The cows here can hang out about 50 feet from the ice cream windows. That means your scoop and the animals behind the whole idea share the same view.
The ice cream gets made right on the farm, in more than 25 flavors. One of them is Pretzel Salad, a seasonal pick that shows up in July and August. Honestly, I love a flavor with a calendar.
You order at a walk-up window, grab a cone, and wander toward a covered pavilion where cows lounge in their pen. Goats, pigs, and a friendly horse are part of the crew too. My personal rule?
Lick fast, because staring at cows takes focus.
This family farm sits just inland from the Delaware beaches, and it’s open well into the evening. Few things beat a cold scoop of butter pecan while the pasture glows at sunset.
Your Ice Cream Is Made Steps From Where You Eat It
Freshness doesn’t get much shorter in distance than this.
At Hopkins Farm Creamery, the ice cream is made right on site, so your scoop barely travels before it reaches your cone.
The creamery calls every scoop handcrafted. It’s a small-batch kind of mindset, and it fits the farm setting perfectly.
Ordering happens at walk-up windows, which keeps things simple. You read the board, pick a flavor, and step back into the open air with your treat.
Behind those windows, the farm also runs a production room. School groups on field trips get a behind-the-scenes look at how the ice cream comes together. That’s a pretty sweet lesson plan.
Hours are generous too. The farm location currently lists daily hours from 11 AM to 9 PM.
The creamery operates throughout much of the year, with hours that may change seasonally. Checking its current schedule before visiting is a smart move.
One smart move is going earlier in the day if you want a calmer pace. Evening visits come with a bonus, though, because sunset over the fields is hard to top. Either way, you’re eating dessert at the source.
Over 25 Flavors Means Decision Fatique Is Real
Apple Pie ice cream. Chocolate Banana Walnut. Strawberry Cheesecake.
The menu reads like a dessert buffet folded into cones.
Hopkins Farm Creamery offers more than 25 flavors, mixing classics with seasonal specials. Chocolate, Strawberry, and Butter Pecan cover the comfort zone nicely.
Then things get fun. Butter Brickle, Rum Raisin, Pineapple Orange, and Salted Caramel Crunch all appear on the lineup.
Pretzel Salad is the wildcard. It shows up seasonally in July and August, so summer visitors get first dibs on that sweet-and-salty idea.
Dietary needs get some attention too. Cherry Italian Ice is dairy-free, while Coffee, Black Raspberry, and Cappuccino Delight are listed as gluten-free.
Coconut and Peanut Butter Ripple round out a list that makes choosing just one scoop feel unfair. Pistachio fans aren’t left out either.
My tip? Bring a friend and split two flavors. You’ll double your tasting power without doubling the brain freeze.
Flavors can rotate, so check the board before getting your heart set. A surprise favorite might be waiting for you there anyway.
The Cows Might Be Closer Than Your Parking Spot
Most ice cream shops have a parking lot view. This one has cows.
The animals often stay visible near the ordering windows, sometimes about 50 feet away. You can watch them between bites, which feels like dinner theater for dessert lovers.
In March 2023, new cows moved into a fresh pen beside the creamery. Their home includes a covered outdoor pavilion, giving them shade and giving you a great viewing spot.
Kids especially love this part. A cow up close is much bigger than any picture book suggests, and that surprise never gets old.
Remember these are farm animals, not petting zoo stuffed toys. Stay behind fences, follow posted signs, and keep sticky fingers to yourself.
One honest heads-up: farm smells come with farm life. On some days the scent gets noticeable, and plenty of people simply take their ice cream to go.
That’s part of the charm, really. You’re visiting a real farm in Delaware, not a theme park version of one. The cows were here first, after all, and they clearly know it.
A Playground Makes This More Than An Ice Cream Stop
Ice cream usually disappears faster than a family outing lasts. At Hopkins Farm Creamery, the fun can keep going long after the last bite.
A playground behind the creamery gives kids somewhere to burn off energy while adults enjoy the farm setting. It’s a nice bonus when little legs aren’t ready to get back in the car.
Picnic tables offer plenty of room to settle in with a cone or sundae. There’s also a shaded pergola, which comes in handy when Delaware’s summer sunshine gets serious.
The farm has added benches and umbrellas around the waiting area, too. Those little comforts make a difference when you’re traveling with a whole crew.
The animal-viewing area adds another reason to linger. Along with cows, visitors may spot sheep and ducks enjoying their own corner of the property.
Parents can relax while the kids play, and everyone gets a little fresh air away from the busy beach towns.
Sometimes the best vacation memories happen when nobody’s checking the clock. A scoop, a playground, and a peaceful farm view sound like a pretty good afternoon.
A Family Story That Goes Back To 1867
Long before sundaes, there were fields. The Hopkins family’s farming story stretches all the way back to 1867.
Grandfather William Hopkins set up the current Green Acres Farm location in 1942. Four generations of the family have owned and run it since then.
The creamery idea started with Walter C. Hopkins, Sr. His son, Walter C. Hopkins, Jr., known as Burli, helped bring that idea to life.
Hopkins Farm Creamery officially opened in 2008. It quickly became a sweet stop for anyone exploring this corner of Delaware.
Today, Burli’s sons Michael and Jacob Hopkins are involved in running things. Michael serves as the owner and operator.
Farming has changed a lot over the years. The commercial dairy operation wrapped up in 2021, but the creamery kept going strong.
That kind of staying power is impressive. Families adapt, and this one turned a long farming legacy into a place people happily visit.
Every cone carries a bit of that history. It’s dessert with a backstory, and that makes each lick a little more meaningful.
Your Dog Is Invited, And Snacks Are Included
Good news for anyone whose dog gives them guilt eyes at dessert time. Well-behaved, leashed pups are welcome in the outdoor seating areas.
Water bowls are provided, which helps on warm summer days. There are also dog-friendly treats, so your furry friend doesn’t feel left out.
That’s a thoughtful touch. Plenty of places tolerate dogs, but this one actually plans for them.
Keep in mind the farm animals nearby. Some dogs get excited around cows and goats, so a short leash and a calm pup work best.
If your dog barks at squirrels, cows might be a big moment. Test the waters with a quick walk first.
Paying is easy too. The creamery accepts cash, major cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
That means one less thing to juggle while holding a leash and a cone. Multitasking parents everywhere will appreciate that detail.
Bringing your dog turns the outing into a full family event. Everyone gets a treat, and the pup gets plenty of farm smells to enjoy.
Order The Whole Cake And Thank Us Later
Single scoops are great, but sometimes life calls for a whole cake. Hopkins Farm Creamery makes ice cream cakes that can be ordered ahead.
Ice cream pies and ice cream sandwiches can be ordered in advance too. That’s handy for birthdays, holidays, or a Tuesday that needs rescuing.
The regular menu goes beyond cones. Sundaes, milkshakes, and banana splits all make appearances.
A banana split at a dairy farm just feels right. It’s classic, a little over the top, and perfect for sharing.
Milkshakes work well on warmer days. You can sip one while strolling past the animal pens without dripping on your shoes.
Planning a party? Ordering a cake ahead saves stress and gives guests a taste of the farm.
The farm shop adds even more options. Gift cards are available at the creamery, while its website also advertises plans for additional merchandise, including hats and T-shirts.
Gift cards make easy presents for ice cream lovers. When the creamery’s planned merchandise becomes available, a hat could make a fun souvenir of your visit.
Make A Day Of It On Route 9
Finding the farm is easy once you know the crossroads. It sits at the intersection of Dairy Farm Road and Route 9 near Lewes.
The full address is 18186 Dairy Farm Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. It’s a short drive inland from the Delaware coast.
That location makes it a great break from sand and surf. You get open fields instead of crowded boardwalks.
The larger Hopkins Farm property has plenty more going on. Smokin D’z BBQ, Hopkins Heartland event venue, Heslep’s Coastal Cattle, and the American Center for Farming Heritage all share the land.
Hopkins Farm Market & Café was scheduled to open in summer 2026, with plans to offer fresh produce, artisan goods, and farm-style meals.
Hopkins Farm Creamery also hosts weddings and school visits. Field trips include tractor rides across the pastures and lessons about dairy and beef cows.
Lines can grow on busy days, especially in summer. A little patience pays off with a cold cone in hand.
Catch the evening light if you can. Watching the sun sink over the fields with ice cream in hand is a pretty perfect ending.