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RELATED: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Where to Watch, What's New

Skate with a view at Sky Skate at the Edge New York observation deck in Hudson Yards. Photo courtesy of the venue

1. Go Ice Skating

Thanksgiving is a great day to try out the ice skating rinks before or after your big feast. The rinks at the Winter Village in Bryant Park, Brookfield Place, Wollman Rink in Central Park, and the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink are open for skating on Thanksgiving Day, weather permitting. Note: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down Sixth Avenue, so it's best to head to Bryant Park after the parade passes. You can even do some holiday shopping at its Winter Village market. Too cold for you out there? Check out these indoor skating options, including the lofty Sky Skate at the Edge observation deck, which returns for a 2024 run.

2. Hang with the Animals

The New York Aquarium, Queens Zoo, and Central Park Zoo are all open on Thanksgiving (as well as al year round). 

3. Take a Stroll

Walk off dinner with the awesome department store holiday windows—by Thanksgiving they'll all be revealed, including Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks, Tiffany & Co., and Bergdorf. Or just take a ramble in Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Long Island City waterfront, or one of these lesser-known NYC parks.

4. Get a Workout Before you Feast

Beak a sweat in the NYC Turkey Trot in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or hit the park for a family game of touch football or freeze tag. If you don't feel like cooking, see our list of restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner.

RELATED: NYC Holiday Event and Activity Guide for Families

5. See a Flick

Many movie theaters are open on Thanksgiving Day, and this year it's all about magical adventures. Families can enjoy the retelling of the Wizard of Oz in Wicked, which arrives in theaters on November 22. Disney fans can continue Moana's tale in Moana 2, which will launch right in time for Thanksgiving, on November 27. If you want to stay in and cozy up at home with a flick, check out Spellbound, a charming animated adventure coming to Netflix on November 22. 

6. See a Show

The Rockettes always dance on Thanksgiving in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This year there are three shows at 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm. The only Broadway show playing on the holiday is Chicago, but there are plenty more on offer the following day.

7. Visit An Interactive Exhibit

Let your imaginations run wild at Artechhouse, which is gearing up for the holidays with its new exhibit, Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special. Visitors are encouraged to explore and interact with the exhibit, which is open on Thanksgiving day.

RELATED: Free Turkeys in NYC: Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaways in 2023

The Big Apple Circus teams up with Circus Theater Roncalli for an enchanting 2023 show. Photo by Jody Mercier

8. Run Away to the Circus

The Big Apple Circus has put up its big top at Lincoln Center and does a 1 pm show on Thanksgiving, but it's not the only circus in town. Catch Circus Vazquez in Citi Field, which has an evening show on the holiday.

9. Play Indoors

Hit the bowling alley at the Times Square and Chelsea Piers Bowlero locations; check the website for times. If you'd rather play video games, local gaming stalwart Chinatown Fair is open, and there's always arcade restaurant Dave & Buster's, where it's "all you can eat wings" Thursday.

RELATED: 50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families

Try out a kayak balancing activity at the imagiNATIONS Activity Center at the Museum of the American Indian. Photo by Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Smithsonian

10. Explore a Museum

Many NYC cultural institutions close for the holiday, but several are open, including the no-cost National Museum of the American Indian and the Brooklyn's Jewish Children's Museum, where kids can play some mini-golf, do some rock climbing, stop by the Toybrary, and explore the Gallery of Games. You can also hit Midtown West tourist spot Madame Tussauds which is open on Thanksgiving every year.

11. Play Tourist

If you're entertaining out-of-towners, One World Observatory, the Empire State Building, and Summit One Vanderbilt are open and might not be as crowded as usual. You can also take a sail on a Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise.

12. Help Others

Although many Thanksgiving volunteering opportunities are filled, a few still have room—but you'll need to act quickly. There are still some slots left to put meal packages together for New York families in need through God's Love We Deliver on Thanksgiving Day, plus there are plenty of slots open for volunteering in the group's kitchen or on its delivery teams on other days. You can also donate online to FeedingNYC's effort, which packs and supplies meals to thousands each Thanksgiving, including local shelters and local organizations. You can also donate food or money to the NYC Common Pantry to supply families in need with Thanksgiving meals and other necessities. Kids also can help you round up your old coats (ask the neighbors across the hall, too!) and drop them off at one of the many New York Cares Coat Drive locations. Use your zip code to find the location nearest you.

This article originally published in November 2009; it is updated annually.