I do not think there will ever come a day where ice cream will not be the best way to end my day. Ice cream is a way of life in my house for my Mom and I. We're always encouraging one another to have the extra scoop and always keeping our eyes open on road trips for Dairy Queen or other small town ice cream shops with unique flavors and a perfectly creamy taste. I believe that I can call myself an "Ice Cream Extraordinaire." The following is a list of my most favorite ice cream stops on the east coast.
1. Hayek's Market, Newton, New Jersey
I discovered this one while my Dad was in the hospital for over a week. To cope with the stress and also to indulge in our ice cream craving my Mom and I were here almost every day. They serve Cliff's Homemade Ice Cream, including flavors like Bavarian Cream Raspberry Truffle and Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk.
2. Dewey's Ice Cream Parlor and Café, Center Harbor, New Hampshire
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this one on our annual trip with his family to Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. Now it's a tradition to cram the whole family into the car, cousins and all, and head to this new favorite spot every night! My favorite flavor here is the Maine Black Bear, vanilla ice cream with a raspberry swirl and dark chocolate chunks filled with raspberry, YUM!
3. Rochester Cafe and Country Store, Rochester, Vermont
My family and I first discovered this incredible spot for lunch on my way to camp and of course since they offered ice cream my mom and I had to try it. The Maple Walnut ice cream is delicious, probably because of the Vermont Maple syrup. The environment of this place is perfect for a Vermont cafe and we always stop by if we are in the area; close to Middlebury Ski Bowl, it is in a great location too!
4. Jefferson Dairy, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
A bit more local, and in route to the closest mall and shore points, Jefferson Dairy wins for convenience and taste. Scooping up flavors like Dirty Diaper, Elephants Never Forget, and even Maple Bacon, Jefferson Dairy provides a unique ice cream experience.
5. J.P. Licks, Boston, Massachusetts
My new-found ice cream obsession in my college town, J.P. Licks easily lives up to my ice cream expectations. I have visited several J.P. Licks establishments throughout Boston and Cambridge and it is my go-to for ice cream in the city. My favorite flavor is Cookies 'n Cake Batter but I always keep my eyes out for the Flavors of the Month, this month they are boasting a new flavor: Blueberry Pancakes and Syrup. Their hot chocolate is wonderful too, especially on a blustery day in Boston, although I usually still opt for ice cream despite the freezing weather.
If you are an ice cream fanatic and are ever in the area of any of these phenomenal ice cream shops, do yourself a favor and stop by, I promise you will not be disappointed. And if you are not an ice cream fanatic then... I think that is rather unfortunate.
