Hosting Thanksgiving at home is a lot of fun, but let's face it—it's also a lot of work. Gathering the crew at a restaurant instead allows everyone to be together on Thanksgiving without all the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC and its surrounding areas where you can do just that.

Here are 21 restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2024. Not only are they all kid-friendly, but many even offer special pricing for kids ages 12 and under. If you see something you like, make a reservation ASAP, as spots fill up quickly.

Wherever you choose to gather this Thanksgiving, bring some laughter to the table with our list of 25 Thanksgiving jokes for kids. For even more Thanksgiving fun, try one of our 50 Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids and families.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 98th anniversary this November, taking over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, November 28, 2024, exhilarating the city with its boisterous marching bands, extravagant floats, and giant balloon characters. 

If you're planning to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with kids (and millions of others!), read on for the most up-to-date information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, best viewing locations, and other highlights. Looking for where to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 on TV instead? Read on for that, too. You'll find more holiday inspiration in our Thanksgiving Fun Guide for NYC Families.

Enthusiastic paradegoers know the family fun actually begins the day before as the trademark giant balloons receive their annual helium injections—in fact, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation is even included in our list of 100 things to do with your kids in NYC before they grow up. Check out our in-depth Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade inflation post for an overview of the Wednesday night festivities.

Don't feel like cooking? Check out our list of kid-friendly restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago.

If you're all about family during the holidays but would rather not slave away in the kitchen all day, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago where you can dine in or order a take-home meal. From traditional Thanksgiving menus to family-style brunch and more, we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago. These Chicago restaurants are also kid-friendly with special kid's menus and pricing for all your little turkeys.

For year-round dining, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide.

The meal takes center stage on Thanksgiving Day, but if you'd rather forget the dirty dishes, grocery shopping, and hours of cooking, there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Philly for a hassle-free holiday. Catch the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning, then relax the rest of the day knowing that the family meal is being handled by the professionals. If you want to enjoy fine dining but don't want to change out of sweatpants, plenty of establishments also offer convenient pickup options.

Reservations are required or strongly encouraged for all of the following restaurants as many fill up in advance. Pre-orders for pickup are also required. Gear up for the rest of the holiday season with our Holiday and Christmas Activity Guide. 

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Orlando offer families the chance to relax when it comes to cooking and cleaning. Whether your family is taking a Thanksgiving vacation in Orlando or you live local and want a traditional Thanksgiving meal without the stress of prep, we’ve rounded up the best, family-friendly Orlando restaurants that are serving Thanksgiving menus for the holiday. Gobble ‘til you wobble at these yummy restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Orlando, as well as tasty spots at Orlando theme parks and resorts.

Because Orlando can get very busy during Thanksgiving, we recommend making advance reservations to ensure your family has a spot—in fact, it may be impossible at some Orlando restaurants to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal without the reservation! That sentiment goes toward the theme park restaurants as well!

Don’t wear yourself out or stress about cooking a huge Thanksgiving meal! Check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Atlanta, great for kids. And if you truly want to host a gathering at home, many of these Atlanta restaurants offer pick-up options.

We've included Atlanta restaurants open on Thanksgiving that will accommodate both large and small groups. These Atlanta restaurants offer a variety of foods (satisfying picky eaters) with Thanksgiving menus and buffets to make the day special. From casual meals to five-course creations, our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving covers options for every family budget. Book reservations now as slots fill up quickly.

These Westchester and Hudson Valley restaurants open on Thanksgiving offer you the chance to let someone else handle the meal prep and clean up. Our top picks for restaurants open on Thanksgiving in the region serve turkey and all the trimmings. All also require reservations, so don’t delay in making your plans. 

If you're heading into the city for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, we have a list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in NYC, too.

Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in Westchester for more kid-friendly eats no matter the date.

Long Island restaurants open on Thanksgiving provide a delicious meal and a memorable holiday experience for the whole family. You get to skip the prep, cooking, and cleanup and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with great food, conversation, and time well spent with the kids. 

If your little ones are particular about their food choices or aren't fans of turkey, many of these Long Island restaurants open on Thanksgiving and offer regular menu items on Thanksgiving Day. Most of the restaurants post their menu offerings on their websites. 

For fabulous feasting with your little ones any day of the year, check out our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. We're grateful you're here.