It’s time to talk about ice cream, and I couldn't be happier. It’s summertime, it’s hot, and every single night I crave ICE CREAM. This isn’t ideal for my waistline, and I need to invest in a gym membership, but my taste buds are satisfied.

Being the nice person that I am, I took one for the team by sampling five tasty treats at some of the best ice cream stands in the area. All I can say is YUM!

Stop #1: Donnelly’s Ice Cream (Saranac Lake)

A long line is a common sight at Donnelly's.

An Adirondack staple, the specialty here is a classic twisted cone. Donnelly’s Ice Cream is proclaimed “the best in the Adirondacks since 1953” when it comes to ice cream. Their classic flavors are twisted with vanilla, and the schedule is as follows: 

Monday: Nut Surprise

Tuesday: Red/Black Raspberry

Wednesday: Chocolate

Thursday: Fruit Surprise 

Friday: Strawberry 

Saturday/Sunday: Chocolate 

I was there on a Friday recently and had the Strawberry, which is one of my favorites. A few days later the flavor was a peanut butter and chocolate twist special. As you can imagine, the lines were long! My nut allergy got in the way here too, but I heard it was amazing! 

 Two more satisfied customers!

 Stop #2: Teddy’s Ice Cream (Bloomingdale)

My return to Teddy's was a good one.

Teddy’s was built 12 years ago by my aunt and uncle, so I spent many years twisting a cone there. Now under new management, they are offering up homemade, inventive treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.

On Sundays they offer a Sunday Super Sundae. In honor of the Fourth of July last week it had strawberries, vanilla ice cream, homemade red velvet cup cake, homemade blueberry compote, whipped cream, blueberry syrup drizzle, and a cherry on top, and they sold out! They even offer sundae sauces for grown ups like Pina Colada, Bourbon Maple Caramel, and Kahlua Dark Chocolate! Um…yum!

Besides ice cream, Teddy's also has homemade lemonades and iced teas to quench your thirst on a hot day, or wash down the delicious food they’ve been whipping up! 

Who can resist?

Stop #3: Mountain Mist Custard (Saranac Lake)

Mountain Mist, where summer memories come in a cone!

I remember going to Mountain Mist as a child, and looking forward to ice cream and sitting out back to watch the boats go by and see the ducks. Sometimes I would get an M&M Chozen Frozen just like my mom, which is simply M&M’s churned together with vanilla ice cream, but I loved it. My standby was a simple vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles. You really can’t go wrong with anything you get there. It’s definitely kid approved! They also offer food and ice cream cakes! 

Great ice cream with a view!

Stop #4: The Pine Cone (Ray Brook) 

The Pine Cone is a popular roadside stop.

The Pine Cone is family owned and opened in 2013, and has been an ever-growing spot since then. Their silky smooth ice cream is the perfect treat for a hot summer night. If you’re looking for something different than a traditional cone, try one of their homemade chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches! Or try some dirt on your ice cream — thinly crushed Oreo cookies that make an awesome topping! It sounds weird but it tastes great! Bring your furry friends too because they get a free doggie cone! 

Fun for the whole family!

And there you have it — some of the best ice cream to indulge in while you are visiting Saranac Lake this summer! Plan your stay, and check out all of the events and activities going on to work off all that ice cream (and make sure you have a comfortable bed to go back to after for a nap).