Calling all ice cream fans! July is National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day falling on Sunday, July 16 this year. To celebrate, ice cream shops around the city will be offering up tasty freebies and special deals on scoops. Here’s where you can get in on the deliciousness!
MAGNUM Ice Cream will be offering two ice cream bars for the price of one on Sunday, July 16. Bring a friend and check in on social media using the hashtag #MagnumNYC to enjoy the deal. Once there, you’ll both be able to create a custom bar with vanilla bean or chocolate ice cream hand-dipped in dark, milk or white Belgian chocolate and finished off with three toppings from 20 ingredients, including chocolate crispers, gold glitter flakes, sorbet curls and chocolate-covered chia seeds.
Baskin-Robbins has given the pizza pie a sweet twist with its new Mint Chocolate Chip Polar Pizza, and in honor of National Ice Cream Month, they’re giving away samples at participating locations on Friday, July 14 from noon–5pm. The pie features a double fudge brownie crust and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream topped with Oreo cookie chunks, fudge and marshmallow topping. Other exclusive offers for National Ice Cream Day will be shared with those who sign up for their email and text programs through its mobile before July 16.
Carvel will offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal on its soft serve ice cream on Sunday, July 16. Get yours in a cup or a cone and bring a friend–if you’re feeling generous, that is!
McDonald’s is also participating in the celebration by giving away free vanilla soft serve, no purchase necessary! But if your kid is craving a Happy Meal, a Kiddie Cone would be a yummy post-nuggets dessert.
Blue Bunny is killing two birds with one throne by celebrating National Ice Cream Day and the weekend's return of HBO’s Game of Thrones. A 7’2” throne made of ice cream cone wafers will be on display at the Big Screen Plaza (851 6th Ave) on Friday, July 14 10am-12pm. Fans can take selfies by the crispy throne and walk away with free ice cream.
16 Handles is giving away a free 4oz serving of its vanilla soft serve or its limited-edition Strawberry Shortcake (created by the “Ace of Cakes” himself, Duff Goldman) when you download its new mobile app. We suggest a swirly mixture of the two flavors for the best of both worlds.
PetSmart wouldn’t be the first place you’d think of for National Ice Cream Day treats, but the company is here for you and your little dog, too! A PetSmart ice cream truck will drive around on Wednesday, July 12 to dog parks to dish out free ice cream sundaes for doggies and their humans. The ice cream truck will be located at Washington Square Park from noon–4pm before stationing itself at Madison Square Park 4:30–8pm. Celebrity pets will also be making an appearance to canoodle with your poodle! Then, on July 16, dogs that visit any PetSmart PetsHotel will be treated to ice cream sundaes. The dog-safe ice cream is vanilla-flavored, non-dairy and topped with dog biscuit sprinkles. Just don't be surprised if Fido starts salivating a bit more when you go out for your ice cream runs the rest of the summer.
Looking for more sweet treats this season? Check out our list of the best ice cream sundaes in NYC and the best popsicle recipes for the whole family!