In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day (this year, it will be celebrated on Sunday, July 16). He was clearly on to something; according to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the average American consumes approximately 23 POUNDS of ice cream annually. Yes, Americans love their cold, creamy desserts.

If you’re an ice cream lover in this neck of the woods, you’re in luck: Some of the best ice cream spots on Long Island, consistently voted so year after year, are located right here in Nassau County. If you haven’t been yet, this is the perfect month to check out Skipperdee’s L’il Cupcake and Ice Cream Shop in Point Lookout (an old fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop); Marvel Ice Cream in Lido Beach (soft serve heaven) and Douglas and James in Port Washington (a traditional scoop shop serving homemade flavors in a waterfront setting). For ice cream sandwiches the likes of which you have never seen, hit up Frozen Sin ice cream truck, serving up beautiful treats made with local, seasonal ingredients. (Note: for pure vanilla creaminess right here in Glen Cove, Rising Tide has amazing deals on Alden’s Organic ice cream this month (Mint Chip, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean and Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl)…$5.99/48 oz container. Yum!

Non-Dairy Ice Cream
If you’re vegan but still crave some really tasty creamy goodness this summer, here is a list of the best vegan ice cream spots in NYC. Or just come into Rising Tide; we’ve got a few vegans on our team that make sure we carry the good stuff: Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream in Coffee, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, $10.99/14oz.