November · New York City
November is when NYC pivots to holiday mode. The Rockefeller Center tree goes up at Thanksgiving. The store windows start their elaborate holiday displays. The first ice skaters return to Wollman Rink. It's the last month of bearable outdoor weather before winter. And Thanksgiving — with the Macy's Parade and turkey-fueled sports-watching — is a uniquely American NYC holiday.
**The weather:** Average high 54°F, low 41°F. First frost typically mid-November. Winter coats come out by month's end.
**What locals do:** - **Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thursday morning)** — giant balloons, floats, and Santa Claus's arrival down 6th Avenue and Broadway. Get there by 7am for a good spot. Or watch the balloon inflation on Wednesday night (upper West Side, around 77th-81st between Central Park West and Columbus) — locals think it's better than the parade itself. - **New York City Marathon (first Sunday in November)** — 50,000 runners through all five boroughs. Spectating is more fun than running; First Avenue in Manhattan (mile 17) is the legendary cheering spot. - **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives** — the tree is raised mid-November and lit the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. - **Holiday shopping begins** — Bergdorf's, Saks, and Macy's unveil their holiday windows the Monday of Thanksgiving week. - **Union Square Holiday Market opens** — outdoor vendors with crafts, gifts, food. - **Broadway holiday shows** — A Christmas Carol, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Rockettes. - **Nov 11 Veterans Day Parade** on 5th Avenue.
**What to eat in November:** - **Thanksgiving dinner** — book a restaurant if you're in town (or attempt the massive turkey prix-fixe at the Russian Tea Room, Keens, or Delmonico's) - **Hot chocolate season begins** — L.A. Burdick, MarieBelle, Jacques Torres - **Apple pie at the Little Pie Company** - **Oysters are at their peak** — seafood restaurants shine
**Best for:** Thanksgiving travelers, holiday shoppers, marathon spectators or runners, photographers.
**Local tip:** The best time to see the Rockefeller tree is 6am on any weekday — zero crowds, and you can walk right up to it for photos. By 10am it's packed all day and night.