When you can’t serve even one more chicken nugget without going bananas, you know it’s time to try and expand your kids’ sense of taste—and sense of adventure—and you’ll have the best luck doing that at these delicious destinations: pick-your-own fruit farms, farmers markets, sweet shops and retro soda fountains, all in Dallas-Fort Worth. And it’s not just what you taste but what you see and hear and do. We promise all your senses will be popping.
Not-Your-Average Treats
Shake off the Texas heat with a cool treat at one of these sweet shops.
Baldo’s Ice Cream and Coffee
Can’t ever decide on a single ice cream flavor? The Park Cities favorite sells flights of mini waffle cones—in flavors such as Oreo Cookie Dough, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake and Cha Cha Matcha. Or choose a flavor and drown it in a shot of espresso, if the kids kept you up too late last night.
At SMU in Dallas; 972/913-4001
White Rock Lake in Dallas
Steel City Pops
Sure, you can pick up a box of popsicles at the grocery store. Or you can go here for gourmet flavors (Arnold Palmer, Blood Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, Cookies and Cream, and Coffee are just some of your choices), dipped, drizzled and dusted, according to your specifications.
Fort Worth; 833/588-7677
HipPop
Here’s another popsicle spot on Grapevine’s Main Street with some atypical flavors: Cap’n Crunch, Toasted Marshmallow, Cucumber Mojito and Key Lime Pie pops, among others. You can also get shaved ice or a slush.
Grapevine; 817/527-4383
Creamistry
Liquid nitrogen is used to turn liquid into ice cream right in front of you. You can choose from dairy, vegan or fruit sorbet bases and endless mix-ins. Wait for the fog to clear to see your dessert! Head to Addison, Fort Worth, Las Colinas, Dallas, Southlake or The Colony for your Creamistry fix.
Hi, Sweetie Ice Cream Rolls & Desserts
Who says ice cream has to come in a scoop? This shop serves up Thai-style rolls of ice cream, made before your eyes in a matter of minutes, with fruit and other yummy toppings.
Plano; 469/888-4322
Cow Tipping Creamery
Soft serve with a twist! Order a stacker (a sundae with your toppings layered through the soft serve) in flavors such as Reese’s Witha’spoon and Gimme S’more, or create your own mixture.
Fort Worth, Frisco
Sno Gourmet Shaved Ice
Craving a snow cone? Choose from sweet, sour and spicy flavors, and even add soft-serve ice cream or toppings. You can go to Sno’s store or pick up one of its cones at Dallas Farmers Market.
Dallas; 214/265-5550
RELATED: 25 Great Restaurants with Patios in Dallas-Fort Worth
Retro Soda Fountains
Grab a seat at the counter and order up something sweet at one of these charming soda fountains.
Dougherty’s Pharmacy
Sip on a fizzy soda or a fancy milkshake, float, malt or sundae while waiting for your grilled cheese or grilled PB&J (really!).
Dallas, Preston Valley; 214/373-5300
Beth Marie’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream & Soda Fountain
Beth Marie’s on the quaint Denton Square is the idyllic spot for delicious ice cream scoops, sundaes, shakes and malts, ice cream sodas and more favorites.
Denton; 940/384-1818
Farm Luck Soda Fountain & Dry Goods
Say howdy and order up delicious banana splits, brownie fudge sundaes, ice cream sodas and more favorites, all in a historic setting in downtown Waxahachie. Have a little one with a tiny appetite? Order the World’s Smallest Sundae. (And if you’re missing the now-closed Highland Park Soda Fountain, this is a good place to visit—Farm Luck’s owner grew up going Highland Park Soda Fountain and designed her soda fountain with a nod to that store.)
Waxahachie; 214/903-8021
On the Farm
Do your kids think food originates at the grocery store? Show them where their meals really begin.
Pure Land Farm
Pick your own fruits and veggies at this Collin County farm that grows everything from muskmelons and cherry tomatoes to hot peppers and cucumbers. A late freeze means the farm will have a rolling start to this season; head to the website for more details and info on what’s available to pick when you’re ready to go.
McKinney
Lavon Farms
Interested in visiting a dairy farm? The family-owned property has a small group of cows on-site that produce raw milk that is sold in the farm store, along with other dairy products.
Plano; 972/423-8080
Blase Family Farm
Blueberry season is here in Rockwall. The farmers announced they were planting hundreds more blueberry bushes, so fingers crossed for a bountiful crop! The season generally runs through early July; check the website for updates. You might have so much fun picking blueberries that you’ll come back for the pumpkin farm in the fall.
Rockwall; 972/772-3645
Greer Farm
The berry crop is ready and waiting. Head a few hours east, give or take, to this bucolic spot and find beautiful blackberries and blueberries. You can also purchase other home-grown products and see the farm’s animals. Make a mini-vacation out of it and stay in one of the farm’s cabins.
Daingerfield; 903/645-3232
Blueberry Hill Farms
This Van Zandt County farm, about 25 minutes southeast of Canton, is ready to welcome berry pickers in June and July.
Edom; 903/852-6175
WOW U-Pick Farms
Head over to Denton County to pick fruits and veggies including strawberries, bib lettuce, red sail lettuce, cilantro and radishes. The farm also sells bell pepper jam.
Krum; 940/312-9889
Storm Farms
This Tarrant County farm grows strawberries and is open for picking by reservation only. While all available spots are currently taken, go online to be added to the waitlist.
Arlington; 817/602-0668
Farmers Markets
Where local farmers and artisans sell the wares they’ve harvested, baked and crafted themselves.
Dallas Farmers Market
For fresh goods sold in an open-air setting, and so much more. The market at The Shed offers a variety of regional vendors selling bratwurst, beef, jellies, broccoli, wines, shampoo bars, dog bones and endless other options. You’ll also find boutiques and restaurants.
Dallas; 214/664-9110
Coppell Farmers Market
Spend a Saturday in Old Town Coppell. Take your pick of fresh fruits and veggies, meats, honey, dairy items, breads, jams, chocolates and other tasty offerings. You can also get flower bouquets, fruit trees and landscaping plants.
Coppell
Farmers Market at Bonton Farms
Shop the urban farm, market, café and coffee house that’s building community in South Dallas—for everything from fresh eggs, blueberry jam and honey butter to roasted chile sauce and pasta. You’ll also find candles, soap and more.
Dallas; 972/982-2245
Clearfork Farmers Market
Adjacent to the Shops at Clearfork, you’ll find more than two dozen farmers, ranchers and artisans selling their locally grown products and other wares. Pick up fresh breads and pastries, sweet honey, crisp veggies and prickly cacti, among other choices.
Fort Worth
Cowtown Farmers Market
Everything is grown within 150 miles of Cowtown. You’ll also love the local artisans who craft their goods with local materials.
Fort Worth
Grapevine Farmers and Artisan Market
Visit for a mix of Texas-grown produce, baked goods and hand-crafted items. Listen to live music while you peruse the vendors in the Town Square Gazebo area in the city’s historic downtown.
Grapevine
McKinney Farmer’s Market at Chestnut Square
Local grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, eggs, tamales, pastries, teas, jerky … you’ll find a plethora of delicious offerings. There’s also an array of arts and crafts vendors selling goods such as walking sticks and jewelry, plus pony rides, face painting and live music.
McKinney; 972/562-8790
This article was originally published in June 2021.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Marple and Dallas Farmers Market
