Discover More on the MCRT
The Mass Central Rail Trail connects communities with wonderful local destinations—including some of Massachusetts' favorite ice cream shops, breweries, coffee shops, foliage and birding locations. Whether you ride for twenty minutes or two hours, every ride, walk, roll or hike is an invitation to discover experiences in your community and make lasting memories on the MCRT.
Scoops Along the MCRT
Family Rides. Local Scoops. Summer Memories.
We’ve put together some family-friendly suggestions of local ice cream destinations that are just off the MCRT. Get out the bikes or the walking shoes and take the kids on the trail to discover a sweet treat.
Hover over the ice cream cones for descriptions and directions from the MCRT. Full descriptions with maps below, from West to East.
Hadley – Maple Valley’s Scoop at the Silos 102 Mill Valley Road, Hadley MA
Founded by local farmers using fresh milk and cream from local cows, the Scoop at the Silos offers super smooth ice cream with a high cream content. Enjoy an ice cream cone, scoop or sundae, then hang out on the lawn and visit with their Brown Swiss Cows before heading back on the trail.
How to get there: The Scoop at the Silos at Maple Farm is a little over a third of a mile south of the Norwottuck Rail Trail where it crosses South Maple Street in Hadley (at the Walmart Mall) from the MCRT. See the interactive map below.
Hudson – New City Microcreamery 28 Main Street in Hudson, MA
The New City Microcreamery in Hudson offers classic flavors, incredible concoctions and even vegan ice cream. If you’re adventurous, you can order an “ice cream flight” and try any 5 flavors with a side of waffle chips. Voted ‘Best Main Street in America’, there’s tons to discover while off the trail in Hudson.
How to get there: This top-ranked ice cream shop is approximately three 10ths of a mile from the MCRT. You can make it a destination by continuing west onto South Street at the Manning Street intersection. Turn right and walk up the sidewalk and alley a block after Market Street. The New City Microcreamery is directly across the street – accessed by a marked crosswalk.
Sudbury – New City Microcreamery 534a Boston Post Road at the Meadow Walk Shopping Plaza in Sudbury, MA
Serving up both classic and unique flavors – like Vanilla Bourbon, Baklava and Tres Leches - this microcreamery was founded in 2015 and has daily specials “on tap”. There’s ample seating inside and a beautiful outdoor patio to relax before getting back on the trail.
How to get there: Less than half a mile south of the MCRT in Sudbury, the New City Microcreamery is a great destination for a summer ride. From the MCRT, look for the "path" that takes you off the trail onto Bay Drive. Please be careful making your way through the parking lots. See the interactive map below.
Wayland – Chocolate Therapy Store 63 Andrew Avenue in Wayland, MA
Yes, this chocolate lover’s paradise in Wayland town center offers ice cream, milkshakes, coffee and of course lots of varieties of chocolate. Chocolate Therapy serves locally-made, super-premium ice cream from Crescent Ridge Dairy. The shop rotates through a curated selection of classic and rich flavors that pair perfectly with their chocolate confections. And while there is limited indoor seating, there are outside patio tables for relaxing.
How to get there: From the MCRT, ride about 1,100 feet north through the parking lots. Be Careful! See the interactive map below.
Somerville – J.P. Licks 4A College Avenue in Davis Square, Somerville, MA
J.P. Licks has been around since 1981 and is an incredibly popular ice cream destination in MA. The Davis Square shop has been open since 2014 and serves up classics and signature flavors as well as specialty treats, frozen yogurt, frappes, sundaes and dairy free options. There’s plenty of seating both inside and outside the shop.
How to get there: From the MCRT, J.P. Licks is just off the Somerville Community Path in Davis Square. See the interactive map below.
Cambridge – The Scoop N Scootery 22 Water Street, Cambridge Crossing, Cambridge MA
The Scoop N Scootery specializes in heavily customized, gourmet sundaes and extra-thick milkshakes. With a huge array of flavors and toppings, you are invited to build your own masterpiece! Relax with your ice cream on their large outdoor patio before hopping back on the MCRT.
How to get there: From the MCRT, The Scoop N Scootery is directly adjacent to the Somerville Community Path. Where the path crosses Water Street, look for the shop on the corner of the building facing Water Street, to the left of the front door, approximately 175 ft from the path. See the interactive map below.
And a little farther from the trail…
There are many additional ice creams stops near the MCRT, especially on the western part of the trail, however, we didn’t include them in our map because they are a longer distance from the trail, including some riding on busy roads – not something we would recommend for families with young children. For those comfortable with on-street riding, here are some additional destinations for ice cream along the MCRT.
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Rutland – Still Four Corners, 224 Barre-Paxton Road, Rutland, MA
1.6 miles from the MCRT. See Google Map.
Ware – Janine’s Frostee, 149 East Street, Ware, MA
1.5 miles from the MCRT. See Google Map.
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Palmer – Alvin Rondeau’s Dairy Bar, 1300 Ware Street, Ware, MA
2 miles from the MCRT. See Google Map.
Holden – Meola’s Ice Cream, 1134 Main Street, Holden, MA
2.1 Miles from the MCRT. See Google Map.
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