Are you a mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, or plain vanilla kind of person?
Sunday, July 20, is National Ice Cream Day, and for many it’s the summer dessert of choice, hence the national recognition.
National Today — a marketing website that tracks national holidays — released a (perhaps related) ice cream-based survey:
Among 2,000 participants, 40% of Americans have eaten an entire pint of ice cream; 30% say they could eat ice cream for every meal; 24% have eaten ice cream when sad; 7% have canceled plans to stay home and eat ice cream; and half believe getting ice cream makes a great date.
In addition, different age groups tend to favor certain flavors over others. For instance, mint chocolate chip, cookies ‘n’ cream and cookie dough are preferred by ages 14-34; chocolate is favored by those 35 and older.
Overall, the top five flavors in the U.S. (in order) are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan and cookie dough, according to the International Dairy Foods Administration.
In Michigan, there are hundreds of ice cream shops scattered around the state with many along the Great Lakes’ shores.
To honor ice cream on National Ice Cream Day, here are six shops to visit near Lake Michigan:
The House of Flavors in Ludington serves record-breaking ice cream
The House of Flavors holds the Guinness World Record for serving the longest ice cream dessert — at 906 scoops per hour, according to their website.
Bob Neal, the founder of the House of Flavors, earned a degree in Dairy Technology from Michigan State University and went on to create a long-lasting family business.
Their specialty ice cream items include their banana split, hot fudge brownie, ice cream cookie sandwich, strawberry shortcake and flights of ice cream (five scoops of different flavors).
They serve classic flavors such as chocolate, cookies and cream, and mint chip, and unique flavors such as bubble gum (with pieces of bubble gum) or carrot cake (again, with pieces of carrot).
In addition to ice cream, they have lunch, dinner and breakfast menus.
Located in Ludington, at 402 Ludington Ave., they are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
South Haven’s South Pier Creamery and Market: ‘A sweet treat on Phoenix Street’
Less than a 10 minute walk from South Haven’s beach, South Pier Creamery & Market offers ice cream too pretty to eat.
Located in downtown South Haven, at 407 Phoenix St., the shop is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; and from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Here are some of their flavors: blue moon, blueberry cheesecake, banana puddin’, cappuccino, Detroit grand slam (which is caramel, coffee and a sea salt caramel with chocolate flakes), key lime and the Michigan pothole (fudge and chocolate chunks in chocolate ice cream).
They also offer a unique (yet, convenient) menu item: ice cream nachos, entailing ice cream with a crushed waffle cone and fudge dipping.
“Can’t pick just one? Mix and match flavors and enjoy them in our house-made waffle cones, dipped in chocolate and sprinkles—because sprinkles make everything better,” the creamery said on its website.
Lake Michigan Beach Ice Cream and Eatery rotates flavors weekly
As of July 5, the one-stop ice cream shop (and eatery) has added new flavors to their ice cream menu, such as toasted coconut, blueberry burst and creamy vanilla with blueberry pie filling.
Located in Coloma, at 6218 off M-63, Lake Michigan Beach Ice Cream and Eatery understands the need for ice cream following a long, hot beach day.
The shop offers different ice cream flavors weekly and serves coffee and lunch and dinner options like burgers, pizza, subs, chicken and acai bowls.
To stop by for a scoop, they are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Plainwell Ice Cream Co. is a southwest Michigan standout
Selling ice cream since 1978, Plainwell offers numerous flavors delivered on a cone, in a cup or even a pint to go.
“We’ve been making our 50+ homemade flavors right in the back of the shop. Come find your favorite ice cream in a cone, dish, soda, sundae, shake, malt, or float.” the shop said online.
The family-owned shop is located in Plainwell, at 621 Bridge St., and is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
On the drive home covered in sand, customers can grab a cone (or pint) of coffee, lemon, cotton candy, chocolate cherry or cake batter ice cream.
Arcadia offers an old-fashioned scoop of ice cream
“Life is too short, get the double scoop,” Arcadia Ice House Ice Cream Shoppe said.
Established in 2000, the Ice House has an old-fashioned aesthetic, selling hand-crafted soda, antiques, hard ice cream, homemade waffle cones, sundaes and malts.
“Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy some of our local history,” the Ice House said on Yelp. “Come and enjoy our beautiful Lake Michigan beach and free sunsets.”
Located in Arcadia, at 17073 Northwood Hwy, the shop is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Pier Peddler makes it easy to buy ice cream on the beach
Pier Peddler Ice Cream, located on Grand Haven’s boardwalk at 709 Harbor Dr., takes its name seriously. They offer souvenirs at their shop along with ice cream — because remembering ice cream eaten on the pier is important.
They sell hard and soft serve ice creams with waffle cones, shaved ice and “slush bombs.” To find new flavors or holiday specials, check out their Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Ice cream after a beach day? 6 shops along Lake Michigan