Embarking on an ice cream road trip in Upstate New York is a delightful and flavorful adventure. Upstate New York offers a variety of charming towns and cities, each with its own unique ice cream parlors and sweet treats. Here’s a suggested itinerary for an ice cream road trip in (Really) Upstate New York:
Day 1: Ballston Spa to Saratoga Springs
- JJ’s Snack Bar (Ballston Spa): Start your journey with a basket of waffle fries and flavorburst soft serve cone. Kids will love the trash can sundaes equiped with a gummy worm treat. Ballston Spa is home to mineral springs, the National Bottle Museum, and the Brookside Museum.
- Humpty Dumpty Ice Cream & Subs (Saratoga Springs): Head to Saratoga Springs and visit this longstanding “mom and pop” seasonal ice cream shop. Try one of their famous Humpty Bars, specialty sundaes, or soft-serve flavors of the day. The pistachio with chocolate dip is always a fun favorite! Saratoga Springs offers a host of activities, including Thoroughbred Horse Racing, enjoying the natural wonders of Spa State Park, and live music concerts at SPAC.
Day 2: Saratoga Springs to Lake George
- Martha’s Dandee Creme (Queensbury): Drive up to Queensbury and enjoy the classic charm of Martha’s Dandee Creme, known for its gigantic soft-serve ice cream cones, iconic sign and robust menu. Your eyes will be in shock as you see fellow customers receive their generously portioned cone! Martha’s flavors rotate every three days, so be sure to check their website if you’re chasing any particular flavor. Local attractions include the Great Escape Theme Park, Fort William Henry Museum, and Lake George Village. Lake George is a 32.19 mile long lake, with awing historic significance and breathtaking views.
Day 3: Lake George to Saranac Lake
- Donnelly’s Ice Cream (Saranac Lake): Continue north to the quaint mountain town of Saranac Lake, NY. Approximately 4.5 mile outside the village center you will find this unique vintage ice creamery. The heritage ice cream equipment gives Donnelly’s soft serve a uniquely airy texture. Have a hard time choosing a flavor? You’re in luck! Donnelly’s chooses the flavor of the day and you choose the size. This is a must stop Upstate New York experience! Saranac Lake is a true mountain town, within the Adirondack Park. Along with a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from, Saranac Lake has an reviving art scene and deep-seated history. A 7.5 mile drive will take you to Paul Smith’s College, a small private liberal arts college seated on 14,000 acres.
Day 4: Saranac Lake to Long Lake
- Custard’s Last Stand (Long Lake): Work your way south through the heart of the Adirondacks. Enjoy a day by the public Long Lake beach, rent a pontoon boat, or try lunch at Owl’s Head Pub! When you’re done venture for a short walk to this beloved stand. The waffle cones are a perfect complement to the rich flavor of this custard treat! The drive from Saranac Lake takes you through numerous Adirondack small towns. If time permits, consider the Adirondack Experience museum in Blue Mountain, Lake.
Day 5: Long Lake to Home
- Stewarts Shop (Everywhere, Upstate NY): As you make your way home, stop for gas at the Stewarts Shop of your choice. This iconic New York chain is often used to denote the colloquial boundaries of “Upstate”. Stop in and grab a milkshake from a choice of dozens of flavors. Something for home? Stewarts’ Shops offers one of the world’s last true half-gallon ice cream portions, produced locally from New York dairy sources.
This road trip allows you to experience the diverse flavors and atmospheres of (Really) Upstate New York’s ice cream scene. Remember to check the opening hours for each establishment before planning your trip. Enjoy the sweet journey!
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