Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Graeter's Ice Cream
★4.4(363 reviews)$$Ice Cream
🕑 30-45 minutes👶 Perfect for all ages, from toddlers getting their first taste of ice cream to teenagers who appreciate premium quality. Younger kids (2-6) love picking their flavors and watching scoops pile high, while older children and teens enjoy the unique flavor combinations and those signature chocolate chunks that set Graeter's apart from chain shops.🧡 Saved by 30 families
About
Graeter's is a Cincinnati institution that's been churning out premium French Pot ice cream since 1870, and kids absolutely light up when they discover the huge chocolate chips throughout their famous Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip flavor. This downtown location offers a classic ice cream parlor experience where families can treat themselves to handcrafted scoops, sundaes, and milkshakes made using the same small-batch process that's been perfected over 150 years.
Highlights
- ✓Famous Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip with massive handmade chocolate chunks
- ✓Handcrafted French Pot ice cream made in small 2.5-gallon batches for ultra-creamy texture
- ✓Historic Cincinnati brand with 150+ years of tradition and local pride
- ✓Rotating seasonal flavors alongside classic favorites
- ✓Friendly staff who offer generous samples to help kids choose
Pro Tips
- 1.Ask for a free taste before ordering,staff are generous with samples, which helps indecisive kids make their choice without multiple orders
- 2.The chocolate chips are made in-house and are genuinely huge,warn little ones so they're not surprised by chunks that require extra chewing
- 3.Visit after exploring nearby Fountain Square or before a Reds game for a perfect reward treat
- 4.Purchase pints to take home,they make great souvenirs and the kids will love having Cincinnati's famous ice cream back at your hotel
- 5.Bring cash if possible as it speeds up the line during busy downtown lunch hours
Best Time to Visit
Weekday afternoons (2-4pm) are ideal to avoid the downtown lunch rush and after-work crowds. Summer evenings can get busy but offer a lively atmosphere. Weekend mornings are surprisingly quiet if you want a more relaxed experience.
What to Know
Expect to spend $5-8 per person for scoops or sundaes. Street parking and nearby garages are available downtown. The shop has limited seating, so be prepared to enjoy your treats while strolling the area.
Seasonal Notes
Summer brings special seasonal flavors and longer lines, but the air-conditioned shop offers welcome relief from Cincinnati heat. Open year-round, making it a perfect winter treat destination too. Holiday seasons often feature limited-edition flavors like Peppermint Stick.
Follow Graeter's Ice Cream
Nearby Eats
Skyline Chili (a 5-minute walk) offers Cincinnati's famous chili,kids can try it on hot dogs. The Banks entertainment district along the riverfront has multiple family-friendly restaurants within a 10-minute walk, perfect for pairing ice cream with a full meal.
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