NYC for Thanksgiving with my family

Hello,

We are planning to be in NYC November 23-25. (we are driving from Ohio) Unfortunately, it will be a quick trip. I have reservations at the Millenium Hilton-for now unless I find something else. My husband and I are traveling with our 3 kids. What should we definately put on our list to do and what would good restaurant choices be that would be reasonably priced, also how about a thanksgiving meal? Would you advise trying to see the parade? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Sue

NYC for Thanksgiving with my family

Here%26#39;s a post about the parade.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k224440-鈥?/a>

If you search this forum for ';balloons'; or ';Thanksgiving';, you%26#39;ll find some got previous posts.

Tow Boots is always great for kids.

For Thanksgiving meals at restaurants, search www.chowhound.com. It%26#39;s great!

NYC for Thanksgiving with my family

Keep an eye out on opentable.com. A month or so before the holidays they will feature listings of restaurants that are open. Often they will feature any special menues as well. You can also make your reservations right online through that site. It%26#39;s very handy.

Last year for Thanksgiving they had a little turkey icon you could click on to get the specials.

Re: The parade, yes it is very much worth seeing. It will be crowded as people line the streets fairly early. I%26#39;ve viewed it a few times from in front of the Novotel hotel. If you stand n the street corner, facing the direction the parade is coming from and get in front of the blue police barrier that goes up, your kids can sit right in front of you on the ground and watch the parade. Have blankets and things to pad them with.

Watching them blow up the balloons the night before is also worth seeing.

If weather is bad, that%26#39;s another story.

You must see the parade! It%26#39;s an extraordinary day and you%26#39;re lucky to be here for it. Yes, it%26#39;s crowded. But so worth the effort.

The Wednesday night inflation, though, has gotten waaaaay too crowded. I hadn%26#39;t been for a few years, and went last year, and I have to say it wasn%26#39;t worth it. It took half an hour to shuffle along one block alone, and it wasn%26#39;t even possible to see everything. Years ago you could see how the balloons were inflated, and chat with the handlers.

Bettina,

I see that you are an expert so I%26#39;d like to pick your brain. I have a room booked at the Millenium Hilton for 2 nights. Nov 23-25. I really want to stay longer but finances do not allow. We plan on seeing some sites in lower Manhattan near the hotel, can you also catch a ferry to the Statue of Liberty from lower Manhattan? How early do you suggest getting to the Parade and how long does it actually take? Since we%26#39;re not going to be in NYC for very long I%26#39;m not sure how much time I want to spend watching the parade when we could be sightseeing? Also, I%26#39;ve looked at some restaurants and their Thanksgiving offerings for food and oh my gosh the expense. Do you know of somewhere reasonable for a family of 5 to dine for Thanksgiving dinner? Thanks much

I grew up in NYC and I think the parade is worth seeing (despite the cold and the crowds). I like to go up by the museum and see it at the beginning.

You can have an inexpensive meal if you think creativly. Does your family NEED to have turkey? If not, how about Chinatown. (have your turkey at home the week before!) Or, get it a the museum cafeteria, or at some of the neighborhood restaurants.

Or, you all can have a FREE meal if you all volunteer for a few hours at a soup kitchen!! (but that might not be the type of ';sights'; you want to see on your sight seeing trip! %26lt;g%26gt;)

Best of luck and enjoy your trip!! Just being off and with your family is something to be thankful for!!!