Looking for the best ice cream in Waco to beat the Texas heat? Whether you're craving artisanal small-batch flavors, nostalgic childhood favorites, or authentic international treats, this comprehensive 2025 guide showcases Waco's top ice cream spots—from long time local institutions to hidden neighborhood gems that locals swear by.

📍 Location: 323 S 6th St, Magnolia District
💰 Price Range: $5-8 per scoop, waffle cones $2 extra
⏰ Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm

Why It's Special: Located just steps from Chip and Joanna's famous Silos, Kilwins brings Traverse City, Michigan's confectionery traditions to Texas. They make their waffle cones fresh throughout the day, and the aroma draws people in from blocks away.

Signature Experience: Watch through the window as staff hand-pull fudge on marble slabs and dip apples in caramel. The old-fashioned candy shop aesthetic, complete with vintage fixtures and glass display cases, creates serious nostalgia vibes.

Must-Try Flavor: Salted Caramel — Their signature flavor features house-made caramel ribbons with the perfect salt balance, served in a warm waffle cone that's crispy outside and chewy inside.

Good to Know: Their fudge sampling is legendary—don't be shy about trying multiple flavors. They offer both original recipe ice cream and Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream. Tourist tip: weekends can get crowded due to the Silos proximity, so visit weekdays for shorter lines.

@kilwinswaco

📍 Locations: 1125 S 8th St (Baylor area) & 7608 Woodway Dr
💰 Price Range: $4-8 per scoop, $12-16 for pints
⏰ Hours: Mon-Thu 12-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 1-9pm

Why It's Special: This locally-owned gem has been Waco's artisanal ice cream champion since opening, sourcing organic dairy from Texas farms and crafting small batches daily. Their commitment to quality ingredients and creative seasonal flavors has earned them a cult following among Baylor students and families alike.

Signature Experience: Their "flight" option lets you sample 4 mini scoops for $8—perfect for indecisive flavor explorers. The Baylor location features a charming bungalow atmosphere with local art on the walls, while the Woodway spot offers more spacious family seating.

Must-Try Flavor: Mint Stracciatella — Made with real mint leaves from local gardens and house-made chocolate flakes. The mint is refreshing without being overwhelming, and the texture is impossibly creamy.

Good to Know: They rotate 6-8 seasonal flavors monthly, often featuring local ingredients like Hill Country peaches or Texas honey. Follow their Instagram for flavor announcements and occasional pop-up locations at farmers markets.

@heritagecreamery

📍 Location: 602 S Valley Mills Dr
💰 Price Range: $3-6 per serving, sundaes $5-9
⏰ Hours: Daily 11am-10pm (weather permitting)

Why It's Special: A true Waco institution since 2002, Katie's serves frozen custard made fresh every 2-3 hours using a time-honored recipe. The custard contains more egg yolks than regular ice cream, creating an incredibly rich and dense texture that's almost cake-like.

Signature Experience: The classic drive-in atmosphere with outdoor picnic tables makes this feel like a step back in time. Locals often make it a weekly tradition, and the staff recognizes regular customers by their usual orders.

Must-Try Flavor: Texas Turtle Sundae — Vanilla custard topped with hot fudge, caramel, and Texas pecans. The contrast between the cold custard and warm toppings is perfection, and the portion sizes are generous enough to share.

Good to Know: The custard flavors change daily—vanilla and chocolate are constants, but the third flavor rotates (strawberry, butter pecan, etc.). Perfect stop before or after visiting the Cameron Park Zoo.

@katiescustard

📍 Location: 1205 N 25th St
💰 Price Range: $2-4 per paleta, ice cream $3-5
⏰ Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

Why It's Special: This authentic Mexican ice cream shop brings traditional Michoacán flavors to Waco, using real fruit pulps, natural ingredients, and family recipes. Their paletas (popsicles) are made fresh daily with chunks of real fruit visible in every bite.

Signature Experience: The colorful display case showcases dozens of paleta varieties, from creamy milk-based ones to refreshing water-based fruit pops.

Must-Try Flavor: Mango con Chile Paleta — Sweet, ripe mango with a kick of chile powder that builds slowly. It's refreshing, authentic, and surprisingly addictive. The contrast of sweet, spicy, and cold is pure genius.

Good to Know: They offer both agua (water-based) and leche (milk-based) paletas. Popular flavors include coconut, strawberry cream, tamarind, and cucumber chile. Prices are incredibly budget-friendly, making it perfect for families. Many items are naturally vegan and gluten-free.

@la_nueva_michoacana

📍 Locations: 1616 Wooded Acres Dr, 1701 Hewitt Dr, 10324 China Spring Rd
💰 Price Range: $4-7 per scoop, cakes $15-40
⏰ Hours: Daily 11am-10pm (varies by location)

Why It's Special: The reliable chain delivers consistent quality, 31 flavors, and convenience across multiple Waco locations. Their ice cream cakes are still the gold standard for celebrations, and drive-thru options make it perfect for quick treats.

Signature Experience: The classic pink and blue decor hasn't changed much over the decades, creating instant nostalgia. Their pre-made sundaes and banana splits are assembled with practiced precision.

Must-Try Flavor: World Class Chocolate — A sophisticated blend of white chocolate and Swiss chocolate ice creams that's been a menu staple for decades. Rich without being overwhelming.

Good to Know: Drive-thru available at select locations. They excel at custom ice cream cakes with 48-hour notice. Happy hour promotions and frequent flavor specials make it budget-friendly for families.

@baskinrobbins_waco

📍 Location: 1020 Franklin Ave, Downtown
💰 Price Range: $6-9 per scoop, chocolates $2-4 per piece
⏰ Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm, Closed Mondays

Why It's Special: This upscale chocolatier doubles as a premium ice cream parlor, featuring Graeter's ice cream from Cincinnati—famous for their French Pot process that creates incredibly dense, rich ice cream with massive chocolate chunks.

Signature Experience: The elegant downtown storefront combines the sophistication of a fine chocolate shop with the comfort of neighborhood ice cream parlor. Their handmade chocolates are displayed like jewelry, and you can create custom gift boxes.

Must-Try Flavor: Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip — Graeter's signature flavor features tart black raspberry ice cream with chocolate chunks so big they sometimes break plastic spoons. The fruit flavor is intense and natural, not artificial.

Good to Know: They rotate seasonal ice cream flavors and offer wine pairings on select evenings. Their house-made chocolates include unique flavors like lavender honey and bourbon caramel. Perfect for date nights or special occasions.

@splendidoakschocolates

📍 Location: 808 Austin Ave, Downtown Waco
💰 Price Range: $4-6 per scoop, candy by the pound $8-12/lb
⏰ Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12-6pm

Why It's Special: This whimsical candy wonderland serves both nostalgic sweets and colorful ice cream in an Instagram-worthy setting. Floor-to-ceiling candy displays, neon signs, and vintage fixtures create a sugar rush before you even taste anything.

Signature Experience: Kids (and adults) can fill bags with penny candy while waiting for ice cream. The staff encourages photos and the colorful backdrop makes every cone look like a work of art.

Must-Try Flavor: Birthday Cake Ice Cream — Loaded with rainbow sprinkles, cake pieces, and frosting swirls. It tastes exactly like licking cake batter from the bowl, but in frozen form.

Good to Know: They host birthday parties and special events. The candy selection includes rare and vintage varieties you won't find elsewhere. Great for combining ice cream with nostalgic candy shopping for a complete sugar experience.

@heysugarcandystore

Q: Which ice cream shop is most Instagram-worthy? A: Hey Sugar wins for colorful candy backdrop photos, while Splendid Oaks offers elegant chocolate shop aesthetics.

Q: Best options for large groups or parties? A: Baskin Robbins for custom cakes and group seating or Hey Sugar for party candy bags.

Q: Where can I find the most unique, Waco-specific flavors? A: Heritage's seasonal local ingredient flavors, Katie's Texas Turtle Sundae, La Nueva's traditional Mexican varieties, or Kilwins' Michigan-meets-Texas combinations.

Q: Most romantic ice cream date spot? A: Splendid Oaks for upscale ambiance, Heritage Ice cream for intimate conversation, or a sunset cone at Katie's outdoor seating.

Q: Best value for families? A: La Nueva Michoacana offers authentic treats at unbeatable prices, while Katie's generous portions can easily be shared with young children.

Best Times to Visit: Weekday afternoons (2-5pm) offer shorter lines and fresher flavors. Avoid weekend rush at tourist-heavy spots like Kilwins.

Seasonal Strategy: Heritage and Splendid Oaks rotate limited-edition flavors monthly. Follow their social media for sneak peeks and seasonal announcements.

Vegan & Dietary Options: Heritage Creamery (coconut base), Sub Zero (custom bases), La Nueva Michoacana (fruit paletas), and Splendid Oaks offer excellent dairy-free options.

Downtown Crawl: Park once and visit Hey Sugar, Splendid Oaks, and Kilwins on foot. Perfect for exploring Waco's revitalized downtown area.

Family Budget Tips: La Nueva Michoacana offers the best value for families. Katie's portions are generous enough to share with young kids.