There's so much to love about summer, but one of my favorite things about this season is that New York's best ice cream stands begin to open up for the year. Over the next week, the majority of our state is going to experience quite the heat wave. To help prepare us all in the best way I know how, here's a list of some of the best soft-serve ice cream destinations in our state that will help keep you cool this week.

1. Donnelly's Ice Cream - Saranac Lake

A unique spot right on the side of the road, Donnelly's near Saranac Lake features homemade soft serve ice cream that tastes unreal. What's so unique about this roadside ice cream stand though, is that Donnelly's only features one flavor of ice cream each day - so you always get something new! Open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can find out what flavors Donnelly's is serving up by checking out their official Facebook page.

How to get here: 1564 NY-86 Saranac Lake, NY 12983

2. Seneca Farms - Penn Yan

It impossible to miss Seneca Farms with their class red and white building sitting on the side of NY-54A, a building that's full of some of the best chicken and ice cream that you'll ever taste out in this region. After you're done devouring Seneca Farms' famous chicken, you can fill up that spot in your nearly-full stomach that you left for dessert with one of their great-tasting soft custard flavors. To see what flavor they have available this week, click here.

How to get here: 2485 NY-54A Penn Yan, NY 14527

3. Martha's Dandee Creme - Queensbury

A roadside attraction for 70 years, Martha's Dandee Creme has nearly 40 different flavors of soft serve ice cream that you'll have to pick from. From flavors like Black Raspberry to Maple Walnut, it's often best to go with a group of friends so you can each get a different flavor and share with one another so you don't have to decide! A must-visit when you're in the Lake George area, Martha's amazing soft serve never disappoints. To see what flavors Martha's is serving up this week, click here.

How to get here: 1133 Route 9, Queensbury, NY 12804

4. Cayuga Lake Creamery - Interlaken

Out in Seneca County where you're not far from the western shores of Cayuga Lake, Cayuga Lake Creamery is one of the tastiest ice cream spots out in the Finger Lakes. Making their own homemade ice cream flavors that will leave you wanting more, if you've already tried some of Cayuga Lake Creamery's soft serve flavors, you might want to check out their delicious wine ice cream that's out of this world good. Open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can view Cayuga Lake Creamery's full menu if you click here.

How to get here: 8421 State Route 89, Interlaken, NY 14847

5. Guptill's Coney Express Ice Cream - Cohoes

Residents who live in the Capital Region might already be familiar with Guptill's Coney Express Ice Cream, but if you aren't then you're certainly missing out on some unforgettable ice cream. Guptill's features over 20 different flavors of soft serve ice cream, with favorites like their Black Raspberry Vanilla Twist and Chocolate Peanut Butter Twist that give you the opportunity to experience the best of two soft serve worlds. Open every day of the week, Guptill's stays open well into the fall so that you can keep enjoying these delicious flavors even after summer's gone. To find out what Guptill's is serving up this week, click here.

How to get here: 1085 New Loudon Road Cohoes, New York 12047

6. Magic Fountain - Mattituck

Around since 1977, Magic Fountain in the town of Mattituck has been providing our Long Island residents with fantastic ice cream for quite some time now. If you're a true lover of ice cream, Magic Fountain will be like visiting heaven on earth for you - with everything from delicious soft serve ice cream to ice cream cakes that look absolutely too good to be real. Open every day of the week from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., you can find out what wonderful desserts Magic Fountain has to offer if you click here.

How to get here: 9825 Main Road Mattituck, NY 11952

7. Scoops - Canandaigua

Right near the northern shores of Canandaigua Lake not far from Kershaw Park, Scoops Ice Cream is one of the newer ice cream destinations in the Finger Lakes. Only opening up just a few years ago, Scoops has adorable little ice cream cone chairs and tables for visitors to sit at while they enjoy flavorful soft serve ice cream. Known for their large portions of ice cream and friendly service, Scoops is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy. To find out more about Scoops, click here.

How to get here: 10 Lakeshore Drive Canandaigua, NY 14424

Want more classic destinations to visit around our state? Then check out how You'll Absolutely Love This 50s Themed Diner In New York!