Toft Dairy

Before customers ever gaze upon Toft Dairy’s long list of ice cream flavors, they are greeted by a life-size statue of a cow that honors Tilly, the first bovine to provide milk for the company. Founded by Chris and Matilda Toft in 1900, Toft’s holds the distinction of being the oldest dairy in Ohio.

While milk, fruit drinks and teas are produced daily at the company’s facility, the 50 flavors of fresh-made ice cream are what draw crowds to Toft’s original Sandusky ice cream parlor, especially as summer takes hold. (Toft’s has a second location in Sandusky along state Route 250, as well as scoop shops in Columbus and Port Clinton.) 

The dairy sources its milk from farms within a 50-mile radius. Visitors can enjoy locally themed flavors, like Lake Erie Island Cookie Monster and Muddy’s Sea Salt Slam (in honor of the Toledo Mudhens’ mascot). There are also four ice cream variations that feature Tilly Tracks, peanut-butter-filled chocolate cows named after the dairy’s beloved mascot. 3717 Venice Rd., Sandusky, Ohio 44870, 800/521-4606, toftdairy.com