Celebrate National Ice Cream Month from the comfort of your home or by visiting one of these nostalgic ice cream parlors. If you prefer to celebrate at home, check out these tips from owners and managers on how to make the perfect summer treat.

Queen City Creamery
Queen City Creamery in Cumberland, Maryland, is known for its award-winning homemade frozen custard offered in many different tasty flavors. Make sure to check out the “flavor of the day” menu that features a variety of flavor combos from Kahlua Mocha Cheesecake to Lemon Poppy Muffin and White Russian to Caramel Old Bay.

If Maryland isn’t on your list this summer, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun, owner Rhiannon Brown shared an at-home ice cream tip that will brighten your summer. Rhiannon said, “ It’s easy to make your own ice cream pie at home! Pick up a quart of frozen custard and fill a graham cracker or chocolate cookie piecrust with the entire quart. Smooth the custard evenly with a warm spoon or knife and refreeze the pie. Add any additional toppings, slice and enjoy!”

The Otesaga Pastry Shop
The Otesaga Resort Hotel, a historic lakeside property located in Cooperstown, New York, dishes delicious frozen treats for guests and visitors alike. The shop partners with local dairy farmers, which allows the resort to create its own house-spun ice cream. While there, make sure to try some favorites: butter pecan, vanilla bean and the seasonal apple pie.

Executive Pastry Chef Peter Calhoun offers tips for those who want the perfect at-home ice cream scoop. “For scooping, I prefer the old-fashioned style like a Zeroll brand because the metal melts the ice cream a bit and gives a nice clean ball, as opposed to the disher-style with the paddle (that you push to release the scoop).” For those trying their hand at home-made ice cream, he added, “Make sure to add a bit of cornstarch to the mixture when making ice cream at home. It will help to trap some of the water so it won’t freeze and adds the ideal, smooth consistency.”

Berries ‘N Cream
After a day full of fun at Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park in Tennessee, enjoy delicious ice cream at Berries ‘N Cream. The shop is named for its delicious namesake of sweet strawberries perfectly layered between delicious soft-serve ice cream.

If you prefer to stay at home, manager Brandon Hayes shared his tips for the perfect ice cream cone, “When you’re dishing up ice cream cones, place a marshmallow at the bottom of your cone to keep your ice cream from melting out of the bottom of the cone!”

Amore Bakery & Café
Located in historic old town Gretna, Louisiana, Amore Bakery & Café offers high-quality pastries, specialty coffees, gelato, breakfast and lunch items. One of the most popular features is the gelato bar, which features a lineup of classic and innovative flavors, from peanut butter to strawberry cheesecake to vanilla bean. Make sure to try the Affogato ice cream and savor the rich espresso poured over vanilla bean gelato.

Owner Bonnie Pecot wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a delicious treat this summer by sharing some tips. If you can’t make it to Amore Bakery & Café, Bonnie shared, “Got leftover morning coffee? Make your own “Affogato” ice cream at home by adding a scoop of vanilla to that cup of Joe.”

Scarlet Scoop
Nestled in Louisiana’s Bayou Country, Scarlet Scoop will fill your nostalgia for a classic ice cream parlor and has been scooping out delicious treats since 1969. Enjoy delicious flavors such as Red Velvet Cake, Salted Caramel and the local favorite, King Cake, which features chunks of the classic dessert found everywhere during Mardi Gras.

According to owner Bryan Nelson, adding popcorn as a topping to your ice cream adds a nice salty twist and great crunch.

Kayden’s Candy Factory
Kayden’s Candy Factory has an endless array of homemade sweets and a fun arcade. The shop is located in Orange Beach, Alabama, and serves up 32 different ice cream flavors all made and perfected in its own kitchen. Make sure to check out the unique flavors such as Cosmic Cookie Blast and Red Velvet.

If you can’t visit the delicious ice cream at the shop, owner Steve Vrondran shared a tip on how to make the most refreshing summer milkshake at home. “In a blender, add two scoops vanilla ice cream, then cut up some fresh watermelon (equivalent to the size of the two scoops of ice cream) and add to the blender. Blend until smooth, then pour into a cup and garnish with a piece of watermelon, and you have the perfect summer milkshake! There is no need to add milk due to all the delicious and refreshing juice from the watermelon.”