From chef-made meals to miles of parade fun, this Thanksgiving has the potential to be the most wonderful yet. Whether you and your loved ones choose to partake in a cruise, attend a parade, or enjoy a chef-made meal, don’t miss out on the best that Chicago-area dining and entertainment has to offer with the help of our official list of Thanksgiving experiences.
Leave Your Meal to the Professionals: Dine In and Takeaway Specials
Oaken Bar & Bistro is doing all the holiday cooking prep work so you don’t have to. This year, Oaken Bistro & Bar is offering a chef-crafted prixe fixe meal package available beginning November 19-28. Developed by Chef Kristen Burman, this mouthwatering menu consists of a Green Bean Casserole, House-Made Cranberry Sauce, and Oven Roasted Green Circle Turkey as the star of the dinner plate. The prix fixe package is available for both dine-in and carry out, and is $50 per person, and $30 for children 10 and under. Reservations are required for dinner service.For more information, or to book a reservation, please visit www.oakenbistro.com.
Every rose has its thorn, and so it’s only fitting that the Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare is home to the Thorn Restaurant & Lounge that will be offering a special, limited-time burger for the holiday festivities. From 11:00AM-10:00PM on Thanksgiving Day, customers who wish to dine in or take out can sink their teeth into a delicious mushroom and turkey burger topped with sage stuffing, cranberry sauce and garlic aioli on a potato bun, served with the Thorn’s signature shoestring fries. For more information please visit www.thornrestaurant.com.
If your family is spending their holiday in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area this Thanksgiving, then consider giving the eclectic and Norwegian-inspired Eldr+Rime a try. The independently-designed chef-driven restaurant is offering a Thanksgiving Family Feast To Go featuring dry brined turkey and gravy, sourdough stuffing, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, green bean au gratin, and roasted brussels sprouts with your choice of pumpkin pie, pecan pie or apple pie for dessert. The Family Feast serves four and costs $140 for a memorable meal you can enjoy anywhere. All orders are available for pick up from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information visit www.eldrandrime.com
Located inside the beautiful, brand-new Sable Hotel at Navy Pier, Lírica is a breathtaking achievement in both dining and scenic beauty. With views of stunning Lake Michigan paired with a Latin and Iberian-inspired menu, you can’t go wrong with booking a reservation at one of the most interesting lake view dining spots in Chicago. For more information, please visit www.liricarestaurant.com.
Make Your Thanksgiving an Experience with Unique Activities and Charitable Drives
Spend your holiday with City Cruises Chicago for a unique holiday Thanksgiving lunch cruise! City Cruises Chicago is offering three different Lunch Cruise options. The first, is the Thanksgiving Day Afternoon Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan – Navy Pier, which features a two-hour cruise, paired with a delicious buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts with fantastic views of the Chicago Skyline and music provided from the onboard DJ. The second cruise option is the Thanksgiving Day Premier Afternoon Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan- Navy Pier, which includes a plated lunch with a choice of entrée including turkey dinner, broiled salmon filet with roasted tomato vinaigrette, or fall vegetable ragu. On this two-hour cruise guests can purchase drinks for the onboard bar and reserve window tables for 5-star views! The third and final package is the Thanksgiving Day Premier Afternoon Lunch Cruise on the Chicago River – Cityfront Plaza Dr., which boasts two hours of fantastic meals, music, and stunning views of Chicago’s architecture while cruising along the Chicago River. All City Cruises experiences board at 2 p.m. and depart at 2:30 p.m. with an arrival back at port at 4:30 p.m. All details are taken care of by city cruises. For more information or to book a cruise, please visit www.cityexperiences.com!
The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is back and better than ever this year! This year marks the iconic parade’s 87thyear. This Thanksgiving, the parade will start at 8 a.m. on the corner of State Street and Ida B. Wells Dr., and will travel north on State Street to Randolph, concluding at 11 a.m. Featuring hundreds of talented performers and beloved mascots Teddy Turkey and Santa Claus, visitors can kick off the holiday season with a visit to the legendary Thanksgiving Day Parade. For more information, please visit www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com.
Thanksgiving is all about the pie! For the non-bakers of the family, reserve your pumpkin pie-shaped balloons! Luft Balloons is offering Thanksgiving-themed balloons perfect for any celebration. Reserve yours today by visiting their website. Balloons are available for pick up Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a time for giving, and that means that it’s time for Jet’s Pizza’s 2nd Annual Winter Drive. Select locations across Chicagoland are inviting customers to donate new or gently used scarves, hats, gloves and fresh socks to benefit Chicago Youth Programs. In return for participating, donors will receive one small, 1-topping pizza free of charge. Running from November 1-30, customers can donate and receive their pizza.
This season, Roseland Community hospital is inviting all companies looking to give back and get involved to participate in the hospital’s wish list which includes Educational Seminars, Team Morale efforts, Fundraising, and Beautifying the hospital, as well as donate to their upcoming holiday events which include their inaugural Turkey Drive on November 20 where they have partnered with Hope x Rope to donate 200 turkeys to families across the greater community. The drive will be on a first come basis and turkeys are not guaranteed for every registration. Monetary donations are also very welcome for those interested in sponsoring a dinner for a family this year. Those looking to register for the Turkey Drive or to learn more, please visit https://www.roselandhospitaltalks.org/event-details/turkey-drive.
Make Your Thanksgiving Cozy with a Breathtaking Staycation
This holiday season, gift the opportunity to experience Chicago’s most iconic destinations like never before with Sable at Navy Pier, the first and only hotel on Navy Pier, and Lirica Restaurant. For a limited time only, patrons can enjoy a complimentary $25 bonus gift card for every $100 gift card purchase at Sable and Lirica. These sales are for a limited time only, running now and valid through December 31, 2021
Locals and out of towners alike looking to extend their Thanksgiving weekend are also welcome to enjoy an exclusive Flash Sale at Sable, going on from Thanksgiving Thursday 11/25 through Tuesday 11/30. During this time, guests will enjoy $50 off per night with discounted rates starting at $129, when booking here.
This Thanksgiving, guests are invited to immerse themselves in nature at Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook’s most unique hotel located by beautiful lakes, streams, and wooded trails. Residing on acres of forest preserve and sitting waterside to a scenic lake, Hyatt Lodge is ideal for those looking to retreat to secluded tranquility. The Hyatt Lodge’s Water’s Edge and Hearth Lounge will both be open on Thanksgiving, offering innovative salads, classic sandwiches, soups, and entrees in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. For more information, visit their website.
