An afternoon visit to the local ice cream shop is a pleasure hard to beat. But the old struggle to choose between chocolate and vanilla is a thing of the past: a renaissance in wild ice cream flavor innovation means we've got to pick among options like red velvet cupcake, honey lavender, Bangkok peanut, and plum sake sorbet (not to mention the occasional scoop of crawfish or wasabi). These 16 American ice cream shops are worth seeking out for their amazing flavors, delectable toppings, and innovative approach to our favorite summer treat.