Cheap and Free NYC Thanksgiving 2011 Guide

November 10-21, 2011
Canstruction
To steal a line from a well-known commercial, “It’s amazing what you can do with soup these days!” See sculptures created from soups and other canned goods at Canstruction, an art competition, at the World Financial Center. The event is free, but the public is encouraged to bring a canned food donation to benefit City Harvest. World Financial Center, 220 Vesey Street, 10 am. To 6 p.m. (daily), free!
Saturday,November 12, and Sunday November 13, 2011
Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill Tasting Tour-A Pre Thanksgiving tasting tour
Build up your appetite for the big day and join Discovery Walking Tours for their pre-Thanksgiving Tasting Tour! From Discovery: “These Victorian neighborhoods, New York's earliest historic landmark districts. A home to wealthy 19th century merchants and later 20th century writers, neighborhood stops include Plymouth Church, where Lincoln and Walt Whitman worshipped; the Brooklyn Promenade and its magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline; the home where Truman Capote penned Breakfast at Tiffany’s; where Jackie Robinson was signed and where the Dodgers got their name; and the homes of Jennie Jerome, Churchill’s mother; and writer Thomas Wolfe. Along the way, taste the area’s classic and contemporary foods, from egg creams to spinach pie.” 2p.m. Call 212-465-3331 for reservations and meeting place. Cost: $26 (includes food!)
Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 2011
Little Ireland, Chinatown, and Little ItalyHistory and Tasting Tour – A Pre Thanksgiving tasting Tour
A walk through these ethnic enclaves exploring the trials and triumphs of the American immigrant. Along the way, we will sample ethnic specialties from pizza and cannolli to spring rolls and dumpling. Stops include the Church of the Transfiguration; the site Five Points, made famous in Gangs of New York; Banco Stablile, Confucius Plaza, the residence of Dr. Sun-Yat-sen." 1:30 p.m., Cost: $26 (includes food!), Call 212-465-3331 for reservations and meeting place.
Wednesday November 23, 2011
Pre- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
When in New York do as the natives do and get a sneak peek of the Macy’s Parade balloons a sneak peek as they are inflated near the Museum of Natural History! Details are here: http://manhattan.about.com/od/eventsandattractions/a/macysballoons.htm For a yummy pre-or post balloon meal hit up the nearby Shake Shack!
November 23 through 27, 2011
The Empire State Building will be lit red, orange and yellow in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 24, 2011-HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
Enjoy a feast! Check out a list of NYC Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving: Enjoy a feast! http://gonyc.about.com/od/thanksgivingdinner/New_York_City_Restaurants_Serving_Thanksgiving_Dinner.htm
These attractions are open on Thanksgiving:
Central Park Zoo
Circle Line 2 Hour Semi-Circle Cruise & 3 Hour Full Island Cruise
Ellis Island
Empire State Building
Madame Tussauds' Wax Museum
Statue of Liberty
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
Thanksgiving Day Marathon
If you want to get a jump on burning calories before the big meal, and don’t mind an early-morning schlep to the Bronx, then you can participate in the 2nd annual Thanksgiving Day Marathon! 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, details here: http://thethanksgivingmarathon.com/
Free Accidentals Concert (part of Target Free Thursdays Concert Series)
See the Accidentals perform a free concert in the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 8:30 p.m., free!
Friday November 25, 2011
Post-Thanksgiving Multiethnic Eating Tour
If you have any appetite left after too many turkey sandwiches, join Big Onion Walking Tours for a Post-Thanksgiving Multiethnic Eating Tour! From the Big Onion website, “This tour combines the history of the diverse Lower East Side with a series of small food sampling, or “noshing” stops from local shops and markets. The main focus of our tour is the history of the multi-ethnic Lower East Side emphasizing the neighborhoods of the Jewish East Side, Little Italy and Chinatown.”
“During the course of our walk we will sample about 10 different items, representing the Dominican, Jewish, Italian & Chinese communities of the Lower East Side. Most of these items are vegetarian or dairy. All food sampling will be done outdoors and we do not include restaurants on our tour. Our “noshing” tour uses the markets and shops to highlight the history and this walk should not be considered a meal.” PLEASE NOTE THAT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!
The Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour costs $5 per person additional. This covers the cost of all food samples.
TO RESERVE: Please email us at info@bigonion.com. Please include your name, date you wish to attend, number of people in your party. We will confirm via email.
Post-Thanksgiving Multiethnic Eating Tour
If you have any appetite left after too many turkey sandwiches, join Big Onion Walking Tours for a Post-Thanksgiving Multiethnic Eating Tour! From the Big Onion website, “This tour combines the history of the diverse Lower East Side with a series of small food sampling, or “noshing” stops from local shops and markets. The main focus of our tour is the history of the multi-ethnic Lower East Side emphasizing the neighborhoods of the Jewish East Side, Little Italy and Chinatown.”
“During the course of our walk we will sample about 10 different items, representing the Dominican, Jewish, Italian & Chinese communities of the Lower East Side. Most of these items are vegetarian or dairy. All food sampling will be done outdoors and we do not include restaurants on our tour. Our “noshing” tour uses the markets & shops to highlight the history and this walk should not be considered a meal.” PLEASE NOTE THAT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!
The Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour costs $5 per person additional. This covers the cost of all food samples.
TO RESERVE: Please email us at info@bigonion.com. Please include your name, date you wish to attend, number of people in your party. We will confirm via email.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Evacuation Day Walking Tour
Fraunces Tavern Museum is holding an Evacuation Day Walking Tour. From the museum website, “New York City had been the main base for the British for over 7 years of war. On November 25th, 1783, they filed onto their ships to leave for good; the War for Independence was finally over. Led by licensed New York City Tour Guide, Fred Cookinham, you will follow in the footsteps of General Washington & his troops as they entered New York in triumph. Picture Fraunces Tavern and the surrounding neighborhood as it looked over 200 chosen to be on?” Cost: $20 /$15 for Museum members. Tickets in advance are required years ago. See where the Liberty Boys challenged the Redcoats on their own parade ground. Learn about the people of New York & what it was like for them to be caught up in a revolution. Which side you have taken? The tour runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is $20 for non-museum-members, and $15 for would museum members, and may be purchased and may be purchased here: http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/mus_cal.html
Don't forget MOMA is free on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.! http://www.moma.org/visit/plan/#hours