Thanksgiving in New York City is a special time. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, the city’s usual hustle quiets down a bit as locals celebrate, but plenty of attractions and services remain open for visitors and those looking to explore. If you’re wondering what you can do and see on Thanksgiving Day in NYC — from iconic sights to a good meal — this guide will walk you through all the options. We’ll also note a few key closures so you don’t head somewhere only to find the doors shut. Enjoy your holiday in the Big Apple with this handy overview!

Major Attractions Open on Thanksgiving Day

New York’s big sights don’t all shut down for the holiday. In fact, many of the city’s top tourist attractions welcome visitors on Thanksgiving. Whether you’re aiming to soak in a panoramic skyline view or enjoy a festive outdoor activity, you have options.

Sky-High Observation Decks

All the famous observation decks are open, including:

• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)
• One World Observatory (Freedom Tower)
• Edge (at Hudson Yards)
• Summit One Vanderbilt

Visiting one of these is a great way to take in NYC’s breathtaking views on the holiday.

Outdoor Activities

If you want some fresh air, you can absolutely find it. Seasonal outdoor attractions like ice skating rinks are operating on Thanksgiving — for example, you can go skating at Rockefeller Center or in Central Park’s Wollman Rink. Bike rental shops also remain open, so you could enjoy a leisurely ride through Central Park or along the waterfront.

Sightseeing Cruises & Tours

You can even spend part of your Thanksgiving on the water. Circle Line sightseeing cruises are running on their holiday schedule, meaning you can sail around Manhattan and get up-close views of the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. For those craving a thrill, helicopter tours of NYC are also available on Thanksgiving Day — a truly memorable way to see the city from above.

Also note that the 9/11 Memorial (the twin reflecting pools in Lower Manhattan) remains open to the public on Thanksgiving. It’s a peaceful spot to pay respects or simply appreciate the scenery. (The adjacent indoor 9/11 Museum, however, is closed — more on closed attractions later.)

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Museums and Cultural Spots Open on Thanksgiving

While many museums take Thanksgiving off, a few cultural attractions do stay open for those seeking a dose of art or history:

Madame Tussauds New York

The famous wax museum in Times Square is open on Thanksgiving, so you can roam among the lifelike celebrity figures as usual. It’s a fun indoor option, especially if you have kids in tow or need a break from the chill outside.

RiseNY

This newer Times Square attraction — an interactive ride and museum that celebrates NYC’s history and pop culture — welcomes visitors on Thanksgiving Day. It’s an exciting mix of museum exhibit and flying theater ride, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s icons.

National Museum of the American Indian

Located downtown in the historic Customs House, this Smithsonian museum is free to enter and open until 5 PM on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a fantastic cultural stop — you can explore Native American history and art exhibits without any admission cost. Being a federal Smithsonian institution, it’s one of the rare museums open on this holiday, and it tends to be pleasantly uncrowded.

Important: Virtually all other major museums are closed on Thanksgiving. That means you should not plan on visiting places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, or the Museum of Natural History.

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Zoos and Aquarium on Thanksgiving

Animal lovers, rejoice — you aren’t out of luck on Thanksgiving. The big Bronx Zoo does close on Thanksgiving Day (it’s one of the only days all year it shuts down), but New York City’s other zoos and aquariums remain open to visitors:

• Central Park Zoo in Manhattan
• Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn
• Queens Zoo
• New York Aquarium in Coney Island

If you need an outing for the family or just want to see the animals, you can spend a few hours at any of these sites. They are all open until 4:30 pm. And bundle up — late November weather at the outdoor exhibits can be brisk!

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Broadway Shows and Entertainment

If you’re looking to catch a live show on Thanksgiving, options are limited but not nonexistent. Almost all Broadway theaters go dark on Thanksgiving Day (meaning they have no performances that night). However, there are two major exceptions in 2025:

1. Chicago — the long-running musical will be performing on Thanksgiving
2. Radio City Christmas Spectacular — the Rockettes continue their holiday show schedule that day

“Chicago” offers classic Broadway razzle-dazzle, while the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a high-kicking New York holiday tradition — complete with Santa, live camels, and the famous Toy Soldiers routine. Do plan ahead if you want to attend either show, as tickets may sell out due to many other shows being off.

What about sports? Thanksgiving is a big day for football on TV, but NYC’s pro sports teams usually get the day off. In fact, no major sporting events or games are scheduled in New York City on Thanksgiving Day. The Knicks, Nets, Rangers, etc. won’t have home games that day. So, you won’t be heading to Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium on Thanksgiving.

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Dining Out: Restaurants on Thanksgiving

When it comes to food, the good news is many restaurants stay open on Thanksgiving in NYC — but with some caveats. Most diners, casual eateries, and even a number of fine-dining restaurants will be operating on or close to their normal schedule. In fact, quite a few places offer special Thanksgiving menus featuring turkey and all the trimmings for those who want a traditional holiday meal without cooking.

• Make a reservation in advance — Restaurants that are open tend to book up early with locals and visitors who’d rather dine out
• Try hotel restaurants — Hotel restaurants often stay open for guests and might have seats available even without a long-term booking
• Go casual if you can’t get a reservation — Many 24-hour diners, neighborhood pubs, and fast-casual restaurants will be serving food like any other day

Essentially, you won’t go hungry in NYC on Thanksgiving, but plan ahead if you have your heart set on a particular turkey dinner or a nice restaurant experience.

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Shopping and Stores on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the few days when major retail in NYC largely shuts down. Don’t expect to do serious shopping on Thanksgiving Day itself — almost all the big stores are closed.

What’s Closed:

• Macy’s flagship at Herald Square (aside from hosting the parade outside)
• Large chains, malls, and outlets like Woodbury Common and Empire Outlets
• Most supermarkets, big-box stores, and boutiques

What’s Open:

• Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade) — some branches on modified hours
• Bodegas and convenience stores — your corner store lifesavers for last-minute needs

For any serious shopping cravings, you’re best off waiting until the next day — Black Friday. The moment Thanksgiving ends, the shopping frenzy begins. Many stores will reopen very early on Friday (some as early as midnight or 5 AM) with huge Black Friday sales and doorbuster deals.

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Getting Around the City on Thanksgiving

Getting around NYC on Thanksgiving requires a little patience, but it’s definitely doable.

Public Transportation

The subways and buses operate on a modified timetable similar to a Sunday schedule (fewer trains than a normal weekday rush hour). You’ll still be able to use the subway to go anywhere you need, just expect maybe a longer wait than usual for a train or bus.

Taxis and Rideshares

Traffic in certain parts of Manhattan will be very congested on Thanksgiving, especially in the morning due to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Street closures around the parade route (Central Park West, 6th Avenue, etc.) last until early afternoon. If you can avoid driving in Manhattan on Thanksgiving morning, do so.

Walking

Walking is actually one of the best ways to get around on Thanksgiving. Depending on where you’re staying, you might simply stroll to your viewing spot for the parade or walk to a nearby open attraction. Just remember that near the parade area, huge crowds will be moving about — over several million spectators line the streets for the parade — so allow extra time to navigate through packed sidewalks and security checkpoints.

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Thanksgiving Day Events & Traditions

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The star of the show is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This world-famous parade marches through Manhattan on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025, and is free for all to watch from the sidewalks.

Key details:

• Start time: 9:00 AM
• Route: Upper West Side down to Macy’s Herald Square
• Features: Giant helium balloons of cartoon characters, elaborate floats, marching bands, and performers

Tips for viewing:

• Be prepared to go early and bundle up
• Many people arrive before 6 AM to claim prime viewing spots
• The parade draws millions of spectators, so expect extremely crowded areas near Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, and Herald Square

Experience the City’s Atmosphere

By afternoon, the city can feel quieter as many New Yorkers are indoors. A walk through Central Park or along the High Line can be lovely — both remain open every day. It’s a day of contrasts: the excitement of the morning parade, followed by a calm afternoon where you might have some iconic spots nearly to yourself.

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Notable Closures (What Not to Plan On)

To avoid any Thanksgiving disappointments, here’s a quick rundown of what won’t be open on November 27, 2025:

Attraction	Status
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island	Closed — ferry service does not run
Major Museums (Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, Whitney, etc.)	Closed
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree	Not yet illuminated (lighting ceremony is after Thanksgiving)
Dyker Heights Lights	Not fully up yet — plan to visit in December
Most Broadway Shows	Closed (except Chicago and Rockettes)
Big Retail Stores (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks)	Closed
Pro Sports Events	None scheduled

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Final Tips for a Smooth Thanksgiving in NYC

1. Google is Your Friend — When in doubt, Google! And a phone call goes a long way to confirm hours or availability.
2. Dress in Layers — Late November can be chilly or windy, and you’ll likely be outdoors at least part of the day
3. Enjoy the Holiday Spirit — Take a moment to enjoy the uniqueness of being in New York on Thanksgiving. Between the parade confetti, the early Christmas decor, and the friendly vibe, there’s a lot of festive spirit in the air

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day in New York City, and make some great memories!

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