Getting Out: New England's Best Thanksgiving Events

Thanksgiving 1830s Style

This Thanksgiving, take the trip to Old Sturbridge Village to enjoy the holiday as it was celebrated in the 1830’s. Learn about a traditional 19th century meal where the favorite item was not cranberry sauce, or even Turkey—it was Marlborough pudding! Visitors will watch after dinner shooting matches, which was equivalent to our after dinner football. Also, American Indian traditions of giving thanks will be shared.

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA. (508) 347-3362.

America’s Thanksgiving

Where better to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday than right where is began? Visit Plimouth Plantation to enjoy classic roast turkey with all the fixings. There will be costumed Pilgrim and Native interpreters on site to greet you and tell you stories about the first feast in 1621.

137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA. (508) 746-1622.

Trot off Your Turkey

After the Thanksgiving feast and the madness of Black Friday, most people might assume it’s time to climb into a cocoon and hibernate for the winter. If you’re near Barrington, RI, though, this is not the case. The Saturday after Thanksgiving there will be a “Trot off Your Turkey” 5K/1.5 mile walk or run. Last year, there were over 1,000 participants!

10 Waldron Avenue, Barrington, RI.

Pilgrim Monument

Join in on a tradition in Provincetown, MA this Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, November 27 head down to the lower Cape for the 103rd annual lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. This special ceremony pays homage to the first Pilgrims that landed in America in Provincetown, on November 11, 1620.

High Pole Hill Road, Provincetown, MA. (508) 487-1310. 

Photo: Blanchardb

Thanksgiving Parade

If you need to fulfill your craving for a parade this time of year, look no farther than the Plymouth Thanksgiving Parade. Plymouth was home to the first Thanksgiving, and they continue celebrating to this day. This is a very unique parade in that it is America’s only historically accurate parade. It chronicles the American experience and way of life from the 17th to the 21st century, making for a spectacular sight.

Route begins at Plymouth Historic Waterfront.

Native American Tales

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the little ones to get them excited about the season, why not take them to Providence Children’s Museum? On the day after Thanksgiving, storyteller Thawn Harris will be at the museum to share his Narragansett culture. He will use stories, song and dance and even invite visitors to join in!

100 South Street, Providence, RI. (401) 273-5437. 

Photo: redjar/Flickr

Feast

If you’re a college student living on campus far from home, there are a few disadvantages when it comes to the long Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe you aren’t able to make the trip home or cannot financially afford to do so. Maybe you are a foreign student who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Whatever it is, Wanderu has got you covered. If you can take a train or get a ride into Boston, you can feast at their “Orphan Thanksgiving”, designed for college students, for FREE! In addition to a home cooked meal, also watch the game and play some pool.

19 Stuart Street, Boston, MA.

Blackstone Polar Express

Bonus!

Once Thanksgiving is over, we are in big holiday territory. What better way to celebrate this than with a ride on the Blackstone Valley Polar Express? Watch your kids’ imaginations soar as a family favorite becomes real life! Each train ride is ninety minutes, and riders will enjoy cookies and hot chocolate! Everyone will get to meet Santa and the conductor. Santa even has a special gift for each child on board.

Woonsocket Railroad Depot, 1 Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI.