MommyPoppins.com
MAKE YOUR DAY
Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact
Washington DC
  • Anywhere
  • New York City
  • Dallas Fort Worth
  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Miami South Florida
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC
  • Orlando
  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Connecticut
  • Long Island
  • New Jersey
  • Westchester
Calendar  
  • Events

  • Virtual

  • This Week's Picks

  • Activity Providers

  • Submit an Activity

DC City Guide  
  • Parks & Playgrounds

  • Free Activities

  • Visitors' Guide to Washington DC

  • Restaurants

Things To Do  
  • Crafts for Kids

  • Recipes

  • Science for Kids

  • Games & Activities

  • Outdoors

  • Online & Virtual

Camps & Classes  
  • Camps Guide

  • Classes Guide

  • Directory

Parties & Holidays  
  • Gift Guide

  • Birthday Parties

  • Party Providers

  • Holidays

  • Best of Spring

  • Best of Summer

  • Best of Fall

  • Best of Winter

Family Travel  
  • Day Trips

  • Family Vacations

  • Theme & Water Parks

  • Resorts & Hotels

  • NYC Guide

  • New England Guide

  • Florida Guide

Get Listed Log In Sign Up My Profile Sign out Contact

HOME - Washington DC

Activity Calendar

Providers

Contact

Sign up for our free newsletters.
Which pup will win the Running of the Chihuahuas? Event photo courtesy of The Wharf DC
Best Things to Do in DC May 2025 with Kids
Revel in the beauty of Blooming Wonders at ARTECHOUSE. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
45 Spring Bucket List Ideas for Kids in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Photo by Haoshuang Lou from Pexels
GUIDE
Spring Fun Guide for DC Kids and Families
Full up your buckets with juicy red strawberries. Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms
Best Strawberry Picking and Summer Strawberry Festivals Near DC
The Anacostia River Festival marks the offical close of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
Best Spring Festivals in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
 Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Photo courtesy of the event.
Free Outdoor Movies in DC in Summer 2025 for Kids
Meet lots of goats and cows at South Mountain Creamery. Photo by Jenifer Marino Walters
12 Great Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near DC for Kids
Take a carriage ride through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg.
History Comes to Life When Visiting Colonial Williamsburg with Kids
Kids can have lots of outdoor adventures at Beauvoir Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the Beauvoir Summer Program
Best Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Summer Camp photo courtesy of Canva
GUIDE
Washington DC Summer Camp Guide
Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA
You'll have one of the best-dressed babies in the DC area when you shop at one of these baby boutiques!
Best Baby Boutiques for Cool Baby Clothes in DC
A Steamer Wagon tour is the perfect way to explore Yorktown Battlefield with kids! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Yorktown with Kids: 18 Best Things To Do in Yorktown, Virginia
Did  you know that the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is bigger than 18 football fields? Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Explore the Best Science Museums for Kids in DC: Educational Fun for All Ages
Croydon Creek Nature Center has several trails to explore. Photo by John Brighenti via Flickr 2.0
Rockville with Kids: 25 Fun Things to Do in Rockville, Maryland
It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
Where to Find the Best Pizza in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids
Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center offers lots of fun outdoor activities, including water sports. Photo courtesy of the camp
Best Overnight Summer Camps Near DC in Virginia and Maryland
Toddlers have their own soft space to play at the National Children's Museum. Photo by Jason Dixson Photography courtesy of the museum.
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Even tweens and teens can enjoy summer camp through Alexandria Parks & Rec. Photo courtesy of the Alexandria Department of Parks & Recreation
Top Free and Affordable Summer Camps in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
Kids eat free at IHOP every day of the week at many locations. Photo by Wendi Gratz via Flickr 2.0
Kids Eat Free: 17 DC Restaurants for Every Day of the Week
Keep the DC public school calendar handy so you'll always know what days your kids have class.
Here's the DC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026 (Plus Other Area School Districts)
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
There are so many places in the DC area to throw an epic birthday party. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes
Best Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Cherry Hill Park has lots of fun places for kids to explore. Photo courtesy of author Jess Goodwin
Best Things To Do in Falls Church City, VA with Kids
FIND AND BOOK ACTIVITIES
calendar icon
This Week In
Washington DC
US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour
US Capitol Visitors Center - 8:30 AM
Ford's Theatre Tour
Ford's Theatre - 9:00 AM
George Washington's Mount Vernon
George Washington's Mount Vernon - 9:00 AM
International Spy Museum
International Spy Museum DC - 9:00 AM
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour
Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 9:00 AM
Storytime at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - 11:00 AM Pick
US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour
US Capitol Visitors Center - 8:30 AM
Ford's Theatre Tour
Ford's Theatre - 9:00 AM
The White House Tour
The White House - 9:30 AM
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour
Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 9:00 AM
Celebration of Construction on the National Mall 2025
D.C. National Mall: between the American History Museum and the Smithsonian Castle - 9:00 AM Pick
STORYTIME at the Hirshhorn
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - 10:00 AM Pick
Community Day at National Museum of Women in the Arts
National Museum of Women in the Arts - 10:00 AM Pick
CiNoMatic at Alethia Tanner Park
Alethia Tanner Park - various times Pick
US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour
US Capitol Visitors Center - 8:30 AM
Celebration of Construction on the National Mall 2025
D.C. National Mall: between the American History Museum and the Smithsonian Castle - 9:00 AM Pick
Storytime at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - 11:00 AM Pick
US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour
US Capitol Visitors Center - 8:30 AM
Ford's Theatre Tour
Ford's Theatre - 9:00 AM
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour
Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 9:00 AM
Celebration of Construction on the National Mall 2025
D.C. National Mall: between the American History Museum and the Smithsonian Castle - 9:00 AM Pick
Big Screen on the Green (at Vienna Town Green)
Vienna Town Green - 6:30 PM Pick
Charlotte's Web at Adventure Theatre
Adventure Theatre - various times Pick
McLean Day at Lewinsville Park
Lewinsville Park - various times Pick
US Capitol & US Capitol Visitor Center Tour
US Capitol Visitors Center - 8:30 AM
Celebrate the Opening of Ruckstuhl Park in Falls Church
Ruckstuhl Park - 10:00 AM Pick
Fiesta Asia Street Fair
In front of the US Capitol - 11:00 AM Pick
Anacostia River Festival
Anacostia Park - 1:00 PM Pick
McLean Day at Lewinsville Park
Lewinsville Park - various times Pick
Wheaton Family Theatre Series: KidStory Theatre Festival
Highland Elementary School - various times Pick
Old Town Festival of Speed and Style
Old Town Alexandria - 10:00 AM Pick
Asian Festival on Main
Historic Old Town Fairfax City - 12:00 PM Pick
Wheaton Family Theatre Series: KidStory Theatre Festival
Highland Elementary School - various times Pick
Charlotte's Web at Adventure Theatre
Adventure Theatre - various times Pick
Family Activity at the National Museum of the United States Army
National Museum of the United States Army - 9:00 AM
SEE ALL ACTIVITIES
SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY +
Family Poolside Festival in Potomac (at Moco Beach Club)
The Beach Tennis & Pool
Sign up for our free newsletters.
FOLLOW US FOR ACTIVITY PICKS, DEALS, AND GIVEAWAYS
FaceBook Instagram Twitter Pinterest YouTube
Activity Guides
  • Beaches & Lakes
  • Best Of Lists
  • Birthday Parties
  • Boats
  • Boredom Busters
  • Camps
  • Childcare
  • Christmas/Hanukkah
  • City Guides
  • City Hacks
  • Classes & Enrichment
  • Community
  • Crafts & Recipes
  • Earth Kids
  • Easter
  • Fairs & Festivals
  • Fall Activities
  • Family Travel
  • Farms & U-Pick
  • Free Activities
  • GoList
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Indoor Activities
  • Museums
  • News & Openings
  • Outdoors
  • Parent Talk
  • Parks & Playgrounds
  • Play Gyms & Sports Centers
  • Pools & Spray Parks
  • Preschools & Schools
  • Restaurants
  • Shows
  • Skiing & Winter Sports
  • Special Needs
  • Special Occasions
  • Sports
  • Spring Activities
  • STEM
  • Stores & Services
  • Summer Activities
  • Theme & Water Parks
  • Trains, Dinos & Heroes
  • TV, Film & Movies
  • Virtual
  • Visitors Guide
  • Weekend Events
  • Weekend Trips
  • Winter Activities
  • Zoos & Gardens
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pin It WhatsApp

Awesome New Brooklyn Ice Cream Parlor: Ample Hills Creamery in Gowanus

7/27/14 - By Natalie Altieri

It seems like there's a new ice cream parlor opening up in New York City every week. But the new Ample Hills Creamery in Gowanus is not your average scoops spot. Owned and operated by a local Brooklyn family (who recently contributed this delicious and easy bananamon ice cream recipe to our WeeWork series), this is actually their second location. We raved about the cozy original in Prospect Heights when it opened in 2011 and it's still great—just constantly overrun with families and foodies.

The new Ample Hills Creamery in Gowanus is much bigger. In fact, it's a two-story, 3,600-square-foot ice cream wonderland complete with a roof deck, a private party room, and a wide variety of classic and offbeat seasonal flavors, all homemade from scratch right there on-site—you can even watch them making batches in the kitchen!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Before you worry that Ample Hills Creamery is an upscale, artisanal parlor meant mainly for hipsters looking for bacon bits in their ice cream, put that out of your mind. Yes, it's true, the new Gowanus outpost is already a favorite of food blogs, but the owners, Brian and Jackie, have two young children so they always keep families in mind. That's apparent in the details, like a well-placed step by the counter so even tots can peek at the 24 flavors, which change daily. Some are even unique to the new location, like It Came From the Gowanus (salty dark chocolate ice cream with hazelnut). In addition to newfangled flavors like Mexican Hot Chocolate (dark chocolate ice cream with Saigon cinnamon and ground chili flakes) and Homemade Honeycomb Candy (made with honey from bees at the Queens County Farm Museum, of course), there are less exotic options for picky eaters like chocolate and vanilla. My son went with the Vanilla Bean and I tasted the Pistachio Squared. My son can be finicky about ice cream but he ate his entire cup. There are also tasty cones like chocolate chip and pretzel. You can also buy pints to take home or pick up their recently published cookbook, Ample Hills Creamery: Secrets & Stories From Brooklyn’s Favorite Ice Cream Shop, and try to make some of their signature flavors yourself.

The decor reminded me of a Norman Rockwell painting, with old-fashioned-style ads and pictures on the tables, and original Brooklyn- or barn animal-themed art on the walls. There's a shelf suspended from the ceiling that holds various ice cream trinkets, and a children’s play area featuring a play kitchen, books and a picnic table. Kids should really get a kick out of being able to watch the ice cream being made from fresh ingredients in the kitchen.

The private party room on the second floor is lovely and features a beautifully drawn Brooklyn skyline (done by one of the store’s scoopers), a play kitchen for kids and twinkling ceiling lights. But perhaps the coolest attraction is Ample Hills' patented ice cream bike, which children ages four and up can pedal to churn new batches of their favorite flavor. All of the activities in the party room are only available if you book a birthday at Ample Hills. You can see a list of party packages on the website.

The roof deck, however, is usually open to the public (depending on the party schedule). There are lots of tables and lounge chairs to relax in and fabulous views of Brooklyn. (Sun umbrellas are forthcoming.) Ah, ice cream with a view, summer fun doesn't get much better than that.

Ample Hills Creamery in Gowanus is located at 305 Nevins Street between Union and President Streets.


Find out about other great places to eat with kids in NYC in our Family Restaurant Guide.

Places featured in this article:

Map All Locations
Close Map X
  List All Location Details

Ample Hills Creamery
305 Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Restaurants Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Brooklyn Gowanus New York City

Featured Local Savings

Sign up for our free
newsletters.
New York City
Dallas Fort Worth
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Houston
Miami South Florida
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Orlando
Los Angeles
San Francisco Bay Area
Connecticut
Long Island
New Jersey
Westchester
MommyPoppins.com
Mommy Poppins is a family activity website that helps people find things to do with kids.
QUICK LINKS
Activities
Providers
Family Travel
CONTACT
Newsletter Subscribe
Contact
About
SITEMAP
Submit an Activity
List Your Business
Advertise with Us
© 2025 MommyPoppins. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Use.
mp-prod4-v4.32.99
X
Sign Up Now!
Register/Login if you don't want to see this popup.