A dozen frozen treat shops around the Wyoming Valley to visit this summer

What better way to cool off this summer than with an ice cream indulgence?

With 12 weekends until Labor Day, here’s our short list of 12 staff-recommended ice cream shacks. (Coincidence? We think not.)

First up is cult favorite Curly Creme, in Plains, with so many options it’s like an ice cream department store. The Belgian waffle section impressed us as a cool way to turn breakfast into a sundae.

In its second summer, The Creamery at Michael Mootz Candies, in Hanover Township, uses bits of candy in its ice cream. Perhaps you’re hungry for a Mootz-Mash Up?

The Frozen Cow, in Dallas, caters to those who can’t tolerate milk products, offering Dole Whip, a dairy-free, gluten-free, frozen dessert. Ice cream lovers need not fear; The Frozen Cow also serves the real deal.

Looking for something to do with cone in hand? Visit The Lands at Hillside Farms Dairy Store and stroll around the farm area. Just remember to keep your desserts out of reach of the animals.

CK’s Summer Treats in Dallas may be off the beaten path, but it’s worth it. We really liked the pretzel cone.

Josie’s in Kingston offers ice cream, custard and Italian ices. Flavor options are so plentiful, the indecisive must beware.

If you’re venturing out to Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre, pencil in time before or after for ice cream from Diamond City, where the adventurous can try a city-themed sundae.

Ice cream veterans may remember cantaloupe and carrot flavored treats at Peter’s Ice Cream & Deli in Wilkes-Barre. Nowadays the zany cones have gone by the wayside, but Dan “Butch” Peters will gladly serve up more conventional flavors, from cherry to butter brickle.

Ballyhoo: Purveyors of Fine Ice Cream in West Pittston sells Leiby’s ice cream in an old-fashioned atmosphere with hand painted booths, full table service and an assortment of penny candies. You’ll find malts and egg creams, too.

Blue Ribbon Farm Dairy in Exeter provides more than 60 flavors of homemade hard ice cream, soft serve, ice cream cakes and yogurt. You can also pick up milk, eggs or cheese.

Carters Dairy Freeze in Exeter packs a store full of options into a food-stand sized business. Here the soft-serve menu stands out, featuring 24 “Flavor Burst” tastes that can be purchased alone or in any combination of two. Also noteworthy are the stand’s “flurries” that include items from a long list of candy and cookie pieces.

At Cold Stone Creamery in Moosic, the staff will mix your order on a cold stone slab, folding ingredients into the ice cream. Servers also have been known to sing a little jingle.

So, where’s your favorite place to grab a cool cone? Let us know at @Tlarts or email us at [email protected].

Diamond City Dairy, 90 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Open noon to 9:30 p.m. The Sterling is vanilla ice cream topped with crushed peanut butter cups, peanuts, whipped cream chocolate sauce and a cherry. Meyers Mania is vanilla ice cream with cookie crunch and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_DIAMOND-CITY-10.jpgDiamond City Dairy, 90 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Open noon to 9:30 p.m. The Sterling is vanilla ice cream topped with crushed peanut butter cups, peanuts, whipped cream chocolate sauce and a cherry. Meyers Mania is vanilla ice cream with cookie crunch and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

CK’s Summer Treats, 63 Gerald Ave., Dallas. Open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Indulge in something different with a pretzel cone. The hardy cone is lightly salted and with your choice of vanilla, chocolate or twist, the cone is sure to be a sweet treat. CK’s doesn’t have the largest variety of flavors, but it makes up for that with its choice of toppings and dips. This vanilla filled waffle cone is dipped in a strawberry shell resulting in a cool, creamy frosting-like taste.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_CKs-10.jpgCK’s Summer Treats, 63 Gerald Ave., Dallas. Open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Indulge in something different with a pretzel cone. The hardy cone is lightly salted and with your choice of vanilla, chocolate or twist, the cone is sure to be a sweet treat. CK’s doesn’t have the largest variety of flavors, but it makes up for that with its choice of toppings and dips. This vanilla filled waffle cone is dipped in a strawberry shell resulting in a cool, creamy frosting-like taste.

The Lands at Hillside Farms Dairy Store, 65 Hillside Rd., Shavertown. Open daily 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. The ‘Luzerne Bank Blaster’ features vanilla ice cream studded with peanuts and chocolate. Its name pays tribute to a sponsor of the non-profit farm on Hillside Road — where you can walk around with your cone and look at farm animals.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_LANDS-10.jpg

The Lands at Hillside Farms Dairy Store, 65 Hillside Rd., Shavertown. Open daily 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. The ‘Luzerne Bank Blaster’ features vanilla ice cream studded with peanuts and chocolate. Its name pays tribute to a sponsor of the non-profit farm on Hillside Road — where you can walk around with your cone and look at farm animals.