This time of the year always inspires gatherings — with friends, family and other loved ones. Yet, with COVID-19 prevention measures still heightened, a large, crowded Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s house may not be back on the menu for some families just yet.
But no need to throw out the big dinner gathering (or grandma). Instead, why not get creative, and mix things up this year? While it’s a slippery slope whenever you alter the classics (i.e. don’t go experimenting with the mac-n-cheese), we also admit that breaking some traditions can feel bold, fun and adventurous. So, here are some fun alternatives to celebrate your Thanksgiving Day.
Think outside (the box)
Picnic Fun
Why not consider taking the party outside for a Thanksgiving Day picnic?
Set up your own epic backyard bash. Or turn to one of city’s go-to picnic vendors, such as Pop-Up Picnics (popuppicnicsatl.com), Gather Picnic Co. (gatherpicnicco.com) and Pretty Luxe Picnics (prettyluxepicnics.com), which offer everything from picnic setup, picturesque tablescapes and even catering options.
Get active
Start your day with some fresh air and activity. Grab your crew to hit one of the many metro parks and trails for a leisure walk or ride. For example, join friends and family to explore the new Westside Park, which is touted as the city’s largest green space.
Credit: BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
Credit: BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
Or head to the Summerhill/Turner Field area to join loved ones as you run, walk or cheer on other race participants for Atlanta Track Club’s annual Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash. The race returns to the city this year and offers participants a chance to burn a few calories in advance of any meal splurging. Advance registration is required. Virtual participation is also offered.
Registration starts at $8.70. Center Parc Stadium, 755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta, atlantatrackclub.org.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Let’s do brunch
For foodies, the self-satisfied, post-meal pant unbuttoning is probably as customary as the Thanksgiving meal itself. Keep that custom — just move your big meal to earlier in the day AND spare yourself the cooking.
Utilizing their mezzanine level to socially distance tables, the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta invites guests to enjoy their epic Thanksgiving brunch. Among 10 culinary stations, guests can still find all the Thanksgiving Day favorites such as roasted turkey, cornbread-sage stuffing, thyme gravy, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But guests are also enticed with items such as bao buns stuffed with five-spice roasted duck, baked Scottish salmon, made-to-order waffles and omelets, charcuterie spreads, an elaborate salad bar and so much more.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 25. Reservations are strongly encouraged. $135 per adult, $67.50 for under age 12 (5 and younger or free). Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. 75 14th St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-5913, fourseasons.com/atlanta.
Credit: CURTIS COMPTON / AJC
Credit: CURTIS COMPTON / AJC
Slide through
If you decided to forgo a big dinner party, then ask friends and extended family to slide through for an evening of skating. Atlantic Station’s 10,000 square-foot rink — touted as the largest outdoor rink in the metro — is open on Thanksgiving Day from 4-11 p.m. Atlantic Station also features a free nightly holiday light and music show, which runs on the hour, starting at 5 p.m.
Nov. 19-Jan 17. Starting at $15 (includes skate rentals). 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta. atlanticstation.com/event/skate-the-station.
Screen Time
Cinephiles have long held the tradition of flocking to theaters on Thanksgiving Day to be among the first to view the opening weekend of holiday blockbusters. Many metro Atlanta cinemas are screening select movies on the holiday, and some even offer private theater rentals. The Starlight Drive-In, also open, gives moviegoers another socially distanced option to enjoy a show. And, of course, you can always host your own outdoor movie night or football watch party with the assistance of one of the metro’s inflatable outdoor movie screen rental companies.
Jump ahead to the next holiday
A light gathering
Enjoy an intimate family dinner, then consider meeting up with extended family for some post-meal holiday fun. Thus, a holly jolly caravan might just be the move for your after-dinner plans. The World of Illumination’s drive-through light show returns to the metro this year with two locations — Marietta and Hampton. Open on Thanksgiving Day, each show features roughly a mile of sound-synced lights.
6 p.m.-10 p.m. through Jan 2. Reservations required. Starting at $45 per vehicle. Artic Adventure (at Atlanta Motor Speedway) 1500 Tara Place, Hampton; Rockin’ Christmas (Six Flags White Water) 250 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta. worldofillumination.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Get festive
Ideal for a multigenerational outing, Stone Mountain’s Christmas festival features live shows, holiday character greetings, light displays, carolers and more. Enjoy family-friendly activities like mini golf and their signature sing-a-long train ride. And don’t forget the treats: hot chocolate, fried Oreos and funnel cakes definitely sweeten up the deal.
Select dates through Jan. 2. Prices starting at $29.95 for children and $31.95 for adults. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407, stonemountainpark.com. (Hours vary, so check the website for program hours.)
Go on holiday
Checked in but checked out
Lowkey content that the pandemic has twice provided an excuse to ditch hosting and cooking duties? Then, consider this year another opportunity to redefine Thanksgiving as a relaxing holiday. Trying out at least one holiday staycation might just be the experience needed to never look back again.
Instead of hosting guests, be the guest this Thanksgiving at the Barnsley Resort, which offers a full holiday buffet, including a turkey carving station, prime rib and an array of desserts. Resort guests can also start the day with a Turkey Trot run along the property, unwind at the property’s spa or partake in the resort’s many activities including horseback riding and axe throwing.
Barnsley Resort, 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. 770-773-7480, barnsleyresort.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Tune in
A stay at the Reverb Downtown Atlanta also offers guests another chance to escape holiday hosting woes. Yet, the property might serve as a great place to spark a new November tradition.
Before going heavy with the holiday tunes, use the day to both sightsee and celebrate a love for hip-hop as the month of November was recently inaugurated as Hip-Hop History Month. The Reverb offers City Guides, which are city audio tours both narrated and curated by beloved hip-hop artists and Atlantans Big Boi and CeeLo Green.
Reverb By Hard Rock, 89 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 470-552-8410, hardrockhotels.com/atlanta.
Merry mornings
Wake up in the holiday spirit in Hotel Colee’s “On Dancer” Grand Suite. Decorated with lights, tinsel and your own in-room Christmas tree, the suite is the perfect place to close out your Thanksgiving Day and kick the Christmas season in high drive. The room package also comes with seasonal treats, including cookies, bonbons, decked-out hot cocoa and a $50 credit for in-room breakfast. To book the “On Dancer” suite ($399 per night plus taxes), a reservation is required at least three days in advance.
Hotel Colee, 3377 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, 678-500-3100, hotelcolee.com.
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