Ice Cream Station & More

Why go: Premium hand-scooped ice cream, over-the-top freak shakes, and fresh funnel cakes on Big Cove Road in Cherokee, with outdoor seating and a menu that covers everything from Riverbend Creamery scoops to fried Oreos and layer cakes.

About Ice Cream Station & More

Ice Cream Station & More is a dessert shop on Big Cove Road in Cherokee serving hand-scooped ice cream, funnel cakes, freak shakes, and a rotating lineup of specialty desserts. The shop sources its ice cream from Riverbend Creamery, which uses milk from Jersey cows for a naturally richer and creamier texture. The Riverbend products are mostly A2/A2, which is easier on digestion than conventional ice cream for many visitors.

The menu runs wider than a standard scoop shop. Freak shakes are the most photogenic item, arriving candy-rimmed and piled with mini cakes, cookies, or other toppings. Funnel cakes are made fresh and available plain or loaded with ice cream and fruit. Avalanches mix your choice of candy directly into soft serve. The shop also carries sundaes, milkshakes, banana splits, floats, and a dessert case with layer cakes, cheesecake, and lava cake. Outdoor seating is available for watching the foot traffic on Big Cove Road.

Catering is available for birthdays, corporate events, weddings, and other gatherings of any size.

Getting to Ice Cream Station & More

Ice Cream Station & More is at 45 Big Cove Road in Cherokee, on the south side of town near the Qualla Boundary interior. From downtown Cherokee, head south on Big Cove Road. The shop is on the right side heading south. Street parking and nearby lot parking are available in the area. Hours vary by season, so calling ahead before your visit is a good idea, particularly outside of peak summer months.

Why Choose Ice Cream Station & More

Ice Cream Station & More covers more ground than a typical scoop shop, with a menu that runs from classic cones to loaded freak shakes and fresh funnel cakes, all in a casual outdoor-friendly setting on Big Cove Road.

• Riverbend Creamery ice cream. Jersey cow milk for a richer, creamier base. Mostly A2/A2 protein, which is gentler on digestion than conventional ice cream for many people.
• Twelve hand-scooped flavors including Butter Pecan, Cake Batter, Toasted Coconut, Cotton Candy, Cookie Monster, and Coffee alongside the classics.
• Freak shakes in six varieties, each arriving with a candy-coated rim and piled with toppings. One of the more Instagram-ready stops in Cherokee.
• Ice cream flights let you sample five flavors in one order. A practical way to work through the menu before committing to a full scoop.
• Funnel cakes made fresh to order, available plain or topped with ice cream and fruit. Consistently praised across visitor reviews as among the best in the region.
• Pup Cups on the menu. Dog-friendly stop for visitors traveling with pets.
• Outdoor seating available. A natural fit for a post-hike or post-train-ride stop in Cherokee.
• Catering available for events of any size, with a call-to-inquire setup for custom arrangements.

Must Try

The hand-scooped cones and freak shakes are the headliners, but the full menu rewards visitors who look past the obvious choices.

• Freak Shakes. The signature item and the most photographed thing on the menu. Six varieties including Hot Fudge Brownie, Cookie Monster, Banana Split, and Apple Pie. Each arrives with a candy-coated rim stacked with toppings.
• Special Funnel Cake with Ice Cream. Fresh funnel cake topped with your choice of fruit and a scoop. Consistently called out in reviews as one of the best funnel cakes visitors have had on either side of the Smokies.
• Ice Cream Flight. Five hand-scooped flavors in a single order. The right move for first-timers who want to explore before settling on a favorite.
• Avalanche. Soft serve with your choice of candy thoroughly mixed in. Flavors include Oreo, Snickers, M&Ms, Butterfinger, Reese’s, cookie dough, brownie pieces, and cheesecake pieces.
• Banana Split. A full classic build with multiple scoops. One of the more generous presentations on the menu.
• Butter Pecan. One of the more consistently mentioned hand-scooped flavors in visitor reviews.
• Fried Oreos. A recurring mention in positive reviews. Worth adding to any order.
• Hot Chocolate Killer Lava Cake. From the dessert section. A strong option for visitors who want something warm alongside their cold order.
• Pup Cups. Soft serve in a small cup for dogs. Worth knowing if you are traveling with a pet.

What to Expect

Ice Cream Station & More is a casual walk-in dessert shop with outdoor seating and a menu that moves quickly during peak visitor hours in Cherokee.

• Hours vary by season. Summer hours run daily until 9:00 PM. Winter hours shorten to 7:00 PM. Call ahead to confirm current hours before making the trip, particularly in shoulder seasons.
• Outdoor seating is available. The Big Cove Road location is a comfortable spot to sit and watch foot traffic while you eat.
• Pup Cups on the menu. Dogs welcome.
• Freak shakes and funnel cakes take a few minutes to prepare. Not a grab-and-go stop at peak times, but the wait is short.
• Catering inquiries go through the phone. The shop handles events of most sizes with advance notice.
• Kid-friendly across the menu, with a dedicated Kids Cone option and a broad enough selection to satisfy most family groups.

Nearby Restaurants in Cherokee

• Heavenly Fudge. Cherokee’s original fudge shop since 1976, just down Big Cove Road, with copper-kettle fudge, hand-dipped chocolates, and free samples.
• Granny’s Kitchen. Southern buffet-style cooking on US 19 since 1984, with hand-carved roast beef, fried chicken, and some of the most affordable family dining in Cherokee.
• El Cajelito Mexican Restaurant and Bar. Family-owned Mexican directly across from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, with house-made corn tortillas and a daily lunch buffet.

Explore More

My Smoky Mountain Guide Cherokee is a great resource for finding things to do and places to eat.

• Cherokee Food & Beverage Guide. Discover restaurants, cafes, breweries, and other local dining favorites.
• Attractions and Entertainment. Check out all the attractions in Cherokee.
• Outdoor Adventure. Explore all the great outdoor adventure in Cherokee.