#1 - Gillis Hill Farm, Southwest Fayetteville
This family-owned working farm offers many different flavors of homemade ice cream on-site. Bring the whole family and enjoy the flavor of the month, white chocolate raspberry, with a free walking tour of the farm, featuring some friendly farm animals.
#2 - Big T’s SnoBalls & Food Trucks, Town of Hope Mills
This local favorite is known for its flavored ice and snow cones. They have over 70 flavors, ranging anywhere from cherry, strawberry, and mango to fan favorites like the Carolina Tarheel or the ECU Pirate. Big T’s is also a full-service grill—have a hot dog with your snow cone!
#3 - Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream at Cedar Creek Post Office, East Fayetteville
The next time you need to get some stamps and have a craving for some ice cream, Andy’s is the place to go. Owner Andy Jackson, one of the friendliest people you’ll meet, showed me where he uses a John Deere tractor to churn his very own ice cream to sell in the post office. A deliciously hidden gem!
#4 - Colombo Frozen Yogurt at the Exxon Gas Station, Central Fayetteville
As you go up to the counter to pay for gas, consider ordering a cup of frozen yogurt in this little convenience store to brighten your day. Or, better yet, walk around and visit the nearby shops in the historic Haymont district.
#5 - Arctic Sno SnoBalls, Town of Spring Lake
One of the best places in Spring Lake to cool off and get some frozen treats, this colorful storefront features an equally colorful seating area to enjoy the local favorite, Sno Cream. This husband-and-wife team has been in business for years and serves Italian ice, Sno Cream, and the best hot dogs in the area!
Bonus - Stedman Soda Shop, Town of Stedman
This full-service eatery is packed with great food, good people, and an established presence in the area—serving locals since the 1940s. Enjoy, like I did, one of their ice cream sundaes—complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top!
While I won’t lie and say that the best part of this assignment wasn’t taste-testing some of these great spots, I will say that this quest was a great way to take in all the different sights, sounds, and tastes of Fayetteville. I discovered new places and frequented old stomping grounds, but the common theme tying all these places together was the friendly, hometown feeling that you can only find in this area.
This blog was researched, photographed, and written by the FACVB's Communications Intern, Paige Pryor.