10 hot spots for cold treats in Lake George

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

Patrons enjoy delicious ice cream served at Martha’s Dandee Creme, across from Great Escape, in Lake George, June 2, 2019.

Hundreds of vacationers, day-trippers and locals descend onto the sunny beaches of Lake George during the summer to soak up the rays, or head into the village itself for some shopping and other activities.

While hanging out in the heat all day can be challenging, the Lake George area also offers something else in abundance that is a quick cure for the summer weather: ice cream shops.

The Daily Gazette has compiled a list of 10 favorite ice cream stops, in and around the village, that both locals and visitors can take advantage of if they’re looking for a quick place to grab ice creams.

Martha’s Dandee Creme
1133 State Route 9, Queensbury

To say that Martha’s is a local favorite would be underselling the establishment.

The ice cream stand and grill, largely known as a local place to gather and enjoy some soft-serve ice cream and snacks, or stop by on a trip in to or out of town, has been owned by husband and wife duo Beth and Dennis LaFontaine for 10 years, but it’s been a landmark for over 50 years.

Martha’s has won various accolades, including being ranked among the top 10 ice cream parlors in the United States by TripAdvisor, as well as a mention on “The Today Show.”

Martha’s is known for its constantly rotating list of monthly flavors, its generous portions for both cones and bowls of ice cream, its ice cream cakes and its special Dandee Cremewich ice cream sandwich.

Martha’s is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Nina’s Sweet Shoppe
179 Canada Street, Lake George

Nina’s is another crowd favorite for a quick ice cream grab, located right in the bustling center of Lake George Village.

Along with ice cream, Nina’s offers a wide variety of candies, cookies and candied apples. But the ice cream itself stands out due to its multitude of unique seasonal and homemade flavors of soft and hard serve ice cream, of which there are over 30. The shop also serves custard.

Nina’s Sweet Shoppe is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Rob and Deb’s Frozen Dreams
Corner of Dix Avenue and Haskell Avenue, Glens Falls

Even though it is not located right in the center of Lake George Village, and is instead just 10 miles away from Lake George, Rob and Deb’s is staple for countless ice-cream seekers summer after summer.

Boasting unique flavors of homemade soft serve ice cream, Rob and Deb’s is also the place customers head to for ice cream cakes, homemade ice cream toppings like their maple fudge, homemade cones, as well as their freshly made brownies, which they use in their renowned brownie sundaes.

Rob and Deb’s Frozen Frozen Dreams is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.

Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe
Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury

Another longtime, locally owned establishment, Sprinkles offers both outside seating for customers who want to enjoy the summer weather, and inside seating for others who want to cool down.

Sprinkles offers both soft and hard serve ice cream and is located directly next to the Warren County Bike Trail and historic Glenwood Manor, for customers who prefer to sightsee or take their ice cream with them on the go.

Sprinkles is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Ben & Jerry’s
Canada Street, Lake George

Few words need to be said about this Vermont-based ice cream staple. In the heart of the village, the Lake George Ben & Jerry’s not only offers sit-in and take out ice cream and frozen yogurt in over a dozen different flavors, but also offers event catering.

Ben and Jerry’s on Canada Street is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

The Pink Roof
Beach Road, Lake George

Named for its vibrant light pink colored roof, this decades-old ice cream shop, which offers ice cream to go options, has a variety of sweet treats, from soft serve ice cream, to slushies, milkshakes and sodas.

Located right next to Around The World Miniature Golf, The Pink Roof is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

NY Polish Water Ice
Montcalm Street, Lake George

This popular establishment is a unique one in Lake George. As opposed to regular Italian ice, polish water ice is a soft serve water ice cream treat, for a smoother experience closer to a milkshake, but less fattening than regular ice cream, with no dairy.

With family roots, each polish ice made on site in the Montcalm Street location is made fresh, and there are a variety of iterations customers can try, including a polish ice combined with custard.

NY Polish Water Ice in Lake George is open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day during the summer.

Treats on display at the Candy Apple on Beach Road in Lake George Village.

The Candy Apple
Beach Road, Lake George Village

For those looking for an extra sweet treat to go with their ice cream, The Candy Apple offers freshly made fudge, milkshakes and newly-dipped candy apples.

An affordable option for those who don’t want to commit to a full soft-serve ice cream, The Candy Apple also offers penny candies, and other frequent deals on fudges and other products.

The Candy Apple is open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Stewart’s Shop
Various Locations

Like Ben & Jerry’s, Stewart’s, with its many locations around Lake George and the surrounding areas, remains a staple for ice cream.

Boasting a large list of flavors, from traditional chocolate and vanilla to more unique seasonal and special flavors, customers can stop in to any Stewart’s Shop and grab their ice cream to go, or take a seat at a table inside or outside and relax with friends. Stewart’s also offer milkshake options in any ice cream flavor, as well as sundaes.

Stewart’s Shops have varying hours, depending on the location.

A’la Mode
Canada Street

A’la Mode offers Vermont-based Wilcox Premium Ice Cream, which features no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Putting an elegant spin on regular ice cream treats, a’la mode also offers pie desserts with ice cream stacked on top, as well as larger sundaes and milkshakes.

A’la Mode is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.