Itinerary for Gluten Free Travel to

New York City

We actually did more than just eat in New York.  On our first trip with the a family of five, we only had a couple of days, but the following itinerary worked great for us.  We tried to make cab rides as short as possible so our sightseeing was coordinated with our gluten free dining options.  This takes a little more planning, but takes away a lot of the stress once you reach your destination.

Waldorf Astoria 301 Park Avenue

This is a great old historic hotel that is centrally located for sightseeing up and down Manhattan Island.  It was just a few minutes walking distance to the American Girl Doll store.  We even walked to Central Park and Times Square.  During the week it was flooded with business suits, but more relaxed on the weekend.  We all loved it here.

First night:

We had to try Risotteria for our first New York City gluten free dining experience and we were not disappointed.  We loved this restaurant and enjoyed strolling down Bleecker Avenue after dinner.  Since we were here to see the sights, we caught a cab to The Empire State Building.  We reached the top just in time to see the sun set and the lights of Manhattan come on.  

Day Two:

We were traveling with an eight year old girl, so day two was Rockefeller Plaza for the Top of the Rock and the American Girl Doll Store. 

Need I say more??

We dropped off the bags at the hotel and walked to Bloom's Delicatessen Cafe for lunch.  We were heading out early to go to a Broadway Show that night so we ordered extra carry out food for dinner (some green salads and chicken salad) and keep it in the hotel refrigerator.  We spent sometime in the afternoon shopping on Fifth Avenue.   That night we went to Mary Poppins on Broadway.  It was absolutely fabulous.  The highlight of the entire trip and we are still singing supercalifragil . ....

Day Three:

We were taking the ferry to Staten Island and the Statute of Liberty so we decided to make some peanut butter sandwiches on gluten free bread, buy some chips and fruit and take our own lunch.  It was a good idea because there was really nothing to eat for us on Staten Island and we avoided the long lines at the one food vendor.  The ferry ride was wonderful.  The view looking back to Manhattan Island is unmatched in its ability to inspire awe.  The Statute of Liberty was equally inspiring.  We planned on seeing Ellis Island, but my sightseers had seen enough, so next time.

View from base of State of Liberty looking back towards Manhattan.

On the way back up to the hotel, we went by Babycakes for a late afternoon snack.  Wow - truly fantastic cupcakes.  That night we had dinner at Ruby Foo's.   Ruby Foo's is in Time Square so it is agreat place to eat before taking in a show. 

Day Four:

After a late breakfast/early lunch on the Upper East Side at Peter's Restaurant, we took an easy cab ride across Central Park to American Museum of Natural History.  Of course this is a NYC family classic.  We really enjoyed the Cosmic Collisions Space Show.  Afterwards, we walked through Central Park and down Fifth Avenue to our hotel.  Dinner on our last night in NYC was at Sambuca.

Day Five

We had a late flight, so time for one more day of sightseeing.  We had to go back to Risotteria for another great gluten free meal.  Then we headed to Time Square for some last minute shopping.  The M&M store has very cute lunch boxes (great for a celiac kid who has to carry lunch just about everywhere).  Of course, we had to ride the giant ferris wheel at Toys R Us. 

We were all sad to leave the Big Apple but decided we would definitely make this a yearly excursion.