Martha’s Dandee Creme Opens for the 2026 Season in Queensbury

A sure sign that summer is on the way.

All photos courtesy The Wild Center.

In the Adirondacks, spring brings many welcome traditions: melting snow, returning songbirds, and the unmistakable sight of long lines outside Martha’s Dandee Creme. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the beloved roadside ice cream stand in Queensbury officially opens for the season, marking the unofficial start of summer for residents of the southern Adirondacks.

Located just south of Lake George Village along Route 9—directly across from Six Flags Great Escape—Martha’s has served up sweet treats and sizzling grill favorites for more than 75 years. For generations of locals and visitors alike, opening day at Martha’s is as much a seasonal ritual as the return of warm weather and lake days.

And if the towering rooster perched atop the vintage neon sign doesn’t catch your eye, the crowd gathered beneath it certainly will.

A Southern Adirondack landmark.

I scream, you scream…..

Few roadside stands in the Adirondacks inspire the loyalty that Martha’s does. Since the mid-20th century, the classic ice cream destination has become a landmark in the Lake George region, drawing families, road-trippers, and day visitors from Glens Falls to Saratoga and beyond.

The moment the stand reopens each March, cars begin lining Route 9 and eager customers queue up for their first cone of the season. The wait rarely feels long. Martha’s is famous for its supremely efficient staff who keep the lines moving quickly—even on the busiest summer evenings.

For many Adirondack residents, the reopening of Martha’s signals something deeper than the return of ice cream: it’s a harbinger of summer in the mountains.

See Martha’s Dandee Creme in action.

For anyone who has never experienced Martha’s—or for those who simply want to relive the excitement of opening day—this short video offers a glimpse of the classic roadside stand, the famously long lines, and the towering rooster sign that has welcomed ice cream lovers for generations.

The iconic rooster sign, long summer lines, and legendary soft serve flavors have made Martha’s Dandee Creme a Route 9 landmark for more than 75 years.

Located just south of Lake George Village in Queensbury, Martha’s has become one of the most recognizable roadside stops in the southern Adirondacks.

Thirty-nine handmade soft serve flavors.

While most ice cream stands offer just a few flavor choices, Martha’s has built its reputation on variety.

The stand features 39 handmade soft serve flavors, made fresh daily and rotated regularly to keep the menu exciting throughout the season. Classic favorites mingle with inventive combinations, giving visitors plenty of reasons to return again and again.

Popular flavors often include:

Make it a twist.

• Blueberry

• Salted caramel

• Raspberry chocolate twist

• Peach

• Peanut butter

• Maple walnut

• Coconut

• Coffee

• Marble cake

• Pistachio

With more than three dozen rotating options, customers rarely face the same menu twice.

Those who enjoy a little extra flair can also customize their cone with seven different dip coatings and nine varieties of sprinkles, creating endless combinations. Martha’s also offers ice cream cakes, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply bringing a taste of summer home.

More than just ice cream.

While the frozen treats draw the crowds, the grill menu deserves equal attention.

Visitors looking for something savory can order a lineup of classic roadside favorites cooked fresh to order. The grill menu includes:

• Hamburgers and cheeseburgers

• Cheesesteaks made from shaved ribeye

• Veggie burgers

• Italian sausage with peppers and onions

• Hot dogs

• Chicken sandwiches

• Fried fish

Martha’s also prepares fresh salads for those seeking lighter fare. Of course, no visit feels complete without an order of the stand’s famously indulgent loaded fries, often piled high with toppings.

Whether guests stop for lunch, dinner, or dessert, the menu offers something for everyone.

Plan your first visit of the season.

The 2026 season officially kicks off Saturday, March 14, when Martha’s opens its windows and welcomes the first wave of eager ice cream lovers.

Season hours include:

Sunday through Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm

The stand sits at 1133 Route 9 in Queensbury, just minutes from both Lake George Village and downtown Glens Falls.

Opening day at Martha’s often feels like a community celebration, with locals emerging from winter hibernation to reconnect over cones, sundaes, and burgers. If history repeats itself, expect a lively crowd—and plenty of smiles.

Those planning a visit can find updates and seasonal announcements on the Martha’s Dandee Creme website or Facebook page.

For Adirondack residents and travelers alike, the message is clear: when Martha’s opens, summer isn’t far behind.

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