New Orleans fashion at the Thanksgiving Day Races - image courtesy of life.com
Ah, Turkey Day. What a wonderful time to gather together with friends and family–and to have fun, of course. In New Orleans, every holiday is an excuse to have a good time, and Thanksgiving isn’t any different. Here are some fun things to do this Turkey Day!
Do your shopping for your big Thanksgiving Feast at one of the local Crescent City Farmers Markets open every Saturday on Magazine and Girod Streets in the CBD, and Tuesday in Uptown Square. Don’t feel like cooking this year? No problem! Have your Thanksgiving brunch or dinner at one of the fine restaurants in New Orleans.
Prepare for a big meal by participating in the Turkey Day Race at 8:30 Thursday morning. Choose to run a 1-mile or 5-mile race; either way you’re sure to have fans decked out in turkey costumes! If you fancy the horse races, garb yourself in your Thanksgiving finest and attend Opening Day at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. And after you eat, party into the night with the Thanksgiving Throwdown at Howlin’ Wolf, featuring Papa Grows Funk and Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers.
Looking for child-friendly Turkey Day fun? Visit Longue Vue House and Gardens on Tuesday, Nov 23 for Turkey Teas, where kids are invited to celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays with songs, stories, games, and crafts. Monday through Wednesday, you can also head to Audubon Zoo for Thanksgiving Camp.
Black Friday is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as pumpkin pie – only it won’t send you into a food coma. Like everything else we do, Black Friday is a little different in New Orleans, with most people heading to local stores and boutiques instead of mega malls. If you find yourself in New Orleans this Black Friday, be sure to hit these spots!
Magazine Street: The most eclectic shopping experience in New Orleans; here you’ll find stores for men, women, and children, plus many antique stores, art galleries, and specialty shops. If you haven’t started your holiday shopping, you’ll most certainly find gifts for everyone on your list on Magazine Street. Find a list of Magazine merchants.
Royal and Chartres Streets: An antique collector’s dream, Royal Street is lined with antique store after antique store. Plus, many local boutiques and shops with products from clothing to skin care to New Age treasures abound. Chartres is very similar: with boutiques, voodoo stores, and specialty shops, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list.
French Market: If you like deals (and you must, if you’re shopping on Black Friday), head to the French Market and Flea Market where you can pick up everything from local arts and crafts to fresh fruits and veggies.
Canal Place: If you prefer a typical mall to boutique stores, you have to stop at Canal Place. Complete with a high-end department store (Saks Fifth Avenue), as well as nationwide brands like White House/Black Market and the recently-opened Anthropologie, and local favorites like Mignon Faget and Francesca’s, you’re sure to catch great deals and fabulous finds! Find a list of Canal Place Merchants.
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