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Self Guided Version of Our Gluten Free Walking Tour

New: Self Guided Version of Our Gluten Free Walking Tour

New York City is a unique and special destination for the gluten-free community. It’s one of the few places where your dietary needs can be completely met within a mile or two of Manhattan’s popular sights.

On this walking tour through Central Park, I’ll show you several iconic locations that have shaped New York’s history. I’ll also tell you about the history of celiac disease and my personal journey, and share recommendations for fantastic gluten-free eateries.

This walking tour starts outside TAP NYC, a 100% gluten-free sandwich and açaí bowl cafe. From there, I’ll guide you through Central Park and share insights into its remarkable design, as well as a few stories behind its most famous spots.
You’ll walk in the footsteps of John Lennon and see sites linked to the iconic Beatles musician including his former home (the Dakota building, where he was shot) and Strawberry Fields, a striking memorial to him. I’ll show you some of the park’s lesser-known spaces, from the large Whisper Bench where hushed words can be heard on the other side of the bench, to the meteorological marvel of Belvedere Castle. On your way to the oldest artifact in New York, the Egyptian obelisk called Cleopatra’s Needle, you’ll pass by Cherry Hill and see the fountain created for horses, now a bird bath. This tour of history, nature, and urban design ends in front of the Miners Gate on 5th Avenue.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Take a moment to enjoy the peaceful Imagine memorial mosaic that was gifted by the city of Naples, Italy
• Explore Shakespeare Garden, a beautiful four-acre space filled with the trees and flowers mentioned in the renowned writer’s plays and poems
• Hear about the origins of two important features in the park, the Western Shore Boat Landing and the Ladies Pavilion
• See the famous Alice in Wonderland and Christian Anderson sculptures as you navigate the Central Park Model Boat Pond
• Walk across the iconic Bow Bridge
• Admire the Angel of Waters sculpture at Bethesda Fountain, one of the first public art installations that a female artist was commissioned to do
• Pass by the Swedish Cottage, now home to Marionette Theatre, and learn about its journey around the world

By the end of this two-hour tour, you’ll see Central Park through new eyes, and understand its role as both a natural sanctuary and a cultural landmark. I’ll guide you out of the park and give you options for finding several 100% gluten-free establishments to have lunch or a lavish treat, all within one mile of the tour’s end point.

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Central Park NYC Walking Tour – Gluten Free

New: Self Guided Version of Our Gluten Free Walking Tour

Our In Person Tour

Join me on this mouth watering food tour of Manhattan, where you will sample scrumptious food while enjoying the sites of Central Park. If you are a food enthusiast or living with celiac ~ coeliac disease, a gluten-free diet is 100% essential. Enjoy real food minus gluten additives that have become the norm in food preparation and production.

This tour is a must do as we take you to a selection of establishments that offer delicious gluten-free food. On our walk I will also point out notable landmark sites throughout Central Park. At the end of each tour I will direct you to other haven’s that you must visit during your stay for a yummy gluten free travel experience.

What To Expect

Itinerary

Stop At:

Noglu, 100% gluten free patisserie. Here you will meet your tour guide and you will be offered coffee or tea and a savory food. Depending on what food is available on the day your choices will be a gluten free Croissant, Scone, Vegan Cake, Chocolate Eclair, Muffin, Brownie or a Cream puff with a tea or coffee. Duration: 25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stop At: Alice in Wonderland Statue We make our way to Conservatory Water or better know as Central Park Model Boat Pond. We will pass Hans Christian Anderson bronze portrayal, reading from The Ugly Duckling with its main character at its feet. As we known it was in fact a swan and we will also pass by the famous Alice In Wonderland Tea Party held by the Mad Hatter sculpture. Donated in 1959 by George Delacorte in memory of his wife who often read Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to their children. This sculpture has many little visitors daily; it is a must see. Delacorte also donated the musical clock in the Central Park Zoo. Duration: 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Pass By: The Loeb As we make our way to Bethesda Terrace we pass by the historic Loeb Boathouse. This is the lake’s launch point for rowboats. Calvert Vaux, Central Park’s designer incorporated Victorian touches. Stop At: Bethesda Fountain Bethesda Terrace, the most recognized area of Central Park. We can take in the Minton tile ceiling which opens up to the Bethesda Fountain. The Angel of Waters sculpture stands 26 feet high, created by Emma Stebbins, one of the first public art commissioned from a woman. It marks the 1842 Croton Aqueduct that brought fresh water from Westchester County into NYC. This was very important in ending the Cholera Epidemic. The Lily in her hand represents purity and the four figures at the base signify peace, health, purity and temperance. The Angel is modeled after stage actress Charlotte Cushman. We also stop by the Central Park lake and admire the turtles who have made this lake their home. Duration: 40 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Stop At: Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial Strawberry Fields was created to memorialize the Beatles songwriter and legend John Lennon whose life was sadly taken on the 8th of December 1980 from gunshot wounds from Mark David Chapman as he walked through the archway of his building. He was only 40 years old and had become a notable Peace Activist. His ashes are scattered here in Central Park so for many Beatles fans this is sacred ground. The “Image” mosaic feature was gifted by the city of Naples, Italy. Take a moment to enjoy this peaceful memorial amongst the American Elm trees. Duration: 15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stop At: Central Park As we make our way out of Strawberry Fields we will pass the Cherry Hill Fountain. This fountain was originally created as a drinking fountain for horses. Today many birds take advantage of the flowing water and use it as their own bird bath, they also drink from one of the six cups on the fountain’s main stem. Also a popular photo destination. Duration: 7 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Stop At: Bow Bridge We will navigate our way over The Bow Bridge; this iconic bridge in Central Park has been the location of many marriage proposals and you may be already be familiar with its fame as it is also one of the most photographed bridges in Central Park. Also appearing in many movies. Duration: 15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stop At: Belvedere Castle Belvedere Castle built on Vista Rock sitting 130 feet high, it is the second highest point in Central Park. In present day the main tower is our source of wind speed for weather reporting and just south of the castle the current weather station, an automated surface observing system (ASOS) is located. This is where New York collects meteorological data from this beautiful point so make sure to check the weather report on your visit. At the base of Belvedere Castle lies Turtle Pond, named for its inhabitants. Duration: 15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stop At: Shakespeare Garden Shakespeare Garden is a beautiful four-acre space, planted with trees and flowers that were mentioned in William Shakespeares plays and poems. We make our way out of Central Park admiring the Swedish cottage, now home to Marionette Theatre, sadly still closed due to covid but it has delighted children since 1947. Duration: 15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stop At: 474 Columbus Ave – We end the tour at Thyme and Tonic and Modern Bread and Bagel; cost of food is not included in the tour. Here you decide which restaurant you will like to dine; both are 100% Gluten Free.

Click Here To Book Gluten Free Walking Tour