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Museums and Cultural Attractions Open on Thanksgiving in NYC

1. National Museum of the American Indian – Lower Manhattan

This museum is FREE and open until 5pm on the Thanksgiving holiday. A visit is a great way to commemorate Native American Heritage Month and the birth of Thanksgiving traditions.

2. Jewish Children's Museum – Crown Heights, Brooklyn

This Brooklyn museum is open until 5pm, and kids can play some mini-golf, do some rock climbing, stop by the Toybrary, and explore the Gallery of Games.

3. Madame Tussauds – Midtown West

This tourist spot is open on Thanksgiving every year, so stop by to pose for a selfie with your favorite celebrity—in all their waxy, still-life glory.

4. NYC Zoos – Multiple Locations

New York Aquarium, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Central Park Zoo are all open on Thanksgiving.

Circus Vasquez performs at CitiField. Photo by Jamie Sumersille

5. See a Circus – Multiple Locations

The Big Apple Circus plays an afternoon show, but it's not the only big top in town. You can head to CitiField for an evening showing of Circus Vazquez, or catch the UniverSoul Circus on Coney Island, where it performs at 7pm.

6. NYC Observation Decks – Multiple Manhattan Locations

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.

7. Sloomoo Institute – Soho

Head to Soho's Sloomoo Institute, where you can go elbow-deep in slime, craft your own blend, and enjoy fun interactive stations and photo-ops sure to please all-ages.

Family-Friendly Activities To Do on Thanksgiving in NYC

8. See the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Don't overlook the obvious: Join millions of fans lining the street as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade makes its 99th annual march. If you're too busy in the kitchen, you can catch it on TV, too.

9. 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, Wollman Rink in Central Park, the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink, and the LeFrak Center in Brooklyn 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.

Too cold for you out there? Check out these indoor skating options.

10. 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.

11. Get a Workout Before You Feast

Get ready for the NYC Turkey Trot in Flushing Meadows Corona Park by doing some practice runs, 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.

12. See a Flick

Many movie theaters are open on Thanksgiving Day. Families can enjoy the second installment of Wicked, Wicked: For Good, which arrives in theaters on Friday, November 21. Disney fans can continue the adventures of rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in Zootopia 2, which opens right in time for Thanksgiving, on Wednesday, November 26.

Kick off the Christmas season by seeing the Rockettes. Photo courtesy of Radio City

13. See a Show

The Rockettes always dance on Thanksgiving in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City. 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 offered the following day.

14. Visit An Interactive Exhibit

Let your imagination run wild at Artechhouse with its new exhibit, Submerge: Beyond the Render. Visitors are encouraged to explore and interact with genre-defying works by 15 global creators. The exhibit is open on Thanksgiving Day.

15. Play Indoors

Hit the bowling alley at the Times Square and Chelsea Piers Lucky Strike locations; check the website for opening times. If you'd rather play video games, local gaming stalwart Chinatown Fair is open, and there's always arcade/restaurant Dave & Buster's.

16. 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 charitable 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 can also help you round up 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.

17. Ride the Christmas Carousel

Head to Greeley Square for a magical twirl on th brand-new, double-decker Christmas Carousel that's popping up for a holiday run. Tickets cost $7 and can be booked online in advance.

Kid-Friendly Shopping Centers Open on Thanksgiving

Sit down with the big guy to decorate cookies at Bryant Park's Winter Village. Photo by Edwina Hay

18. Winter Village Market – Bryant Park

Get your Christmas shopping done early at the Winter Village Market in Bryant Park, which is open Thanksgiving 11am-8pm.

19. FAO Schwarz – Rockefeller Center

Let's the kids wander in this iconic kids' toy store, which is open Thanksgiving.

20. Toy Tokyo NYC – Lower East Side

Kids and adults alike will find something interesting in this unique toy shop, featuring collector's items, Anime characters, Japanese stuffed animals, and more. It's open from 12:30-2:30pm.

Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving in NYC

For last-minute grocery items from aluminum foil to a pie, we've compiled a list of grocery stores in NYC that are open on Thanksgiving. Many stores will have modified hours, so confirm before heading out. And don't forget about your local bodegas, which are often open on Thanksgiving.

• Whole Foods
• Stop & Shop
• Union Market
• Wegman's
• C-Town
• Morton Williams
• Key Foods

Tips for Families Spending Thanksgiving Day in NYC

• Check hours in advance—holiday schedules vary.
• Bundle up for outdoor fun, including visiting parks, going ice skating, or watching the big parade).
• Use public transit—traffic and parking are difficult on parade day.

FAQs About What’s Open on Thanksgiving in NYC

What museums are open in NYC on Thanksgiving Day?
The National Museum of the American Indian, Sloomoo, and the Jewish Children's Museum are open.

Are NYC stores open on Thanksgiving?
Most NYC stores, including Macy's, will be closed on Thanksgiving, but the holiday displays will be up in the major department store windows.

Can families go ice skating in NYC on Thanksgiving?
Yes, the Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Wollman, and Lefrak Center ice rinks are open and festive.

Is the NYC subway open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, the subway runs on a holiday schedule, making it easy for families to reach attractions.

Originally published in November 2009.