Eat & Explore: Things to Do in NYC for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in New York City is a truly one-of-a-kind experience. There are countless things to do in NYC for Thanksgiving, from watching the floats roll down Sixth Avenue to indulging in a cozy holiday feast and exploring the best seasonal attractions.
Here’s how to make the most of your Thanksgiving weekend in Manhattan.
Where to Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the crown jewel of the holiday season in New York. This world-famous event transforms Manhattan into a moving festival of floats, marching bands, and enormous character balloons.
The Thanksgiving Day parade route in NYC begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West, travels south to Columbus Circle, then turns east along Central Park South before heading down Sixth Avenue to Herald Square. It’s a long, lively route with plenty of viewing options for those willing to rise early.
If you’re staying at the Carnegie Hotel, you’re in the heart of the action. From the hotel, you can walk about 10 minutes to reach several prime viewing spots along Central Park South or Columbus Circle. To get a front-row view, plan to arrive around 6:00–6:30 a.m., as the best spots fill up quickly.
Best tips for parade day:
- Bundle up—it can be chilly before the sun warms the city.
- Bring coffee and snacks since nearby cafés can get crowded early.
- Avoid setting up near Herald Square, which is heavily restricted for broadcast crews and special ticket holders.
Feast Time: NYC Thanksgiving Restaurants and Dinner in Manhattan
Once the last parade balloon deflates, it’s time to celebrate with a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Whether you’re craving a traditional feast or something modern and refined, NYC Thanksgiving restaurants have you covered.
Tavern on the Green
A short walk, just 15 minutes, from the Carnegie Hotel, Tavern on the Green, a Central Park landmark, offers one of the most iconic Thanksgiving dinners in Manhattan. Inside the glass pavilion, diners enjoy roasted turkey, apple stuffing, and pumpkin pie under twinkling lights. The atmosphere is pure New York holiday magic.
Avra Rockefeller Center
Only a 10-minute walk from the hotel, Avra puts a Mediterranean twist on Thanksgiving. Think grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and elegant décor that feels festive yet refined. It’s perfect if you prefer a lighter, seafood-forward meal near Rockefeller Plaza.
Quality Meats
Located about a 6-minute walk from the hotel, Quality Meats is an upscale steakhouse that gives a hearty, modern spin to the traditional feast. Expect roast turkey alongside creative sides like parsnip purée and maple-glazed Brussels sprouts—ideal for those who love rich, comforting flavors.
The Modern at MoMA
If fine dining is your tradition, The Modern, located about a 9-minute walk from the Carnegie Hotel, offers an artful Thanksgiving menu in a sleek, contemporary setting. With stunning views of the MoMA's sculpture garden, it’s one of the most memorable ways to spend the holiday.
From elegant prix-fixe dinners to cozy brasseries, Manhattan’s Thanksgiving dining scene ensures everyone finds their ideal flavor of the holiday. Be sure to make reservations well in advance, as many NYC Thanksgiving restaurants fill up weeks before the big day.
Holiday Weekend Adventures: Skating, Shopping, and Exploring
Thanksgiving in New York marks the unofficial start of the holiday season, and the city comes alive with festive activities all weekend long.
Go Ice Skating
After your Thanksgiving dinner, lace up your skates and hit one of Manhattan’s most iconic rinks.
- Wollman Rink in Central Park is only about an 11-minute walk from the Carnegie Hotel. Skating beneath the skyline, surrounded by fall foliage turning to winter hues, is an experience straight out of a holiday movie.
- The Rink at Rockefeller Center, a short 13-minute walk from the hotel, offers a quintessential NYC skating experience, complete with holiday music, sparkling lights, and the city’s most famous Christmas tree (usually lit the week after Thanksgiving).
Go Shopping
Thanksgiving weekend in NYC also means the start of the holiday shopping season. The Fifth Avenue shops, just three blocks east of the Carnegie Hotel, come alive with stunning window displays and early sales. For a more local feel, check out the Bryant Park Winter Village, where small vendors sell handmade crafts, gifts, and treats in a charming outdoor market atmosphere.
Catch a Show or Explore a Museum
Broadway shows run on Thanksgiving weekend, making it a great time to enjoy a matinee or evening performance. If you prefer something quieter, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, offering world-class exhibits and a respite from the crowds.
Take a Walk Through Central Park
Few experiences capture Thanksgiving in New York quite like a stroll through Central Park’s crisp autumn paths. From The Mall and Bethesda Terrace to Bow Bridge, the park offers postcard-perfect scenes only a few blocks from the Carnegie Hotel.
Stay in the Heart of It All at the Carnegie Hotel
The Carnegie Hotel places you steps from the Thanksgiving Day Parade route, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. Nearby restaurants serve some of the most memorable Thanksgiving dinners in the city.
If you’re planning a Thanksgiving getaway, staying at the Carnegie Hotel ensures you’re perfectly positioned to experience all the things to do in NYC for Thanksgiving, from the first float of the parade to the last twinkling light of the season.
Book your stay today for a memorable Thanksgiving this year.