It is getting close to Thanksgiving and everyone in the family is excited. It is time to prepare for our Thanksgiving Warmup in New York City. This started as a whim without any purpose and resulted in a great family tradition. We love getting away together as a family and it helps to have something ‘push’ us into action. Everyone is always busy and there is never time – but this event happens! We go on the weekend before Thanksgiving when the preparations are being made to convert the city into a showcase. Yes, we aren’t there on Thanksgiving day for the big parade and the huge crowds, however, we are there seeing the transformation. We stay in a nice hotel with a view of Times Square from our room. That can’t be beat. The prices are excellent as well on the weekend before Thanksgiving. This past year it was the Doubletree with an amazing brunch. We then prepare our schedule for all of the action. We are able to view the installation of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and do a little ice skating while in the area. We then go to Macy’s and get ready for the ‘kickoff’ of the season. The high school bands are there to practice as Santa comes to start the festivities. It is a beautiful spot at the east entrance to Macy’s in the middle of the towering skyscrapers. We fill in each day with subway rides and a trip on the Staten Island Ferry. These are exciting experiences for a visitor. We make sure we see a Broadway show at an amazing price. ‘Hairspray’ from the fifth row! Each year we then plan activities for the following year. You can’t do it all in a weekend. We still have plans for Central Park, a subway ride to Coney Island and a trip out Long Island.
