Thanksgiving in NYC: Top Experiences and Things to Do This Holiday Weekend

Thanksgiving in New York City is one of the most magical times of the year. The city feels calm, festive, and uniquely elegant as the holiday season begins. Whether you are staying in the city, hosting friends and family, or simply looking for elevated ways to enjoy the long weekend, this guide highlights the most luxurious experiences to consider. From exclusive parade views to world-class dining and wellness escapes, here are the top things to do in NYC during Thanksgiving weekend.

1. Private Views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

For many New Yorkers, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved tradition — but the most exclusive way to experience it is from above the crowds. Several hotels and residences along the parade route offer private viewing options, gourmet breakfasts, and unobstructed window-side seating.

Popular luxury options include viewing packages at The Mandarin Oriental overlooking Columbus Circle, curated breakfast events at The Roof at Bryant Park, and private hosted gatherings in Central Park South residences. These experiences offer a serene, comfortable, and truly elevated start to Thanksgiving morning.

2. Five-Star Thanksgiving Dining in NYC

If you want to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in New York without the work of cooking at home, the city’s top restaurants craft exceptional holiday menus. These spots provide an elevated dining experience perfect for intimate gatherings or celebrating with loved ones.

Dowling’s at The Carlyle is ideal for traditional, old-world New York elegance. Eleven Madison Park offers a modern, plant-forward tasting menu that redefines holiday dining. Jean-Georges at Columbus Circle pairs breathtaking Central Park views with refined seasonal dishes. Reservations for Thanksgiving dinner in NYC fill up quickly, so booking early is essential.

3. Luxury Thanksgiving Staycations

A Thanksgiving staycation is one of the most indulgent ways to experience the city. Many luxury hotels offer holiday packages, festive dining options, and private wellness experiences that make staying local feel like a true retreat.

Aman New York is the ultimate sanctuary for those seeking quiet luxury. The Peninsula offers a mix of Fifth Avenue energy and holistic relaxation, including its celebrated rooftop spa. For an upscale boutique experience, The Whitby provides beautifully designed interiors and a warm, intimate atmosphere. A Thanksgiving weekend staycation is perfect for resetting before the busy December season arrives.

4. Holiday Wellness and Spa Experiences

Thanksgiving weekend is an ideal time to slow down and focus on wellness before the holiday rush begins. New York’s top spa destinations offer restorative treatments, thermal baths, and holistic therapies that make the long weekend feel even more rejuvenating.

Aire Ancient Baths provides candlelit immersion pools and luxurious massages, including their famous red-wine soak. Naturopathica in Chelsea is known for botanical, results-driven facials and holistic treatments. The Spa at Equinox Hudson Yards offers advanced wellness rituals such as cryotherapy, bodywork, and nutrient-boosting IV therapy. These experiences help set a calm, grounded tone for the holiday season ahead.

5. Holiday Window Preview Walk on Fifth Avenue

One of the best things to do during Thanksgiving in New York is to explore the holiday window displays before the December crowds arrive. This is a perfect activity for families, couples, or anyone who loves the beauty of New York during the holidays.

Start at Bergdorf Goodman to see their iconic artistic windows, then walk down Fifth Avenue past Cartier and Saks. End at Rockefeller Center, where the tree stands peacefully before its official lighting. This walk offers a rare, early glimpse of holiday magic in Midtown — without the usual crowds.

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving weekend in NYC offers a unique blend of comfort, tradition, and luxury. Whether you’re enjoying private parade views, indulging in Michelin-level dining, or treating yourself to a spa retreat, the city has endless ways to make the holiday memorable. These curated ideas are perfect for New Yorkers who want an elevated and meaningful Thanksgiving experience right here at home.

Tips to Create the Perfect Thanksgiving Tablescape

It is that time of year! The 2019 Holiday Season is officially here with Thanksgiving on Thursday. It is one of our favorite holiday – who doesn’t love to eat? If you are hosting, we have some tips for you to create the perfect tablescape for your Thanksgiving dinner. After all, a beautiful table is just as important as the Turkey and all the sides! 

Start with a Table Runner

Start with runner from which to build the rest of your design. Table runners come in a variety of colors and prints so they are a great way to incorporate design interest while also being functional. The table runner will help ground your centerpiece on the table, especially long ones, so it feels purposeful rather than random.

Use a Center Piece

Put extra thought into this piece of your Thanksgiving Tablescape as all eyes will be on it. Pick a center piece that’s fitting for the season – think fall hues that match the foliage outside, pumpkins, gourds, leaf garland, etc.

Pro Tip: Thanksgiving is all about gathering and conversation so make sure the center piece you select is not too big that is encroaches on guests’ ability to converse across the table.

Natural Elements & Candles

Fall tablescapes are the perfect time to incorporate natural elements as they are fitting for the season! This is when you can get creative and add in additional elements along the length of your table runner to give it a layered look.

Items such as branches, dried eucalyptus, pinecones, gourds, and pumpkins are perfect for a Thanksgiving table. We love placing little pumpkins around the length of the table because what is Thanksgiving without pumpkins?

Pro Tip: If you are adding greenery to your tablescape, use small elements of your selected greenery within each napkin ring to tie the whole look together

Candles are a must – place them along the length of the table at varying height to cast a warm glow over your Thanksgiving meal. Candlesticks are great for adding height to your tablescape while small votives are perfect for mixing in with the natural elements throughout the length of your table.

Place Setting

What better time to go all-out and put in the effort of a full place setting than Thanksgiving? Take advantage of the food-centric holiday to use your best China and create a layered table setting for each guest.

Start with a placemat at each setting, and build out with a charger plate, entrée plate, appetizer plate, and napkin and napkin ring to create a layered look.

Pro Tip: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to use real cloth napkins. Often times, you will be able to find a patter or color that ties directly back to the table runner with which you started.

If you are hosting a large group, make name tags so guests know where they are sitting when they arrive to the table. You can also leverage natural elements to create a name tag such as tying it to a gourd or mini pumpkin.

Thanksgiving Tradition: Macy's Parade & A Favorite Recipe

Thanksgiving: a time to gather around the table and forget about the gifts while enjoying the company of friends, family, and relatives. Thanksgiving is a time where many come together and reflect upon all the things to be thankful for - family, careers, a home. A common theme weaves its way throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, namely traditions. Traditions are a big part of Thanksgiving from that favorite recipe to all gathering around to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Read below for some of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and a favorite recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The parade is a city tradition dating back to 1924, making it the second oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, which attracts more than 3.5 million to the streets and an even larger audience via television. This year marks the 91st parade, and Macy's has set up a special interactive website to browse through the parade over the decades and get a look at this year's lineup. The parade is, perhaps, best known for its large balloon class which has featured many cultural icons over the decades. This year, the lineup is slated to include the likes of the Pillsbury Dougboy, Ice Age's Scrat and his Acorn, and Angry Birds to name a few. The parade route is 2.65 miles long, starting at 77th street and Central Park West.

Route: 77th at Central Park West south to 59th Street.
East on 59th Street to 6th Avenue.
South on 6th Avenue to 34th Street.
West on 34th Street to 7th Avenue.

The admission is free to the Parade. The best place to view it is between 72nd and 61st Street and Central Park West.

The viewing areas along the route gets incredibly crowded. It is recommended that you arrive no later than 6:30am if you plan to scout out a good viewing spot along the route.

Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes 

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The perfect compliment to the Thanksgiving turkey? Mashed potatoes. This recipe takes traditional mashed potatoes to a new level with sour cream and chive. They are sure to be a crowd pleaser and will have guests coming back for seconds!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes 
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted  
• 1/2 cup half-and-half  
• 1/2 cup sour cream 
• 1/4 cup chopped chives  
• Salt & Pepper to Taste

Bring potatoes to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes. In a small pot over low heat combine half-and-half and butter. Heat until hot but not simmering. Drain the potatoes in a colander. Wipe the saucepan dry. Add the potatoes back to the saucepan and mash. Give it a quick mix with a hand mixer to incorporate some air and ensure a smooth texture. Fold in the melted butter and half-and-half mixture until just incorporated. Fold in sour cream and 1/4 cup chives and season with salt and pepper.

Of course, it is important to remember what we are grateful for and share that with others. We are so grateful for good health and loyal clients that allow us to do what we love, in one of the best cities in the world!

Happy Thanksgiving!

-The Victoria Shtainer Team