Your Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC: The Parade, The Dinner & More

Thanksgiving in New York City has a rhythm all its own. The morning begins with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Midtown fills with energy, and by afternoon, locals and visitors alike settle into long lunches, celebratory dinners, and the official beginning of the festive season.

If you’re looking to spend Thanksgiving in the city this year, where you stay makes all the difference. At Hotel 48LEX, a Midtown Manhattan address puts you close to the parade route, a wide range of restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner in NYC, and some of the city’s most beloved holiday activities.

Here are some of our favorite things to do on Thanksgiving weekend in NYC.

Start With the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

There’s something especially memorable about Thanksgiving this year: the 100th iteration of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.

The century-old tradition will once again bring giant balloons, elaborate floats, vibrant performances, and Santa Claus himself through the streets of Manhattan. To celebrate the parade’s 100th anniversary, this year’s lineup includes returning favorites like Pikachu and Eevee, Mario, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Buzz Lightyear, alongside first-time balloons like Bluey and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey.

The parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West and travels south to Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street. If you’re watching in person, arrive early, dress warmly, and give yourself plenty of time to reach your viewing spot.

Before heading out, stop by Brasserie Cognac for a bite, or return later for a nightcap. Serving classic French dishes alongside contemporary creations, the restaurant offers a convenient dining option right at Hotel 48LEX.

Gather for a Thanksgiving Feast in Midtown

Once the parade winds down, Thanksgiving in New York shifts toward the table. These NYC favorites are offering prix fixe menus for the holiday, each with its own take on the traditional feast.

Park Avenue Kitchen by David Burke

A Thanksgiving menu with plenty of choices, Park Avenue Kitchen’s prix fixe includes seasonal starters, several entree options, and classic desserts. Look for oven-roasted turkey alongside braised beef short rib, crispy skin salmon, and harvest scallop risotto.

• Menu highlights: butternut bisque, oven-roasted turkey with Madeira wine gravy, and pumpkin pie

Ci Siamo

For a Thanksgiving dinner with an Italian point of view, Ci Siamo offers a three-course menu centered on seasonal Italian-inspired dishes. The open kitchen adds another layer to the experience, making dinner feel as much like an evening out as a holiday meal.

Menu highlights: braised lamb maltagliati, turkey porchetta, and cannelloni

Benoit

French classics meet Thanksgiving tradition at Benoit, where a three-course prix fixe menu brings a distinctly Parisian sensibility to the holiday. Options include stuffed Vermont free-range turkey, filet mignon, cod, and a vegetable pot-au-feu.

• Menu highlights: butternut velouté, stuffed Vermont free-range turkey with chestnut and cranberry, and chocolate religieuse

The Smith Restaurant & Bar

The Smith takes a more contemporary American brasserie approach with a three-course Thanksgiving menu. Traditional flavors share the table with dishes like turkey pot pie, turkey leg osso buco, butternut squash risotto, and braised beef short rib.

• Menu highlights: heritage turkey with apple brioche stuffing, crispy Brussels sprouts, and cranberry-orange jam

Take to the Ice

By Thanksgiving, New York’s outdoor skating season is in full swing.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink in Central Park, and the rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park are all open, offering three very different ways to experience one of the city’s favorite winter traditions.

• Rockefeller Center: Skate beneath the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, an NYC tradition since 1963.
• Wollman Rink: Take in sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from one of the city’s most scenic skating spots.
• Bryant Park: Pair skating this 17,000 sq. ft. rink with a visit to Winter Village’s holiday market for an easy afternoon of shopping, food, and seasonal atmosphere.

Your Thanksgiving Home Base in NYC

Thanksgiving in New York is a day filled with tradition, from the morning’s parade to an afternoon of sightseeing and holiday shopping, all wrapped up with a memorable meal and an evening on the ice. 

With our easy Midtown Manhattan location, Hotel 48LEX puts you close to the festivities while offering a comfortable home base for everything NYC has in store.

Reserve your Thanksgiving weekend in the heart of New York City, and make the most of the holiday together.