14 of the Best Ice Cream Spots in the Capital Region
When summer hits, kids and adults alike want the sweet, cool taste of ice cream! Check out our carefully curated list of the best ice cream spots in the Capital Region. Who would you add to the list?
Quick Finder: Jump to a Spot
- Albany: Emack & Bolio's
- Albany: Kurver Kreme
- Cohoes: Guptill's
- Delmar: Jim's Tastee Freez
- East Greenbush: Lickity Split
- Glenmont: Jericho Drive-In & Twist
- Latham: On the Farm
- Latham: Control Tower Ice Cream
- Scotia: Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In
- Slingerlands: Tastee Treat
- Troy: The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream
- Troy: Snowman Ice Cream
- Wynantskill: Little Big Fatz
- Wynantskill: Moxie's Ice Cream
Emack & Bolio's (Albany, NY)
Location: 366 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209
Grab a cup, pint, handcrafted cone, or even a cake to go from Emack & Bolio's. They boast "outrageous flavor combinations," like Deep Purple Chip or Toasted S'Moreo, and they also carry classic options like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Grasshopper Pie.
Patrons especially love the Bananas Foster ice cream and vegan ice cream. Stop by and check out all the options!
Kurver Kreme (Albany, NY)
Location: 1349 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205
Kurver Kreme uses fresh ingredients to create the best soft ice cream around. Visit their website for the flavors of the week, including fun twist combinations, like Salted Caramel and Cappucino, or Cherry Dole and Pineapple Dole.
And, keep an eye out for when Coconut is in the rotation - it's a fan favorite!
Guptill's (Cohoes, NY)
Location: 1085 Loudon Rd, Cohoes, NY 12047
Guptill's is more than an elaborate roller skating rink - it's home to some of the best ice cream you'll find in the Capital Region.
Make sure to visit in the fall for their pumpkin ice cream and famous cider donut ice cream sundae. They're cash only, but have an ATM on site.
Jim's Tastee Freez (Delmar)
Location: 58 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054
Visitors at Jim's Tastee Freez love the sundaes and the shakes as much as the ice cream cones and dishes. One enthusiastic guest shared, "Jim's Tastee Freez Tornado with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Reese's Pieces and Cookie Dough was fantastic."
Their menu also includes low fat ice cream, specialty treats like a Banana Split, and other food options like hotdogs and sandwiches. They even have ice cream for dogs!
Lickity Split (East Greenbush, NY)
Location: 589 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, NY 12061
Located in the FunPlex Fun Park, Lickety Split offers superb soft serve ice cream with friendly service and reasonable prices. They're cash only, but have an ATM on site. Try their peach soft serve!
Jericho Drive-In and Twist Ice Cream (Glenmont, NY)
Location: 19 Jericho Rd, Glenmont, NY 12077
Pair sensational ice cream with a classic drive-in movie theater experience at Jericho Drive-In. Patrons especially love the sundaes and the soft ice cream options, and how they do not skimp on the toppings.
On the Farm (Latham, NY)
Location: 273 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110
Soft ice cream fans rave about On the Farm for their fabulous flavors, generous portions, and inviting location. This ice cream hotspot has been in business since 1986, and they make their soft serve ice cream in house. They also serve Perry's brand hard ice cream.
Control Tower Ice Cream (Latham, NY)
Location: 1050 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110
It's always a fun time at Control Tower Ice Cream, named as such because it's close to the Albany International Airport. You and the kids will love being able to watch planes fly overhead while you enjoy your treat.
They're known for their Trash Can Sundae, but have many great options. A guest shared, "One of our favorite ice cream shops in the capital region! They have great specialty sundaes, delicious, creamy ice cream, and plenty of ingredients to build your own." Control Tower Ice Cream also has go-karts, mini golf, and batting cages.
Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In (Scotia, NY)
Location: 5 Schonowee Ave, Scotia, NY 12302
Jumpin' Jacks Drive-In is one of those places that is always hopping when you drive by. They sell traditional drive-in food, including a fish fry and fried clams, but don't leave without getting your ice cream fix.
"It's somehow fluffy!" as one reviewer says. Jumpin' Jacks is also known for putting on water skiing shows and fireworks.
Tastee Treat Ice Cream (Slingerlands, NY)
Location: 2070 New Scotland Rd, Slingerlands, NY 12159
Relax and enjoy your ice cream under a pavilion while your children play on a playground at Tastee Treat Ice Cream. Try their brownie hot fudge sundae, strawberry milkshake, or vegan ice cream options.
The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream (Troy, NY)
Location: 282 River St, Troy, NY 12180
The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream has near perfect Google reviews, and it's easy to see why. Ice cream enthusiasts love their high quality craft ice cream, flavored cones, and creative combinations - even their vanilla ice cream gets kudos from the reviewers.
Snowman Ice Cream (Troy)
Location: 531 5th Ave, Troy, NY 12182
Snowman Ice Cream is another Capital Region ice cream spot with tons of five-star Google reviews, singing the praises of the many choices with their hard and soft ice cream, specialty sundaes, shakes, drinks, and ice cream pies.
A first-time visitor praised Snowman Ice Cream, saying, "I love that they offer various ways to enjoy your ice cream, from mixing and matching flavors to dipping and topping. They even have a scoop and a half option! The scoops are huge, and the prices are very reasonable". This popular spot is likely to have a line, but no worries, the staff moves quickly and it's worth the wait.
Little Big Fatz (Wynantskill, NY)
Location: 158 Main Ave, Wynantskill, NY 12198
Little Big Fatz offers everything from the classic ice cream flavors you love like a chocolate and vanilla twist, to more creative options. You'll love their specialty sundaes that come in varieties like a Snickers Sundae, Oreo Sundae, Black Forest Sundae, and much more.
Moxie's Ice Cream (Wynantskill, NY)
Location: 1344 Spring Ave, Wynantskill, NY 12198
Moxie's Ice Cream has made a name for itself with the multiple variations of vanilla, all of which are out of this world. But, they have a ton of other flavors to check out as well, including dairy free and vegan ice cream.
One Last Scoop Before Summer Melts Away
To wrap it up, the Capital Region is full of incredible ice cream spots that make summer even sweeter. Whether you’re sticking with a classic cone, trying something new, or just looking for a reason to get outside, there’s no shortage of places to cool off and treat yourself.
With so many local favorites to choose from, this list is just the beginning, so grab a scoop (or two) and start exploring!
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