There’s nothing better than enjoying a summer afternoon with an ice cream cone.
I remember visiting the Ye Olde Mill as a kid and being completely mesmerized. How could I not be? It was a giant old mill dedicated to making the most wonderful thing on earth. Ye Olde Mill is still just as majestic as when I was a kid.
Originally built in 1817, Ye Olde Mill is home to Velvet Ice Cream’s corporate offices, an ice cream museum, and an ice cream parlor restaurant. Tens of thousands of people visit the mill each year, which sits on 20 beautiful acres of rolling hills.

Velvet Ice Cream was founded by Joseph Dager in 1914.
Dager was an immigrant from Lebanon and he started making ice cream in the basement of a confectionary in Utica, offering three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
The company produced 200 gallons of ice cream a month after just two years of business and the velvety texture of the product inspired the name. In 1960, Velvet Ice Cream moved into an old grist mill. Ye Olde Mill opened a turn of the century ice cream parlor in 1970 and it’s been beloved by local families ever since.

Ye Olde Mill offers an ice cream museum to explore, catch and release fishing ponds, nature trails, and more.
It’s a fantastic way to spend the day with the family Throughout the summer, Ye Olde Mill has a variety of fun events on weekends, including live music. You can keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming events.
Ye Olde Mill is located at 11324 Mount Vernon Road, Utica, OH 43080. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Columbus, so plan accordingly. You can visit their website here for more information.