The County’s Newest Summer To-Do List Established Just in Time for National Ice Cream Day, ‘Sundae’ July 17th
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (July 14, 2022) – There’s no greater taste of summer than that of rich, sweet, creamy ice cream. In Orange County, N.Y., the treat comes in an array of flavors longer than any wish list, from vanilla to French roast coffee to Dinosaur Food. The local stands, parlors and sweet shops offer ice cream showcasing the region’s creativity as well as its bounty, from unique flavors to farm-fresh offerings, including local rhubarb and farm-harvested maple syrup.
To highlight the region’s coolest treat, Orange County Tourism & Film and the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) have established the Orange County Ice Cream Trail – 11 owner-operated emporiums highlighted just in time for National Ice Cream Day, on ‘Sundae’ July 17th. Recently, the Orange County Board of Legislators celebrated the new trail by sharing a variety of locally made ice cream from What’s the Scoop in Goshen and declaring that July is Ice Cream Month in the county.
“We have an abundance of really cool owner-operated places, many of which either make their own ice cream or feature local ingredients,” said Maire Ullrich, the CCE agricultural program leader who birthed the idea after hearing about ice cream trails elsewhere. “The trail makes a great summer to-do list.”
From Port Jervis to Cornwall to Warwick, and many points in between, the trail leads to tasty treats in cones and cups. They include stands where you order from a window to shops where you make your own sundae or sit for table service – maybe even order your ice cream fried! – overlooking the Delaware River.
It’s not just ice cream in the spotlight. Shops also offer ice cream’s many cousins – frozen custard, gelato, sorbet, sherbet and Italian ices. Look for special dietary and allergen-free offerings, including vegan, sugar-free and no-sugar-added options.
Locally owned ice cream places are the norm, according to a survey by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). The survey found that “most ice cream companies are family owned and have been in operation more than 50 years,” according to the IDFA website. The establishments are not just offering one of life’s pleasures, they also boost the economy. Ice cream companies contribute more than $13 billion annually to the national economy, supporting 29,000 jobs that generate $1.8 billion in wages, according to IDFA’s data analysis arm, Dairy Delivers®.
Last year, U.S. ice cream makers churned out 1.3 billion gallons of the treat. Orange County contributes its fair share.
“Like everything else in Orange County, N.Y., the ice cream flavors and variations here have a special flair,” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film. “We all know that ice cream and summer go hand in hand, but couple that with our focus on agriculture and craft, and you have a travel worthy Ice Cream Trail. When visiting Orange County, make sure to plan a visit to one of these delicious shops!”
Find the full list of stops on the trail here and below. Owner-operators of Orange County ice cream shops not yet on the list can have their establishments added by filling out the form here: cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpSSVtQ9E5KKZg2
Here are the shops currently on the trail. (Ice cream flavors are examples and are subject to change.):
Riverside Creamery, 5 Water St., Port Jervis
https://www.riversidecreamery.com/
That white house with raspberry shutters is a restored ice cream shop originally opened in 1949, overlooking the Delaware River. Seating is available inside (with table service) and outside. Try the famous fried ice cream. Some flavors:
• French roast coffee
• Kahlua almond amaretto
• Rocky mountain raspberry
The Sugarhouse at Finding Home Farms, 140 Eatontown Road, Middletown
https://findinghomefarms.com/
The menu at the Sugarhouse includes locally made Jane’s ice cream, and the vanilla maple swirl features the farm’s own organic maple syrup. Also find coffees, baked goods, waffles, waffled sandwiches and more. Some flavors:
• Vanilla maple swirl
• Mocha crunch
• Lavender
Zoghby’s Blueberry Mountain, 655 Route 17M, Middletown.
https://www.facebook.com/blueberrymountain
Their waffle cones are homemade, just like the premium ice cream. Assemble your own creation at the make-your-own sundae bar. Some flavors:
• Smurf (blue raspberry with mini marshmallows)
• Red velvet
• Malted milk balls
What’s the Scoop?, 20 Matthews St., Goshen
https://www.whatsthescoopgoshenny.com/
A stand with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs outside, What’s the Scoop? offers an array of hard ice cream flavors and even has unique flavors for soft serve ice cream, such as piña colada. Special dietary options include vegan banana coconut cream. Some hard ice cream flavors:
• Banana pudding
• Cookie Monster
• Cannoli
Sweet Tymes, 159 West Main St., Goshen
https://www.facebook.com/SweetTymesNY
The treats that transport you back in time are not just the premium ice cream but include classic and old-fashioned sweets such as rock candy and luscious fudge, international treats such as the British Flake candy bars by Cadbury, and more. Special diet ice cream flavors include vegan versions of vanilla and killer chocolate. Some other flavors:
• Cappuchino khalua
• Peppermint
• Pumpkin
Dairy Delite, 186 North Main St., Florida
https://www.facebook.com/Dairy-Delite-232854374131925/
Offers soft serve and hard ice cream, yogurts, vegan Dole whip, shakes, egg creams, Italian ices, chocolate-covered bananas and more, as well as burgers and Sabrett hot dogs, fries, onion rings and chicken fingers. Some ice cream flavors:
• Cookie dough
• Cotton candy
• Panda Paws (Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter panda paw cups and swirls of thick rich fudge.)
Ice Capps, 134 West Main St., Goshen
https://icecappsny.com/
Open since 2020, Ice Capps has always used only whole, natural ingredients, including real fruit, to give all the cool treats that signature taste. Each batch is handmade in-house to ensure the highest quality. The owners keep customers’ favorite flavors while continuing to experiment with new tastes and combinations. Some ice cream flavors:
• Peanut butter with Oreos
• Strawberry cheesecake
• Chocolate hazelnut
Pennings Farm Market, 161 Route 94S, Warwick.
https://www.penningsfarmmarket.com/
Ice cream stand at the farm market offers soft-serve custard and 24 flavors of hard packed ice cream. Served in a barn, near where farm critters clamor against fences for nibbles of feed, the ice cream comes in classic flavors. Among them:
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• White lightning
Hudson’s Ice Cream, 250 Route 32 Suite 106, Central Valley
https://www.hudsonsicecreamstore.com/
The newest shop on the trail, Hudson’s Ice Cream was born of a need for ice cream safe for kids with common allergies. The shop has something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for some old fashioned ice cream, you’re a vegan or you suffer from allergies, Hudson’s Ice Cream has the perfect flavor to match your preferences and requirements – and to put a smile on your face.
Cornwall Sweets, 297 Main St., Cornwall
https://cornwallsweets.com/
Cornwall Sweets features Jane’s Ice Cream as well as old time candy and treats including churros, black-and-white cookies and white chocolate covered cookies sprinkled with candy cane bits. Ice cream flavors include:
• Instagraham
• Bourbon Pecan
• Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie
Weir’s Ice Cream, 2159 Route 94, Salisbury Mills
https://www.weirsicecream.com/
Opened in 1956, Weir’s serves hard and soft ice cream, shakes, floats, sherbet, Italian ice, slush drinks, cyclones, and ice cream cakes. Weir’s will satisfy your ice cream craving with top-quality treats, some using local produce such as rhubarb. In the peak of summer, Weir’s features more than 30 flavors of homemade hard ice cream. Some examples:
• Blueberry crumble
• Dinosaur Food (purple vanilla ice cream with M&Ms.)
• Midnight on the Moodna (chocolate ice cream with mint chocolate cookies and a mint swirl.)
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, and events can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page available for digital download at https://orangetourism.org/travel-guide/.
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IN THE PHOTO: Orange County legislators and representatives of the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) celebrate the creation of the ice cream trail by enjoying ice cream from What’s the Scoop? From left: Legislator Rob Sassi, Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz, CCE agricultural program leader Maire Ullrich, CCE Executive Director Lucy Joyce, Legislator Kathy Stegenga and Legislator Barry Cheney
