Ray's Candy Store

Ray’s Candy Store offers soft serve support all year round. A statement that, when said among the right company, might be enough to make a grown-ass person cry. This classic, cash-only spot off Tompkins Square Park has walls covered with newspaper articles and pictures of all the different things you can order - from ice cream served in a coffee cup to fried Oreos. Ray himself, who’s owned the place since the 1970s, will likely be there when you stop by, so make sure to wave hello. When ordering your soft serve, stick to the classics - chocolate, vanilla, or swirl.

photo credit: Noah Devereaux