As summer returns in full swing, Denver residents are on the lookout for creative ways to escape the heat. One beloved method to cool down is indulging in ice cream. With its refreshing chill, delectable flavors, nostalgic charm, and social appeal, ice cream is a quintessential summertime treat.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular ice cream spots around the Mile High City:

Sweet Action (multiple locations)

Sweet Action has multiple locations throughout metro Denver with shops on Broadway, Uptown, Washington Park and Jefferson Park. Their company mantra is “to make the world a better place through a love of ice cream,” per their website. They use fresh ingredients and offer vegan options with flavors ranging from blackberry lavender to cookie butter swirl. They also sell pints in local grocery stores.

Their uptown location also offers a unique feature as the entry to the Retrograde speakeasy.

Sweet Action’s Broadway location has a rating of 4.6 stars out of over 1,500 reviews on Google.

“I love the variety and the quality of ice cream at this location,” says Google Local Guide J. Riley Simon. “The ice cream isn’t too rich but equally as flavorful.”

Liks Ice Cream (Capitol Hill and Conifer)

Founded as a small neighborhood ice cream shop in 1976, Liks Ice Cream has been a Colorado institution for nearly 50 years. According to its website, the business prides itself on “​being big enough to serve and small enough to care.”

The main store is in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood (2039 East 13th Avenue), but they also offer a location in Conifer (10903 US Route 285) for those looking for a pit stop between mountain adventures.

Liks has a rating of 4.7 stars out of 1,325 reviews on Google.

“Super yummy ice cream (made fresh on location) and a great outdoor sitting location,” says Google Local Guide Otto Rascon. “This place can get very busy so expect a crowd.”

Little Man Ice Cream (multiple locations)

Little Man was started in 2008, when they opened their first shop in a 28-foot milk can replica in Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood. The local franchise was founded by real estate mogul Paul Tamburello and the “Little Man” moniker is a nod to his father, according to information from the company.

The business has since expanded to eight locations throughout Metro Denver including standalone concepts “Sweet Cooie’s,” a nostalgic ice cream parlor in Capitol Hill and “Dang”, a soft serve ice cream concept in Park Hill.

The original Highlands location has a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5,300 reviews on Google.

“By far my favorite ice cream place in Denver (and perhaps anywhere!),” says Google Local Guide Holly Tumbarello. “It’s often busy, but I’ve always been able to find a place to sit.”

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream (799 South University Boulevard)

Bonnie Brae has been a staple of the neighborhood it is named after since 1986. The family-owned shop prides itself in fresh ingredients, its family-owned roots and its status as a neighborhood gathering spot.

According to its website, the original signature flavors such as triple death chocolate, amaretto peach, snickers delight, and cappuccino crunch remain favorites today.

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream ranks with 4.7 stars our of 2,017 reviews.

“The ice cream here is delicious,” says Google Local Guide Ana Garcia. “The young lady helping us was so nice and let me try a few flavors until I chose the one I wanted. The waffle cones are also a must.”

High Point Creamery (multiple locations)

This local ice cream franchise was founded by couple Ericka Thomas and her husband Chad. Per its website, Ericka spent time in the culinary world and in the test kitchen developing the flavors that create the menu’s foundation. She continues to develop new flavors.

Today, High Point Creamery operates shops in the Hilltop, RiNo (Denver Central Market), Central Park and Berkeley neighborhoods. In addition to their shops, the franchise occasionally rolls out a “Big Pink” food truck, aptly named for its bright pink paintjob.

In terms of ratings, its Hilltop location is the most popular, with 4.7 stars out of 583 reviews on Google.

“A truly unique ice cream experience,” says Google Local Guide Amasa Smith. “I came here with a few friends, and we were all taken back by how many distinctly unique ice cream flavors they had.”