Nothing makes you crave a delicious summertime ice cream more than the chilly New England winters. Sure, we can eat ice cream inside our homes from pints sold at our local grocery store, but nothing beats going out for ice cream and soaking up the summer weather.

I normally spend my summers at overnight camp, but I took these past 2 summers off to work a day job and therefore, I had nights and weekends to explore ice cream all around MA. And let me tell you...there are SO many incredible places. Here are some of my non-chain favorites:

*These are not in order, except for number one*

1. Acushnet Creamery

Easily the best ice cream I have ever had. Located in Acushnet, MA, it's a great spot to stop at on your way to/from the Cape. They have a whopping 50+ favors, meaning there is something for everyone. I took about 5 samples there and still couldn't decide what flavor to get. TRY IT!

2. Uhlman's

Uhlman's is delicious, creamy, and perfect. I have seen people drive from near and far to come for ice cream here, as it's conveniently located in Westborough, MA. It has 60+ flavors of hard/soft serve ice cream and other treats like frozen yogurt and Lime Rickey's! The atmosphere is awesome too. There are multiple windows, so the lines are never too long. The parking is a plenty and there is also a farm and grass area to sit and relax. I love eating my ice cream and taking in the scenery here.

3. The Juice Bar

If you ever get the privilege to go Nantucket Island, (yes it is in Mass, although it feels like it isn't), going to the Juice Bar is a must. It's a tiny ice cream shop with delicious ice cream and toppings. There is ALWAYS a massive line wrapping around the building in town, no matter what time of the day it is...but it's totally worth it.

4. Kimball Farm

Realllyyyyy Hungry? This is the place for you. It has 3 locations in MA: Westford, Carlisle, & Lancaster, as well as one in NH: Jaffrey. The ice cream is creamy and HUGE. Its location is prime, as there is so much to do. The ice cream at Kimball's easily rounds up the experience there.

5. Richardson's

Another creamy, mouthwatering place for ice cream is Richardson's in Middleton, MA. It's not too far off of i95/128 North, so it makes a great, sometimes quick, pit stop. The lines are always long, regardless of the time of day. I would come back anytime.

6. Erikson's

It may be in the tiny town of Maynard, MA, but the place itself is not tiny. This yummy ice cream spot has a massive parking lot, and seating to the side and behind the building. It's a great place to sit on your cars or in your trunks on a nice hot summer day. I love hanging out with friends here in the summer, and the ice cream served makes it even better.

7. Cabot's

This Junior Mint Sundae is AMAZING. There are a plethora of other flavors, toppings, and sundae creations located at this cute parlor in the city of Newton, MA. I love stopping here on my way back from a day or night in Boston. MAKE SURE YOU COME WITH AN EMPTY STOMACH, because the ice cream here does NOT disappoint.

8. Terry's

Another cute parlor, just in a smaller location. You can find this shop in Marblehead, MA, a fancy little north-shore beach town. All I can say is: TRY THE MELTED COOKIE DOUGH TOPPING. You will not regret it.

Overall, there are hundreds of great ice cream places in MA, however, these spots have left an impact on me. These are the places I will forever go to for ice cream, and you should too!