The Ice Cream Capital of the World is Le Mars, Iowa

When most people think of Iowa, they think of their agricultural market. With a population of 9,435, Le Mars may look like many Iowa towns, but there are some very big differences about the town. It is located about 25 miles north of Sioux City, and any visitors will quickly learn to like what they have to offer in a big way. Le Mars is known as " The Ice Cream Capital of the World." This sweet city was given this title in 1994 as home of the Wells' Dairy Company. They are America's largest private producer. Having been founded by Fred H. Wells, Jr., in 1913 with a mere $250, Wells' has grown to make more ice cream than any one company in the entire world. Most consumers may not know it, but many of the most popular brands the buy every day come from this town such as Blue Bunny, Haagen-Dazs, Weight Watchers, and Walt Disney. Proving that there is ice cream for everyone, and they are just the place to provide it. This dessert is so much a part of their community that they even have gift shops where you can purchase t-shirts and figurines bearing their title for which they are so proud. A fun fact about the Blue Bunny Brand is that it came about as a result of a " Name That Ice Cream" contest for which a Sioux City man posted the name and the bunny character and won $25. If you are a consumer of their treats, you will know that they make ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, refrigerated yogurt, and other frozen novelties with limited edition flavors appearing at different times of the year.

The freezer for Wells' Dairy is nothing to shake a stick at, it is literally six stories high with ice cream. Their 900,000 square foot plant employs about 1,000 and produces over a whopping 120 million gallons of frozen treats, The milk which helps in the production of the ice cream requires help from three large dairy farms also located in Iowa. The Blue Bunny brand of products are sold throughout the world, including Latin America, Mexico and the Pacific Rim. Visitors can go to the Ice Cream Capital of the World Museum and take a very affordable self guided tour which lasts 30 to 40 minutes. Admission is only $3 for those 13 years and up, $1 for 5 to 12 years, and free for 4 years and under. Sweet tooth people will likely want to visit the 1920s style Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor adjacent to the museum. The old-fashioned shop can seat 86 and even provides booking for parties, which serves anything you can think of in ice cream such as hard-dip cones and dishes, specialty sundaes (including the enormous 6-scoop, multi-topping "Goliath Sundae"), malts, shakes, phosphates and more. Guests may also go to the simulated production room to see exactly how their favorite ice cream is made. The Wells believe in running a positive, family oriented company that exemplifies their values and Midwestern roots. This would make a fun family trip if you were stuck on deciding a unique type of trip. There's something for everyone shopping, recreation, and all kinds of different ways to learn about your favorite ice cream or other frozen desserts with a lot of room for sampling in between.