In Pullman, Washington (10 miles from where I grew up) the place to go for ice cream is Ferdinand's, on the WSU campus. WSU is an agricultural college, very well known for both its ice cream AND a fabulous cheddar-type cheese called Cougar Gold. http://tinyurl.com/88cq2

My son introduced me to Mitchell's ice cream in San Francisco - dozens of amazing flavors, made in small batches in a store that has been operating since the 50's. (It was too cold for ice cream the night we went to Mitchell's, but that didn't stop us, or all the other people waiting in line for cones.) http://www.mitchellsicecream.com/

Here in Seattle, there's a small company that makes an interesting array of sorbets and ice creams, most of which are sold to local restaurants. The Husky Deli, in West Seattle, gets good reviews for its home-made ice cream. http://www.huskydeli.com/

(I know we're supposed to be talking about the US, but has anyone mentioned Berthillon, in Paris? Yum.)

Happy travels! Julie