We will be in NYC over thanksgiving. Is there anything to do on Thanksgiving day OTHER THAN the parade?

The Rockettes Holiday Performance has shows on Thanksgiving Day.

I went to the Rockette's show last Thanksgiving and then went out for dinner. I loved the show and was surprised by the number of people at the show. After dinner we went skating at Rockefeller Center which was a lot of fun. There's plenty to do in the city, even on a holiday, you just need to be a little more creative.

there's plenty to do...
but Thanksgiving proper is tough. Museums are all closed, all the department stores are closed,some restaurants are closed etc. Thanksgiving and Christmas day are the only 2 days that most of the city is really shut down. You could certainly spend the day window shopping , creating your own architectural walking tour, etc, but don't expect to be able to go indoors much, a real consideration late in November when it could be very cold

Becky, since you'll be in the "greatest city in the world" and not at some relative's house putting up with Aunt Harriet with the hairy mole or Uncle Fred with one leg and the wandering eye, rejoice and DRINK!! If you have kids, promise them you'll take them to the Disney store the next day if they'll let you stop by the Blarney Stone and have some "happy juice".

Where is the best spot for the Parade? Also, what time should you get down there and stake out your spot?

HONESTLY, the BEST spot to watch the parade is in a warm, cozy room on a nice TV. It can get mighty cold out there, and unless you're an invitee of Macy's or have some other way to get in the reviewing stand in front of the store, you'll miss all the 'excitement'. But definitely go up the night before and watch the balloons being inflated (Central Park West in the 80s), something you and the kids (or no kids) would enjoy.

My favorite thing to do is the night before watching them blow up balloons in central park. Thanksgiving is the best holiday because it has no religious connections and the whole city celebrates together. You really get a sense of family at central park event the night before.

P.S you also get much closer to the ballons and have a greater sense of their size the night before

I agree Thanksgiving Day itself is hard, it's hard even if you live here but don't have a family to be with. Radio City idea sounds super to me. Also depending where you live and what your interests are, check out movies, you could probably see something--independent, foreign, or old--that you wouldn't see back home. I don't know if movies are open but I think they are, at least at night.

Drinking idea also sounds very nice to me. Maybe a bar tour.

We'll be there on Thanksgiving too. Have to do the parade at least once even if it is better infront of the TV. Figure we willgo up by Central Park towards the start of the parade.

We are going to see the Rockettes Thanksgiving night considering most other places are closed. Just not sure where to ahve a good dinner.
Duane

Just a suggestion. While we didn't find much open in the early hours on Thanksgiving morning last year, the Starbucks by our hotel was packed and they typically offer a decent selection of pastries and they have hot cocoa or cider for the kids.

Duane: If you're going to the parade in the morning, be sure to plan on heading back to the hotel for a nap that afternoon before taking in the Rockette's show. You'll have to get up very early for the parade.

Becky, we have also spent Thanksgiving in NYC....believe me, it is more than a little difficult to see the parade due to crowds. You think you have the perfect spot and then suddenly 25 people are standing in front of you. I am 5'4 and couldn't see a thing. Instead, we did the Radio City Christmas Show that day. We also did some window viewing. The department store windows are decorated and worth the wait to view. SAKS comes to mind. Have fun!

There are several Broadway & off-Broadway plays on Thanksgiving night. Also, Carolyn's Comedy Club is open.

Good Luck.

Just a suggestion from a former Upper West Side resident -- Its far easier to see the parade on Central Park West than mid-town. As mentioned earlier, you don't see the performances you do on TV unless you are in the bleachers in front of Macy's. I remember showing up around parade time and having no problem seeing everything.