Hopkins Farm Creamery
4.7(2.6K)google
4.2(288)yelp
Local LifeFamilyKidsOutdoor
Overview
Located on a scenic, fourth-generation working dairy farm in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Hopkins Farm Creamery is a beloved local culinary landmark famous for crafting some of the finest artisan ice cream in the region. Established in 2008 on land farmed since 1942, this vibrant creamery creates over 30 unique, rich flavors using fresh milk produced directly by their own herd of dairy cows. Visitors can order towering cones or decadent sundaes at the walk-up windows, then relax at outdoor picnic tables to watch calves play in adjacent pastures. It represents an exceptional, delicious agritourism experience that seamlessly blends agricultural heritage with sweet coastal indulgence.
Practical Info
Mon11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tue11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wed11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thu11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration0.5-1 hour
Best TimeSuperb from June to October, particularly during the evening golden hour from 5:00 PM until sunset. Visiting this active dairy farm creamery at dusk allows you to grab a freshly churned, ultra-creamy waffle cone and sit outside to watch the sun setting beautifully over vast, open Delaware pastures.
Getting ThereLocated in the countryside at 18186 Dairy Farm Rd, Lewes. No transit links serve this rural crossroad, making a car necessary. From DE-1, exit onto DE-9 W, merge onto US-9/DE-404, and turn right onto Dairy Farm Road; a massive, complimentary gravel and grass parking field is on-site.
Travel Tips
- Operating inside an active commercial dairy matrix right at the intersection of US-9 and SR-205, this venue experiences high-density vehicle queues from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM on summer weekends. Oversized dual-wheel pickups and towed RVs are barred from the tight inner loop and must utilize the flat outer sod lot.
- The commercial dairy farm introduces persistent agricultural microclimates hosting massive swarms of aggressive horseflies and stable biting midges during warm months. Avoid lingering near open-air pastures with uncovered ice cream; cycle vehicle windows and doors immediately upon ingress to prevent flies from infesting cabin spaces.
- Bio-security statutes mandate strict partition lines: guests are restricted to the retail storefront apron and secondary perimeter fence paths. Crossing double-wired animal control barriers, feeding livestock external vegetation, or operating drones inside the private production zone triggers immediate agricultural tresspass arrest.
Reviews
Positive
- Tasting freshly made artisan ice cream on a real functioning century-old dairy farm; the ingredients are fresh and milky, a true treat.
- Offers dozens of ice cream flavors with super generous portions, and the pricing is very reasonable compared to downtown beachfront shops.
- You can take kids up to the fences to see the cute dairy cows and learn about milk origins, a wonderful, rustic farm experience.
- Highly convenient to drive to, featuring a massive, dedicated free gravel parking lot with clear signs and a peaceful countryside charm.
Heads up
- During weekend afternoon peaks, the queue stretches way out onto the courtyard, forcing you to wait 30 minutes just for a cone.
- Because it's a real cattle farm, the air naturally carries a noticeable smell of cow manure and hay, which sensitive visitors might dislike.
- Outdoor plastic seating and picnic tables are insufficient when busy; many visitors end up standing in the hot sun with fast-melting cones.
- The storefront is small with only outdoor ordering windows and no indoor A/C dining space, ruining the experience during heavy rain or extreme heat.