Just because National Ice Cream Day passed earlier this week doesn’t mean family travelers can’t still celebrate the popular summertime treat, and we’ve got the inside scoop on where to go to celebrate.
Word on the street is New Jersey serves some of the country’s most delicious ice cream in venues like historic roadside stands, parlors and small-batch creameries. Here are a few local favorites that helped New Jersey earn the title of the ultimate ice cream destination.
Located in Ledgewood and situated along Route 46, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream is an iconic, roadside ice cream parlor that has been a favorite since 1975. Families can choose from more than 60 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream and 11 soft-serve flavors. Standout flavors include the Holy Cannoli and Bavarian Cream Raspberry Truffle.
This Jersey City establishment first opened in 1968 and quickly became a favorite amongst locals. Visitors can walk up to the counter and take in the colorful palette of flavors. Choose from tropical flavors like pineapple and cream or coconut joy, or indulge in the richer flavors like strawberry cheesecake and chocolate marshmallow.
The Bent Spoon is a farm-to-spoon creamery focusing on local and organic ingredients and creating small-batch ice cream and sorbets. Don’t let the unique flavors deter you from checking it out, such as NJ Blueberry Mascarpone, Sweet Corn, NJ Ricotta, Avocado Lime and Blackberry Chocolate Bit. Don’t worry, there are also more traditional flavors, like dark chocolate and hazelnut.
Another creamery with unique flavors, oWowCow is a rustic storefront in Lambertville serving 24 flavors at a time. Although flavors might rotate, popular ones include Honey Lavender, Blueberry Lemon, Cookie Monstah and Cashew Caramel. The menu also features dairy-free sorbet and vegan ice cream.
Magnifico’s Ice Cream, in East Brunswick, is famous for its soft-serve ice cream. Since 1981, the shop has been the go-to place for sundaes, banana splits and ice cream-filled cannoli. Fan favorites include key lime pie, black raspberry and German chocolate.
This Stone Harbor favorite has been around since Prohibition. Pick from more than 50 flavors of freshly made ice cream, water ice, gelato and sorbet. Standout flavors include butterscotch brickle, maple walnut and Oreo cheesecake.
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