Charlie Brown said it perfectly: “Happiness is…two kinds of ice cream”.
The summer warmth of July is a perfect excuse to celebrate all of the joys of ice cream!
Ice cream’s creamy texture is calming, cools you down instantly, and serves as the perfect treat to boost your mood while giving you an extra dose of calcium and vitamin D. It gives you that all-over “summery” joyful feeling. And the taste? Well, who doesn’t love ice cream?
Luckily for us, our area has an abundance of incredible ice cream shops to explore - each one is unique with its own perfect stories to tell. Bursting with nostalgic charm and modern freshness, here are five shops to check out:
Conrad's Confectionary
Since 1928, Conrad's Confectionary has been making the finest chocolate confections and ice cream with heart, utilizing only the purest of ingredients. Founded originally by Fred Conrad in Oradell, this award-winning shop can be found at its charming Westwood location. JJ is the current 3rd-generation owner.
Candy is the heart of their business from Fall through Easter, while ice cream is celebrated from the Monday after Mother’s Day throughout the summer months. That is when it transforms into an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and soda fountain, complete with a charming counter and booths. Their nostalgic walk-up window is alive each summer with happy faces waiting for the perfect scoop!
This truly adorable-looking establishment is a real gem on Westwood Avenue. Conrad's cherishes tradition, their employees, and their community. Those same high standards have been in place for almost 100 years, with superb ingredients and craftsmanship, as all ice cream and candies are made right onsite.
This family business creates magical ice cream, with pieces of their incredible candy mixed right in some of the flavors. Be sure to try their Sea Turtle ice cream (salted caramel ice cream with pieces of their pecan turtles inside). Also treat yourself to their fresh sundaes, delicious egg creams, cones, and more.
Most Popular Flavor: Vanilla
Owner JJ’s Favorite: Cookies and Cream
Manager Sue’s Favorite: Raspberry Cheesecake Truffle, or Coffee
Manager Sharon’s Favorite: Butter Pecan, or Coconut
Location:
107 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 10 am - 6 pm
Friday - Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm
Sunday: Closed
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
On Broadway Avenue in Westwood, you’ll find Bruster's Real Ice Cream. Since 1989, Bruster's has delivered incredible small-batch ice cream at all of their locations, with over 24 fresh handmade flavors! Made on site, a rotation of flavors are made with the purest of ingredients each day. Their ice cream is uniquely creamy and delicious.
Bruster’s believes that “every scoop should be an unforgettable experience”, and it truly is! Fresh waffle cones and bowls are made daily, and the aroma from the ice cream window is divine!
The spot is ideal for families, with outdoor seating and a perfect view of the train going by in the distance. Your kids will love every last creamy lick as they watch in wonder as trains go by in the sunshine.
Be sure to try their classic banana splits or hand-spun shakes. Enjoy cool scoops with many different toppings to choose from. Non-dairy options are also available (oatmilk selections and sorbets), as well as their no-sugar-added options, if you want to feel a bit less guilty. All in all, every sweet tooth is sure to be satisfied.
This popular summer spot is sure to please and is worth the wait! Hop on over and give it a try!
Popular Flavors: Cookies and Cream, Southern Banana Pudding, Mint Chocolate Chip
Garret’s favorite: Cherry Vanilla with Real Maraschino Cherries in it
Location:
513 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 12 pm - 10 pm
Friday – Saturday: 12 pm - 11 pm
Uncle Louie G's - Park Ridge
Since 1959, Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ice has been beloved by all those lucky enough to enjoy it. Immediately cooling down a hot summer day in NYC after a stickball game, his ices and ice creams were a quick favorite and brought in the crowds!
Uncle Louie G’s ices and creams are still all made in NYC, in Staten Island, as pure as summer itself.
Everyone still loves his over 80 original recipes, and we are lucky enough to enjoy them right here in Park Ridge!
These mouth-watering treats are a cooling hit at their adorable blue and white striped building location, with indoor seating for cooler months. In the summer, enjoy their comfortable outdoor seating, which is complete with beach chairs and tables, with white stones on the ground to give a beachy feel. Two giant ice cream cones welcome you at the entrance, owned for over 10 years by a local River Vale couple, Suzanne and John.
They also have delicious Italian ice cakes and ice cream cakes, and a concession cart for parties, weddings, and events. Known locally for their community support, they sponsor baseball teams and camps, school field days, fireworks, and beyond.
Be sure to sample their mango ice or enjoy a baseball sundae or ice cream nachos! Their shakes are the best around. Visit the Park Ridge store for a free taste, and “Feel Like A Kid Again”!
Popular flavors: Vanilla and Chocolate
Suzanne’s Fav: Peanut Butter or Black Raspberry
John’s Fav: Mint or Chocolate Peanut Butter
Location:
135 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 2 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday - Sunday: 1 pm - 10 pm
Dairy Queen - Montvale
Chances are that if you grew up in this area, you have many memories of pulling into the Dairy Queen in Montvale for a summer treat! The location is the oldest Dairy Queen in all of NJ and will bring you back to the 1950s.
In fact, the location has been owned by the Stoll family since 1957 and is a family treasure. You’ll see the same pop-up window for placing your orders and plenty of parking near the small building.
Who doesn't remember eating their Blizzard while sitting with your windows down as a kid? It really was (and is) the perfect destination for a treat once you finally have your driver's license! It’s one of those treasures in life that doesn’t change.
And nothing beats the sweet indulgence of DQ blizzards, shakes, and ice cream sundaes with a cherry on top - a touch of childhood. Blizzards can be customized with all kinds of candies (be sure to try the Snickers, Heath bar, or Reese’s!) Their strawberry, chocolate, or caramel sundaes are also perfection. Each cooling bite is worth every calorie!
The location is “cash only”, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Popular favorite: Oreo Blizzard
Valery’s Fav: NY Royal Cheesecake
Location:
125 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale, NJ 07645
Hours:
Daily: 12 pm – 11 pm
Stack Creamery
Your senses will delight in the incredible, delicious smells of fresh cream and cookies as you walk into Stack Creamery in Westwood.
Stack Creamery is known for its sweet and creamy flavor selection and its decadent ice cream sandwiches. They are rich and indulgent, with the ice cream of your choice piled high between two cookies of your choice. Then it is rolled in your choice of many sweet or crunchy toppings - oh-so-scrumptious! All cookies are made fresh daily on site.
Everything is customizable at Stack Creamery. Enjoy sundaes with different scoops of any of their flavors with toppings galore. Try their “death by chocolate” ice cream, sea salt caramel pretzel, or creamy mint chip. You can buy pints to enjoy at home, and they have beautiful ice cream cookie pies and cakes for your next special occasion or birthday. Enjoy a Stack VIP card for frequent visits (20% off after $10 spent). Catering is available, too.
This popular location serves a wonderful variety of customers, and Stack Creamery adores their fans! The Westwood location often has lines in the summer, but it’s well worth the wait. You can enjoy the wonderful artwork on the walls at the Westwood location, too, which features drawings of local neighbors (the Iron Horse, Conrad's, the train, etc).
Popular favorites: Cookie Sandwiches
Corey’s fav: Cookie Sandwich with Cookie Monster Ice Cream
Location:
287 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 12 pm-10 pm
Friday - Sunday 12 pm -11 pm