I'm seriously thinking about this. Serious enough to reserve the hotel room last night. A friend has never been and it's been years since I've been there for Turkey Day. At that time, I was actually cooking the meal in a friend's new apartment.

I've read previous threads about the topic. Thanks to centralparkgirl I have a link to the info about the inflation of the balloons on Wed night -
http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_balnite1.htm

Thursday, Friday, Saturday =
Radio City Music Hall Christmas spectacular and a Broadway show and ???? (a second show or something else)?

What would YOUR "something else" be?
Is there someting special during that time frame that you especially love and recommend. I don't know exactly what it would be - maybe something like the NYEve Concert for Peace that I haven't made it for (yet).

The Slice of Brooklyn tour is starting a Christmas lights tour of Brooklyn that I am thinking about.

I'm also considering flying home late on Saturday rather than dealing with the chaos of flying home on that Sunday. I've never flown on the busiest fly day of the year.

For background, I've been to NYC several times and know the basic "touristy" things to do (and we'll probably do quite a few of those things ), but...

...are there special things you love to do in NYC that week (that I haven't mentioned yet).

ellenm, I'd love to come back to church

We always see the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center for the holidays- but you may be too early - I haven;t looked at the dates.

The Met (Neapolitan) and the Museum Nat'l Hist (Origami) have very special trees.

And if you have a look at New York Magazine about a month out the Events section will list hundreds of options for special activities - searchable by date and by category.

And, of course, you need to see the parade balloons blown up the night before at the park next to the Museum of Natural Hist.

One of the things we love to do around the holidays is have drinks and appetizers or a very early dinner at the front room at the Gramercy Tavern. It is always beautifully decorated, they have incredibly delicious seasonal drink specials, and it is a lovely way ease into the winter. The Tavern Front room does not take reservations - we've had very good luck going around 4:30 or so, it's a bit quieter and usually there's no wait.

Oh, that sounds lovely!
Thanks for the great suggestion.

starrs,

You know you'll definitely be welcome at my church if you stay through Sunday.

Another activity: all the Christmas windows will be revealed by then. And Santa will be be holding court at Macy's and on every corner.

Too bad you won't be in town for Halloween. We're showing "The Cabinet of Dr Caligari" accompanied by our organist Cameron Carpenter.

Okay, this is going to be a go. Haven't bought the plane tix yet, but bought tix to the Radio City Music Spectacular on T night and Phantom on Friday. Saturday night's event is still unplanned. ellenem, depending on the flight we'll head your way on Sunday.

balloon blowup - check
windows along 5th - check
Santa at Macy's - check
2 shows - check

Any other holiday "special events"?

nyt, I'll take a look at the mag at the end of October.

Any comments about Home in the West Village?
http://www.homerestaurantnyc.com/about.html

I saw it a couple of years ago and wanted to go, but recent reviews don't look good. Other ideas for "home cooking" kind of fare (anywhere in the city really)?

mp, the Gramercy Tavern looks great for an early dinner on Saturday. Thanks!

New York Magazine (the actual weekly magazine) primarily lists events on during that week, The website will have more events listed for later dates.
As an FYI, Santa at Macy's is a pretty big production--lines that may be up to 2 hours, and they actually bring large groups of school kids. Are you really planning on going there??

I'm not going to stand in line to visit Santa
Just stop by Macy's and see the production. And, yes, probably buy something while I'm there.

Not that I would do it (in fact, we skipped it last year when we were there), but you left out the Thanksgiving Day parade itself.

I would add, visit the Christmas Market at Bryant Park (it sparkles, and there are some unique crafts for sale), and ice skate if you're so inclined (free to skate, $10 for skate rental).

If you can see all the Christmas windows, great, but DO NOT MISS the ones at Lord & Taylor (Saks and Macys pale in comparison).

Even to see Santa can be a pain - since he's usually housed up on 8 - and the escalators can be VERY crowded.

On the lower floors they sometimes have "facilitators" who yank people out of the way getting off - since some have a tendency to just stand there - and would otherwise cause a pile-up when those behnd fell on them. (They mostly just watch and say things like "step lively" and "walk ahead" - but I've seen them actually pull clueless people away to prevent accidents.)

dmlove, thanks!
We do plan to see some of the parade. The last time I was there it was so bitterly cold we just ran down from the apartment for a few minutes - but were thrilled to see it in person. The balloons that we saw go by were on camera as they passed Herald Square by the time we got back up to the warmth of the apt.

We'll fight the crowds in Macy's - for just a short look-see.

The Bryant Park tip sounds WONDERFUL! Thanks!

I have been to Home restaurant and it is okay. I think you can find "haute barnyard" as one critic called it at better locations throughout the city. it has been a bit of a while since I've been there and I think the owners have sold out They owned a vineyard on Long Island and I think they moved to running it full time. So i am not even sure Home is still open after the change of hands.

We do plan to see some of the parade. The last time I was there it was so bitterly cold we just ran down from the apartment for a few minutes

Last year, it was 60 degrees on Thanksgiving Day! We were there years ago and it was bitterly cold. but my son had to see the Sonic the Hedgehog balloon. So while everyone else went back upstairs to get warm, I waited outside with him. And waited. Darn thing got caught on a light post and imploded way before we ever saw it

Order some of that 60 degree weather for me, dmlove! It was so windy that year I was there the balloons were almost tied down

LOL, williams! Any other suggestions for haute barnyard? Home is so tiny I was worried a bit. I did some searching for southern food. Basically want to eat one meal that is simple fare per my friend's request. On the search for the Manhattan version of a meat plus three

Try the Brooklyn Diner - not cheap, but very good "simple" food (fabulous home made macaroni & cheese, for example - the best I've ever had) and good chicken parm and brisket.

Wow. Shelley's Baked Mac 'n Cheese sounds incredible. A chicken pot pie for me. Okay, we are set! Thanks!