Did you celebrate National Ice Cream Month in July and get your fill of this cool treat on the third Sunday of July — National Ice Cream Day? In Poolesville, we are blessed with so many options. Whether your taste runs toward Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin & Robbins ice cream, McDonald's shakes, or Locals' milk shakes, ice cream sandwiches and Affogato (Rustic Route espresso over vanilla ice cream) made with South Mountain Creamery ice cream – they all put a yum in many tums!!
If you find yourself heading north on Rt. 28, stop at Deere Valley Farm Market for their farm-made ice cream. The flavors change each week and are a delight to the palate. Deere Valley Farm is a family-owned farming operation located in the agricultural reserve of Montgomery County, Maryland. Maryland's Best has added Deere Valley to the state's Ice Cream Trail this year, encouraging visitors to hike a nearby trail and reward yourself with an ice cream treat. The land that is currently being farmed by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations originally began operating as a dairy farm almost 100 years ago. Although the focus has changed from milking dairy cows to breeding a beef herd, the same dedication to farming and family still exists today. Farm-made ice cream is an addition that is a special hit at the farm. The Baker family takes tremendous pride in the stewardship and cultivation of the land they have been entrusted.
Continuing toward Tuscarora, you will absolutely want to add Rocky Point Creamery to your list of ice cream hot spots. Rocky Point Farm, Inc. is the home of the much beloved and often visited Rocky Point Creamery. In 1883, this family-owned farm started with a meager herd of 10 Holstein cows.
Today, the fourth generation manages a herd of 175 Holsteins on a 700-acre farm. The current owner, Chuck Fry, added the creamery in 2012 to help support the farm. The hormone and antibiotic free milk is used to make over 80 flavors of delicious ice cream. In addition to ice cream, the creamery also offers freshly made non-dairy sorbets and several sugar-free ice cream flavors. They use local, seasonal fruits in their ice creams to make some sensational flavors. Keep checking the menu as the specialty flavors often change weekly. In addition to ice cream, the creamery also offers fresh cuts of beef including steaks, ground beef and roasts, and fresh cheeses made from their fresh milk.
Open Tuesday – Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., there is limited indoor seating available, outdoor picnic tables and benches, and a play area for kids. Reward yourself after a walk on the C&O Canal.
Rocky Point Creamery was recognized as one of Maryland's Best Businesses. It is a lovely, bucolic setting and a wonderful way to break your diet! You can follow Rocky Point Creamery on Facebook and Instagram, or you can check out their website.
Whichever ice cream choice you make, be sure to celebrate National Ice Cream Month and enjoy!