Is there ever a bad time to enjoy ice cream? The answer is, of course, no. Ice cream is a comforting, delicious snack the whole family can enjoy. Get your bellies full of some scoops, a sundae, or a shake, and it all tastes better when made with homemade ice cream. 

From Nassau to the East End, we’ve rounded up some of Long Island’s best ice cream parlors that everyone in your family is sure to love. These destinations create yummy flavors from scratch and have a nostalgic feel that makes the experience extra special.

If ice cream is not your thing (we won't ask why), check out our roundup of other decadent dessert locations, or our guide to pick-your-own berry farms on Long Island. And for more dining inspiration, see our roundup of LI restaurants where kids can eat FREE.

For more family fun, see our Event Calendar, guide to summer fun, and even our list of 100 must-do things with LI kids. 

Nassau County

Five Pennies Creamery — Rockville Centre
11 N. Park Ave.
Five Pennies Creamery might be one of the "youngest" ice cream parlors on the list, but age is nothing but a number. Open since 2010, owner Dan Levine thinks up all his flavors on his own. Families can indulge in everything from blue ice cream with marshmallow, or smurfs flavor to classics like cookies and cream. All 130 flavors can be made into a milkshake, sundae or banana split. The creamery also offers ice cream pies and custom ice cream cakes. 

Hicksville Sweet Shop — Hicksville
75 Broadway
This restaurant opened in 1925 as an ice cream bar. These days, the owners make their own ice cream, sauces, syrups, and molded chocolates.

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Hildebrant's in Williston Park has been serving up sundaes since the 1920s. Photo by rosina6491 via Instagram

Hildebrandt's — Williston Park
84 Hillside Avenue
Calling this place old-fashioned isn't insulting—it’s been open since the 1920s. Offering diner-style food and an impressive array of homemade ice cream (some popular flavors include root beer, chocolate-mint wafer, and lemon meringue pie), Hildebrandt’s is a great place for families to enjoy dinner and dessert.

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Indulge your sweet tooth at Krisch's in Massapequa. Photo by teriannxo via Instagram

Krisch's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlour — Massapequa
11 Central Avenue
This 1950s-style diner has 30 homemade ice cream flavors, so there’s something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Krisch’s also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (The blueberry pancakes are amazing.)

Itgen's — Valley Stream
211 Rockaway Avenue
Itgen’s has been an LI fixture since 1967. It serves diner-style food, as well as classic candy and homemade ice cream. In fact, everything—from the whipped cream to the syrups—are made from scratch.

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Sweet Treats' cookie ice cream sandwiches offer two treats in one. Photo courtesy of Sweet Treats

Sweet Treats on the Wharf — Port Washington
405 Main Street
Enjoy a cone while taking in the water views in Port Washington. Sweet Treats on the Wharf offers ice cream made from scratch, frozen yogurt, and shaved ice. Many varieties of lactose-free, kosher, and gluten-free options are on the menu. Try one of the 24 flavors of soft serve in a cookie cone for a decadent treat.

Suffolk County and the East End

Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen — Bridgehampton
2391 Montauk Highway
This homemade ice cream shop, established in 1925, offers breakfast all day. But it is the sweet treats made from local, in-season fruit that really delight its customers.

Carla Marla's Ice Cream Parlor — Bellport
8 Bellport Lane
Even Fido can get in on the fun at Carla Marla's, which serves Frosty Paws for your four-legged friends. The parlor also serves ice cream, sorbet and candy for Fido's humans. 

Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream — Bay Shore, Islip
75 Howells Road, Bay Shore; 509 Main Street, Islip
Coyle's has been making 60 flavors of ice cream since 1985. Families come in to sit near the soda fountain and share a Brooklyn egg cream or relax in an old-fashioned booth while enjoying a sticky finger sundae.

Herrell's Ice Cream — Huntington
46L Gerard Street
Herrell's is truly a spot everyone in the family can enjoy regardless of any dietary restrictions. The shop offers delicious ice cream flavors, including chocolate pudding and black raspberry, and has dairy-free and sugar-free flavors as well. 

Ice Cream Cottage — Mastic
1590 Montauk Highway
Owner John Pastore has been making ice cream from scratch for more than 25 years and offers 48 flavors, including garlic, jelly ring fudge, pina colada, and wine sorbet.

Magic Fountain — Mattituck
​9825 Main Road
There is no shortage of flavors, nor inspiration, at this North Fork destination. Flavors rotate, using local ingredients. Ever had chocolate chili or green tea ice cream? You can get them here.  

McNulty's Ice Cream Parlor — Miller Place
153 N. Country Road
Open since 1991, McNulty’s offers more than 40 homemade flavors of ice cream and Italian ices. One of the most popular treats is the sand pail sundae, which features a scoop of ice cream with one topping, whipped cream, and a cherry served in a plastic pail—perfect for the little ones.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream — West Babylon
1025 Straight Path
This shop serves more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream as well as frozen yogurt and Italian ices. It has weekly and seasonal flavors, so call ahead to see if your favorite is being served that day.

RELATED: Kid-Friendly Wineries on LI's East End

Snowflake is a Riverhead institution. Try the Peconic Swamp Thing, if you dare. Photo courtesy of Snowflake

Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe — Riverhead
1148 West Main Street
Snowflake's hard ice creams are prepared in-house by master makers. Flavors include Black Magic Woman, Peconic Swamp Thing, and a no-sugar-added Pistachio.

This post was originally published in 2015. Writer Gina Massaro contributed additional reporting.