There are a few key ingredients for a perfect beach day. Waves rolling over your toes. Sun soaking your skin. And best of all: a cold, creamy treat to make the moment even sweeter. 

With hard-scoop classics, velvety softserve, and handcrafted gelato blends, these three timeless ice cream shops cool your craving when you’re near the shore.

Oink’s Dutch Treat

A kitschy taste of Michigan summer

Scoop fans flock to Oink’s. For 40 years, this teal and pink New Buffalo landmark has attracted locals and visitors alike with its indulgent flavors, vintage parlor feel, and charming collection of pig memorabilia. Pull a ticket from the vintage take-a-number machine and choose from 50-plus flavors, like the brownie batter-swirled Michigan Pothole. Then savor the nostalgia as you meander toward the shore.

227 W Buffalo St
New Buffalo, Michigan
Website | Map

Neon Moon Gelato

Artisan flavors and space to chill

Nestled beside Red Arrow Highway, Neon Moon Gelato is the source for artisan gelatos and fruity sorbettos. Dozens of flavors are crafted in partnership with Palazollo’s Artisan Dairy in nearby Fennville. Enjoy a silky scoop in a cup or housemade waffle cone. Go for a grown-up Caffogato, with a full-bodied shot of espresso over your choice of gelato. Or treat yourself big time with a Cosmic Cookie gelato sandwich. The spacious courtyard and walkable access to beaches make Neon Moon an ideal starting point for leisurely hangs and lakeside strolls.

16090 Red Arrow Hwy
Union Pier, Michigan
Website | Map

The Beach Bucket

Frosty treats by the dunes

Damp bathing suits and generously piled cones go hand-in-hand at The Beach Bucket. Across the highway from Warren Dunes State Park beaches, this family-run shop has a medley of soft serves, sundaes, shakes, and traditional scoops sourced from Moo-ville, a Michigan creamery. Standout flavors include the delicate, purple-swirled Honey Lavender and the creamy, chocolate-stuffed Moose on the Loose. Whether you’re fueling for, returning from, or passing by the beach, this roadside joint is a must-stop.

12021 Red Arrow Hwy
Sawyer, Michigan
Website | Map

words  Sylvie Darling
images  Jessica Steele
July 2026

Sylvie Darling is a local high schooler with an insatiable appetite for words. Raised along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Sylvie draws inspiration from the raw beauty and quiet simplicity surrounding her. When she isn’t occupied with schoolwork, Sylvie enjoys writing her column in the New Buffalo Times, hiking the dunes, and eavesdropping on conversations at her dad’s coffee shop, Infusco.