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.

Here's something to be thankful for: These restaurants open on Thanksgiving in New Jersey allow you to take the holiday off from meal prep. We've even found a few restaurants offering delicious takeout meals you can just heat and eat at home on Thanksgiving Day. 

Here are 19 restaurants open on Thanksgiving in New Jersey, so you can enjoy a holiday feast without the fuss. Call ahead for a reservation or to pre-order a fully-cooked dinner, and then check out plenty of other ways to use your extra time in our Fall Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids.

Happy Turkey Day!

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Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving New York City through the ultimate VR experience at Horizon of Khufu. This newly opened, free-roaming, VR experience is the first-of-its-kind in NYC. The experience transports families 4,500 years back in time to explore the enchanting world of pyramids, mummification, and the legendary King Khufu himself.

I absolutely loved experiencing this VR adventure with my family—read on to discover what it’s like to traverse time and space in the heart of NYC. For more virtual reality experiences in NYC check out our roundup of the best virtual reality experiences in NYC.