Farther afield from Philly, the tiny Yardley Ice House is nonetheless a popular destination for city residents. An ice-cold treat in a variety of rotating flavors — like banana cream pie, cherry Bordeaux, and peach mango — is worth the 45-minute drive. You’ll find similar satisfaction another 15 minutes west of here, at sibling Newtown Ice House.

Open since 1969, this Germantown spot is the local destination for fresh water ice with flavors like black cherry, tangerine, and kiwi strawberry. Tranzilli’s has an extensive wholesale operation, too, so if you’re looking to take a lot of water ice home, this is the place.

With its bright yellow signage decked out with green lemons against a pastel blue backdrop, Rose’s Water Ice is easy to find. The Manayunk shop serves up traditional fruity water ice, including lemon, strawberry, and pineapple, all of which are perfect for a hot day. Are you an early bird? Rose’s is also known for its breakfast sandwiches.

One of the fresher shops in town (at least compared to the decades-old stalwarts), Mama Maria’s makes fruit-studded water ice in Port Richmond. The seasonal spot also serves custard and soft pretzels.

This water ice spot right off of Fairmount Park often has a line for its pizza-topped soft pretzels and vibrant water ice — you’ll taste why once you make it through that line. There’s another location in Overbrook if you happen to be on that side of town, too. Note: It’s cash only.

You’ll likely be drawn to Dre’s for the excellent sweet potato pie and banana pudding ice creams, but you’ll also find rotating water ice flavors for every taste, like CBD-infused mango and strawberry lemonade, at Andre Andrew’s roving carts and trucks. Follow Dre’s social media to see where it pops up next.

Siddiq Moore started selling water ice on Temple University’s campus in 1995. He gained a loyal following for his creative flavors like white grape, strawberry coconut, and kiwi, and then launched a small fleet of mobile carts before opening a permanent shop in West Philly to sell fruity water ice and gelati. Siddiq’s has a second location just outside the city, in Chester, with a drive-thru and lunch options.

The company that introduced the rest of the country to water ice has been going strong since 1984. The chain, which started in Bensalem, now has more than 500 locations across the country, including several in Philly. While the menu has grown significantly, traditional water ice or gelati (water ice plus custard) is still the best choice. The Swedish Fish flavor is a customer favorite.

Not far from the Italian Market, John’s has been using the simplest of water ice recipes — fruit, water, and sugar — since 1945. Lemon, cherry, chocolate, and pineapple are always on the menu, plus one or two rotating flavors, like peach and mango. The seasonal shop also has a location in Huntingdon Valley and a roving water ice truck now, so keep an eye out.

Despite its name, D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats is a relative newcomer to the scene. Open since 2013 as a cart that popped up around town, the sweet treat maker now has a shop on East Passyunk Avenue to sell soft serve ice cream and water ice made with organic fruit juice in flavors like blackberry lavender lemonade.

From inside this small East Passyunk Avenue store, an Italian food paradise beckons. The old-school Lucio Mancuso & Son shop is full of imported cheese, baked goods, and other specialties — plus house-made water ice. Those who like chunks of fruit in their frozen treat will especially enjoy this version, which comes in just three flavors: lemon, cherry, and chocolate. Might as well pick up some fresh mozz to go, too.

In deep South Philly, Jimmy’s makes a variety of water ice flavors each day, with chocolate, cherry, and mango always on the menu. The seasonal stand also sells soft serve, pretzels, and frozen bananas.

Ever since Filippo "Pop" Italiano started selling water ice from a pushcart in the summer of 1932, Pop’s ice has been a favorite local treat. The seasonal Oregon Avenue shop sells several fruit flavors, including blueberry, orange dream, and watermelon, plus some more indulgent options like amaretto and dark chocolate chip. You’ll find another location in Havertown.