914, the university has hosted the annual Ice Cream Technology Course, the only one of its kind in Canada. This course provides participants with in-depth knowledge of the ingredients, processing, and quality features of ice cream.