Mark your calendars: July 17 is officially National Ice Cream Day. Luckily, if you miss it, the entire month of July is actually National Ice Cream Month. While you could go to the grocery store and pick up a tub of your favorite flavor to celebrate, you would miss out on some truly exceptional concoctions that far exceed your ice cream fantasies. Start your dairy journey here: at the best places around the United States to indulge in ice cream in all it's glory.
Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Sandwiches: Ice Cream Riot, Denver, CO
Everybody's favorite guilty breakfast pleasure just got even more guilty — by sandwiching ice cream in the middle! With choices of Pop-Tarts from Cookies & Cream to classic Strawberry with sprinkles, you can mix and match crazy interior flavors like Goldfish Cracker, Dirty Oreo, or our personal favorite, Nutella. That not good enough? They also have cones made out of pretzel for all your salty-sweet cravings.
Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich: Longford's Ice Cream, Port Chester, NY
Fresh s'mores, Oreo, and glazed doughnuts combined with ice cream -- does it get much better than that? Well, it can. These ice cream sandwiches are topped with candy and cookie pieces to complete the most decadent ice cream treat you'll likely ever lick. Trust us, it's worth the calories.
Cereal-Coated Cones: Emack & Bolio's, Various Locations
If you're above the plain Jane sugar or waffle cones, these delectable casings were made for you. Since 1980, Emack & Bolio's has been scooping up outrageous flavors into cones infused with Oreos, Fruity Pebbles, Rice Krispies, or Fruit Loops. Boston is their headquarters, but their shops can be found around the globe, as far as Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and the UAE. As we like to say, it's international cuisine.
Frozen S'more on a Stick: Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York City, NY
Looking for the ideal combination of cold and creamy and warm and toasty? Enter: the frozen s'more on a stick. A custardy ice cream center is encased by a frozen marshmallow and crispy wafer for an elevated take on everyone's favorite camp treat. Served toasted to perfection with a flame torch, every stick is that delectable shade of gooey golden brown.
Cereal Milk Soft Serve: Momofuku Milk Bar, New York City, NY
Who doesn't love the soggy remnants of your morning cereal? Haute bakery Momofuku Milk Bar has created a soft serve concoction that tastes exactly like the bottom of your bowl of Frosted Flakes or Fruity Pebbles. Keep one of your favorite morning moments alive by turning it into a dessert that can be devoured anytime of the day.
Bacon-topped Goodness: The Ice Cream Store, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Bacon-flavored everything has become the norm over the past couple of years so it should come as no surprise that The Ice Cream Store serves up bacon-flavored and chocolate covered bacon-flavored ice cream in their 100+ flavor repertoire. However, one trick they have up their sleeve is their use of REAL bacon slices as a topping for any sundae. Perhaps you could even try it on one of their more experimental flavors like booger or spinach salad?
The Vermonster Sundae: Ben and Jerry's, Various Locations
Weighing in from 4 to 9 pounds, the Vermonster takes the cake (or sundae) for the largest sundae we've ever seen. What exactly goes into this sundae you might ask? Well, it starts with 20 scoops of ice cream, followed by four bananas, three freshly baked cookies, one brownie, enough hot fudge or caramel to spike your sugar level for days, 10 spoonfuls of walnuts (if allergy-free, of course), and finally, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a few other essential toppings of your choice. As you may imagine, it is encouraged to take on the challenge with a gaggle of friends, but we dare you to brave the beast on your own. If you happen to be in Vermont, we highly recommend touring the Flavor Graveyard.
Cheez-It Sundae: Little Goat Diner, Chicago, IL
Everybody's favorite cheddar snack cracker just got even better — Cheez-Its in ice cream form. This enticingly cheesy and fruity sundae consists of Cheez-It and strawberry flavored gelato topped with chocolate-covered Cheez-Its and doused in milk chocolate and strawberry sauce, topped with whipped cream. Crafted with love by Top Chef winner, Stephanie Izard, it's tops in our book.