Family Travel Forum

All American Thanksgiving Celebrations

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:10:00 +0500

A Thanksgiving recipe for fun: FTF's A-Z guide to local events marking the settlers' gratitude, from traditional eats to marathons.

anonymous

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 00:25:02 +0500

Just wondering if the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is too much for toddlers? Has anyone taken their toddlers or preschoolers to the parade?

anonymous

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:08:25 +0500

Yes, have taken our son (now 14) for years, since his stroller days. It's a thrilling event for toddlers but it can be crowded (and hard for them to see), and cold or wet and windy. I suggest you take public transportation to the Columbus Circle area (59th Street station on West side, next to Central Park) to watch. Go as early as you can (does not have to be "crack of dawn" as the parade begins at 9am at Macy's on 34th Street, so you are getting the marching bands and floats lined up here, about a mile north). Be prepared to hoist toddlers on your shoulders. This is a broad part of the route so it's easier to see around the many people who gather there, but it can be overwhelming/scary if you're way down in a stoller. It's also a good location because it is close to West 57th Street which has coffeeshops open for hot chocolate if the weather is bad. Check the local papers the day before or morning of to pick your spot, as new crews often set up around here and they can hog all the good viewing spots.
p.s. The park side of the street (because you can "stand" the kids up on the stone railing) is probably the best spot.
Enjoy!

anonymous

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 02:17:23 +0500

Plimouth Plantation, site of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth Mass, is open through Thanksgiving weekend. You can experience a 1627 Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims on November 4, 11, 18, 19, 22, 24, and 25.

Or you can eat with your hands at the Eat Like a Pilgrim feast on November 24th at noon where you'll learn the 17th-century table manners that came to Plymouth with the English colonists. Wearing giant napkins, you'll get to eat with your fingers and find out exactly how the colonists ate their porridge.

There are also multiple meals and activities on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations are required for all: 800-262-9356 ext. 8364, 8365 or 8366.

Plimouth Plantation is a living history museum with two components: living history museum has two main components – the reconstructed European village occupied by the Pilgrims, and a reconstructed Wampanoag Native American settlement.

Laura Sutherland
FTF's Blogger