When it comes to food, Boston has a reputation for fresh seafood and incredible Italian fare. What people don’t always realize is that our city is a Mecca for ice cream lovers. The quality of frozen treats here means that mediocre creameries just don’t last; only the best of the best endure. Our ultimate ice cream trail joins eight Boston-area ice cream parlors into a 21-mile drive that you’ll be salivating to take.

While it’s a good idea to explore the route in stages (unless you’re feeling extremely hungry and ambitious), here is a map of the complete trail.

1. Honeycomb Creamery (Cambridge)

Taco Tuesday takes on a whole new meaning at this creamery that specializes in small batch ice cream, made from scratch. While you can only enjoy ice cream tacos on Tuesdays, you can indulge in classic flavors like honey lavender and seasonal ones like apple cider donut and caramel on any day ending in "y." Honeycomb Creamery is located at 1702 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

2. Toscanini’s Ice Cream (Cambridge)

All the frozen treats here are made in-house. Gingersnap molasses, peach bourbon, Belgian chocolate… just listing some of the delicious flavors shows why The New York Times named Toscanini’s the world’s best ice cream! It’s located at 899 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.

3. Hi B3ar (Allston/Brighton)

For rolled ice cream, you can’t go wrong with this popular spot where you can watch the fascinating process used to create this twist on the classic dessert. Ice cream has never looked so elegant or tasted so fresh! Hi B3ar is located at 147 Brighton Avenue, Boston, MA 02134.

4. Morano Gelato (Chestnut Hill)

Tucked into the Chestnut Hill Mall is a store scooping up the richest dark chocolate gelato imaginable. The gelato is Sicilian-style and freshly made each day. There are more than 200 rotating flavors, ranging from sweet milk to Sicilian pine nut. Morano Gelato is located at 199 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

5. FoMu (South End)

This plant-based ice cream more than stands up to its traditional, dairy competitors. Everything is natural and made from scratch - try a scoop of lavender or avocado ice cream. FoMu has several stores; this one is located at 655 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118.

6. J.P. Licks (Beacon Hill)

There’s a reason that J.P. Licks has won so many awards! Here you’ll find build-your-own sundaes, frappes, fro yo, sorbet, sherbet, and regular ice cream. Recapture your childhood with fruity pebbles cereal milk ice cream (one of the changing monthly flavors) or take one of the coffee-flavored ice cream options for a test drive. Although there are multiple locations, this J. P. Licks is at 150 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114.

7. Christina’s Homemade Ice Cream (Cambridge)

An acclaimed ice cream parlor that has been around for over 30 years, Christina’s has roughly 50 flavors ready to serve at any given time. If you like boundary-pushing ice cream then you’ll adore this place, where adzuki bean, carrot cake, and green tea flavors are always available and you may well discover unexpected, rotating choices like licorice or cinnamon rice pudding. Christina’s is located at 1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.

8. BerryLine (Cambridge)

Looking for a lighter frozen dessert? Then BerryLine’s frozen yogurt and smoothies may provide the solution you’re seeking. Once you bury this probiotic-laden fro yo under a mountain of fruit, it’s virtually a health food. BerryLine is located at 1668 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

What's your favorite spot to grab a scoop in or around Boston? Let us know on the Only In Boston Facebook page.