What to do for 4 hours on Thanksgiving in NYC?
November 21, 2014 10:53 AM Subscribe
I have about four hours in between morning/afternoon plans and dinner plans on Thanksgiving in NYC. What should we do with them?
There are three of us: me (woman), my partner (woman), and my teen son. We'll be volunteering that morning and early afternoon -- til about 1 -- in Harlem. We have dinner plans at 5:00, Midtown West. That's a four-hour stretch where we could ostensibly go anywhere (including back home to Riverdale, but eh), but sticking to Manhattan is probably the best idea. Given okay weather (not freezing rain or a blizzard or something), what should we do with that time?
There are three of us: me (woman), my partner (woman), and my teen son. We'll be volunteering that morning and early afternoon -- til about 1 -- in Harlem. We have dinner plans at 5:00, Midtown West. That's a four-hour stretch where we could ostensibly go anywhere (including back home to Riverdale, but eh), but sticking to Manhattan is probably the best idea. Given okay weather (not freezing rain or a blizzard or something), what should we do with that time?
The Central Park Zoo will be open. I'm pretty sure Wollman Ice Rink will be as well.
posted by Mchelly at 11:51 AM on November 21, 2014
posted by Mchelly at 11:51 AM on November 21, 2014
If you're willing to face some crowds, you could wander down to Rockefeller Plaza-- the tree should be up (but, alas, not lit yet). The rink is also open (but exceedingly pricey); another option is to go over to take a look at the Public Library (but, again, alas, the reading room is closed atm; the lions might have their wreathes on, though!) and skate at Bryant Park (Rockefeller Plaza is $27, plus a $12 skate rental; Bryant Park is free admission, $15 skate rental).
posted by damayanti at 12:00 PM on November 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by damayanti at 12:00 PM on November 21, 2014 [1 favorite]
Nthing a long leisurely walk with stops at interesting things to see, snacks to eat, etc. A lot of NYC is visual and experiential and not really dependent on businesses being open.
In my experience, restaurants and bars tend to be open on Thanksgiving, while shops and attractions tend not to be. But I'm sure there will be exceptions to that, and if you make a point to stroll through the city, you will probably happen upon those exceptions.
I would steer WAY clear of both Herald Square and Rockefeller Center, however, unless you love crowds and touristy holiday stuff.
posted by Sara C. at 1:33 PM on November 21, 2014
In my experience, restaurants and bars tend to be open on Thanksgiving, while shops and attractions tend not to be. But I'm sure there will be exceptions to that, and if you make a point to stroll through the city, you will probably happen upon those exceptions.
I would steer WAY clear of both Herald Square and Rockefeller Center, however, unless you love crowds and touristy holiday stuff.
posted by Sara C. at 1:33 PM on November 21, 2014
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions! Just to clarify: we're not tourists. We work and go to school in Manhattan and live in the Bronx, so I'm familiar with what's where, etc. I was wondering if anyone had an intriguing suggestion for something that'd fill up that particular four-hour span that wouldn't necessarily occur to us in the course of just having a stroll.
posted by houseofdanie at 2:50 PM on November 21, 2014
posted by houseofdanie at 2:50 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: If it were me, I wouldn't want to go back up to Riverdale for what would wind up being only 2.5 hours given transportation. Instead I'd take us all to a cool movie in Manhattan. That sounds like a cozy, fun thing to do together with that time block, especially if afternoon movies are a treat you don't normally get to do. I wouldn't want to just be walking in the city with a teenager for 4 hours, necessarily, at least not a teenager who isn't dazzled by NYC as a new place, and especially given the vicissitudes of the weather.
We don't know your family's tastes, but if it were me with my teen son, I'd look for a 1:30-ish showing of Boyhood, if you all haven't yet seen it; or I'd check out the indie theaters to see if anything appealing's showing at 1:30-ish. (For my own preferences, IFC has some great stuff Thanksgiving day.) Of course, you could also just see a fun blockbuster on the way down to midtown, especially if that's a more appealing option for your kid.
posted by third rail at 6:25 PM on November 21, 2014
We don't know your family's tastes, but if it were me with my teen son, I'd look for a 1:30-ish showing of Boyhood, if you all haven't yet seen it; or I'd check out the indie theaters to see if anything appealing's showing at 1:30-ish. (For my own preferences, IFC has some great stuff Thanksgiving day.) Of course, you could also just see a fun blockbuster on the way down to midtown, especially if that's a more appealing option for your kid.
posted by third rail at 6:25 PM on November 21, 2014
Best answer: In light of your update, seconding a movie (since almost nothing nontouristy is going to be open) - have you had the chance to experience the amazing reclining couches at the Loew's 84th street?
posted by Mchelly at 5:43 AM on November 23, 2014
posted by Mchelly at 5:43 AM on November 23, 2014
Response by poster: Thank you for the suggestions! We're going to take in a movie. Specifically, Theory of Everything. I wish Boyhood were showing at an appropriate time! Or that something appealing were showing at Leows 84th St. That looks intensely restful. I had no idea that had happened. Much appreciated!
posted by houseofdanie at 11:27 AM on November 25, 2014
posted by houseofdanie at 11:27 AM on November 25, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:00 AM on November 21, 2014 [1 favorite]