Updated 3/23/22. As the weather warms and you make plans to take your family out for ice cream, don’t forget to include your furry friends. Northern Virginia’s ice cream spots offer delicious deals for you and fun treats for your pup counterparts. Here are some local places that will give you a nice bang for your bark.
Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato
While there are no dogs allowed inside due to Virginia Department of Health standards, Casa Rosada’s has a paw-fect patio for your dog to enjoy as the weather starts to warm. Aside from a space accessible for dogs, this gelateria also offers a special treat for your furry friend: Hungry Henry’s Dog Gelato. Made with lactose-free milk, coconut oil, cane sugar, and food starch, the pumpkin gelato base is topped with a tasty (for your pup) peanut butter banana gelato-bone. 111 South Payne Street, Alexandria
Nathan’s Dairy Bar
If you want to grab a pup cup for your pet, make sure to bring them to the window to get it free! At Nathan’s Dairy Bar, you can post your pup enjoying their frozen treat to social media for a chance for them to be named Pup of the Month. Be sure to use #ndbpupofthemonth for your entry. The winner receives free ice cream for a week. 8948 Mathis Avenue, Manassas
The Dairy Godmother
With a shared space with Just Fine Donuts, The Dairy Godmother has tasty treats for you and your furry friends. Aside from the baked treat they sell for dogs called “Squirrels,” this Alexandria storefront also offers Puppy Pops. Puppy Pops are wheat-free and made from yogurt rather than ice cream, as many dogs are lactose intolerant. The pops come in two flavors, pumpkin and banana, and also include peanut butter. 2310 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
Woody’s Ice Cream
A dog-friendly patio makes Woody’s, which just opened for the season on March 16, a great place to bring your pup and enjoy some of their weekly specials — like Thirsty Thursdays, where you can buy one soda float and get a second half off. Woody’s also offers all the classic ice cream treats, from dipped cones to milkshakes. Try their soft serve or a scoop of one of their more than 25 flavors. 10435 North St., Fairfax
Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot
At Peterson’s, you can treat yourself and your buddy: yourself, with specialties like “The Grandpap,” a dipped waffle cone with frozen vanilla soft serve, or the shop’s homemade hard ice cream, which you can top with candy, syrups, and more; and your buddy, with a nice pup cup with a treat on top. Plus, a trip to Peterson’s doesn’t just have to include ice cream — you can visit the Dog Pound to try one of their signature hot dogs or pulled pork sandwiches. 7150 Main Street, Clifton
For more stories like this, subscribe to our Pets newsletter.