The Screamery

You really cannot drive a block or 2 in Tucson without seeing an ice cream shop, which is quite understandable considering the insanely hot summer weather for more than half the year. The Screamery is one of the best-of-the-best due to the delicious creative flavors offered and the use of natural ingredients. The Screamery uses grass fed dairy for their milk and cream and no chemicals are used in any flavors. Luckily, there are 3 locations to choose amongst, so you will never be too far away no matter where you happen to be in Tucson!

Each batch of ice cream at The Screamery is made fresh locally in small batches. It is not too often that you come across an ice cream shop which uses such healthy ingredients, which is something that really sets the Screamery apart from most others. First off, they use grass fed dairy which is known to contain more nutrients. Second, they use no chemicals or fake flavors. The resulting flavors are natural and healthier, without sacrificing the flavor. The Screamery offers more than a dozen flavors, some traditional, some creative. You can order a special ice cream flight (similar to a beer tasting flight) where you can mix and match 6 different flavors. This is really a great way to sample all sorts of flavors and pick out your favorite. Plus it's a pretty fun take on the usual ice cream experience and makes for a fun date when there really is not much else to do in Tucson during the summer season. Pretty much every flavor we tried was fantastic, particularly the Cookies and Cream, Butter Pecan, and Cowboy Cookie. Unfortunately, they were out of Cookie Dough on our visit (everyone's favorite!), but we will definitely be back to test it out! For the vegans out there, their coconut based chocolate ice cream is pretty darn good and really quite similar to traditional dairy ice cream in both texture and taste. I love that you can order your ice cream in so many different ways here, from a flight, to a waffle cone, to a creamy milkshake. They even have a special known as the Ice Cream Nachos which is basically waffle chips with ice cream and hot fudge!

Employees are friendly and willing to let you try out as many samples as you like. They really do not give new visitors a hard time as they simple the range of flavors, unlike some other shops in the area which tend to act a bit annoyed if you do not have your order ready right away.

The vibe at the Screamery's downtown location is particularly lively with a nice modern, hip vibe. It's bright and cheerful with a pleasant ambiance. If the weather permits, they have a nice outdoor patio which is great for people watching.

The Screamery is one of your best bets for ice cream in Tucson, both in terms of quality ingredients and delicious flavors. If you are looking for a "healthier" version of ice cream that still tastes good (a rare combination), you will find no better option in Tucson than the Screamery. So take your date out for a unique flight of ice cream, cool down with a shake after a hot hike, or simple grab a cool scoop on a day where it is just too hot to do anything else.