If you're looking for a fall-themed road trip, you may want to consider the town of Utica. Where else, after all, can you get pumpkin pie ice cream?
"We're constantly experimenting with the pumpkin flavor," said Velvet Ice Cream vice president Joanne Dager. "We've got a pumpkin sundae right now, which is our pumpkin pie ice cream. What makes it so unique is that we actually have pie crust in the ice cream. On top of that, we coat it with marshmallow cream and then pecans. It's really good."
Velvet has also been experimenting with pumpkin pie milkshakes.
"The other day we made one with a little bit of cold-brew coffee," she said.
Every weekend in the fall, Velvet has a food truck on-site as well. There is a pond and even an ice cream museum.
"You can stop to enjoy the pond, have some ice cream and [visit] a food truck," she said.
Founded by Lebanese immigrant Joseph Dager, the family-owned Velvet Ice Cream has been in business for 108 years.
"In 1914, he began making ice cream in the basement of a confectionery in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry," the company said. "After just two years, the company produced 200 gallons of ice cream a month, and the creamy, velvety texture of the ice cream inspired the name: Velvet Ice Cream."
Right around the corner from Velvet is Branstool Orchards, which offers apple picking.
Branstool grows 20 varieties of peaches, 40 apple varieties and Bartlett pears on 75 acres, the company said.
"Marshall Branstool, the son of a grain farmer, began growing peaches on rented land in 1983," the company website said. "Ten years later, he bought the land where the orchard currently sits and started growing apples to go along with his wonderful peaches. Almost 40 years later, the orchard and the business have grown, but Marshall’s commitment to growing high-quality fruit has remained the same."
