There's nothing like a visit to the ice cream shop on a toasty summer day, and you have no shortage of options for fresh, delicious ice cream in the Madison area. From familiar favorites to bold, experimental flavors, you'll be sure to find a sweet treat that satisfies. Here are a few of our favorite local ice cream shops around Madison, perfect for beating the summer heat.

• Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – 2531 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711
  With 6 locations in Madison as well as locations in Middleton, Fitchburg, and Sun Prairie, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has you covered for your summer adventures. For over 60 years, they've been making their award-winning ice cream right here in Madison using fresh Wisconsin dairy products, natural sugars, and premium ingredients to bring out the best in every flavor.
  
  
• La Micho Ice Cream & Snacks – 6718 Odana Rd., Madison, WI 53719
  Looking to try new and original ice cream flavors? La Micho Ice Cream & Snacks is the perfect place to do just that, with flavors that you won't find anywhere else as well as more familiar selections. And it's not just ice cream. In addition to more than 30 ice cream flavors, they've got over 40 different types of popsicles and a wide range of fruit drinks made with fresh ingredients. 
  
  
• Michael's Frozen Custard – 3826 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53714
  While not technically ice cream, Michael's Frozen Custard is a local favorite and is well worth a visit when you're in the mood for a frosty treat after a day of fun at Olbrich Park or Olbrich Botanical Gardens. For nearly 40 years, Michael's has been delighting diners with their selection of sundaes, floats, and twisters, along with their fresh, juicy burgers. Stop back often to try their various limited time "Flavor of the Day" selections.
  
  
• Ice Cream Social – 2421 University Ave., Madison, WI 53726
  Ice Cream Social's motto is "Small Batches for Big Change." And while the batches may be small, the flavors go large. The current lineup includes Hot Girl Summer—a honey-sweetened ice cream with blueberry jalapeno jam and cornbread streusel; Oh Doughn't Cha Know—brown sugar vanilla ice cream with browned butter chocolate chip cookie dough pieces; and M.L.T.—a sour and sweet sherbert made with mango, lime and a splash of coconut cream, with a hint of Tajin. As for the "Big Change," Ice Cream Social donates 10% of profits to local organizations working towards social justice and racial equity. 
  
  
• Monona Bait & Ice Cream – 4516 Winnequah Rd., Monona, WI 53716
  Spending a summer day of family fun around Lake Monona? Monona Bait & Ice Cream is located along the bike path, with boat access from a pier located right across the street at Schluter Beach. It's a great place to grab a meal during your day at the lake, with a tempting selection of sandwiches, burgers, and more. Of course, the ice cream is the highlight of any visit here, with a dozen plus rotating flavors of Babcock Hall ice cream, made locally at the University of Wisconsin's Babcock Dairy Plant. 

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