The official start of fall is Sept. 22, but at the Jersey Shore, the change of seasons does not necessarily mean summer is over.
Locals often refer to this time of year as “locals summer,” when the weather can remain warm enough for outdoor activities, beach walks, festivals and, of course, ice cream. The crowds begin to thin out after the busy summer season, making it an ideal time to enjoy some of the Shore’s favorite spots at a slightly slower pace.
Ice cream may be a staple of summer, especially during the heat of July and August, but for many — myself included — it is a year-round treat. Cooler temperatures do not necessarily make a cone, cup or sundae any less enjoyable. In fact, fall brings an opportunity to try seasonal flavors and treats that take advantage of the flavors associated with the season.
From pumpkin ice cream to classic hot fudge sundaes, several local stops continue serving up sweet treats as summer transitions into fall.
Jersey Cow Ice Cream
With locations both inland and in several Shore communities, Jersey Cow Ice Cream has become a familiar stop for ice cream lovers. During the summer, it is not unusual to see lines of customers waiting for their favorite flavors and specialty creations.
The popularity is easy to understand, with a wide variety of flavors and combinations to choose from.
My personal favorite is the “Barn Yard,” which combines several different flavors and textures into one dessert. It has a little bit of everything — chocolate sweetness, salty caramel and plenty of crunch throughout. The combination makes it one of those desserts that offers something different in every bite.
While Jersey Cow is certainly a popular summer destination, the transition into fall does not mean ice cream season has to end. A trip for a favorite flavor or sundae can be just as enjoyable after the summer crowds have disappeared.
For those who prefer to enjoy their ice cream outdoors, the cooler weather can even make the experience a little more comfortable.
Peace of Pie
Fall is often associated with pies, particularly as the holiday season approaches. At Peace of Pie, with locations in Ventnor and Cape May, the traditional pie gets a frozen twist.
The shop offers ice cream sandwich pies, combining pie crust-inspired cookies with layers of filling and ice cream in between.
The selection offers plenty of choices, and a few summers ago, I made it a personal goal to try them all. With that being said, I can confirm that they were all good.
Trying each flavor became its own little summer challenge, but Peace of Pie has remained a favorite even after completing my unofficial taste test. It is also one of my dad’s favorite places to stop for a treat.
The combination of pie and ice cream feels particularly fitting as fall approaches. Pie is one of the flavors most closely associated with the season, while ice cream brings back a little bit of that summer feeling.
It is essentially two seasons in one dessert.
Custard Hut
Another stop worth visiting is Custard Hut in Somers Point, which offers custard, sundaes, ice cream, chocolate-covered bananas and other sweet treats.
Like many seasonal ice cream shops, Custard Hut also embraces the changing seasons by incorporating fall flavors into its menu.
Pumpkin ice cream is one of the seasonal offerings that caught my attention recently.
I tried the pumpkin ice cream topped with hot fudge and whipped cream. The pumpkin flavor was noticeable without being overpowering, with hints of cinnamon and other warm spices that gave it that familiar fall taste.
Adding hot fudge and whipped cream made the dessert even more indulgent.
Pumpkin is one of those flavors that can be polarizing, but in ice cream form, it provides a way to enjoy a familiar fall flavor while still holding onto one of summer’s favorite traditions.
Hobby Horse Ice Cream
In Ocean City, Hobby Horse Ice Cream offers another nostalgic stop for those looking for a sweet treat.
The classic carousel horse outside the shop has become part of the experience, greeting visitors as they arrive. Inside, the smell of ice cream, waffles and other sweets immediately adds to the anticipation.
Located between downtown Asbury Avenue and the Boardwalk near Eighth Street, Hobby Horse is conveniently positioned for anyone looking to grab a treat while exploring downtown or heading toward the beach.
The shop offers a variety of sundae options, giving customers plenty of ways to customize their dessert.
For me, Hobby Horse is one of those places that brings back memories of spending time in Ocean City. There is something nostalgic about returning to a familiar ice cream shop, especially when it has remained part of the local landscape for years.
The carousel horse outside, the smell inside and the selection of sweet treats all contribute to that feeling.
Custard Castle
In Upper Township, Custard Castle offers another local destination for ice cream and custard lovers.
The shop’s castle-themed building gives it a distinctive appearance, while a drive-thru option makes it convenient for customers who want to grab something sweet without leaving their cars.
As fall approaches, Custard Castle has also embraced seasonal flavors. The shop has been promoting its pumpkin ice cream along with its other offerings, giving customers another opportunity to enjoy a taste of fall.
Seasonal flavors are one of the things that make visiting local ice cream shops during the transition into fall particularly fun. The familiar menu remains, but there are often new options that are only available for a limited time.
A La Mode Ice Cream Parlor
In Ocean City, A La Mode Ice Cream Parlor on 55th Street is another destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Located on the city’s south end, A La Mode welcomes customers with colorful characters outside before the smell of ice cream and other sweets greets them inside.
The shop has a personal connection for me as well. When I was a teenager working in Strathmere, I would often pass A La Mode on my way back to Ocean City after work. It became one of those places where I would stop for a treat before heading home.
Those small routines are part of what makes local businesses memorable. It is not always about a special occasion or a big event. Sometimes it is simply stopping somewhere after work, getting your favorite dessert and eventually looking back on those moments years later.
Keeping summer going into fall
The Jersey Shore has a reputation for being a summer destination, but locals know that there is plenty to enjoy once Labor Day has passed.
September and early October can bring some of the best days of the year, with comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds and plenty of outdoor activities and community events.
Ice cream fits right into that “locals summer” feeling.
The flavors may change with the season, but the experience remains familiar. A scoop of pumpkin ice cream, a hot fudge sundae or a favorite specialty dessert can provide a little reminder of summer while incorporating the flavors of fall.
For me, ice cream has never really been limited to one season. Some of my favorite stops are connected to memories from different periods of my life — from teenage years working in Strathmere to summer trips with family and trying to work my way through an entire selection of ice cream sandwich pies.
That is part of what makes the local ice cream scene special.
These shops are not simply places to get dessert. They become part of people’s routines, traditions and memories.
So while Sept. 22 officially marks the beginning of fall, there is no need to put away the ice cream scoop just yet.
At the Jersey Shore, local summer means there is still plenty of time to enjoy a favorite frozen treat — even when the calendar says fall.
