The temps have hit 90 degrees in New York City this week. There’s no better way to cool off on a steamy summer day than with ice cream. This Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, providing yet another great reason to enjoy a sweet treat! For those in or near NYC, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this sweet holiday on July 16th!
Calling all Potterheads! On Sunday, the Harry Potter New York flagship store has a custom ice cream truck that will be rolling through the streets of Manhattan. In honor of National Ice Cream Day, the truck will be giving out free Butterbeer ice cream!
Best of all, you don’t have to travel to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to enjoy this frozen take on the popular butterscotch-flavored beverage! The truck will begin its route at 11AM near the Harry Potter flagship store (at 5th Ave between E 22nd and E 21st; West Side). To keep up on the truck’s whereabouts, be sure to follow HPNY’s social channels.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in NYC!
Serendipity 3 is famous for their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. As if the original wasn’t enough, they have over 10 variations! But for National Ice Cream Day, the Upper East Side eatery is unveiling a special dessert: the “All About the Benjamins $100 Sundae.” A press email that was shared with Guilty Eats included the description of this monstrous-sized indulgence:
"The “All About the Benjamins $100 Sundae” features a “Benjamin’s Portion” of 12 scoops of ice cream in 9 various flavors including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, birthday cake, cookies & cream, mint chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie dough in a huge “100” oz footed goblet. The Sundae is then covered with hot fudge, peanut butter topping, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, caramel sauce, maple walnut topping, crushed Oreos, and a giant cloud of green glittered whipped cream, topped with edible $100 bills!"
This sundae, as the name suggests, costs $100 and is only available on July 16th. So bring a real Benjamin and some friends to Serendipity 3 to help you enjoy this sweet treat!
3. Klondike
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?! On National Ice Cream Day, you simply have to show up to Union Square. Not only are they giving away free ice cream, but visitors can also enter Klondike’s ‘What Would You Do’ Hometowns Contest.
The winner of this grand prize of this contest will be featured on Klondike Bar Limited-Edition packaging that will honor the winner’s hometown. The prize also includes a block party where the whole hometown can celebrate! Actor/comedian Joel McHale will be selecting the winner of the contest based on video submissions that include group participation, creativity and Klondike spirit! Check out the Klondike website for the details on how to enter!
Of course the Museum of Ice Cream has to celebrate National Ice Cream Day! They will be celebrating on Sunday, July 16 at Hudson Yards Public Square and Garden (11th Avenue, Hudson Boulevard) from 11 AM until 6 PM.
At this event, the Museum will be hosting an outdoor sprinkle pool, sponsored by Friendly’s. Visitors can enjoy a jump (and photo op?!) in the colorful, biodegradable sprinkles. Guests can also cool off with free Friendly’s ice cream including the beloved Original Fudge, Chocolate Fudge, and Cookies ‘n Cream.
In a press release shared with Guilty Eats, the Museum of Ice Cream’s founder Maryellis Bunn noted: “Ice cream has a magical quality that can transport us back to our happiest moments. This National Ice Cream Day, we encourage people to connect, create memories, and embrace their inner child. It’s the perfect day to celebrate the joy and wonder that ice cream can bring to our lives.”
Besides this New York City event, the Museum of Ice Cream will also be celebrating the holiday in Austin, Chicago and Singapore! Between all of the global celebrations, they plan to serve over 20,000 scoops of ice cream! At all of the Museum’s National Ice Cream Day celebrations, guests will have the chance to win an Ultimate Ice Cream Party. They will earn a gold ticket by completing assigned tasks from the “cone-nection cube.” Each location will select one winner who will receive an Ultimate Ice Cream Party at the Museum of Ice Cream for up to 20 guests!