Our First NASCAR Experience: A Family Trip to New Hampshire With Amazing Gluten‑Free Eats

My First NASCAR Experience: A Family Trip to New Hampshire (With Amazing Gluten‑Free Eats!)

If you had told me a year ago that I’d spend a weekend at a NASCAR race, I probably would have laughed. But here we are — and honestly? I get it now. The energy, the crowd, the roar of the engines… it was such a blast, and even better, we turned it into a full family getaway in beautiful New Hampshire.

Where We Stayed: A Spacious Airbnb in Gilford, NH

We booked a roomy Airbnb in Gilford, and it ended up being the perfect home base for our NASCAR weekend. There was plenty of space for all of us, which every mom knows is the real vacation luxury.

My favorite part?
✨ The hot tub.

After a long day of cheering, walking, and sensory overload (in the best way), sinking into that warm, bubbly water was next‑level relaxation.

Gluten‑Free Food Find: The Alamo Texas BBQ & Tequila Bar (Laconia, NH)

Traveling gluten‑free can be tricky, but New Hampshire surprised me in the best way!

We had dinner at The Alamo Texas BBQ & Tequila Bar in Laconia, and I’m already dreaming about going back. The staff was incredibly friendly, the vibe was fun, and let me just say — their staff shirts are iconic.

What We Ate

Jon and I decided to share our meals so we could try more of the menu (pro tip for gluten‑free diners!), and everything we had was delicious.

The BBQ was smoky, tender, and full of flavor — exactly what you want after a long day of exploring.

And because I’m a ginger beer lover… They had GREAT ginger beer.

Kids’ Picks

For the non‑GF crew, the kids were in dessert heaven.
They devoured the cheesecake and the dirt dessert — both huge hits

Our First NASCAR Race: High Energy + Family Fun

Walking into the speedway for the first time was surreal. The engines, the crowd, the excitement — it all hits at once.

What surprised me most was how family‑friendly the whole experience was. There were activities for kids, lots of (unhealthy) food options which they loved. We opted to pack our own lunches. Everyone we met was so kind and welcoming. If you’re on the fence about taking your family to a NASCAR race, I’d say go for it! It’s way more fun than I imagined.

Final Thoughts

Our NASCAR weekend in New Hampshire was the perfect mix of family adventure, great food, and unexpected new experiences. Between the cozy Gilford Airbnb, incredible BBQ in Laconia, and the pure adrenaline of the race, it’s a trip we’ll be talking about for a long time.

If you’re a gluten‑free traveling family like us (or just a family looking for a different kind of getaway), New Hampshire might surprise you too.