Thanksgiving is a magical time in New York City and the kickoff to the holiday season. If you plan to spend Thanksgiving in the city, expect to find decorated store windows, streets illuminated with holiday lights, and a chill in the air. Take the weather and the crowds into account as you plan your trip.
The temperature generally stays above freezing in New York City in November, but be prepared for a damp chill. In order to stay comfortable when you are spending time outdoors, bring a windproof coat, hat and gloves, and tights or long underwear for underneath pants.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a holiday tradition. If you are in the city on the day before Thanksgiving, visit the Upper West Side to see the parade balloons being inflated. On parade day, the prime viewing spots on the Upper West Side and near the end of the parade, at Macy's, are always super crowded. If you can, try to find a spot along the route from about 50th Street to 55th Street.
Do not drive or take a cab anywhere near the parade route, as traffic is abysmal. Expect heavy traffic in other sections of the city on Thanksgiving Day as well. If walking is not an option, then the subway is your best bet. Remember that subways and buses run on a holiday schedule.
The Prospect Park Turkey Trot is a 3.5-mile run held each year on Thanksgiving morning. If you want to see New York City from the water, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Most museums, the Empire State Building, and Broadway shows are closed for Thanksgiving Day, but are open on the days surrounding the holiday.
Many city restaurants offer Thanksgiving dinners with all of the fixings. Be sure to make your dinner reservations in advance. For a non-traditional meal, head to Chinatown, where most of the restaurants do not observe the holiday.
Thanksgiving is a popular travel time, so it may be hard to find discounts on hotel rooms and it's often a blackout period for frequent flier programs. Give yourself plenty of time to investigate your options, and try to make a room reservation at least six weeks in advance. However, with so many hotels to choose from, you should be able to find a room even closer to the holiday.
Whether you are flying, driving or taking the train into the city, try to come before the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week or arrive on the holiday itself. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a gridlock day, where airports are crowded, streets are jammed and tempers are short. The Friday and Sunday after Thanksgiving are also heavy travel days and should be avoided if possible.
