Thanksgiving in New York City – Things to Do
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Balloons, Floats, Balloon Vehicles, Dancers, Marching Bands, Clowns, Novelty Balloons, and Performance Groups close 6th Avenue to celebrate Thanksgiving in New York City. Parade begins on 77th St and Central Park West at 9am then ends in Macy’s Herald Square on 6th Ave and 34th St.
- Thanksgiving Day Helicopter Tour – Manhattan Helicopter Tours is offering aerial views of NYC’s favorite sites plus stellar views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from your very own luxury helicopter seat. Tours start at $145 per person, but see Manhattan Helicopter’s Facebook page for discount offers. Climb aboard and see Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Central Park, and much more from the air! To book, contact Manhattan Helicopters at www.manhattanhelicopters.com or call toll-free at (888) 690-8513 to make your helicopter tour reservation at least a few hours in advance.
- Thanksgiving Day Dinner Cruise – Sail along the Hudson River and East River with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline from the luxury of a cruise ship. Your 4-course Thanksgiving dinner will include all the trimmings of a traditional Turkey meal, but with New York City lights as your backdrop. Sights include Lady Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and more. On board entertainment included. Starts at $189 and includes the three-hour dinner cruise, four-course meal, gratuities, and taxes. Does not include drinks or hotel pickup and dropoff. Contact Viator to book your seats.
- Thanksgiving Day Ice Skating – The following parks are open to the public on Thanksgiving Day, so lace up your skates and get going! Bryant Park’s Winter Village, Central Park’s Wollman Rink, Riverbank State Park, McCarren Park, and Rockefeller Center Rink. Indoor rinks include Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, World Ice Arena, Abe Stark, and Aviator Sports and Event Center.
- Museum – The museums open on Thanksgiving Day are the National Museum of the American Indian, Madame Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium, and Discovery Times Square.