Whenever I think of New York City, my mind automatically flashes to images of people bundled up in cozy cold-weather outfits while they hustle along busy sidewalks. I can almost feel the crisp bite to the air and smell the roasting chestnuts, and I prefer to block out the sound of horns honking and replace it with the sound of crowds cheering as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls by. In other words, NYC during the holidays is a magical time and a great opportunity for a family vacay.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Big Apple during the Thanksgiving holiday, and the legendary parade is just one of them. While the parade itself is a must, the parade ballon inflation taking place the night before is a fun way to get a behind-the-scenes look at things. It takes place the day before, from noon to 6 p.m., around American Natural History Museum. It’s free to attend; head to the corners of 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue to find the entrance.
If you aren’t a fan of braving crowds and cold for a front-row spot at the parade, you can always book a room on the parade route and watch from above, like at Hilton New York Midtown. The hotel’s Thanksgiving Feast makes sure the family doesn’t miss out on any of the good eats the holiday is known for, with the added bonus of not having to do any of the cooking or cleaning yourself.
The day after the parade, Christmas season kicks off in full swing, and the family can enjoy the festive mood from decorations and, of course, Black Friday shopping. There is no end to the stores in NYC, so you’ll have more than enough options to fill your holiday shopping checklist. And if you’ve got little kids (and grown-up kids at heart), you won’t want to miss a stop into iconic FAO Schwartz at Rockefeller Center.
While at Rockefeller Center, be sure to set aside some time for ice skating at Rockefeller Rink. This outdoor skating rink is almost as iconic as the Thanksgiving Day Parade and, if you are able to stick around until Dec. 2, you’ll be able to catch the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. The night is truly special and won’t just get the family in the spirit for the holidays, but will ensure you’ve got great memories to last a lifetime.
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