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The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor

4.5 of 5 stars 169 Reviews
#1 of 5 Dessert in Watkins Glen
#3 of 38 Places to Eat in Watkins Glen
Certificate of Excellence
Vegan Options
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221 S Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891-1508
16075357354
Website
Today
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Open now
All hours
Hours:
Sun - Sat 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
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169 Reviews from our TripAdvisor Community

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Showing 168: English reviews
Watkins Glen, NY
Level Contributor
3 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 1 helpful vote
“Amazing ice cream and staff are wonerful”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed yesterday NEW via mobile

All the ice cream is to die for. We have been going there for years and it just keeps getting better. The owners higher school kids to give them experience in the service industry which i think is great for them. Teaching them responsibly as well as dealing with a lot of people under stress. They are very community minded... More 

Helpful?
Thank Watkinsgirl
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Level Contributor
50 reviews
15 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 17 helpful votes
“Cute Place with a ton of options”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW

Theres a lot of places in Watkins Glen for Ice Cream, but this place looked super cute, so we tried it out. They literally had any ice cream product, flavor, cones, sprinkles, toppings you could want. It was great

Helpful?
Thank Lindseym15
Greeley
Level Contributor
3 reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 3 helpful votes
“Great ice cream place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW via mobile

You are going to love this place! I had the bacon maple in a waffle cone. It was amazing! My wife had the back cherry. She said it was a smile in every bite!

Helpful?
Thank Joe P
Long Beach, New York, United States
Level Contributor
88 reviews
71 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 18 helpful votes
“Ice Cream Flavors Galore”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 days ago NEW

We sampled 4 flavors of ice cream and the hot fudge. Ice cream was made in the store, some flavors are not. Soft ice cream vanilla & chocolate are made there while all the other flavors are vanilla with extract to give the flavor of the ice cream. Store made ice cream was delicious. Hot fudge awesome.

Helpful?
Thank Kenneth F
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hello, So glad you stopped and thanks for writing a review. We try to have choices that meet a variety of tastes and the reviews help us. Thanks again and I hope you come back soon! Peter More 

Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Level Contributor
10 reviews
6 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 4 helpful votes
“Interesting decorations inside”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 days ago NEW

I was surprised at how many different types of treats and combinations of treats they sell here! Good custard! There is a collection of old dairy milk bottles inside, a collection of 45's with a juke box, and even a pinball machine.

Helpful?
Thank KathleenHofmann
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi Thanks for taking the time to write a review. I have collected milk bottles for over 50 years and the 45's on the ceiling are the ones that won't play in the 1947 juke box. I am glad you enjoyed the store and I hope you come back soon. Peter More 

Monroe, New Jersey
Level Contributor
104 reviews
64 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 41 helpful votes
“Amazing!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 week ago

We discovered the Great Escape as we were leaving Watkins Glen, but it's what we'll remember the most! What an incredible ice cream parlor ... from the décor, to the staff, to the ice cream. They have at least 24 flavors of ice cream ... and that's just the soft-serve ice cream. So many more great flavors of hard ice... More 

Helpful?
Thank Capebum
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi So glad you stopped and took the time to write a review..I am glad you enjoyed the store and the state park. The park was just voted number 2 of all the parks in NYS Thanks again and come back soon! Peter More 

New Hampshire
Level Contributor
5 reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 7 helpful votes
“Good selection ”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Went to this store for a late night ice cream craving. They have tons of flavors. Nothing amazing about this place but a fun little place to grab an ice cream. Good outdoor seating.

Helpful?
Thank Bigdiggie2
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi, Thanks for writing a review. We offer a variety of ice cream treats whether it be vegan,custard, homemade hard ice cream or Hersheys ice cream. I am glad you stopped and I hope you come back again. Peter More 

Willoughby, Ohio
Level Contributor
106 reviews
43 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 46 helpful votes
“The place to stop at in Watkins Glen”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 week ago

You name it, they have it. Great selection, hometown service, good prices, and just a fun place to stop at to get a cone full of ice cream. Stop here any you won't be disappointed.

Helpful?
Thank Foghorn8508
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi Thank you for stopping and taking the time to write a review. We enjoy hearing people say we have too many choices. We try our best to make The Great Escape a happy experience! Thanks again and come back soon. Peter More 

Erin_leigh79
Level Contributor
288 reviews
154 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 144 helpful votes
“Lots of variety and options, but not the freshest”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Stopped in for ice cream after hiking a bit down the street. It was a warm and muggy afternoon in the area the day we were there. Thankfully, we got in just before a larger group. The staff was quite friendly and gave us a few samples before settling on what we wanted. There is a LOT of variety and... More 

Helpful?
Thank Erin_leigh79
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi, Thank you for stopping and taking the time to write a review. I was disappointed to see you got a stale cone as we make our waffle cones daily and our ice cream every other day. I would gladly refund your purchase if you call the store at 607-535-7354. Thanks again for bringing the cone problem to our attention... More 

Jaffrey, New Hampshire
Level Contributor
34 reviews
10 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 14 helpful votes
“Nostalgic Ice Cream Parlor”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 weeks ago

We always stop for Ice cream when riding. We were pleasantly surprised with the interior of the building. It was like going into get an ice cream when we were kids. The service and ice cream was great. We went out side to eat our ice cream and sat at the table out front. When we got up to leave... More 

Helpful?
Thank Ronald B
Peter H, Owner at The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor, responded to this review

Hi, We are so glad you stopped and took the time to write a review. I am glad you enjoyed the store and some of its relics including the owner. I hope you come back to Watkins Glen again and stop and see us.. Thanks again Peter More 

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Restaurant Details

Rating summary
  • Food
    4.5 of 5 stars
    Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
    Atmosphere
    4 of 5 stars
Cuisine
Vegan Options
Restaurant features
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible
Good for
Families with children, Dining on a budget
Open Hours
Sunday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Monday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Tuesday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thursday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Location and Contact Information
  • Address: 221 S Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891-1508
  • Location: United States  >  New York (NY)  >  Finger Lakes  >  Watkins Glen
  • Phone Number: 16075357354
Description
Family owned ice cream parlor in Watkins Glen NY for 34 years. Come enjoy dozens of flavors of Hershey's Ice Cream, Homemade Gelato, Sorbet, Vegan soft serve and hard homemade vegan ice cream, Soft Custard & a ever changing rotation of Homemade Hard Ice Cream, mostly made through suggestion. Also serving dessert specialties, ice cream cakes, homemade novelties and our famous homemade waffle cones made fresh daily. Perfect for the family and please bring the kids. Outdoor seating and convenient parking lot next to Burger King in downtown Watkins Glen. So Much More Than an Ice Cream Store!

Restaurant Menu

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Questions & Answers

Questions? Get answers from The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor staff and past visitors.
Posting guidelines
Typical questions asked:
  • Do you have gluten-free options?
  • Is there a dress code?
  • Do you allow dogs on the outdoor patio?