There’s never a bad time to go to Manhattan, but there’s something special in the air about Thanksgiving Day Weekend in NY City.
Of course, the Thanksgiving Day Parade is the big draw for many, both locals and visitors alike, but that’s not where the fun ends. In fact, there are plenty of things you can do over the long weekend to make it a fun and memorable event.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
For many, the big draw to a Thanksgiving Day Weekend in NY City is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While you might have caught this event broadcast on live tv over the years, there’s nothing like being there in person to check out the real thing.
The parade route is 2.5 miles long, starting at the American Museum of Natural History and winding south along the west side of Central Park and then down 6th Avenue to the Macy’s building on West 34th Street. The parade starts at 9am.
Parade Balloon Inflation
If you happen to be in New York City on the Wednesday of Thanksgiving week but can’t make it to the parade, then you’re in luck. Every year, the night before the big parade you can watch the giant balloons ‘come to life’ as they are inflated. Head to the American Museum of Natural History after 3pm to get the full view.
Shop for Deals
You’re in one of the best cities to shop in the entire world. With Black Friday deals abound, you can head to some of the fancy boutiques on 5th Avenue or wander around SoHo or the East and West Villages for cool finds that you won’t get anywhere else.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
You don’t want to spend time in New York without enjoying a show. One of the best and most famous performances around has to be the Rocketts of Radio City Music Hall. Every year, running from early November to the beginning of January they put on a Christmas Spectacular event. You’ll enjoy holiday music, singing, and dancing from these talented professionals.
Holiday Train Show
For nearly 30 years, the New York Botanical Garden has put on a Holiday Train Show. This event starts the week before Thanksgiving and runs to the end of January. You can explore the painstakingly recreated buildings, bridges, monuments, and landmarks of New York City as over two dozen trains zip through the garden. For more adult fun, there are 21+ Bar Car Nights that feature spiked drinks and live entertainment.
Go Ice Skating
Nothing says New York City in the winter like strapping on some skates and going for a glide surrounded by skyscrapers. Luckily, there are many places to ice skate in the city. Some of the more popular options include the Bank of America Pavilion at Bryant Park, the Rink and Rockefeller Center, and Winterland Rink at Pier 17 which offers the distinction of being on a rooftop!
As you can see, there’s more than enough to do and see during your Thanksgiving Day Weekend in NY City, so be sure to make the most of it!