I was thinking of going to NY over Thanksgiving but reading recent threads I'm thinking it might be a bad idea. So shops and restaurants and museums will be closed? I'm not interested in the parade. My main goal for an NYC trip is to eat, but I need a few activities for in-between meals. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks.

You had better hurry up and decide before things book up completely.

Fred - do you think all hotels are busy that time of year or just the ones on the parade route. Sorry, I'm clueless.

You can see Broadway and Off Broadway theater. Many shops aren't closed. Many restaurants offer a special Thanksgiving menu (though some of them close because people eat home that day). The best thing to do on Thanksgiving is call the restaurant ahead of time and ask if they're open. The movie theaters offer their blockbusters that week and don't forget about Radio City Music Hall. There's still plenty to do that day besides the parade.

You'll probably be here for the long weekend so don't fret over one day of museums being closed.

Danna, the hotels on the parade route have long since sold out. You still can find accommodations so book now.

Danna, Thanksgiving weekend is a huge tourist weekend in NYC. All hotels will generally be full (of course, it's hard to say if this year will be different due to the economic slide). But you can probably still book now. As for closures, things will only be closed Thanksgiving Day itself - everything will be open and bustling Friday-Sunday. If you don't mind walking in the cold, it'll be a good day for walking some of the city neighborhoods and Central Park to admire the architecture, as the streets will be quiet. Some Chinatown shops (and food markets) might be open. Walking in the cold burns off more calories, so you can eat more!

I assume you're the Danna who is a Chowhound regular (I've seen your posts here, too, when I drop in), so hi from another one.

Danna, on Thanksgiving day itself, it's true museums and most stores will be closed. But, what about the days before and after? surely you're thinking of more than one day in NY.

Hi Caitlin - Yes, I'm a hound. I restrained myself from posting this on not-about-food (although really, everything is about food).

Actually, I was just thinking of going on T-giving and coming home Sat night. USAir has had some dirt-cheap deals lately. (although, now that I think of it, I might have to stay over Sat night) Flynn's movie idea is great. We love to go to the Angelika. We don't get any movies out of the mainstream here in SC.

Danna, if you're really coming to eat, T-Day isn't a very good choice, IMO. Most places will be closed (except for Chinese!), unless they're doing T. dinner, which a) may not reflect normal quality, and b) will surely be more expensive than usual. I thought you might be looking for NY-specific things to do, but if not, holidays are always a good time for movies.

The day after Thanksgiving is the official first shopping day for Christmas. All stores are PACKED!

And the airports are jammed on Sunday. The worse travelling day of the year.