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After a full day in the sun and water, nothing wraps up summer quite like a sweet, icy treat with the kids.
If you’re looking for things to do with kids in East Texas, plan a day at the pool, splash pad, or lake, then end it with a stop for the best ice cream shops in Tyler, TX, snow cones, or over-the-top milkshakes around the 903 area.
When the Texas heat is doing its thing, this combo of water play and kid-friendly desserts in Tyler, TX is honestly one of the easiest ways to enjoy summer with your family.
BOba 365
Description: Tropical inspired shaved ice and snack shop serving boba tea, smoothies, and sweet frozen treats with a laid back island style vibe.
Address: 6621 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: Boba 365 Tyler
Bobaloompia
Description: Island inspired shaved ice and tropical drinks shop serving milk teas, fruit teas, and boba drinks in a fun mall setting.
Address: Broadway Square Mall, 4601 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 630-7337
Website/Facebook: Bobaloompia
Happy Lemon
Description: Authentic Taiwanese style boba tea shop serving fruit teas, slushes, blended whole lemon teas, and specialty drinks with a wide variety of toppings.
Address: 4925 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 630-2568
Website/Facebook: Happy Lemon
H Tea O
Description: Tea shop serving fresh brewed teas, milk teas, and specialty drinks with a fun “secret menu” and customizable options.
Address:
- 1325 E 5th St, Tyler, TX 75701
- 2000 Toler Rd, Longview, TX 75605
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: HTeaO
NobiliTea
Description: Premium loose leaf tea shop serving handcrafted tea drinks made with high quality ingredients in a calm, modern setting.
Address:
- 2376 Dueling Oaks Dr, Tyler, TX 75703
- 6245 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 617-6421
Website/Facebook: NobiliTea
Sip’n Drinks
Description: Small drink stand serving creative soft drink mixes, specialty beverages, and refreshing customizable drink combinations.
Address: 322 E SE Loop 323 Suite 300, Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: (903) 630-2041
Website/Facebook: Sip’n Drinks
Sonic
Description: Popular drive in chain known for customizable drinks, slushes, and ice cream treats with lots of flavor options and budget friendly specials through the app.
Address: Various locations across East Texas
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: Sonic Drive-In
AJ’s Sweet Ice
Description: Family friendly dessert shop serving New Orleans style sno-balls, hand dipped ice cream, coffee, and house made waffle cones.
Address: 513 E Garland St, Grand Saline, TX 75140
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: AJ’s Sweet Ice
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Description: Frozen custard shop known for rich, creamy treats made fresh daily with a variety of concretes, sundaes, and classic custard favorites.
Address:
- 6106 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
- 110 N College Ave #104, Tyler, TX 75702
- 610 E Hawkins Pkwy, Longview, TX 75605=
Website/Facebook: Andy’s Frozen Custard
Braum’s Ice Cream
Description: Neighborhood dairy and ice cream shop known for affordable frozen treats, burgers, and fresh dairy products made from their own farm.
Address:
- 7101 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
- 3635 Troup Hwy #110, Tyler, TX 75703
- 5858 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703
- 280 N Spur 63, Longview, TX 75601
- 3069 N Eastman Rd, Longview, TX 75605
- 1331 Mockingbird Ln, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
- 1303 S Jefferson Ave, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455
Website/Facebook: Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store
BASKIN-ROBBINS 31
Description: Classic ice cream shop offering a wide variety of flavors, sundaes, and frozen treats with rotating seasonal options.
Address:
- 1400 W SW Loop 323 Suite 120, Tyler, TX 75701
- 4405 TX-42, Kilgore, TX 75662
- 2801 North St, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: Baskin-Robbins
DAIRY QUEEN
Description: Longtime ice cream and fast food chain known for classic treats like Blizzards, cones, and family friendly quick meals.
Address: Various locations across East Texas
Website/Facebook: Dairy Queen
Cherry on Top
Description: Family friendly dessert shop serving ice cream, sorbets, churros, funnel cakes, and more with dairy free and dye free options available.
Address: 207 W Main St, Bullard, TX 75757
Phone: (903) 343-8643
Website/Facebook: Cherry on Top
Hawaiian Bros
Description: Island-Inspired Flavors, Aloha Spirit. Go for the Dole Whip
Address: 6915 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (430) 266-1155
Website/Facebook: Hawaiian Bros
Holly Cow (The Udder One)
Description: Small mom and pop ice cream and BBQ shop offering a casual spot for sweet treats and comfort food in downtown Hawkins.
Address: 110 W Front St, Hawkins, TX 75765
Phone: (430) 276-4003
Website/Facebook: Holly Cow
Main Street Produce & Plants
Description: Small local nursery and produce stand offering plants, seasonal produce, snow cones including dye free options, and soft serve ice cream.
Address: 310 N Main St, Lindale, TX 75771
Phone: (903) 316-2428
Website/Facebook: Main Street Produce & Plants
Marble Slab Creamery
Description: Small batch ice cream shop where ice cream is hand blended on a cold marble slab with a wide variety of mix-ins and toppings.
Address: 4915 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 939-0010
Website/Facebook: Marble Slab Creamery
Menchies Frozen Yogurt
Description: Self serve frozen yogurt shop with a full topping bar where families can build their own desserts and enjoy rotating flavors.
Address: 8926 S Broadway Ave Ste 100, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 630-7061
Website/Facebook: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Milk & Honey Creamery
Description: Family run artisan creamery serving small batch ice cream made in house with simple, honest ingredients in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Address: 2457 Mosaic Way, Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: (903) 266-9028
Website/Facebook: Milk & Honey Creamery
SCOOP & GRIND
Description: Local coffee shop serving coffee drinks alongside Blue Bell and Tillamook ice cream in a relaxed family friendly setting.
Address: 11726 State Hwy 64 E, Tyler, TX 75707
Phone: (903) 869-2468
Website/Facebook: Scoop & Grind
SWEET TOOTH ICE CREAM & DESSERT LOUNGE
Description: Dessert lounge serving house made ice cream with inclusive options including dairy free and nut free choices in a relaxed family friendly setting.
Address: 1898 W Cumberland Rd Suite 101, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: Not listed
Website/Facebook: Sweet Tooth Ice Cream & Dessert Lounge
Wild Honey Creamery
Description: Local creamery serving fresh, creamy, small batch ice cream with uniquely rich and melt in your mouth flavors in a welcoming downtown setting.
Address: 108 E Tyler St, Longview, TX 75601
Phone: (903) 635-0101
Website/Facebook: Wild Honey Creamery
State Park Grocery (Exxon Station)
Description: Local Exxon stop near Tyler State Park serving homemade gelato, making it an easy sweet treat stop before or after a park visit.
Address: 14910 FM 14, Tyler, TX 75706
Phone: (903) 593-2291
GELATO AT FRESH
Description: In house bakery gelato with rotating flavors, served in a relaxed setting where families can enjoy a cup on the patio while kids play nearby.
Address: 6991 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 747-3503
Bahama Bucks
Description: Island inspired shaved ice and smoothie shop with a laid back vibe, offering refreshing frozen treats perfect for families and hot East Texas days.
Address: 6621 S Broadway Ave Suite 200, Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 630-6413
Website/Facebook: Bahama Buck’s
Frosty Pines
Description: Food truck serving Texas sized shaved ice, lemonades, and limeades with rotating locations posted on their Facebook page.
Address: Travels (check Facebook for current location)
Phone: (903) 386-3339
Website/Facebook: Frosty Pines TX
Rusty Water Sugar Shack
Description: Local dessert shop serving soft serve ice cream, snow cones, Italian sodas, and sundaes with inclusive options like lactose free, gluten free, and dye free treats.
Address: 130 W Main St, Van, TX 75790
Website/Facebook: Rusty Water Sugar Shack
Shivers Natural Snow
Description: Airstream style snow cone and popsicle truck serving real fruit frozen treats made without dyes or corn syrup, with seasonal rotating flavors.
Address: 166 FM 2751, Longview, TX 75605
Website/Facebook: Shivers Natural Snow
No matter how high the Texas temps climb, there’s always a sweet way to cool down!
From classic scoops to over-the-top shakes and icy snow cones, the best ice cream in East Texas and beyond is just waiting to be discovered.
So grab the kids, hit up one of these family-friendly dessert spots in Tyler, TX, and make some delicious memories—one cold treat at a time!
Looking for more ways to beat the summer heat?
Check out our Splash Pad Guide to find even more water-filled fun for the whole family.
If your family wants more water fun we’ve got you covered with a list of Pools to enjoy together.
And of course, no summer day is complete without a trip to the beach or lake. Head over to our Beaches & Lake Guide for all day fun.
Whatever you choose, there are plenty of ways to stay cool and make lasting memories this summer… but the secret to actually enjoying it? Having the right essentials packed and ready.
Tap to see the full Summer Essentials list you’ll wish you had sooner
If I missed any pools, feel free to drop the details in the comments, and I’ll be sure to add them to the list!
Know a fellow parent who loves a good frozen treat?
Share this list with them!
And tell us in the comments—what’s your family’s go-to spot for a cold treat in the 903? We’d love to add more favorites to our list!
