Business Spotlight

Your Guide to Thanksgiving in Lincoln Square

Nov 13, 2024

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Lincoln Square is brimming with holiday spirit! Whether you're hunting for the perfect holiday decor, hoping to attend festive activities, seeking out the holiday season's best dining options, or looking for ways to give back, there are plenty of ways to make your Thanksgiving truly special in Lincoln Square.

Prepare for the Holiday

thanksgivingdecor24 Lincoln Square’s retailers have everything you need to host a memorable Thanksgiving and create a festive atmosphere. If you’re hosting this year, stop by Williams Sonoma in the Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus) from Friday, November 15, through Sunday, November 17, for a Thanksgiving Open House. Enjoy live product demonstrations and tastings of favorite holiday foods. On Sunday, November 17, at 11:00am, there’s even a Thanksgiving dessert lesson where you can learn to make ooey-gooey pumpkin bars and a simple yet decadent pecan pie. While you’re at Williams Sonoma, explore seasonal pieces perfect for your dinner table or home, and also stop by Pottery Barn (1965 Broadway at West 67th Street) and West Elm (1870 Broadway at West 62nd Street) for more decor inspiration.

If you’re looking more for decorations, visit Paper Source (10 Columbus Circle) where you can get Thanksgiving themed garland, glasses, paper goods, and more. Or, if you’d like to create your own decorative pieces, head over to Color Me Mine Upper West Side (177 Amsterdam Avenue at West 68th Street) to paint your own pottery. Their website offers Thanksgiving project ideas with detailed instructions to get you inspired. Teens and young adults (ages 13–18) can also get in the Thanksgiving spirit by crafting themed origami paper art at the Riverside Library (127 Amsterdam Avenue at West 65th Street) on Wednesday, November 20, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Enjoy the Parade

thanksgivingparade24 The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic part of the holiday, and Lincoln Square offers some of the best viewing spots. Festivities begin with the balloon inflation on Wednesday, November 27, right here on the Upper West Side. From 1:00pm to 6:00pm, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the giant balloons and fantastic floats as they get Parade ready. The event takes place outside of the Museum of Natural History (between West 77th and West 81st Street), with the entry point for all guests just steps away from Lincoln Square at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Guests may exit along any block from West 82nd to West 86th Street.

The parade is on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, from 8:30am to 12:00pm. The route passes right through Lincoln Square on Central Park West, with public viewing available on the west side of the street from West 61st Street to West 75th Street. Early risers often arrive as early as 6:00am, so plan to get there early for a good spot. If you prefer to catch the action from the comfort of the indoors, Tartinery on the third floor of The Shops will be open from 8:00am to 2:00pm on Thanksgiving Day and will offer customers who spend $38 minimum (or $25 for ages 12 & under) a view of the parade. Dining time is limited to 1 hour but includes unlimited drip coffee.

For a grand experience, book a stay at Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle), and enjoy Thanksgiving with a bird’s eye aerial view of the parade from your room or suite. Hotel guests can also view the parade over a special Thanksgiving breakfast at the MO Lounge from 7:00am to 11:00am. Window table reservations require a fee and have limited availability. The MO Lounge also offers Thanksgiving Day Brunch with a buffet feast and carving stations for hotel and non-hotel guests from 11:30am to 5:00pm, as well as a Thanksgiving feast prepared by chefs and delivered to your room or suite. To inquire about all the dining options at Mandarin Oriental, New York, email monyc-holidayreservations@mohg.com. For other hotel options near the parade route, consider booking a stay at Trump International Hotel & Tower (1 Central Park West), The Empire Hotel (44 West 63rd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) or The Phillips Club (155 West 66th Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue) and head to the nearby public viewing area.

Get Your Grub On

thanksgivingfoodbarboulud24 Lincoln Square’s eateries are ready to make your Thanksgiving easy—just make a reservation (and do it quickly, because they do sell out)! For a classic three-course Thanksgiving dinner, book a table at Porter House Bar & Grill (10 Columbus Circle). If you prefer international flair, make a reservation at Bar Boulud (1900 Broadway at West 63rd Street) for holiday favorites with a French twist, reserve your spot at Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue) for an Italian Thanksgiving prix-fixe, or secure your table at Nougatine (1 Central Park West at West 60th Street) for a festive French prix-fixe menu. For dinner and a show, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Broadway at 60th Street) offers a delightful evening with Herlin Riley & Friends on Thanksgiving Day at 7:00pm, combining live jazz with a three-course holiday meal.

Prefer Thanksgiving at home? Lincoln Square’s catering options make it easy to skip the cooking and still enjoy a delicious feast. Épicerie Boulud (1900 Broadway at West 64th Street) sells a complete Thanksgiving dinner that serves 6 to 8 guests, featuring Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature dishes, and you can also order sides and pies. Lincoln Ristorante’s Thanksgiving to-go options are available for 4 people or 6 people, allowing you to enjoy a festive meal at home with little effort required. Le Botaniste (156 Columbus Avenue at West 67th Street) offers a completely vegan Thanksgiving Special that serves 4 to 6 people, with veggie loaf as the main dish, along with soup and sides. You can also order just the veggie loaf, which feeds 4. You can also get a Thanksgiving feast package from Dig (100 West 67th Street at Columbus Avenue), which comes with the holiday essentials.

Lincoln Square’s grocery stores also provide catering options so you can focus on what really matters—spending time with loved ones. Choose from Thanksgiving packages at Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle), Gourmet Garage’s (155 West End Avenue at West 66th Street) Thanksgiving menu, and Thanksgiving catering at Morton Williams (2015 Broadway at West 69th Street). For a more budget-friendly option, Target (1863 Broadway at West 61st Street) sells a $20 meal kit (10 Columbus Circle at West 58th Street), which includes a turkey and traditional sides to serve four people.

If you plan to cook some (or all) of your meal, the above grocery stores will also have all the ingredients you could need for a feast. For locally grown produce, shop at the Richard Tucker Park Greenmarket (West 66th Street & Broadway). While it is usually open on Thursdays, it will most certainly be closed on Thanksgiving Day and open on Wednesday, November 27 instead, or you can shop ahead at the Saturday market.

thanksgivingpiejeangeorges24 Don’t forget Thanksgiving indulgences like wine and dessert, which make perfect gifts for your holiday host. Make wine shopping a festive experience by joining West Side Grapes at Zizi Wine Bar (2012 Broadway between West 68th and West 69th Street) for a Thanksgiving wine tasting on Monday, November 18, at 6:15pm. The event will feature wines that will pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving meal. For even more options, stop by Le French Wine Shop by Vin Sur Vingt (161 Amsterdam Avenue at West 67th Street) for a variety of wines to complement any holiday feast.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Thanksgiving pies from Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West) or seasonal desserts and sides from Breads Bakery (1890 Broadway at West 63rd Street). Maman (152 Columbus Avenue between West 66th and West 67th Street) offers classic pumpkin, pecan, and apple pie, available for pre-order by emailing catering@mamannyc.com. You can also pick up your Thanksgiving pie, pudding, or cupcake order at Magnolia Bakery (200 Columbus Avenue at West 69th Street & 1794 Broadway at West 58th Street) or have it shipped nationwide.

Give Back

thanksgivinggivegoddard24 The spirit of Thanksgiving is to give gratitude for what we have. Giving back in this time of thanks is the perfect way to help others have something to be grateful for, too. Thankfully, several organizations around Lincoln Square have opportunities to volunteer this holiday season. Consider signing up for DOROT’s Thanksgiving Meal Delivery on Sunday, November 24, to deliver a meal to an older adult and make a friend in the process. There will be two pick-up locations, one on the Upper West Side at DOROT (171 West 85th Street at Amsterdam Avenue) and one on the East Side at the Moise Safra Center (130 East 82nd Street at Lexington Avenue).

Help bring warmth and connection to those who need it most and volunteer with Project FIND on November 28 to serve meals to homeless and older adults in need. For more information, email events@projectfind.org. Goddard Riverside’s Older Adult Center (593 Columbus Avenue at 88th Street) will hold its Thanksgiving Dinner from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on November 28. While spots to volunteer to cook and serve are already filled, you can still sign up to deliver meals on Thanksgiving Day. If you prefer to help out by donating food and supplies such as turkeys, wrapped utensils, bagged cookies, holidays, cards, and reusable bags, or making a monetary donation, every little bit helps.

For more ways to give back this holiday season, visit the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and New York Cares websites.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, remember that Lincoln Square has everything you need to make the season truly memorable. While this guide highlights many ways to celebrate, it’s not an exhaustive list. If you know of any businesses, organizations, or promotions we’ve missed, please let us know at info@lincolnsquarebid.org. For more restaurants and shops in Lincoln Square, visit our Neighborhood Guide.