Summer heat is on its way, but Pennsylvania’s tourism office has a plan to keep everyone cool. Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail has officially launched for an 8th year in the row.

“Good things happen with ice cream,” said Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary.

Several Pennsylvania state officials kicked off the tourism feature today at the Destiny Dairy Bar in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 

“I don’t think you can argue with the fact that everyone needs a good reason to get out and eat some ice cream,” said Rick Siger, secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The ice cream trail acts as a guide and a challenge. If you visit and buy ice cream from at least 6 of the 51 creameries on the official list, you can win a steel tumbler. If you visit more stores, there’s a chance at a grand prize.

Not just any ice cream shop can make it on the list; a creamery has to use Pennsylvania milk in their products.

“It really is supporting those farms that are born and bred right here in the Commonwealth,” said Kaitie Burger, executive director for the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

Ice cream creameries are just one example of farms embracing direct-to-consumer business models. From butchers to delis- the push to eat local food creates big chances for small and medium farms. 

“You can see farms, and see exactly, you know, how the food gets from farm to table,” said Amy Bricken, owner of the Destiny Dairy Bar. Bricken is a third generation farmer; the ice cream shop is part of her family’s Stover Farms.

 Putting food businesses on farm properties can create a destination, not just a lunch break.

Siger said a recent tourism industry study reports that, except for transportation, tourists spend more money on food and beverage than anything else.

“When people are on vacation or taking a day or weekend trip, they want great food,” Siger said. "They want great culinary experiences. In fact, it's many times the reason why people travel to a place in the first place.”

The ice cream trail is one of many summer initiatives from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. This year’s branding theme is simply ‘PA Getaway'.

“We want you to sit back, relax, breathe some fresh air,” Burger said. "Remember what birds sound like here in nature; and just have time to take time with your family and enjoy yourself.”

A new feature this year is travel itineraries based on “vibes”, or as the website calls them, “Vibe-Teniaries”.

“There is one called a storied retreat, so it's for book lovers. If you want to escape and go to all these cool indie bookstores and book themed hotels,” Burger said. “One is for history seekers, adventure lovers. It's all kinds of different ways to explore based on your interests."

The tourism office is stressing that Pennsylvania is a big state. Folks from the Northern Tier and folks from Philadelphia could switch places for a weekend and feel they were in different worlds. There’s a lot for Pennsylvanians to explore in their own state, and plenty of attractions for out of state and international travelers.

Regardless of who visits a town, the money spent is poured into local businesses.

In 2022, tourism brought 192 million visitors to the state and generated over $76 billion for the economy.