The Meadows

Welcome to The Meadows, an iconic and highly recommended destination in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, celebrated for its exceptional frozen custard and array of delightful treats. While the name might imply just one type of dessert, The Meadows offers a diverse menu that extends far beyond, including creamy frozen yogurt, refreshing Italian ice, and a variety of smoothies and shakes. This isn't just a place to grab a quick treat; it's a vibrant hub designed for enjoyment, offering both culinary delights and recreational activities that make it a perfect spot for families, friends, and anyone looking to sweeten their day in Pennsylvania.

The Meadows has a rich history, with its original frozen custard recipe dating back to 1950 in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. This tradition of quality and flavor has been carried through to the Harrisburg location, which has become a beloved local favorite since its establishment. What truly sets The Meadows apart is its commitment to creating a comprehensive experience. Imagine indulging in rich, creamy frozen custard while overlooking a mini-golf course, or enjoying a sweet treat after a session in the batting cages. This integration of food and fun ensures that The Meadows is more than just a dessert shop; it's a gathering place where memories are made and smiles are shared, solidifying its reputation as a cornerstone of the Harrisburg community. Their dedication to daily freshness and a wide variety of offerings ensures that every visit is a unique and satisfying adventure for your taste buds.

The Meadows is conveniently located at 4628 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109, USA. This address places it prominently along Jonestown Road, a major thoroughfare in Harrisburg, ensuring easy access for residents throughout the city and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. The location is particularly notable as it's directly behind their old store, making it a familiar landmark for long-time patrons while offering enhanced facilities.

The accessibility of The Meadows is significantly boosted by its new location. It now offers "abundant & stylish outdoor seating" which provides a comfortable and inviting space for customers to relax and enjoy their treats. This outdoor area also boasts views overlooking their "NEW mini golf course and batting cages," creating an engaging atmosphere that encourages leisurely visits. For those driving, the new location implies improved parking facilities, catering to the popularity of the establishment and its expanded recreational offerings. Whether you're coming from nearby neighborhoods or a bit further afield in Central Pennsylvania, Jonestown Road provides straightforward navigation. This combination of a well-known address, ample seating, and integrated activities makes The Meadows a highly accessible and appealing destination for families and individuals seeking both delicious treats and a fun outing without having to travel extensively. Its thoughtful design enhances the customer experience, making every visit easy and enjoyable.

The Meadows offers a comprehensive menu of frozen delights and complementary activities, ensuring there's something for every visitor.

• Frozen Custard: Their signature offering, known for being "the BEST frozen custard in town!!" It's made fresh daily using an original family recipe since 1950, providing a richer, creamier, and smoother texture than traditional ice cream. Available in vanilla, chocolate, and two rotating "flavors of the day."

• Frozen Yogurt: A lighter option, offering fat-free, no-sugar-added vanilla and a low-fat "flavor of the day."

• Italian Ice: Smooth, creamy, flavorful, and fat-free Italian ice available in a wide selection of refreshing flavors such as watermelon, strawberry, mango, cherry, pina colada, orange creme, lemonade, blue raspberry, passion fruit, and root beer.

• Gelati: A popular combination featuring their smooth, creamy frozen custard layered with any of the Italian ice flavors.

• Smoothies & Shakes: A variety of fat-free frozen drinks made with their frozen yogurt and real fruit (e.g., strawberry, banana, pineapple, blueberry, raspberry, cherry, strawberry banana), and thick, creamy shakes and "frosts" (ultra-thick shakes).

• Arctic Swirls: Frozen custard or yogurt blended with your favorite candy, nuts, or fruit mix-ins like Snickers, Oreo, M&M, Heath, cookie dough, Nestle Crunch, Twix, Butterfinger, Reese's Pieces, chocolate chip, peanut butter cup, or Hawaiian delight.

• Sundaes & Specialty Treats: A diverse range of sundaes (e.g., banana split, strawberry shortcake, turtle, brownie sundae, apple dumpling sundae, waffle cone sundae, orange fluff) and other unique offerings like "custard nachos."

• Soft Pretzels: Now offering "HUGE soft pretzels" in plain, salted, cinnamon, and served with a cheese cup, providing a savory complement to the sweet treats.

• Mini Golf Course: An exciting 18-hole miniature golf course on-site for entertainment.

• Batting Cages: Additional recreational fun with on-site batting cages.

The Meadows in Harrisburg is highly regarded for several distinctive features and highlights that make it a standout destination for frozen treats and family entertainment in Pennsylvania.

• "The BEST Frozen Custard in Town!!": This resounding endorsement is a key highlight, emphasizing the superior quality and taste of their signature frozen custard. It promises a richer, creamier, and smoother experience compared to traditional ice cream, fulfilling a craving for a premium dessert. The fact that it's made fresh daily using a recipe unchanged since 1950 underscores its authentic and high-quality nature.

• Wide Variety of Treats: Beyond frozen custard, The Meadows offers an extensive menu that caters to diverse preferences. This includes frozen yogurt, Italian ice, smoothies, shakes, and a vast selection of sundae and Arctic Swirl combinations. This broad offering ensures that every member of a group will find something to enjoy, from classic flavors to unique daily specials.

• Expanded Recreational Facilities: A significant enhancement with their "NEW location" is the addition of a "NEW mini golf course and batting cages." This transforms The Meadows from solely a dessert shop into a comprehensive entertainment complex, providing an "inexpensive and fun outing with the kids!!" This unique combination of food and fun is a major draw for families and groups looking for a complete leisure experience.

• Abundant & Stylish Outdoor Seating: The new location boasts "abundant & stylish outdoor seating that overlooks their NEW mini golf course and batting cages." This thoughtful design creates a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, allowing patrons to comfortably enjoy their treats while watching the activities, enhancing the overall experience.

• Introduction of Savory Items: The addition of "HUGE soft pretzels (plain, salted, cinnamon and cheese cup)" provides a savory option that perfectly complements their sweet offerings. This diversification of the menu caters to a wider range of tastes and makes The Meadows a more versatile destination for snacks.

• Strong Local Recommendation: The consistent theme of "HIGHLY recommend" from satisfied customers underscores its reputation as a top choice in the area. This strong positive word-of-mouth is a testament to the overall quality of their products, services, and the enjoyable atmosphere they provide.

For those planning a visit to The Meadows in Harrisburg or needing to get in touch, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 4628 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109, USA

Phone: (717) 412-4095

For locals in Pennsylvania, particularly those in Harrisburg and the surrounding communities, The Meadows stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination. It offers a unique combination of culinary excellence and family-friendly entertainment that perfectly aligns with the local desire for quality experiences and enjoyable outings.

The primary reason The Meadows is so well-suited for locals is its reputation for having "The BEST frozen custard in town!!" For Pennsylvanians who appreciate a superior frozen treat, the rich, creamy, and smooth texture of their custard, made fresh daily from an original 1950 recipe, is simply unparalleled. While one review mentioned occasional sparsity of mix-ins, the overwhelming sentiment highlights the overall quality of the custard itself and the wide array of flavor options, including daily specials. This ensures that locals have access to a consistently delicious and premium dessert experience right in their community.

Furthermore, the significant enhancements at their new location on Jonestown Road make it an even more attractive local hub. The presence of "abundant & stylish outdoor seating that overlooks their NEW mini golf course and batting cages" transforms a simple ice cream run into a comprehensive leisure activity. This allows families and friends to combine the enjoyment of delicious treats with fun, inexpensive entertainment. For locals, this means less travel time and more quality time spent together, making it a perfect spot for spontaneous outings or planned weekend fun, fostering a strong sense of community and providing a valuable recreational resource.

The diverse menu also caters broadly to local tastes, offering not just custard, but also frozen yogurt, Italian ice, smoothies, shakes, and even "HUGE soft pretzels." This variety ensures that every family member or group member can find something to love, accommodating different preferences and dietary needs. This makes The Meadows a versatile destination, suitable for everything from a quick snack to a longer afternoon of activities.

In conclusion, The Meadows in Harrisburg is highly recommended for locals in Pennsylvania because it consistently delivers on its promise of superior frozen custard and a wide variety of treats. Coupled with its new location's expanded recreational facilities and comfortable outdoor seating, it offers a perfect setting for a relaxing, fun, and inexpensive outing. It’s more than just an ice cream shop; it’s a cherished local landmark providing an all-encompassing experience for the community.

The Meadows

4628 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109, USA