Visit the Ice Cream Capital of Tennessee – The Scoop Loop Map is Live!

McMinn is the sweetest county in Tennessee because it’s home to Mayfield Dairy Farms. Visitors of all ages can stop by the visitor center to learn how ice cream is made, from milking the best cows to creating new flavors. However, the ice cream journey doesn’t end once you leave Mayfield. McMinn County is the Ice Cream Capital of Tennessee because of the diverse ice cream parlors and dessert shops around town.

“Ice cream is the perfect treat for anyone looking to satisfy a sweet craving,” says Brianna Baker, Tourism Coordinator at Discover McMinn. “You can spend the whole day in McMinn County visiting different ice cream spots and still have more to explore.”

Discover McMinn has created the Tennessee Scoop Loop so visitors can find ice cream parlors and other sweet stops. Here’s how to use it to find the coolest shops around. 

Use the Interactive Map to Find Ice Cream Near You

The Tennessee Scoop Loop started as a way to share ice cream locations with visitors to the City of Athens, but has since expanded to cover all of McMinn County. Whether you are attending the Niota Train Show or biking the Eureka Trail in Englewood, you can find an ice cream shop nearby. There are so many options, it’s clear we’re the Ice Cream Capital of Tennessee!

Use the interactive map below to see what dessert shops are in your area – and which are worth traveling to. Some options, like Gabby's Gourmet Ice Cream, offer unique flavors that are hard to find. Others, like Patriot Cakes Restaurant & Bakery, sell much more than ice cream.  

Our Comprehensive List of Ice Cream Locations

You can also explore different ice cream parlors on your own. Our list of dessert stops is always growing, but here is the current list of Tennessee Scoop Loop participants:

• Mayfield Dairy Farm Visitors Center | 4 Mayfield Lane, Athens
• Maddi Mae’s Café | 10 S. White Street, Athens
• Dairy Barn | 108 Congress Parkway S., Athens
• Gabby’s Gourmet Ice Cream | 2619 Decatur Pike, Athens
• Patriot Cakes & Creamery | 617 Congress Parkway N., Athens
• Small’s Drive In | 802 S. White Street, Athens
• Sno Biz of Athens | 402 S. White Street, Athens
• Blue Front Coffee Co | 5 W. College Street, Athens
• Midway Milkshake | 2220 TN 30, Athens
• Revival Grounds Coffee House | 529 Tennessee Avenue, Etowah
• Southern Sweets Bakery | 911 Ohio Avenue, Etowah
• La Michoacana | 311 Decatur Pike, Athens

Ice cream is a fun treat for kids and adults alike. Many local businesses change their flavors and create new treats each season. If you loved the ice cream at one location, be sure to return as the seasons change. You never know what specials and exclusive desserts they’re preparing to offer.  

America is the Second-Largest Ice-Cream Consuming Country

Americans love ice cream and consume more per capita than almost any other country in the world. The average person eats 20.8 liters of ice cream annually, which is 5.5 gallons! The only other country that eats more ice cream is New Zealand, with the average person eating 28.4 liters per year.

New Zealand residents might eat more ice cream, but the residents of McMinn County are convinced they have the best scoops available. Mayfield ice cream's delicious flavors and creamy texture are a favorite treat across the region—and even across the country. Find your favorite flavor and order a scoop or two today. 

Plan Your Visit to McMinn County

It’s worth traveling to McMinn County just to visit Mayfield Dairy Farms and enjoy other treats on the Tennessee Scoop Loop. However, there are dozens of activities for families, couples, and individuals who want to enjoy their time off. Check out our itineraries to plan your visit and learn about the various attractions in the area. Did you know you can go scuba diving in Tennessee? It’s possible by visiting McMinn County!    

Discover McMinn and start planning your getaway. See why the Ice Cream Capital of Tennessee is also the most fun.