Things to Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving

Is your Thanksgiving Day nothing more than sitting at a table and stuffing yourself with stuffing and turkey? Well, good news. If you're in New Jersey, there are plenty of other things to do in the Garden State on Thanksgiving besides staying home and eating!

Things To Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving - The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC

Ok, it's not in New Jersey, but it's so easy to get into New York City from New Jersey. So just do it! On November 26, take a train from New Jersey into Manhattan to see the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. New Jersey Transit (NJT) will run extra train service early in the morning and through the late afternoon to accommodate folks who head to the parade. NJT goes right into Pennsylvania Station on 34th Street, just a few blocks from the end of the parade route.

Things To Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving - The Casinos in Atlantic City

Face it. Thanksgiving can be a boring as heck holiday. Jazz it up with an overnight trip to Atlantic City. The casinos operate 24/7 all year round. I spent one Thanksgiving at Harrah's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City and it was great. It wasn't too crowded, there was no cooking and cleaning up after people, no driving back home late at night with turkey leftovers. And what relative of yours has an indoor pool?

Things To Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving - Spirit Cruises Thanksgiving Cruises

How does this sound: round up your family and take a three-hour cruise on the Hudson River for Thanksgiving dinner? New Jersey/New York Spirit Cruises will operate lunch and dinner time cruises on Thanksgiving for around $70 a person. Some of the sites you'll see include The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Empire State Building and battleship Intrepid. Dinner cruise leaves from Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken.

Things To Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving - The second annual Harriers for Hounds 5K Run/Walk, Ocean City

Feeling a little energetic? Wake up on Thanksgiving morning and head to the boardwalk to participate in The Human Society of Ocean City's 5K run/walk A 1K children's walk is also scheduled. For more information, call 609-398-5068.

Things To Do in New Jersey for Thanksgiving - Be a volunteer at a local soup kitchen

If you've been blessed with a roof over your head and a hot meal everyday, use this Thanksgiving to give others a chance to enjoy what you take for granted. Many homeless shelters and soup kitchens try to provide an extra special dinner for the needy on Thanksgiving. For more information on finding homeless shelters and soup kitchen's in New Jersey, click here.

Sources:

http://www.njtransit.com

http://www.spiritofnewyork.com/ny/thanksgiving_cruise.jsp

http://www.njoceancity.com/single_event.asp?event_id=1294

Personal experience