Huron-Kinloss Ice Cream Trail

This year we decided to try to conquer the Huron-Kinloss ice cream trail in one day with three small children. Crazy? Maybe. Possible? Definitely!

Although we did take two days to hit all nine stops on this ice cream trail, we did set some good boundaries with the kids BEFORE we left.

We will not be getting individual servings at each stop
Everyone will take turns picking a flavor at each location
There will be no complaining about the flavor selected (as everyone will get their turn eventually) so you don't need to taste it if you don't like it
Share, share share! We will be getting the smallest size cups with spoons for everyone to share so we can actually get ice cream at each stop. It's not mandatory to buy ice cream at every stop, but on this trail it is cheap and delicious!

If you have young kids with you, like we did, it is best to pace yourselves and take frequent non-ice cream breaks to burn off that extra sugar high (trust us we tried to skip the parks and they ended up being the best ideas we had on both days).

On the other hand if you are traveling the trail without kids in tow, it shouldn't take you more than half a day to get the pictures you need to enter the contest, or a few extra minutes at each stop if you are indulging along the way.

Our favorite scoop size for value came from Mary's Restaurant in Lucknow at just $1 for a single (and generous) scoop in a cup for the kids to share. This was also our favorite stop because the contest sign had a dress-up box, there were plenty of tables to eat at, and being a restaurant it had much needed washrooms when we stopped. The best place to stop to burn off energy? Ripley Variety Store as it is just across the street from Lewis Park and Splash Pad in Ripley.

Read more on our One Day vs Two Day strategies below...

Location

Huron-Kinloss, Ontario
From Point Clark to Pine River, Kincardine, to Ripley, and Holyrood to Lucknow.

This year there are nine stops in total, and you can start in any order and with any location you like. You do not have to hit all nine locations, nor do you have to try to do it all in one day, BUT if you would like to try then read on below for our One or Two Day strategies!

Each year the locations may change, so be sure to print a copy of the map and brochure (click on the image to the left for the official ice cream trail downloadable PDF). For more details on the annual ice cream trail contests, visit their website at www.icecreamtrail.ca

One Day Strategy

Start Early. Do not wait for after lunch to have ice cream.
Plan for more stops than there are on the map (for us there were 9 ice cream trail locations, but a few of them have hidden their 'Sammy Sprinkles' signs at a different location so we had to drive a couple more times to find them). You can also pit stop at a local park (Huron-Kinloss area parks - COMING SOON!!)
Eat the ice cream while on the go or while looking for the 'Sammy Sprinkles' sign to take your photo with.
Plan washroom breaks at locations that have them.

Two Day Strategy

You can plan to start after lunch both days, orstart before lunch and take your time to tour the area while on the trail.
Plan to do half of the trail on Day 1 and the other half on Day 2. We suggest following the proper trail stops in order to make it easier to remember which ones you're heading to each day (keep in mind some signs are not at the exact location for the contest)
Take your time and enjoy your ice cream at each location and walk around the town you are travelling to. There are many other things to see and do in the area (Huron-Kinloss Road Trip - COMING SOON!!)
Plan washroom breaks at locations that have them.