🦃 Our Magical Thanksgiving in New York City

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it! I can’t help but think back to one of my favorite family trips we’ve ever taken, the time we packed up and drove all the way to New York City to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live! It was one of those totally spontaneous, “why not?!” decisions that turned into the most magical family memory.

The Spontaneous Plan

It all started two years ago, one Sunday afternoon after church, while we were eating lunch. We were at California Dreamin and somewhere between bites of those warm, buttery croissants, Josh looked up and said, “What if we took the kids to New York for Thanksgiving and saw the parade in person?” Literally right then and there, mid-lunch, he pulled up hotels. It was July, and we ended up booking Tempo by Hilton Times Square using our Hilton points.

We did a little research and found that staying near 6th Avenue would put us right in the middle of the parade route. Tempo was just one block away, perfect walking distance for the big day! Booking in July gave us great availability before prices started skyrocketing for the popular Thanksgiving dates. So it was set… we were going to New York City for Thanksgiving!

Josh and I had been before for little getaways, but the kids had never been, so we knew it would be such a treat. We decided to drive from South Carolina, about 12 hours, and figured we could power through overnight. We rented a minivan, kept the kids up late, Josh came home from work and took a power nap, and around 11 p.m. we started our trek to the Big Apple.

Now, Josh is that guy who thrives on late night drives with a coffee and Red Bull in hand, totally in his element. Me? I need my sleepy gummies or I’m not fit for society the next morning. 😂

The kids were champs and slept the entire way. I woke up once when we stopped for gas in Virginia and then again as our minivan was truttin’ along the streets of Manhattan. We still laugh about how out of place we felt pulling into busy NYC life in our minivan!

The City That Feels Like Christmas

The crisp air hit us as soon as we arrived — you could literally feel Thanksgiving in the air. You know that electric feeling when the holidays are near and it just buzzes in your bones? That was New York. The buildings were already dressed for Christmas, lights everywhere, and it was just magical.

Our hotel in Times Square ended up being the perfect spot because we could walk to everything. We arrived the day before Thanksgiving and spent the day exploring, walking the streets of Manhattan (which is an adventure in itself 😂), visiting Macy’s (it’s truly a winter wonderland with the giant turkey on the front and all the festive window displays), and skating at Rockefeller Center. The kids loved watching the skaters and there are even little igloos you can rent for however long you want.

A must do is Bryant Park’s Winter Village — it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie with its cozy market booths, Christmas lights, and the smell of roasted nuts and hot cider in the air. The kids each had their own money for the trip and two bought goodies from the market!

That night, we ordered pizza to the hotel and turned in early because we had a big morning ahead: parade day!

Parade Day 🎈

Here’s the trick: drive if you can because you’ll want to bring camping chairs to hold your spots! Josh got up at 4 a.m. to claim our place on 6th Avenue, and he scored prime seats right along the street. Around 6 a.m., he called and said it was time for me and the kids to come before it got too crowded. Since the hotel was only a block over, it was easy to walk even with four kids in tow.

It was frigid, but we came prepared with hand warmers, blankets, hats, and gloves. While we waited, Josh grabbed Dunkin’ Donuts nearby — and I swear that was the best coffee I’ve ever had (probably because I couldn’t feel my fingers 😅). The kids sipped their hot chocolates, and we just sat there soaking in the moment — coffee, cocoa, crowds, and all.

Each kid had their own disposable camera for the trip, and it was the cutest thing watching them wind the little wheels and snap their own photos.

And then, we heard it — the band music echoing down the street. The big turkey float came into view, and I cried. I’m not even embarrassed to say it! It was overwhelming and beautiful, something I’d watched every Thanksgiving morning since I was little, now right in front of my eyes, with my babies by my side. 🥹

What you don’t see on TV is how interactive it all is — the balloon handlers high fiving the crowd, waving, laughing. We saw Snoopy, SpongeBob, Jimmy Fallon, and so many more. It was pure magic.

After the parade, we walked back to the hotel, crashed hard, and Josh picked up Raising Cane’s for lunch. We ate chicken tenders in our PJs — the perfect Thanksgiving intermission.

The $800 Thanksgiving Dinner 😂

Now onto our fancy Thanksgiving dinner adventure. I wanted us to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal for a little sense of normalcy, so I booked a 3 course prix fixe dinner at Bubby’s NYC about a month in advance. Turkey, mashed potatoes, all the works!

Since it wasn’t walking distance, Josh got us a private car (because if you’re going to NYC for Thanksgiving, you might as well pretend you’re fancy for one night, right?). The restaurant was beautiful, and we even spotted a few parade celebrities dining nearby.

The food was good… but let’s just say the kids weren’t impressed. Each course was pre set, so everyone got the same plate, and it all kind of ran together. My kids are not “food touchers,” and honestly, neither am I, so we had some struggles there. 😂

The funniest part? The kids picked at their food, ate a single onion ring from the salad, and one bite of mashed potatoes — and then the bill came. $800. For water and a few bites of lettuce. 💀 Josh nearly passed out. We laughed (after recovering from the shock) and decided next time we’ll stick to $3 street hot dogs. You live and you learn!

Wrapping Up

The next morning, we packed up, visited the Statue of Liberty, and then started our trek home, stopping in D.C. overnight to break up the drive. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable trip.

If you ever get the chance, go to New York City for Thanksgiving. See the Macy’s Parade in person. Feel the holiday magic. There’s truly nothing like it.

✨ NYC Thanksgiving Travel Tips

🗓️ Book early (like July!) because parade week fills up fast and prices skyrocket the closer you get to November

🏨 Stay near 6th Avenue — that’s where the parade route runs, and walking distance is key

🪑 Bring camping chairs — that’s how you hold your spot early in the morning

❄️ Bundle up! Hats, gloves, and hand warmers are a must

🍩 Find a nearby Dunkin’ — a hot coffee makes the early morning wait so much better

📸 Give kids disposable cameras — it’s adorable and makes them feel part of the adventure

🍽️ Skip the fancy dinner — picky eaters and prix fixe menus don’t mix

🎄 Soak it all in — the lights, the crowds, the music, it’s pure holiday magic