Your complete guide to celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in New York City
There are few places on earth more festive than New York City during the holidays, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the official kickoff to the season. It’s not too late to make last-minute plans to travel to NYC and see it live in person. With everything from tips on how to navigate the parade and where to find the best turkey dinners to a list of ice-skating rinks and festive holiday markets, we’ve got you covered!
How to view the parade
Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving if there’s no Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the TV in the morning! Now in its 95th year, the parade has become an American tradition with more than 50 million viewers each year. And while seeing it in person is a big bucket-list item for many families, there are some things you need to know before you go.
First, get there early! With just 2.5 miles of public viewing space and an estimated 3.5 million expected spectators, you can imagine how crowded it’s going to be. The parade doesn’t begin until 9 a.m., but most people start staking out their spots around 6 a.m. (or earlier!).
Secondly, dress in layers and bring snacks. You never know what the weather is going to be, so be ready for anything. It’s likely going to be quite cold, and you’ll be out in it for a long time. Also, you never know when someone’s going to get hungry or how close to an open Starbucks you’ll be, so come prepared. And most importantly, limit your liquids beforehand! We’re talking millions of spectators in a very small area with a very limited number of bathrooms available. You get my drift!
Thirdly, know the route! The best place to view depends on you. Early birds camp out along the west side of the street on Central Park West from 59th to 75th Streets (the east side is not open for viewing) where the parade runs from about 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. If you’re going to arrive later, farther down the route on 6th Avenue may be better; the parade doesn’t reach this area until about 9:30 a.m.
KidTripster Tip: Avoid the area in front of Macy’s Herald Square and along 6th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets as it’s blocked off due to the national television broadcast. Locals will tell you that the farther away you get from Herald Square, the more the crowd thins out.
Wherever you watch – whether it’s up front or in the way back – you’re sure to see a spectacular lineup of boisterous marching bands, celebrities atop colorful floats, the Rockettes, and clowns of all kinds… so many clowns! And then of course, there’s the procession of larger-than-life, pop culture-inspired balloons that this parade is known for. It’s all topped off with Santa’s arrival at the end.
Not into standing out in the cold? Keep reading…
Where to stay near the parade route
The only thing that isn’t family-friendly about this iconic event is that you need to arrive at the crack of dawn to stake out your spot along the parade route. That, and it can be very cold (or rainy). And there are no bathrooms. For these and many other reasons, you may want to consider splurging on a hotel room with a view of the parade.
While you often have to book nearly a year in advance, some hotels tell us that there’s still availability… if you’re willing to shell out a pretty penny. Many rooms will cost more than three times the normal rate and require minimum stays.
Here’s your list of options for hotels on the parade route:
- The Quin
- The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
- Refinery Hotel
- Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
- Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park
- JW Marriott Essex House New York
- Warwick New York
- New York Hilton Midtown Manhattan
- Mandarin Oriental New York
- Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street
- 1 Hotel Central Park
- Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Herald Square
- Luma Hotel
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel off the parade route, check out KidTripster’s Top 10 Stays in NYC.
Where to eat in NYC
When you think Thanksgiving, you probably think of mom’s cooking, so the idea of eating out may horrify you. But when in New York, eat like New Yorkers do! Here’s our list of the best places to find a traditional Thanksgiving dinner:
Rock Center Cafe
It’s hard to think of a better way to get in the spirit of the season than having Thanksgiving dinner overlooking the iconic Rockefeller Center ice rink. Watch the skaters circle round and round as you feast on a prix-fixe, three-course meal with eight entrée options including roasted turkey, braised short ribs, a petite filet, and even lobster at Rock Center Cafe. The Thanksgiving Day menu also offers fish and vegetarian options as well as a children’s menu that includes turkey, chicken tenders, pasta, grilled cheese, and more. Finish with your choice of pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse, cheesecake or spiced apple pie; then work off some calories by lacing up your skates and hitting the ice. While the giant evergreen that will light up Rockefeller Plaza won’t yet be aglow, it will be in place. Rockefeller Center and this restaurant are very busy during the holidays, so be sure to book well in advance.
The Smith
A cozy spot known for its affordable comfort food is The Smith. Just a couple of blocks off the busy parade route, this bustling brasserie overlooking Broadway and Lincoln Center (along with its three other locations) offers a three-course spread complete with a starter, turkey with all the trimmings, and dessert. Vegetarians and all other dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Freemans
If you want to eat like the locals, get off the parade route away from the crowds and down to Freemans on the Lower East Side. This cute little bistro with the baby blue door is a hidden gem tucked away at the end of a graffiti-riddled alley off the Bowery. The three-course, prix-fixe menu offers traditional classic Thanksgiving options complete with roasted turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Be sure to start with the famed artichoke dip. Freemans is a mostly walk-in only kind of place, but it will take reservations for Thanksgiving dinner.
Bubby’s
Known for its comfort food, this restaurant and pie shop promises a traditional and charitable Thanksgiving dinner at both of its locations. A portion of the proceeds from each family-style turkey dinner served will go to the New York City Rescue Mission which helps the city’s homeless population. Along with classics like turkey and glazed ham, Bubby’s will be serving up all the classic fixings like cornbread sausage stuffing, roasted vegetables, buttermilk biscuits, and fresh cranberry sauce. And of course, there’s pie for dessert – pumpkin, pumpkin caramel, pecan praline, pecan maple, sour cherry, apple whiskey crumble, and more. It has locations in TriBeCa and the West Village.
The Capital Grille
With three locations throughout the city, this classic, clubby, upscale chain of steakhouses serves up a wonderfully traditional Thanksgiving meal at a surprisingly great price (for NYC!). You’ll get a three-course, prix-fixe menu including turkey and all the trimmings like stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy. For dessert, there’s pumpkin cheesecake with a gingerbread crust or apple tart with homemade vanilla ice cream. With two locations in Midtown and one on Wall Street, you can’t go wrong with The Capital Grille.
Sarabeth’s
I’m a huge fan of Sarabeth’s. Known for its killer comfort food and out-of-this-world baked goods, all five locations are hosting a classic Thanksgiving dinner. But it’s the Central Park South location parade-goers will be most interested in. Since about 3.5 million people will be pushing their way to the subway and since this Sarabeth’s is just a half a block off the parade route, it’s the perfect place to thaw out over a hot meal while you wait out the crowds. Enjoy free-range turkey, stuffing, and butter-whipped potatoes as well as pumpkin pie and a whole host of other delicious pies that they’re famous for.
If you’re looking for family-friendly restaurants for the rest of your stay, check out KidTripster’s Top 10 Eats in NYC.
Things to do beyond the parade
While the parade may be the main event, it’s only the beginning of the holiday must-dos in NYC. Here are a few things going on around the city that are sure to get your family in the holiday spirit!
Balloon inflation
Want to get up close and personal with the biggest balloons from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade without having to get up before dawn, brave the crowds or stand in the cold? Then take your kids to the Upper West Side on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving from 3 to 10 p.m. for the annual Giant Balloon Inflation. You can enter the balloon inflation area beginning at 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, right next to the American Museum of Natural History. Here, kids can get a glimpse of these giants as they come to life.
While the balloon inflation isn’t exactly crowd-free (what is in NYC?), it is less crowded before 5 p.m., but it’s around 5 p.m. that the balloons being to really take their shapes. They’re usually all inflated by around 9 p.m.
Locals know the best way to beat the crowds is to spend the day at the American Museum of Natural History before they start the inflation. That way, you can walk right out to where all the magic will happen.
KidTripster Tip: If you have little ones, leave the stroller behind. It’s crowded, making it tough to navigate. And with so many people and barricades in front of them, your kid won’t see much by sitting down.
Visit Santa… but not at Macy’s
Santa Claus makes his grand entrance to NYC at the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade. Now it’s time to go get on his lap and tell him what you want! I know you have it in your head that seeing Santa at the iconic store from the film Miracle on 34th Street would be amazing. Let me just tell you, as a New Yorker who has done Santaland at the famed Macy’s flagship store, it’s kinda overrated. We took our 4-year-old when Macy’s debuted its “reservations only” system. Well, that reservation only got us a spot in a very long line. Sure, you get to see Santa’s elves, an enchanted forest, and a toy train display, but mostly, you see the bowels of Macy’s department store in a long, winding hallway with frustrated parents and fussy toddlers.
My advice? For a better Santa experience in NYC, head downtown to Brookfield Place Mall (230 Vesey Street). It’s a better Santa and not as crowded. Plus, you can pre-book a time slot and wander the mall until your pager alerts you to come back.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker ballet has become a true New York City holiday classic. And while you will find several different interpretations all around NYC, none is more famous than George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. This magical production is truly a must-see at least once in your life. No one does it better than the New York City Ballet. You will be swept away by the grace and beauty of this timeless classic and the flawless dancers that bring it to life. The season opens the day after Thanksgiving. Know that this two-hour production is really not recommended for young children. Cost: Tickets start at $40.
Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular
If the New York Ballet’s The Nutcracker seems too stuffy, then this show is for you. As far as NYC holiday bucket-list items go, watching the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall is usually right up there with seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Along with the parade, the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (literally) kicks off the holiday season in the city. A holiday tradition since 1933, this show, set to original music with some classic Christmas tunes thrown in, stars Santa himself along with the Rockettes, the high-kicking dance troupe known for its chorus line. It’s a show that’s sure to get you in the spirit. Cost: Tickets start at $35.
Holiday window walk
While the tree at Rockefeller Center won’t be lighted until the week after Thanksgiving, the windows of all the major department stores are decked out in holiday cheer by the week of Thanksgiving. It’s a seasonal sight to behold. Viewing the elaborate Christmas window displays as you stroll along 5th Avenue is free and fun for the whole family. And lucky for you, the crowds are still relatively sparse around Thanksgiving.
KidTripster Tip: Maybe skip this the day after Thanksgiving as you could get caught up in Black Friday crowds.
Ice Skating
Never mind the parade, many people like me dream of the simple, yet timeless traditions of Christmastime in NYC, like sipping hot cocoa after ice skating. With so many ice rinks around the city, it’s hard to choose one. Each year, thousands of New Yorkers and tourists alike flock to the Wollman Rink in Central Park to enjoy gliding across the ice with the city skyline in the background. Newbies will love the learn-to-skate program, the largest in the country. Cost: Youth $6; Adults $11-19; skate rental $10; cash only.
To skate next to what is likely the most famous Christmas tree in the world, head to The Rink at Rockefeller Center, one of the city’s most celebrated attractions in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Unless you plan on skating very early in the morning or between 9 a.m. and noon Thanksgiving Day, prepare yourself for long lines. With only 150 people allowed on the ice at a time, patience is a must here. Cost: Youth $15; Adults $27-32; skate rental $12.
Another great spot to skate is The Rink at Bryant Park which offers a 17,000-square-foot ice rink free of charge. While you have to pay for rental skates, the complex holds 500 people at a time, so the lines aren’t as long. It’s the best bargain for families. Cost: Free; skate rental $20.
Winter Village at Bryant Park
After skating, be sure to check out the holiday shops and food carts at the Winter Village at Bryant Park. More than 125 boutique-like shops housed in glass, jewelry box-like kiosks light up the tree-lined allées of this European-inspired, open-air market. Peruse the unique shops and eateries or head into Celsius, the rinkside restaurant which offers a full children’s menu and plenty of hot chocolate. This area is one of the most festive and vibrant shopping spots in the city and one of the many reasons to love NYC during the holidays.
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair & Train Show
At this time of year, you’re actually encouraged to stroll through Grand Central rather than rush for the next train. The Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair is one of the longest-running indoor holiday fairs in New York City. The annual fair takes over the majestic Vanderbilt Hall for six weeks in the lead-up to Christmas, letting shoppers browse an array of American-made and handmade items like jewelry, toys, and artwork. You’ll find unique gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.
If you’re looking for more family-friendly activities, check out KidTripster’s Top 10 Plays in NYC.
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