As the snow continues to melt and the local ice cream shops start to reopen for this upcoming season, it seemed fitting to compile a list of some of the best ones in the state. These are family-owned and operated places where you will feel right at home and be able to enjoy some amazing dairy treats! Are you ready to have a crazy craving for carefully crafted cold and creamy cuisine?

1. Pride Dairy - Bottineau

This is the last small town creamery in the entire state and has been around since the 1930s when they only manufactured butter products. Now, they still operate as a creamery and they also serve delicious ice cream! Pride Dairy is located at 517 Thompson Street in Bottineau.

2. Dakota Drug Co. - Stanley

Dakota Drug Co. has a soda fountain that serves one of the greatest creations known to man - the Whirla-Whip. Think DQ Blizzard but with real hand-dipped ice cream and any flavors and add-ons you could imagine. And I really mean any - dill pickle and bacon are two options you could try! It's located at 107 S Main Street in Stanley. Pull a stool up to the counter and make your dream concoction of frozen, creamy treats.

3. Scoopz Ice Cream & Eatery - Linton

Who could say no to ice cream that looks as delicious as that? This place opened last fall and has already made an impression, and that impression is quite simply YUM! Stop by Scoopz at 310 S St. Paul Avenue in Linton.

4. Sweets 'N Stories - Oakes

Sweets 'N Stories is the perfect place to grab a tasty treat and enjoy a good read - they are a combination ice cream shop, book store, gift boutique, AND they also serve amazing coffee as well. That's not all - they make amazing hand-made fudge in all types of flavors, too! You couldn't ask for more in one place. Find it at 509 Main Avenue in Oakes.

5. I Scream U Scream - Lisbon

We all scream for ice cream! This place has everything from sundaes to mixed ice cream known as Screamers - not to mention great food as well. If you get a malt or shake, prepare for it to be very thick and super tasty. Here's a personal recommendation from me - their seasoned fries are to die for. If you're one of those people who like to dip their fries in shakes or malts like I do, this place is perfect for it! Head on over to 517 Main Street in Lisbon to try it.

6. Dairy Delight - Wahpeton

Although pretty small inside and out, it is certainly not lacking in the ice cream department. There are plenty of tasty treats to choose from. All of them perfect for a summer day, which is important because it isn't open year-round, just like many other places on this list. It sits right by the Red River in Wahpeton at 90 Dakota Avenue. Go give it a visit!

7. Polar King - Jamestown

In case you're wondering what the ice cream in the picture is (understandably so since it looks so mouthwatering), it is a turtle sundae served here: vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, butterscotch, and topped with peanuts. If you're in the Jamestown area you should definitely check this place out. Polar King is located at 621 13th Street SE.

8. Eats N Treats - Bowman

Eats N Treats is an awesome old-style diner with some amazing ice cream in all sorts of flavors. You can get one of their mixed ice creams known as Tornadoes, or settle for a classic sundae or cone! They've got great food as well - it's a must visit if you are in town. They just opened for this year's season so you can stop in today at 408 Highway 12 W in Bowman.

9. Marquis de Mores Ice Cream Parlor - Medora

If you're touring Medora this summer, there's no better way to take a rest than to stop, relax, and cool off with some ice cream. The Marquis de Mores Ice Cream Parlor offers just that. Their ice cream is homemade and positively delicious! Visit it at 330 3rd Avenue in Medora.

Are there any ice cream shops that deserve to be on this list that I missed? Sharing is caring - I'd love to hear your recommendations!