The Big Apple is full of temptations, but these won’t get you into too much trouble and the whole family will love them….

Serendipity 3
Since 1954 this NYC icon has welcomed regulars including Marilyn Monroe and artist Andy Warhol, who designed the enormous menu. Today people line up long before the restaurant opens, but you can also make reservations for groups of eight or less. Do this months in advance for the holiday season! While everything we tried was yummy, the pinnacle dish is Serendipity’s famous frozen hot chocolate, made with fourteen kinds of gourmet chocolate. Mouth watering yummy-licious!  www.serendipity3.com

Momofuku Milk Bar
This one of a kind bakery has all kinds of goodies, but its hallmark is cereal milk soft serve ice cream. This crazy good concoction has cornflakes melded into it, like the best bowl of cereal ever. You’ll also find cakes, cookies and pies here.  milkbarstore.com

Dylan’s Candy Bar
The flagship location of this Willy Wonka sized candy store (touted as the largest in the world) is  on Third Avenue. There are ten others scattered across the country, but none like this with its three floors of sugar fixes, bakery, cupcake booths and even a bar for the grown ups. It’s just down the street from Serendipity 3, but for the love of sugar shock, don’t do them back to back!  www.dylanscandybar.com

Popbar
Gelato on a stick in a multitude of mouth watering flavors. How about coconut gelato covered in dark chocolate? Not your thing? Create your own combo. Choose the pop you like and then dip it and cover it as you wish. Custom deliciousness! 
www.pop-bar.com

Shake Shack
My friend, Anna, swears by this place and she’s not alone. Expect long lines, but it’s worth it. There are lots of locations in the U.S., but the original at Madison Square Park in NYC is particularly cool. Plus it’s one of the cheaper good meals in Manhattan. The one negative: calories counts are shown in the menu. Why, I ask? Why???  www.shakeshack.com

Eataly
I mentioned this in my NYC restaurants blog, but the sweet treats are worthy of this list, too . Try the house made gelato in flavors that will make you want to turn right around and get back in line for more. Plus there's a Nutella bar with all kinds of choco-nutty creations. www.eataly.com

Do you have some favorites of your own? Add them in the comments section so we can try yours, too.

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The above are straight up reviews; I receive no compensation for them.

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