Best Ice Cream Spots Near Winona, MN & La Crosse, WI

If there's one thing I've learned living near the Mississippi River bluffs, it's that ice cream season is basically a way of life around here. From Winona to La Crosse, we've got a lineup of ice cream shops that range from old-school soft-serve institutions to authentic Sicilian gelato. Whether you're camping with us at Camp Everyday or just passing through, these are the spots I'd send you to without hesitation.

Penguin Zesto (East & West) — Winona, MN

Penguin Zesto has been part of Winona summers since 1949, and it's the last remaining "Penguin Zesto" from the original 1940s franchise. That alone makes it worth a visit. The menu is classic soft-serve done right — vanilla, chocolate, or twist — plus their famous Rockets, Zingers, and Paddle Wheels. There's no indoor seating, just benches scattered around the barn-shaped building, and honestly that's part of the charm. On a warm evening, the line wraps around the building and everybody's happy about it. This is the kind of place that makes summer feel like summer.

• Soft-serve cones: vanilla, chocolate, twist
• Must-try: Rockets, Zingers, Paddle Wheels
• No indoor seating — benches around the barn-shaped structure
• A true Winona summer institution since 1949

Lakeview Drive Inn — Winona, MN

Lakeview is Winona's oldest restaurant, open since 1938, and it still does car hop service. Let that sink in for a second. You pull up, someone comes to your window, and you get a homemade root beer float with vanilla soft serve brought right to you. Their hand-mixed shakes made with Hershey's chocolate are the real deal, too. The location is what puts it over the top — sitting right on Lake Winona with views of Sugarloaf in the background. It's one of those places where the setting and the food work together to create something you just can't get anywhere else.

• Car hop service still going strong
• Famous for homemade root beer floats with vanilla soft serve
• Hand-mixed shakes with Hershey's chocolate
• Located on Lake Winona with Sugarloaf views
• Open since 1938

Nate & Ally's Frozen Treat Creations — Winona, MN

If you're looking for something a little more modern, Nate & Ally's is your spot. It's downtown in the historic Beck Building, which has been standing since 1886, so you get some great old-building character while you load up your cup. They've got 18 flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt, gelato, and Italian ice, plus a toppings bar with over 50 options. Edible cookie dough is on the menu too, which the kids will lose their minds over. It opened in 2016 and has quickly become a downtown Winona staple.

• 18 flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt, gelato, and Italian ice
• 50+ toppings bar and edible cookie dough
• Located in the historic Beck Building (1886) in downtown Winona
• Opened 2016

Sapori di Sicilia — Winona, MN

This one surprised me. Sapori di Sicilia makes authentic Sicilian gelato in-house from recipes brought directly from Sicily. We're talking pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, espresso, hazelnut — the real thing, not some chain-store approximation. You don't expect to find this level of gelato in a small river town, but that's Winona for you. It's located at 211 Main St, right in the heart of things. If you've never had proper Sicilian gelato, this is a great place to start.

• Authentic Sicilian gelato made in-house from family recipes
• Flavors: pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, espresso, hazelnut
• Located at 211 Main St in downtown Winona

David's Ice Cream at The Market — Marshland, WI

Here's one a lot of people don't know about. David's Ice Cream is tucked inside The Market out in Marshland, right along the Great River Road between Winona and La Crosse. The property is also home to The Berry Market — which is where the strawberry picking happens — so you can pick berries and then reward yourself with a scoop. They do scooped ice cream, sundaes, and more. It's a great little stop if you're already heading toward Eckers Apple Farm or cruising the river road. One of those hidden gems that feels like a local secret.

• Scooped ice cream, sundaes, and more
• Located inside The Market on the Great River Road in Marshland, WI
• Right next to The Berry Market (strawberry picking!)
• Near Eckers Apple Farm — easy to combine into a day trip

The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor & Confectionery — La Crosse, WI

Head across the river to La Crosse and you'll find The Pearl, a 1930s-style soda fountain in a building that dates back to 1874 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. They make their ice cream in-house from local Wisconsin dairy in small batches, and you can taste the difference. Popular flavors include Mississippi Mud, Snappin' Turtle, and Salted Caramel. They also do handmade chocolates, so bring a box back to camp if you're feeling generous. It's on Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse, and it's worth the short drive from Winona every time.

• 1930s-style soda fountain in an 1874 building (National Register of Historic Places)
• Homemade ice cream from local Wisconsin dairy in small batches
• Popular flavors: Mississippi Mud, Snappin' Turtle, Salted Caramel
• Handmade chocolates too
• Pearl Street, downtown La Crosse

Make a Day of It

The best way to hit these spots is to make it part of a bigger day out. Start in Winona, grab a cone at Penguin Zesto or some gelato at Sapori, then cruise along the river to La Crosse and finish up at The Pearl. The drive between Winona and La Crosse is about 30 minutes along the Mississippi — one of the most scenic stretches of road in the Midwest.

And when you're done exploring, you've got Camp Everyday waiting for you. There's nothing better than coming back to camp after a day of eating your way through the best ice cream the area has to offer. And if you don't feel like driving anywhere? We've got you covered — our camp store is stocked with Magnum ice cream bars, so you can grab one and enjoy it right at your site. Sometimes the best ice cream spot is the one that's fifty feet from your campfire.

Ask us at check-in and we'll point you in the right direction — we know these spots well.