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I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!

That slogan rings true every day, but especially today as we celebrate the glorious day the ice cream sundae was invented. Besides thanking our lucky stars, we’re bringing you some of the most awesome ice cream places in the U.S.

But first, a little history: While there’s some debate as to where the sundae originated, Ithaca, N.Y. proclaims itself the official birthplace. Rumor has it that on April 3, 1892 Reverend John M. Scott visited downtown drugstore Platt & Colt to order some ice cream. The owner, Chester C. Platt, reportedly decided to top the priest’s bowl with cherry syrup and a cherry on top calling it a Cherry Sunday, named after the ingredient and day. Sunday soon became sundae and the rest is history!

Here’s the scoop on our favorite U.S. scoops:

Purity Ice Cream Co., Ithaca, N.Y.

As an ode to the birthplace, our first recommendation is Purity Ice Cream Co in Ithaca, N.Y. The critically acclaimed ice cream shop, which opened in 1936, serves a variety of flavors from chocolate raspberry truffle to pumpkin to a vegan mint chip flavor that has dairy-free dieters singing its praises.

Cool Moon Ice Cream, Portland, Ore.

Over in Portland, Ore. there’s Cool Moon Ice Cream, a handmade all-natural favorite. The exotic flavors are especially exciting: Sicilian spumoni, fig and goat cheese, Thai iced tea and Oakshire espresso stout, to name a few.

Graeter’s Ice Cream, Cincinnati, Ohio

Graeter’s, a chain of shops hailing from Ohio, has an interesting claim to fame: Their ice cream is made via French pot process which they claim creates a resulting formula so thick (because no air gets whipped in) that it can only be hand packed.

Amy’s, Austin, Texas

Planning a trip to Austin, Texas? You can’t miss a serving of the world-famous Mexican vanilla ice cream at Amy’s! If you’re looking to mix it up, there are almost 400 other flavors served on a rotating basis.

Creole Creamery, New Orleans, La.

Think you can eat endless amounts of ice cream ? Give it a try at New Orleans’ Creole Creamery. The beloved ice cream shop will induct anyone who can eat the Tchoupitoulas sundae (an eight-scoop sundae, with eight toppings and whipped cream) into their Hall of Fame. No help allowed!

(Main image: sociotard)

About the author

Taryn AdlerTaryn Adler spent six years as a beauty and fashion editor in New York City before impulsively buying a one-way ticket to Mumbai for some eating, praying and loving (mostly eating). Three months in India segued into a yearlong adventure and a travel writing career. Taryn has been to more than 40 countries.

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