The Spotted Duck
📍 23.2 Miles 🚘 31 Minutes 🚲 2 hour 7 Minutes
A Custard Experience Worth the Drive – Just 31 Minutes from The Hideaway
🍦 A Frozen Custard Destination Like No Other
Tucked between vineyards, rolling hills, and quiet farm roads just outside Penn Yan, The Spotted Duck Creamery is a must-stop experience during your stay at The Hideaway. This isn’t just a cute roadside ice cream stand—it’s a full-on flavor pilgrimage for anyone who appreciates quality, craftsmanship, and a truly unforgettable dessert.
The Spotted Duck makes frozen custard, not ice cream—and the difference is night and day.
🥚 Why It’s So Good: Duck Eggs & Creamy Perfection
Here’s what sets The Spotted Duck apart from any other scoop shop in the Finger Lakes (or anywhere else):
Duck Eggs: Their frozen custard is made with fresh duck eggs laid by the farm’s own flock. Duck eggs have more fat and protein than chicken eggs, which gives the custard a silkier, richer, and smoother texture.
Organic, Local Ingredients: The custard base is made with organic cane sugar, local cream, and fresh seasonal ingredients—like strawberries from nearby farms, house-roasted peaches, or locally sourced honey.
Farm-to-Scoop Fresh: Every batch is made on-site, in small quantities, with zero artificial additives or stabilizers.
The result? A scoop that’s unbelievably creamy, intensely flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you stop mid-bite and say “Wait—this is SO good.”
🌟 Flavor Highlights: Our Favorite Must-Trys
You could honestly pick any flavor at The Spotted Duck and walk away happy—but if you see any of these on the rotating menu, don’t even hesitate:
🍫 Ditch Mint Chip - Not your store-bought mint chip. This one uses fresh mint leaves (grown right on the property) to infuse the custard with natural herbal brightness. The chocolate? Hand-cut chunks that melt just right into the custard. Cool, creamy, refreshing, and totally grown-up.
🧂 Seneca Salted Caramel - Their most famous flavor—and for good reason. This flavor hits the perfect sweet-salty balance with a deep caramel flavor and a kiss of local Finger Lakes salt. Rich, buttery, and absolutely unforgettable. One bite and you’ll understand why this is the crowd favorite.
🍋 Raspberry Lemonade - Light, tart, and refreshingly sweet, this is the ideal summer flavor. It captures the nostalgic zing of raspberry lemonade in creamy custard form. Perfect for a hot afternoon after a hike or lake day. It’s like sunshine in a cone.
🍓 Raspberry Ripple - This one’s for the fruit lovers. A rich vanilla custard swirled with bold, bright raspberry compote—each spoonful delivers a balance of smooth and tangy. It’s simple, classic, and full of flavor.
Every cone (or cup) is served with care, and their house-made waffle cones are just as good as the custard—light, crispy, and subtly sweet.
🐐 It’s a Micro-Farm, Too
While the frozen custard is the star of the show, The Spotted Duck is also a charming small farm. After you grab your cone, stroll around and meet the resident ducks, chickens, goats, and a handful of friendly farm cats. Kids love the open space and the farmyard vibe, and adults love the peaceful, rural setting.
📍 Planning Your Visit
Drive Time from The Hideaway: ~31 minutes
Address: 999 State Route 54, Penn Yan, NY
Open Seasonally: Usually mid-May through early October. Check Instagram or their website for up-to-date hours.
What to Bring: Cash or card, your appetite, and a little patience—it’s popular for a reason.
🪑 Atmosphere: Casual & Relaxed
Outdoor seating with picnic tables and shaded spots
Great for families, couples, or anyone who wants to slow down and savor the moment
No loud music, no crowds—just great custard and country charm
💡 Local Tip
It’s common to think, “This is just a cute ice cream place, how different can it really be?” But trust us—this custard is next-level. It’s worth the drive and then some. Come hungry, and consider getting a flight to sample multiple flavors. You won’t regret it.
🍦 Final Thoughts: A Must-Visit While at The Hideaway
The Spotted Duck isn’t just dessert—it’s a Finger Lakes experience. The custard is unbelievably good, the ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, and the setting is peaceful and picturesque. Whether you’re ending a day of wine tasting, looking for a post-hike reward, or just craving the best scoop in the region, this little creamery will blow your expectations out of the water.
So go ahead—add it to your itinerary.
We’ll just say you’re welcome in advance.
