Rich, overindulgent novelty abounds at the Museum of Ice Cream in Austin, TX.
Whoa. Guys, we did it! We have two potty-trained preschoolers! After years of stressing this literal shit, we needed to celebrate in a magically memorable way. I heard of the Austin Museum of Ice Cream maybe a year ago, set my sights on it as THE completionist reward, and at long last, the dream would be realized.
But would it be the sweet dream we envisioned or melt into a disappointing nightmare of unmet expectation?
Cut the line and jump straight to the short-form review of Museum of Ice Cream in Austin here.
Here’s the Scoop
If you’re unfamiliar with what the Museum of Ice Cream even is, let me elucidate you. A self-proclaimed “experium” (an experience museum–“experiYum” was a missed opportunity, MOIC), Museum of Ice Cream promises an immersive, “distraction-free“, engaging experience where you get to learn about the history of and EAT ice cream.
Unlimited amounts of ice cream. How could this NOT be the gold-standard celebration for Orson overcoming potty-training? But the thing that really captured my preschoolers’ imaginations was MOIC Instagram videos showcasing a big, red slide plummeting into a massive pool of SPRINKLES.
So, brightly-colored art exhibits, all the ice cream on which to gorge yourself, and a FUN, indoor, open-to-all-ages playground to burn off the extra calories. Sounds amazing.
Orson, at long last, got onboard the poo-poo choo-choo, checked the “potty-trained” box to our satisfaction (between the 2 of them, about 95% daytime-success rate), we reserved some tickets online, and I made sure to pack the Genexa tummy medicine. Just in case…
Expectation vs. Reality
Let me cut straight to the chase here. I’m not altogether sure what my actual expectations of the Museum of Ice Cream were, but once we arrived at the Austin location (one of six current locations worldwide), they were slightly upturned.
We were all tickled by the VERY pink exterior, especially my girly girl, Nova. But it was definitely smaller than I had envisioned. I mean, the MOIC website advertises quite a few immersive, interactive exhibits and lists the estimated tour length to be about an hour to an hour and a half. Maybe it feels bigger on the inside?
After strolling around the Domain in Austin for a bit (LOVE the location), we checked in for our Museum of Ice Cream time slot and hopped in line. It didn’t take long to be greeted by the enthusiastic guide, “Jammin’ Jimmies”, get a quick run-down of procedure and the magic to expect within, and get ushered inside.
Pick an Ice Cream Name.
Very “Hello, My Name Is…” style, the foyer held a few tables with markers and name tags. Nathan went against my suggestion “Banana Split” and opted for “Cookie Dough” instead. Nova was “P!NK”. Orson chose “Chocolate” (Mama’s adorable, little, white chocolate chip).
I resisted the temptation of “Blondie Chunk” and settled on “Bomb Pop”. It’s aight, I guess. After being told that the staff will jubilantly call you by your chosen pseudonym, I didn’t want anyone to feel put in an awkward position. In truth, I shouldn’t have worried that much. The only staff who addressed us by moniker was the treat attendant in the first room.
And quick note here: the first ice cream station offers the best treat in the whole experience. A soft-serve cream boasting an indulgent 13% milkfat vanilla paired with a cherry swirl that tastes exactly like a red Starburst candy. Quick note, but an important one. You’re welcome.
We sat in the diner there for a few minutes to savor the sweet soft-serve dessert before continuing the adventure. It became abundantly clear very quickly that the diner seems to be the most relaxed and spacious area within the MOIC.
Props given.
Everything funnels through smaller areas that are less “interactive exhibits” and more “Instagram photo props”. It’s definitely chic and aesthetically appealing in a poppy kind of way, but its chief demographics are children and social media influencers.
The few spots that allow for true interaction, like the two whack-a-cone carnival game stations and magnetic letter walls (#HASHTAG) crowd quickly. It’s hard to know exactly where to stand, since everywhere you find yourself seems to be right in someone’s way. This couldn’t be more true than when it concerns the ice cream stations.
The Rocky Road
“Frozen treat stations” is more apt. Know what to expect when you go.
There is only one station that actually serves ice cream scoops. Of three total stations: soft-serve, Dippin’ Dots, and finally, just prior to the playground, ice cream. Mainly comprised of Blue Bell and BB-adjacent selections. Low-quality bar, but fine overall. Underwhelming for the entry price.
Worth noting in regards to the ice cream: Museum of Ice Cream in Austin is forthcoming and accommodating. Nut inclusions are clearly indicated for people with allergies, and vegan, dairy-free options are available. Just expect that, across the board, options are pretty minimal for ice cream. But you can have as much of it as you’d care to eat.
I will also say this: for as crowded and congested as the ice cream station gets, how much I care about getting more ice cream gets bogged down by the sheer inconvenience. It’s set up in a cramped little hallway that leads directly to the Sprinkle Pool and playground.
Proximal… But a pain.
You’re in a claustrophobic egress with multitudes milling in and out about you, and the line interminably expands the longer you stick around MOIC. We arrived fairly early in the day, 11:30 AM, and it was alright, but it filled quickly. Until we left around 2 PM, it only grew more cramped and wild.
Especially in the playground. As amazing as it was! By the way, if anyone sees my diamond ring in the Sprinkle Pool, please let me know…
Last stop was the gift shop/bar/café to inquire about a lost-and-found procedure. If you make it this far in, you come to understand that the “good stuff” is all behind a paywall. Toppings, cones, premium flavors… And, obviously, alcohol. We opted against, but if you’re so inclined, you can get VIP tickets that include a “free” premium treat or alcoholic beverage at the end of your visit.
Primary Perspectives
So, I know I’ve really sold you on taking an Austin day-trip to check out the Museum of Ice Cream for yourself by this point. It’s expensive (more so on a weekend, though we went during the most recent Monday holiday), crowded AF, and lacks the kind of ice cream you’d hope to find at a place purportedly passionate about ice cream…
Had we come here, say, on a date, we would’ve been supremely disappointed. Just wasn’t for us. But that’s just it. It wasn’t for us.
It was to celebrate our boy, Orson, and because Orson so graciously wanted to share his accolades, Nova too! Potty-training is shitty work, and we had to commemorate overcoming so many obstacles together as a family. That being said, what did Orson and Nova think?
To be honest, Nova is very go-with-the-flow adventurous; Orson, on the other hand, had to ease into the party. It’s bright, overstimulating, crowded, loud at times…
He went in with expectations of his own. He told us he would only be eating one ice cream. Only one. (This kid, y’all–the proclamation didn’t last long, though.)… He had frustrations that we weren’t going directly to the playground that was at the tail end of the tour. The number of times we’d witness him, when we finally got to the Sprinkle Pool slide, nervously vacillate and back out, when it was the very thing he most obsessed over… Heavy sigh.
I’ll also be transparent in that I initially struggled, too. For him. I just really wanted this day to be special and magical and memorable in all of the right ways, and at first, it really felt like it would be a flop overall.
Cherry On Top
But that was “at first”. Things shifted dramatically throughout our time here. While initially timid, before our eyes, Orson transformed. I’m sure being fueled by sugar and caffeinated ice cream didn’t hurt, and he ultimately threw himself into the experience with reckless abandon.
Up and down the slide. Over and over and over again. Hurtling off of the edge of the Sprinkle Pool diving board more times than we could count. The surge of bravery and confidence that he channeled into frivolity was a pure joy to behold. And yes, I definitely joined in the play!
Nova burying herself in pink and red sprinkles relishing the innocent bliss of a dream come true. And Mama and Papa getting to have the excuse to have a day dedicated to saying “YES!” was a gift that we’ll cherish looking back on our Austin trip to the Museum of Ice Cream.
You want more ice cream? YES! Me too, let’s go!
Even if my ring is lost to the icy dessert deities, the memories will warm our hearts for a lifetime.
Final Serving: Museum of Ice Cream in Austin
Pros:
All You Can Eat ICE CREAM! (The cherry-vanilla soft serve is the best option). Irresistible indoor playground with a giant Sprinkle Pool. Small portions. Worthwhile, one-time experience for making awesome memories with your kids. Can walk through the entirety of MOIC very quickly, but it wasn’t hard to stay for 2.5 hours to let Orson and Nova make the most of it.
Go in with managed expectations, and it will be well worth a novel, one-time visit.
Cons:
Expensive for what you get. Expect high service fees tacked onto ticket prices (Ex: $80 for a family of 4=$100+ due to fees). Crowded. Exhibits aren’t that interactive. Limited selection of generic ice creams. Only three frozen treat stations and one cotton-candy station. Gotta pay extra for premium ice cream selections. There’s a soda shoppe-style bar at the end, but it, and most of the Austin Museum of Ice Cream feels very claustrophobic. Poorly laid out and targeted mainly toward children and influencers.