Where to go for Thanksgiving

Stand here for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which last year stepped off at 8:30 a.m. and ran about 2.5 miles to Herald Square. Arrive by 6 a.m. for a prime street spot, since guides advise the best places go early and no ticket is sold for street viewing.

Come here the day before Thanksgiving for balloon inflation viewing, which last year ran 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. with entry at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Check the current year hours before you go, since the 2027 and 2028 details are not yet announced.

Book a traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey and trimmings here after the parade. Last year the feast was listed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., so reserve as soon as the holiday menu posts and confirm the current price.

Order the family style Thanksgiving feast here for dine in, takeout, or delivery, including an 18 pound roasted turkey with sage and sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, and sweet potatoes with maple syrup and marshmallows. It serves six to eight people, so it works well for a hotel meal with no home table.

Start at the waterfront rock where the Saturday parade stepped off last year, then follow Water Street, Main Street, and Court Street along the parade route. Last year the parade was free to watch and stepped off at 10 a.m. on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, not on Thanksgiving Day itself.

Book the Story of Thanksgiving dinner here, a plated meal with an educator-led program, roast native turkey, homemade gravy, traditional stuffing, mashed potatoes, winter squash, green beans, and cranberry relish, plus Indian pudding or pumpkin pie. Last year it was open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and dinner tickets included two days of museum admission, so book early since last year member sales began in May and non-member sales in June.

Watch the National Day of Mourning march and ceremonies here at noon on Thanksgiving Day, organized by United American Indians of New England since 1970. Last year the Pilgrim Progress procession passed at 10 a.m. down North Street and Water Street past Plymouth Rock, so arrive before 10 a.m. to see both.

Walk up to Burial Hill after the Pilgrim Progress, since last year the procession ended here with a short service. The hill holds more than 2,000 marked graves and gives views over the harbor, and the cemetery is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Start Thanksgiving morning at the Franklin Park Turkey Trot 5K here, which last year began at 9 a.m. Register in advance, since city races often cap entries, and use the clubhouse as the meeting point.

Walk the Freedom Trail from here after the trot, taking in Boston Common, the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, and the Harborwalk, all named as free Thanksgiving weekend walks. Save big museums for Friday to Sunday, since most Boston big museums were listed as closed on Thanksgiving Day itself last year.

Come here over Thanksgiving weekend for shopping, restaurants, and seasonal displays. It was named as a weekend destination rather than a Thanksgiving Day stop, so plan it for Friday or Saturday.

Book the three course Thanksgiving menu here in Back Bay, which last year ran with reservations from noon to 9 p.m. and turkey as the main event. Reservations were described as highly recommended, so book as soon as the restaurant posts its holiday menu.

Watch the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade from the south end of State Street, where last year it stepped off at 7:45 a.m. and ran north to Randolph Street, free to watch. Arrive before 8 a.m., since one guide advised the best spots go early, and confirm the step-off time for the current year.

Run or watch the Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago here on Thanksgiving morning, which last year started at 9 a.m. with 5K and 8K courses plus a kids run, benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Register in advance, since the trot and the parade fall on the same morning.

Browse the holiday market here after the parade, which last year opened November 20 for its 30th season, with shortened hours on Thanksgiving Day itself. Pair it with the Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon, which was named as a mid November opening last year.

Book a traditional turkey plate here, which last year included sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash with toasted marshmallow, and pumpkin chiffon pie, alongside the regular menu. Reserve as soon as booking opens, since a Chicago guide advised Thanksgiving menus go fast.

Watch the 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade from Logan Circle, one of the good spots named in a parade guide, along with JFK Boulevard and 20th Street. Last year the parade ran 9 a.m. to noon, so arrive before 8 a.m. for a good spot.

Stand near the museum at the end of the parade route, since last year the route ran from near 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, past City Hall, and along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward here. The parade is the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, dating to 1920.

Watch the parade pass City Hall on its way up the Parkway, and return over the weekend for the historic district and Independence National Historical Park. Major sightseeing is best on Friday or Saturday, since not every attraction operates on Thanksgiving Day itself.

Get a turkey fix at The Original Turkey stall here, which was listed with hand carved turkey sandwiches, a Turkey Cranberry sandwich, and a Thanksgiving Platter with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes. Confirm Thanksgiving Day hours before relying on it, since it is a regular market stall rather than a confirmed holiday menu.

Watch America's Thanksgiving Parade from downtown Woodward Avenue near here, since last year it stepped off between 8:45 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. and was free to watch along much of the route. Arrive early, since Woodward Avenue was listed as closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in a recent city notice.

Book the Lions' Thanksgiving afternoon game here after the parade, a tradition since 1934. Tickets for the holiday game go fast, so buy as soon as you plan the trip.

Eat here on Thanksgiving Day with a patio view of the parade, since a prior year guide listed a breakfast buffet from 7 a.m. to noon and an evening three course dinner including Thanksgiving turkey. Treat that as a prior year pattern, not a confirmed current menu, and confirm before booking.

Pick up dessert here after dinner, since Visit Detroit named Sister Pie for salted maple and pumpkin chocolate chip pies. It is a bakery stop rather than a full Thanksgiving meal, so pair it with a downtown dinner reservation.

Start Thanksgiving morning at the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot here, which last year was the 59th edition, from 8:30 a.m. Register in advance, since city races often cap entries.

Book the Cowboys' Thanksgiving game in Arlington, a tradition since 1966, with tailgates from late morning. Allow an hour by car from downtown Dallas.

Book the three course Thanksgiving menu here at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, which last year ran 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 160 dollars for adults and 55 dollars for children 12 and under, with a credit card required and a 48 hour cancellation policy. Book when menus post, since set holiday menus commonly require a card hold.

Book the Thanksgiving buffet at Crown Block atop the tower here, which last year ran 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Green Circle roasted turkey, Cajun fried turkey, prime rib, carving stations, and pies, at 165 dollars plus plus. It is a skyline buffet, so it suits visitors with no home table.

Come here for the Bayou Classic weekend, built around Grambling State University and Southern University, with a Thanksgiving Day parade listed last year between the French Market and this area, starting at 3:30 p.m., plus a Battle of the Bands and a step show. Confirm whether the game itself falls on Thanksgiving Day, Friday, or Saturday for the current year, since sources described it as a weekend event rather than fixing it to Thursday every year.

Book the three course Thanksgiving dinner here in the French Quarter, which last year included roasted turkey and seafood gumbo, ending with Bananas Foster prepared tableside. A New Orleans guide noted more than 40 restaurants offer Thanksgiving dinner, so book in advance.

Walk the French Market and French Quarter streets during the day as the filler between Bayou Classic events, since the market area was named as the parade's starting side last year. French Quarter restaurants are used to walk-in visitors, but reservations are still advised for Thanksgiving Day.

Run the Turkey Day 5 mile race here over Thanksgiving weekend, which was named among the weekend options last year. Pair it with French Quarter walks and live music, since the Quarter stays active all weekend.

Start Thanksgiving morning at the Avalon Park Turkey Trot here, which last year ran at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The Lake Eola 5K was also named in older listings, but its current year race name and time were not verified, so confirm before planning around it.

Eat turkey, pot roast, and pork family style here in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, since it serves turkey all year and is a reliable Thanksgiving pick, though theme park admission is required. Book Disney dining as soon as you can, since high demand meals here can sell out over Thanksgiving week.

Spend Thanksgiving Day at Disney Springs, open with holiday food and decorations already up, and book a Thanksgiving dinner at one of its restaurants, such as City Works Eatery, as soon as menus post.

Walk around Lake Eola here in downtown Orlando on Thanksgiving morning, since the lake was named for a Thanksgiving morning 5K in older event listings. Treat the race itself as unverified for the current year, and use the park as the outdoor start to the day instead.

Book the three course Thanksgiving menu here from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., which last year cost 80 dollars per adult and 35 dollars per child 12 and younger, plus tax and gratuity, with the regular a la carte menu not offered. Book early, since set menus here are limited seatings.

Book the three course Thanksgiving menu here from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., which last year cost 75 dollars per adult and 30 dollars per child 12 and younger, plus tax and gratuity, with the regular menu not offered. It sits on Market Street near Church and Union, so compare the two menus before choosing.

Book a Thanksgiving table at this Upper King Street steakhouse, a good pick for a group that wants more than turkey. Confirm the holiday menu before booking.

Book the Thanksgiving buffet here from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which last year cost 53 dollars per person with holiday dishes and local favorites, on the top floor of the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview with harbor views. Book early, since the room holds up to 150 guests.

Run the Coronado 5K Turkey Trot here, which last year was the 12th annual edition, starting at 8 a.m., with proceeds benefiting the Orthopedics and Scoliosis Center at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. Register in advance, since spots were described as limited and tending to sell out.

Book the three course Thanksgiving prix fixe here inside Pendry San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter, which last year ran 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 105 dollars per adult and 42 dollars per child 12 and under, with free range turkey with pecan apple stuffing, braised short rib, white seabass, and a vegan roasted honeynut squash. Book when menus post, since reservations were required last year.

Book the four course prix fixe here in La Jolla, which last year ran 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 165 dollars per person and 65 dollars per child, in a dining room facing the ocean. Book when menus post, since reservations were required last year.

Walk Balboa Park here on Thanksgiving Day as the outdoor filler between the trot and dinner, since San Diego guides named Balboa Park walks among the holiday options. Check each museum for Thanksgiving Day hours, since holiday hours vary by venue.

Book the four course Thanksgiving lunch or dinner here, which last year included turkey carved at your table with all the trimmings or butternut squash risotto, ending with pumpkin flan, at 80 pounds per person. These are last year patterns, not confirmed 2027 menus, so verify before booking, since the best London turkey menus are one night only and sell out.

Book the Thanksgiving menu here in Covent Garden, which last year featured Walsgrove Farm roasted turkey carved and served with classic trimmings, plus a dessert table of pumpkin, pecan, apple, and chocolate pies, at 95 pounds per person, with leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches the next day. Verify the current year menu before booking.

Book the four course Thanksgiving feast here on the South Bank, which last year included Norfolk turkey or butternut squash wellington, sharing sides, and bourbon pecan pie, at 59 pounds including a glass of prosecco. Verify the current year menu before booking.

Walk Covent Garden's Christmas lights and market after a Thanksgiving dinner nearby. Thanksgiving is a normal Thursday in London, so shops, museums and transport run as usual.