Mouthwatering NY Ice Cream Trail: Lake George to Lake Placid and Back
Editor's note 10/06/20 9:50am: A few ice cream hotspots on our list are still open, and where possible we've listed the hours below. But, many close Columbus Day Weekend, so satisfy that ice cream fix while you still can! (Hours can change at any time; always double check with individual establishments.)
We'll all be screaming for ice cream on this road trip! Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure inspired by summer's favorite treat? Prepare to indulge in the largest variety of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sundaes, and more in this ultimate ice cream trail!
There are 16 irresistibly scrumptious Adirondack hotspots for frozen delights on this ice cream trail. Hit the road with your family, friends, and hearty appetite and get licking! Pick and choose what looks best for you or go for the gold by completing the entire trail.
Please note: Hours and flavors are subject to change, and many ice cream shops are seasonal. Always check ahead with the individual ice cream shops to confirm.
Stop #1: Rob & Deb's Frozen Dreams
Cherry Creme Twist Ice Cream, photo provided
96 Haskell Avenue, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Note: Rob & Deb's Frozen Dreams closed for the season on September 13.
Start off strong with Glens Falls' legendary soft serve ice cream stand. Open everyday from 11am to 10pm, Rob and Deb's is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can expect homemade waffle cones and a constantly changing flavor menu. Owner Rob grew up in the ice cream business and learned how to expertly prepare the treat from his father.
Stop #2: Cooper's Cave Ale Company
Cookies 'n Creme Ice Cream
2 Sagamore Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Note: The ice cream window at Cooper's Cave is closed for the 2020 season, and the pub is closed for the foreseeable future. Visit their website at cooperscaveale.com to see retail shop hours.
Next up, Cooper's Cave Ale Company! Located right off the Warren County Bike Trail, they have homemade hard ice cream, over 70 soft ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt, famous filled ice cream cakes, fantastic floats, dairy free options, and beer! Every craving can be filled with this one-stop-shop.
Stop #3: Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe
Banana Oreo Crumble Ice Cream
60 Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804
Note: Sprinkles is open at the hours listed below and will close October 11.
Up next, enjoy a delicious cone, specialty sundae, or find your new favorite treat at Sprinkles! This Queensbury ice cream shoppe is open every day from 12pm to 8pm. Stop by during your bike ride or walk on the Warren County Bike Trail and choose from hard or soft serve options, smoothies, shakes, and more!
Stop #4: Martha's Dandee Creme
Cheesecake Ice Cream and Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl Ice Cream
1133 Route 9, Queensbury, NY 12804
Note: Martha's Dandee Creme is closed for the 2020 season. Find them on Facebook or Instagram for a possibility of opening for a day or two in October for a quart, ice cream cake, and Dandee Cremewich sale.
Our next stop can be found directly across from Great Escape. As seen on the Today Show for Top 10 Ice Cream Parlors in US, Martha's has been an ice cream landmark for visitors near and far for 70 years! Open daily, enjoy friendly staff and generous servings of fresh ice cream made everyday. Change things up and trade the cone for a Dandee Cremewich, a premium ice cream sandwich.
Stop #5: Lumberjack Pass Mini Golf
Photo provided
1511 Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845
Note: Lumberjack Pass Mini Golf is closed for the 2020 season.
Fore! Welcome to your first taste of competition on this road trip. With every game of miniature golf, players receive a free soft serve ice cream- it just doesn't get better than that! It's just $5.98 for a riveting game and a delicious cone. They also have a full ice cream shop with delicious flavors, signature sundaes, shakes, floats, ice cream sodas, and more.
Stop #6: Nina's Sweet Shoppe
179 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845
Note: Nina's Sweet Shoppe is open for takeout 10am to 11pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to 11:30pm Thursday to Saturday until Columbus Day.
Our next stop provides a little change of scenery as we step indoors to enjoy summer's favorite treat. Located in the heart of Lake George Village, Nina's Sweet Shoppe is great for kids and large groups. Taste test some of the most unique desserts in the area as you step into this unique one-of-a-kind candy shoppe. They're open through Columbus Day - try their seasonal pumpkin ice cream in the fall!
Stop #7: Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
6339 Main Street, Chestertown, NY 12817
Note: Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is open from 8am to 4pm daily, year-round, excepting a few days in November that are still to be decided. They may also close for a short time during the winter season. Find them on Facebook to stay updated.
Make sure to hit this stop right around lunchtime because you won't be able to deny the mouthwatering selection of soups and sandwiches! Proceed to spoil your taste buds with palatable parlor specialities. Functioning as a restaurant and gift shop, Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is a great place to grab your souvenirs to remember this road trip of a lifetime.
Stop #8: Whitebrook Dairy Bar
Photo provided
5660 Route 86 Scenic, Wilmington, NY 12997
Note: Whitebrook Dairy Bar closed for the season on Labor Day.
If you missed lunch at our last stop, you're in luck! Whitebrook Dairy Bar is home of the Wilmington Burger and some mighty mean milkshakes. If you time your visit well, you can pair this scrumptious pit stop with Weather.com's best hike in New York. It's like the sprinkles on top of a great day!
Stop #9: Emma's Lake Placid Creamery
2507 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Note: Emma's Lake Placid Creamery is open 12pm to 8:30pm Sunday, Monday and Thursday; 12pm to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday.
Go back in time at this retro ice cream shop in the heart of downtown Lake Placid. It's a local favorite with all the varieties of ice cream you can imagine: soft serve, hard ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes, and more. Want to change things up? Try Emma's homemade cheesecake on a stick!
Stop #10: Mountain Mist Custard
Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream, photo provided
260 Lake Flower Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Note: Mountain Mist Custard closed for the season on Labor Day.
Welcome to this road trips' ice cream with a view. Get your Instagram account ready for your delicious ice cream cone backdropped by serene Lake Flower. After more than 65 years, Mountain Mist Custard has mastered the art of soft serve on a hot summer day. Grab your cone and head out to the dock for a peaceful ice cream licking experience.
Stop #11: Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream
1564 Route 86, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Note: Donnelly's Soft Ice Cream closed for the season on Labor Day.
Welcome to "The best in the Adirondacks since 1953" for ice cream. Donnelly's soft serve flavors are delectable for any occasion. All you do is pick a size because the flavor of the day is chosen. The day's flavor is always twisted with vanilla, always rich, and always worth the trip.
Stop #12: Skyline Ice Cream
1970 Route 30, Tupper Lake, NY 12986
Note: Skyline Ice Cream closed for the season on September 19.
Approach the final stretch of this epic ice cream trail in Tupper Lake with Skyline Ice Cream. With a plethora of grilled menu items and delectable ice cream treats, you won't be disappointed! They offer handmade soft serve ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, smoothies, and milkshakes; they also have gluten free cones and ice cream available. Check them out betweeen 1pm and 9pm any day of the week.
Stop #13: Custard's Last Stand
1136 Deerland Road, Long Lake, NY 12847
Note: Custard's Last Stand is closed for the 2020 season.
In the heart of Long Lake, you can't miss Custard's Last Stand scooping ice cream in the main intersection of town. This legendary ice cream shop has been around since 1956. Enjoy soft ice cream, hard ice cream, sundaes, and slushies.
Stop #14: Speculator Creamery
2903 Route 30, Speculator, NY 12164
Note: Speculator Creamery is open. Their hours are 2pm to 9pm Friday, 11am to 9pm Saturday, and 2pm to 9pm Sunday. (They have a deep dish apple pie flavor!)
Lakeside Licks sold their Speculator location, which is now Speculator Creamery, so you can still stop by this ice cream hotspot for delicious treats. They're open on weekends - Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday from 1pm to 10pm.
Stop #15: Bon's Ice Cream
530 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
Note: Please call Bon's for updated hours at 518.696.2346.
Fuel your inner competitive side in Lake Luzerne with some miniature golf topped off with your choice of ice cream. They have 21 soft serve flavors, 16 hard ice cream flavors, along with flurries, floats, ice cream sodas, ice cream cakes, shakes, sundaes, and non-dairy and yogurt options. Providing fun for the community and dishing out ice cream since 1994, Bon's is a staple hotspot in this Adirondack neighborhood.
Stop #16: The Pink Roof
58 Beach Road, Lake George, NY 12845
Note: The Pink Roof announced on July 22, 2020 that they will not open this season but hope to reopen in 2021.
You've arrived at your final destination! The Pink Roof, in the Village of Lake George is perfectly located to grab a cone after a day at the lake, or a long day chasing ice cream stands! Just look for the pink roof to feed your cravings. They offer soft ice cream, hard ice cream, milkshakes, slushies, sundaes, and Italian ices.
You've made it. Full of ice cream, treats, memories and miles. Congratulations! What summer treat destination was your favorite?