10 Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend!

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If you have family in town or are spending the holiday with just a few close friends or immediate family, you may be looking for things to do around the Thanksgiving holiday!  Check out my list of 10 Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend.

This is a list of things to do where I am located, in central Oklahoma, but you can adapt it to wherever you are located.

Outdoor Ideas:

Once the turkey has been eaten and football has been watched, it’s nice to get out as a family and spend some quality time together.  Thanksgiving weekend doesn’t all have to be about the shopping or TV!  Here are a few outdoor ideas to get everyone off the couch. 😉

Head to Martin Nature Park

Walk the trails! If the weather is mild, getting outdoors is just about our favorite way to spend an afternoon. Even if you’re from central Oklahoma, you might have not heard of Martin Nature Park, located near Memorial Road on the north side of the city.

During the late fall you can still access the park and trails. Winter hours are 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are 2.5 miles of woodland trails, and a visitor center with live animals, nature learning library and restrooms.

If you have anyone in your party that needs accessible walkways, Martin Nature Park also includes an ADA Accessible INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Courage Trail. There is also a nature themed kids’ playground and picnic area. If you are thinking about an outdoor event, the pavillion can host 30 people and is available for a rental fee. (Book early!) See website for visitor’s center hours around holidays.

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum (closed Thanksgiving Day).  This is a unique idea if you have family in town who hasn’t yet seen the memorial first hand.  Outdoor memorial is free, indoors does require admission (listed below). Keep in mind due to social distancing, hours and mask policy may vary. See the museum website for more info.

Hours:

Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
The last ticket is sold daily at 5:00 p.m.
The Museum is closed Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

MUSEUM ADMISSION
Adult $15
Senior (62+) $12
Military $12
Student (6-17 or college student) $12
Children (5 and under) Free

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Take the family to the Oklahoma City Zoo! We love heading to the zoo as a family, especially if there are kids with our group and they are needing to use up some extra energy! There are quite a few extras you can add on for a special, holiday experience at the zoo.

• OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS features a larger-than-life light display showcasing over 59 wildlife themed light sculptures viewable on a driving tour through the Zoo. Feel the holiday cheer with animated light displays, festive treats, kids activities and weekend visits with Santa. Dates are November 6 & 7 6:30 – 11:00 p.m. and November 8 – January 9 5:30 – 11:00 p.m.
• The DINO SAFARI is now open and exhibit goes through January 9th! This is an add on to your admission and looks super fun and educational.
• Camel Rides! This was one of my favorite things about the OKC Zoo when I was a kid. It’s back, and for $6 you can take a ride on a camel. Ages 6 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Hours are 9:00am – 3:30pm and of course holiday hours may vary.

Oklahoma Railway Museum

Oklahoma Railway Museum- Admission is free and it’s a fun walk through museum in north Oklahoma City.  It is indoor/outdoor. They are also booking now for the Christmas Train with Santa for 2021! This event was cancelled in 2020 so if you haven’t yet had the chance to check out the Polar Express, click below to find out more.

If you’re interested, jump on this one, since it is already filling up fast. Click here to book.  Cost varies with your preferred package. Masks are required.

Walk the river and ride on the Bricktown Water Taxi. Pass is $11, and the water Taxi is open Thanksgiving weekend. Hours are 11 am-7 pm, so a nice thing to do before or after dinner.  Note- it’s breezy on the river, so be sure to bundle up!  Right now, enjoy the Bricktown Canal Lights!!

Take the family to view Holiday Christmas Lights–  This one is fun and often free, depending upon where you’re headed.  Some locations offer hot cocoa and snacks, but a frugal tip is to just bring your own bottled waters or stop for drinks ahead of time, and of course bring along some snacks or Christmas cookies!  Note- During popular hours, lines can be long.

In Central Oklahoma:

• Downtown in December [activities have specific times/admission prices]
• Yukon’s Christmas in the Park  [Free] from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night through New Year’s Eve.
• Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular [Free] Sunday through Thursday 6 – 10 p.m.  Friday and Saturday 6 -11 p.m.
• Chickasha Festival of Light [Free] Sunday -Thursday: 6pm – 10pm & Friday & Saturday: 6pm – 11pm

Head to Tulsa

The Philbrook Museum of Art is a gem even your family from Oklahoma may not have visited before! Right now, the Philbrook Festival goes from November 26th- December 31st! So enjoy thousands of lights, and special events for the family including a Lego Villiage, Make and take activities, Santa, food and drink, and so much more! Details here.  Admission $15/person and you can choose a day or evening event experience. 

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Ideas for Staying In:

Rent a Redbox Movie at have a Movie Night at home!  You don’t have to head out to theaters to catch a movie! Make homemade popcorn and rent a movie for everyone, or do separate adults and kids’ movies (extra fun for the kids if you have a second TV setup!)

Make Christmas Ornaments! This one will keep kids busy and can be done for minimal cost! Grab some craft supplies on your next Hobby Lobby trip and have a craft time at the kitchen table!  These Rustic Christmas Tree Ornaments are a fun family project.

Bake up some fall themed cookies- if you’re still hungry after Thanksgiving Dinner that is!  These Caramel Apple Cider Cookies travel well and make a nice treat to take along if you’re going to look at Christmas lights or take the family on any winter outing!