You Know Summer is Near When the Ice Cream Windows Open
There’s a moment every year in Cayuga County when you just know…summer is on its way.
It’s not the date on the calendar. It’s not even the weather (because let’s be honest, we’ve all seen a 70-degree day followed by snow flurries). It’s the quiet but exciting return of something far more reliable…The seasonal ice cream stand flips on its “OPEN” sign.
Suddenly, everything shifts. Evenings stretch a little longer. Car windows roll down. And the familiar ritual begins, standing in line, scanning a menu board filled with soft serve twists, sundaes piled high, and flavors that somehow taste like pure summer.
A Sweet Sign of the Season
Across Cayuga County, these beloved roadside spots aren’t just places to grab dessert, they’re part of the rhythm of the season. They’re where little league teams celebrate wins (and losses), where first dates turn into long summer traditions, and where families pile into the car after dinner “just because.”
From longtime favorites like Reese’s Dairy Bar to the nostalgic charm of Tom Thumb Drive-In ( they also offer mini-golf with a lakeside view) and the classic roadside appeal of Classic Cones, each stop brings its own flavor to summer.
Try the classics:
* A perfectly swirled vanilla and chocolate cone with rainbow or chocolate sprinkles
* A sundae that’s maybe a little over the top, but exactly what you wanted.
* A perfectly blended milkshake
* or my favorite a lemon Italian ice
These aren’t just treats, they’re memories in the making.
Make It a Summer Ritual
This year, why not turn your ice cream run into something more? Plan an evening around it. Catch a sunset over Owasco Lake, take a stroll through a local park, or explore one of our charming villages then top it all off with a cone in hand. Better yet, make it a mission to try a new spot each week. You might discover a new favorite flavor, a hidden gem, or a tradition you’ll come back to year after year.
The Best Part? It’s Just the Beginning
The return of ice cream season is just the start of everything we love about summer in Cayuga County, farmers markets, lakeside days, festivals, and spontaneous road trips. But it all begins here, at the window, with that first order of the season.
So when you see that “OPEN” sign glowing again…you’ll know. Summer is near.
Take It One Step Sweeter: The Sweet Treat Trail
If you’re ready to fully embrace your sweet tooth, the Sweet Treat Trail is your ultimate guide to summer indulgence in Cayuga County. This trail runs May- October.
This self-guided experience brings together some of the area’s favorite bakeries, ice cream shops, and dessert destinations into one delicious adventure. Whether you’re craving hand-dipped cones, homemade pies, or over-the-top sundaes, the Trail is designed to help you explore it all—one stop at a time.
Even better? This year’s theme, “Stars, Stripes & Sweet Treats,” adds a fun, all-American twist, perfect for celebrating summer, road trips, and everything that makes this season so memorable.
Click here for a brochure, plan your route, enter the photo contest and see how many stops you can visit. While there don’t forget to snap a few pictures and share them with us for a chance to win one of our gift baskets filled with sweet surprises from our partners!
Ready to start your summer traditions?
Explore more things to do, places to go, and sweet stops along the way at TourCayuga.com—and don’t forget to share a picture of your favorite treat with us on social media!