Article written by: Cindy Bokma
We went on a cruise last summer and flew into New Jersey so that I could visit my grandmother,
I grew up only ten miles from Manhattan, and I have fond memories of the city. From seeing Broadway shows with my mom, to going into the city on field trips and even in college, heading into the museums for art class. I took courses at FIT one semester during the dead of winter which is the worst time to be in the city, but I loved every second. I used to spend a lot of time walking around Soho, getting treats from Dean & DeLuca and soaking up the atmosphere.
I always jump at the chance to go back; this doesn’t happen frequently. I keep saying I need to find a housesitting or petsitting gig so I can spend at least a week or two in NYC! My ideal trip would include walking from one end of the city to the other, taking pictures and discovering new places to enjoy gluten-free food.
We stayed near Columbus Circle, blocks from Times Square. This was an excellent location for our short stay. Typically I like the Lower East Side or Greenwich Village, but this time, I picked a place that would allow us to get to Central Park, Times Square, and the theater district.
5StarTip🌟:
Pam (Always5Star) highly recommends staying at the Hyatt Centric in Times Square. The hotel has spectacular views, a luxury chic vibe, contemporary decor, and the central location
Even on a rainy day in NYC – the views were breathtaking!
An Always5Star recommend!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The weather forecast called for rain the next day, so I wanted to be sure to visit Central Park while it was sunny. Since it was August, it was sweltering and very humid! Central Park is so beautiful, and there is much to see, visiting during the spring and summer you will see tons of green! Lots of plants and trees plus sprawling green lawns where people are picnicking and playing.
Bethesda Fountain
Everywhere you look there is
My favorite time in New York Central Park was a few years ago, taking a tour (Free Tours By Foot) and seeing many of the highlights from a professional tour guide. With more time, I highly recommend this tour.
On a whim, we bought tickets to use the Red Bus, the Hop On/Hop Off tour. There are a few different routes to take depending on which bus you take. I was open to anything and wanted to see as much as I could.
Big Bus Tours
We sat on the top of the double-decker bus which isn’t something I am normally comfortable with but since I wanted to get unobstructed views, and time was short, we sat up top. Yes, I worried I’d get decapitated by a random flag post or tree branch but I am happy to report that didn’t happen.
5StarTip🌟: Don’t stand up when you are on the top! Lol!
Then my husband went to see the Intrepid Museum, I instead
The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side.
Though the day I was in NYC was extremely hot, I tried not to be deterred by the heat and was determined to see the High Line and explore as much as I could. I can say that it was worth it heat and all!
5StarTips🌟:
Having worked hard on researching and creating one memorable day in New York City for my husband and me, I have five tips to share. So, if you only have one day in NYC…here is a great itinerary that I know you will enjoy (I did!):
🌟 Where to stay
First, make sure and stay in a central location in the city. This way you can maximize your one day and not waste time with transportation to be in the heart of the city. It is best to be near Central Park and/or the Theater District.
Always5Star recommends the Hyatt Centric Times Square hotel which is in the heart of Times Square. Perfect location to start your day of adventure in NYC.
🌟 Take a bus tour
Purchase tickets online for the Hop On/Hop Off bus! Hop on the bus at any stop and sit on the top for the best views. I suggest that you stay on for the whole tour so you can get an overview of NYC. You will be able to pack in a lot of sites with this tour. The bus tour hits all the very best of NYC. You can pick and choose which is the most important stops to visit based on your goals.
BIGBUS New York Map
- Tickets are good for one day.
- There are two bus routes: Downtown and Uptown.
- There are over 25 bus stops, from the stops you can explore the area by foot, visit attractions then hop back onto another bus. Note: You do not take the same bus, there are buses that run regularly and continually people pick up.
- Buses arrive every 15 to 60 minutes, depending on which of the 5 bus tour routes you’re on, so you can discover the city at your leisure, rejoining the tour from any stop when you’re ready.
- Download the free guidebook from their website for where the stops are located.
- Free Wifi onboard.
- Live English commentary, ten pre-recorded language guides as well.
🌟 Walk around Central Park
Enjoy a stop at Central Park and take a little walk around to see as much as time allows.
🌟 Walk the High Line
The High Line is more than a park. It’s a public space where you can view art, walk through gardens, experience a performance, savor delicious food, or just connect with friends and neighbors—while enjoying a unique perspective of the city.Built on a historic, elevated freight line, the High Line has become a world-renowned inspiration for how cities can transform industrial infrastructure into beautiful, hybrid public spaces.
– High Line Park
🌟 Take a cruise of the harbor
The Circle Line Cruise tour of the harbor provides great views of the iconic Statue of Liberty.
🌟 The Intrepid
If you get on the Circle Line tour, you will be close to the Intrepid which is worth your time to see!
🌟 Gluten Free Dining suggestions
Snacks
There is a Whole Foods grocery store in the Columbus Circle area where I bought fruit and water and ate that for snacks before leaving for the cruise terminal. We knew we’d be in a rush and I didn’t want to take the time to sit down and eat at a restaurant.
In between meals, I typically have sprouted Pumpkin Seeds or an apple and I try to drink a lot of water. I have multiple food sensitivities so I am super careful about what I eat.
I used the Find Me Gluten Free app on my phone to find these restaurants. You can download this app onto your phone for convenient searches on
Breakfast
Friedmans, inside the Edison Hotel NYC 228 West 47th Street New York, NY 10036
SO GOOD! I highly recommend this place for breakfast as the serving size was large and it was very tasty. Good coffee too! This is a large restaurant with lots of choices and the fact they offer gluten-free items made me so happy!
Lunch
Don Antonio, 309 West 50th Street (at 8th Ave.) New York, NY 10019
Since I LOVED Keste down on Bleeker Street for amazing gluten-free pizza, I was thrilled to find their sister restaurant, Don Antonio, near our hotel. Living in California it’s very difficult to find pizza that rivals the east coast. When I am back in New Jersey or New York, I HAVE to have pizza.
The gluten-free pizza crust was very good but when I asked for more sauce they said no. 5StarTip🌟: Order the pizza with extra sauce because its a little dry! If I had some sauce to dip my pizza in, I would be raving about this place! I like less cheese, more sauce on my pizza. But the crust is delicious.
Dinner
630 9TH AVE NEW YORK, NY 10036
Lettuce wrapped burger and french fries, absolutely fantastic! The waiter was familiar with gluten-free foods and recommended some options. They have gluten-free buns but I prefer mine wrapped in lettuce.
Final Thoughts
New York City is one of my favorite cities to visit. It is a city vibrant and has so much to offer that one day honestly is simply not enough. However, having only one day, I challenged myself to discover as much as I could. I felt accomplished and inspired to share what I learned. I look forward to heading back to NYC for more photos and recommendations!
Cheers to your amazing day in NYC!
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A bit about the author: Cindy Bokma
Cindy Bokma grew up in New Jersey but now lives in California. Cindy is the author of
The Blondes of Bel Air, A Thousand Dollars for a Kiss and Here If You Need Me. She has also written a children’s book, Victorious Girls and has pitched television shows to networks such as Disney and Nickelodeon. She is an accomplished screenplay analyst, having worked for a popular Hollywood production company.
Order her book: Low Oxalate Cookbook – The Low-Oxalate Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: 75 Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Yeast-Free, Low-Sugar Recipes to Help You Stress Less and Feel Better on Amazon.
Visit her also at Wild Flower and Woods And Visit her also at Cindy Bokma Books
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
Great tips! I’m going to try the hop on, hop off bus (without standing up, per your advice) and the cruise! There’s always so much to see in NYC and so little time, these are great solutions.