Summer in Alberta means one thing: road trip season. And what better excuse to hit the highway than chasing down the province’s best ice cream and drive-in treats? Whether you’re piling into the minivan with the kids, or just looking for an old-school indulgence, this itinerary gives you the best scoop-to-stop ratio for a sweet weekend road trip.
This route starts and ends in Edmonton, making it perfect for a quick summer getaway with plenty of photo ops, sugar highs, and small-town charm.
Day 1: Edmonton to Wetaskiwin (via Sylvan Lake and Red Deer)
Stop 1: The Big Moo – Sylvan Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr 45 min
Get the trip rolling with a lakeside indulgence at The Big Moo, a Sylvan Lake staple that’s practically a rite of passage for summer road-trippers. Grab a cone, then hit the beach or walk the waterfront.
Try: A bubble gum swirl or a fully-loaded sundae—go big, it’s the first stop.
Optional: Spend some time at Sylvan Lake Provincial Park or splash around at the waterfront spray park.
Stop 2: Purdy’s Chocolatier – Red Deer
Distance from Sylvan Lake: 25 min
Next stop: Purdy’s in downtown Red Deer—yes, the same Purdy’s known for luxe chocolate boxes now makes ice cream dipped bars and chocolatey frozen novelties. It’s the haute couture of frozen treats, and a fun contrast to your earlier beach-style soft serve.
Try: A handcrafted ice cream bar dipped in real Purdy’s chocolate (with toppings, if you’re fancy). It’s indulgent, rich, and worth the detour downtown.
Tip: Walk it off along Ross Street Patio, a charming downtown area with murals, seating, and often live music in summer.
Stop 3: Unicorn Café – Wetaskiwin, AB
Distance from Red Deer: 1 hr
End your day at the showstopping Unicorn Café, a magical little spot in Wetaskiwin where the ice cream is colourful, the menu is wild, and the vibe is part dessert bar, part fever dream.
Try: A “Galaxy” or “Birthday Cake” milkshake, or any of their rainbow-swirled soft serves topped with marshmallows, cookies, and sparkles.
Why It’s Great: It’s a maximalist sugar experience that kids will love—and honestly, adults will too. Their menu reads like a candy shop exploded into a café. In the best way.
Return to Edmonton
Distance from Wetaskiwin: 1 hr
Wind your way back home full of sugar and stories, possibly questioning your life choices but definitely not regretting them. This is a road trip built for giggles, sticky fingers, and outrageous treats—just the way summer should be.
Optional Extension: Overnight in Sylvan Lake
If you’d rather take it slower, book a cabin or campsite in Sylvan and turn this into a two-day trip. Add in paddleboarding, beach time, or even a stop in Gull Lake the next morning for a quieter, smaller-town treat before hitting Red Deer.
Day 2: Sylvan to Cochrane (and then home via Highway 2)
Stop 3: MacKay’s Ice Cream – Cochrane
Distance from Sylvan Lake: 1 hr 40 min
A legend in Alberta’s ice cream scene, MacKay’s has been churning out house-made ice cream since 1948. It’s not uncommon to see lineups out the door, but don’t be deterred—they move quickly, and the ice cream is absolutely worth the wait.
Try: Maple walnut, saskatoon berry, or if you’re brave—durian. They’ve got dozens of flavours.
Side Tip: Walk it off with a stroll along the Bow River Pathway or pop into Cochrane Coffee Traders for an espresso chaser.
Stop 3: RollyScoop Dessert Café – Leduc
Distance from Red Deer: ~1 hour | From Edmonton via Sylvan Lake & Red Deer loop
Tucked into 4812 43A Avenue, Leduc, RollyScoop Dessert Café is a whimsical, Instagram-ready spot that’s perfect for shaking up your route with something totally unexpected—including dessert mashups straight off TikTok. They’re especially known for ice‑cream rolls (Oreo Crush, Monkey Fuzz, Mad Mango, etc.), funnel cakes, Belgian waffles with rolled ice‑cream, hot‑fudge sundaes, and viral‑food items like faloodas and other dairy-laced layered sweets.
Try: An Oreo Crush or Lemon‑Rasp Cheesecake ice‑cream roll, or one of their waffle combos topped with Belgian chocolate and fresh berries. They also serve shakes, sundaes, and creative funnel cakes—like Choco Devil or Strawberry Bliss versions.
Why It’s Great: It’s a flavour-forward, visually spectacular stop where dessert becomes performance—especially if you want something playful and totally over-the-top to cap off your sweet tour of central Alberta.
Final Thoughts
This drive-in and ice cream road trip is a blend of nostalgia, sugar, and small-town Alberta at its best. It’s kid-friendly, photo-friendly, and ideal for a summer weekend. You can do it in 48 hours, or stretch it out into a longer wander. And hey, if the kids are bouncing off the walls afterward—you’ve got hours of car time to let them burn it off.
Got a favourite spot we missed? Drop us a line—we’re always scouting the next great cone. 
