Best Ice Cream in Fort Collins

Josh & John's has built a reputation for ultra-premium ice cream using local dairy from Colorado farms. Their Old Town location makes them a natural stop for visitors exploring downtown Fort Collins.

Josh & John's delivers serious craft ice cream with a premium feel. A strong #2 choice, especially if you're already strolling through Old Town.

Old Town Churn is the Fort Collins outpost of Denver's legendary Little Man Ice Cream. Located right in Old Town, it brings the same creative, small-batch approach that made Little Man a Denver icon.

Old Town Churn brings Denver's beloved Little Man experience to Fort Collins. Great for a special treat, but the franchise model means less local character.

Walrus Ice Cream is Fort Collins royalty. Operating since 1987, this Old Town staple has served generations of locals and CSU students with 29 daily flavors of homemade ice cream.

Walrus is a Fort Collins institution and a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the city's history. Solid ice cream, but newer shops have raised the bar.

Gelato & aMore brings authentic Italian gelato to Fort Collins using imported equipment and traditional European technique. It's a refreshing alternative to American-style ice cream.

If you're craving authentic gelato, this is the only real option in Fort Collins. The Italian technique shines through in every scoop.

Heaven Creamery has carved out a unique niche in Fort Collins' ice cream scene with its health-conscious approach. Their ice cream uses 50% less sugar and organic ingredients, plus they offer over 18 vegan flavors.

Heaven Creamery fills an important niche for health-conscious ice cream lovers. If you're watching sugar or eating vegan, this is a top pick.

Kilwins is a national franchise known for its fudge, chocolates, and ice cream. Their Old Town Fort Collins location benefits from heavy foot traffic and offers a sweet-shop experience beyond just scoops.

Kilwins is a fun stop for the full dessert experience — fudge, chocolate, and ice cream. But for pure ice cream quality, local shops do it better.

Ben & Jerry's needs no introduction. Their Fort Collins scoop shop in Old Town Square serves the same beloved flavors you know from grocery stores, plus exclusive shop-only options.

Ben & Jerry's is reliable, but in a city with so many excellent local shops, there's little reason to choose a national chain.

Dairy Queen is the fast food baseline for ice cream in Fort Collins. Their Blizzards and soft serve are fine for a quick, cheap treat, but they're playing a different game than the local artisan shops.

DQ is what it is — fast, cheap, and familiar. We include it for completeness, but Fort Collins has much better options for a real ice cream experience.