You could say that there are wine connoisseurs, coffee enthusiasts, and me: An “Ice Cream Consultant.” When I think of ice cream, I picture a crunchy waffle cone with two dark chocolate scoops and dripping hot caramel on top! Yes, sit back, close your eyes and marvel with that visual. If I am on a courageous streak my cup will have the perfect mixture of raspberry sorbet and extra dark chocolate gelato. Ugh! the blending of sweet with sour, delizioso, as the Italians would say! On weekdays there is a box of Magnum’s double caramel subtly flirting at every fridge door opening. Sometimes I will go vanilla, sprucing it up with a fairly large spoon of Nutella and a chic-flick. I may have a problem! Needless to say, there is never a shortage of ice cream at my household.
Well, My birthday was in January, but you could say that celebrating it in April at the Museum of Ice Cream was worth every single calorie. I was sold on the experience the moment I read “ice cream” on the headline. “Say what??” was my reaction! My best friend, Michelle, and I embarked on what would be a little bit of paradise right in the heart of Miami! An hour away drive, but my taste buds didn’t mind.
Since the moment I arrived it was like my inner child came out of her shell and “adulting” Maria disappeared. Little Maria was besides herself inside the Sprinkle Pool. Get barefoot and jump in a hole filled with multi-colored sprinkles for no reason. Put. Me. On. The. List. I mean, C’on! Afterwards, We shook our buns with some chocolate milkshakes at the “Bunns Shake.” Guys the floor sparkled under my Converse. We definitely boomeranged our way into the Fan-tastic room filled with fan fashioned as ice cream cones. We shimmed a little or a lot, you’ll never know. In the Safari room, I explored the every wonder of ice cream’s most iconic parings – bananas – while sitting in the secret Coconut Cave. Secret being an understatement!
The phrase, “Melt this way,” allured us into the Food Fight room. A whimsical playground inviting us to drink liquid ice cream. This foreign substance was packaged in small cartons resembling sweetened condensed milk. TALK ABOUT A SUGAR RUSH! Rather fun than factual, we did get a taste of Japanese culture while building our own masterpieces with stacking toys and Mochi! Those little confection balls filled with ice cream came in different flavors, my favorite being Mango.
Finally, with a coastal line view, the Pop room welcomed us with a Key Lime flavored ice cream cone and fun cascading popsicles. We ate our cones, ventured to the terrace, hula hooped, jumped around, and made sure to capture the adventure along side the splashy backgrounds. I scream. You scream. We all scream for ICE CREAM!
At the end of the adventure, I confess that this bubblegum pink Art Deco building with a tropical vibe became a little piece of heaven if only for a couple of hours. However stressful and responsible life may be, it is important to play and have fun like children do. Those moments recharge your energies and inspire you to keep moving forward. My suggestion is: PLAY and never underestimate the power of good ice cream.
Sweet Fun Facts To Sprinkle Into Your Mind:
- The museum is a one-way route up four floors. You can spend as long as you like in each of the eight rooms but cannot go backward. There is an elevator for people with special needs.
- There are goodies in most rooms that must be finished or trashed before moving to the next room.
- Tours through the Museum of Ice Cream involve as many as 30 people at one time. Tickets are purchased online: https://www.museumoficecream.com/
- Museum guides are more than happy to snap your photo.
~M
** Self portraits taken by my besty Michelle Friswell
