Thanksgiving Events and Food in Atlanta

Let's face it: what most of us are going to do on Thanksgiving Day involves fixing food, eating a lot of it, watching the Macy's Parade on tv followed by napping and football with family and friends. But if you feel like being more active, here are some things you can do. And if you don't want to cook all day, here are answers for that, too.

Before you eat that turkey feast, get out and earn those calories with the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon or Half-marathon. The Atlanta Marathon is the oldest one in the Southeast and it is one of the ten oldest in the country. Nearly all of the marathon follows the course of the 1996 Olympics, passing under the Olympic rings. Thousands of runners participate every year. You do have to get out early: the races begin around 7 AM.

Then,really show and share your gratitude by insuring that the homeless and destitute are fed on this day. Hosea Feed the Hungry has been preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner for Atlanta's needy for 40 years. To participate, volunteers must register online.

For your meal with family and/or friends, if you'd rather not cook but you still want a traditional meal, Ted's Montana Grill, 122 Luckie St in Atlanta and various metro Atlanta locations, offers a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey, dressing, vegetables, and cranberry sauce, for less than $15 a person. And if you want a less traditional dinner, you can substitute the famous bison or roast beef for turkey! Many of the more upscale restaurants are also open, with prices ranging from $45-$60 per person.

Many of the restaurants around town will cater your meal. I personally have used Folks, who provided lavishly. You can also order your meal from Honey Baked Ham for a change, choosing from a large range of side dishes to make a delicious meal at a reasonable price.

Or you can do what I usually do, and "cook," but with pre-packaged meals from Publix or Kroger. These meals include vegetables, a pre-cooked turkey, and rolls; I add a fewpies, cranberry sauce, and rolls. It takes about 2 hours to heat the turkey and microwave the vegetables, and no one has ever complained.

Continue the Thanksgiving weekend tradition with the Great Tree Lighting at Macy's at Lenox Square Mall in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. The free pre-show entertainment starts at 6:30 PM. Get there early because it will be crowded! Be sure to give your kids a chance to go inside Macy's and ride the Pink Pig, an Atlanta tradition for many, many years. Rides are $3 a person.