Introduction

After several days of extreme heat here in the D.M.V. area, I realized there are quite a few great places around Manassas to cool off with a frozen treat. Whether you’re looking for classic hand-scooped ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, or an old-fashioned ice cream shop, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s a guide to some of the most popular ice cream spots in Manassas.

Jitterbug’s Ice Cream Cafe

Jitterbug’s Ice Cream Cafe is a shop that I keep coming back to. The flavors are unique and taste like authentic Ice cream. They offer 17 flavors per day, and my most recent favorite is the S’mores campfire. It tasted exactly how it sounds! They have a walk-up window with benches on Center Street so you can sit and enjoy your ice cream with your family. They are located in Historic Manassas, so if you are strolling through downtown, check them out!

Address: 9125 Center Street, Manassas, VA.

Summer Walk-Up Window Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday. Wednesday-Sunday: open from 2 PM to 8 PM.

Outdoor Seating: Yes (benches). Indoor Cafe is closed; only walkup window is available.

Good For: families, date nights, downtown walks

Link to their official Facebook Account.

Millie’s Gelato & Sorbetto

Another favorite of mine is Millie’s Gelato. I visited this cute shop on a whim, Jitterbug’s was closed and I needed something to cool off with. The staff were super friendly and helped my daughter and I decide on what to try. They offered us free samples that helped us make our decision! They offer Artisan Italian gelato and Sorbetto made in small batches and with fresh quality ingredients. When you take your first bite you will taste the freshness. They also offer pup cups! I highly recommend checking out Millie’s Gelato if you are in the area. 

Address: 9078 Center Street, Manassas, VA.

Outdoor Seating: Yes (2 benches). No indoor seating.

Summer Hours: Closed on Mondays. Tuesday-Friday 1 PM- 10 PM. Saturday Noon-10 PM. Sunday Noon- 8PM.

 Good For– Date Night, Downtown Walks

Link to their official Facebook account where they share the inspiration behind their flavors!

Nathan’s Dairy Bar

Has the summer really started if you haven’t had ice cream at Nathan’s Dairy Bar? This ice cream bar is a Manassas staple and has been around since 2001 and brings people from all the surrounding counties. Every time I ride by Nathan’s in the summer the line is always LONG. Don’t let the lines deter you, they are located in a shopping center parking lot that provides plenty of parking. They have a walk up stand and a seating area (with umbrellas) so you can enjoy your ice cream in the shade! With over 20,000 followers on facebook they update their ice cream flavors and the seasonal hours. Everyone in the family can find something sweet, even your four-legged family members !

Address: 8948 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA. (You can’t miss it)

Outdoor Seating: Yes, chairs, tables with umbrellas, and benches. No indoor seating.

Summer Hours: Open from 11 AM until 10 PM everyday.

Good For: Families, Date nights

Link to their official Facebook, here.

Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt

If you are looking to customize your ice cream with an array of toppings and sauces, Sweet Frog has you covered. This shop is my personal favorite because of the option to pick your own toppings. Sometimes you want something different and Sweet Frog allows you to experience that. Their toppings include brownie bites cheese cake bites, fruit, and all the way to candy favorites from sour patch kids and chocolate m&m’s. They also have a variety of sauces, my personal favorite is the marshmallow sauce! They offer frozen yogurt, sorbet’s, and dairy ice cream. Their flavors vary from week to week but do they keep their popular flavors! The cool thing about Sweet Frog is you control the price, they weigh your ice cream cup at checkout so be mindful when you stacking those toppings. 

Address: 10077 Market Circle, Manassas, VA

Outdoor Seating: yes, they have a few tables outside as well as plenty of indoor seating.

Hours: They are open all year, Monday-Sunday 11 AM until 10 PM.

Good For: Families, Date Night, Solo outing, 

Link to their website for more info, HERE.

Which One Should You Choose?

Best If You Are Already In the Downtown Area

• Jitterbug’s
• Millie’s Gelato

Best for Families

• Nathan’s
• SweetFrog

Best Date Night Dessert

• Millie’s

Best Frozen Yogurt

• SweetFrog

Best Classic Summer Ice Cream

• Nathan’s Dairy Bar

Find These Ice Cream Shops on the Map

Planning your next ice cream stop? Use the interactive map below to see where each shop is located around Manassas.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re escaping a summer heat wave or simply looking for a sweet treat after dinner, Manassas has plenty of options. From nostalgic ice cream shops in Historic Manassas to build-your-own frozen yogurt and authentic gelato, there’s no shortage of places to cool off.