Thinking of spending your Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans? You should!
Aside from the fact that there are tons of things to do in New Orleans in the fall, there are also lots of events happening specifically on Thanksgiving weekend that will give you the true NOLA experience.
Maybe you want to bring your entire family together somewhere new. Or maybe you have kids at Loyola, Tulane, or another area school who don’t want to travel for the holiday, but instead want to give you a taste of their life away from home.
Whether the purpose of your visit is to explore NOLA or just spend time with loved ones for the holidays, New Orleans is a great place to spend the Thanksgiving weekend.
To make your planning easier, we’re sharing some of the best restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner, our favorite quintessential NOLA Thanksgiving events, and some of our favorite homes for large groups, perfect for your holiday celebration.
Things to Do on Thanksgiving in New Orleans
Of course, it’s always fun to explore the French Quarter, experience NOLA’s fantastic food scene, visit our museums, and indulge in beignets any time of the year. But there are also special events on Thanksgiving weekend that’ll give you an extra taste of living like a local.
Bayou Classic
What was once just a heated rivalry between Grambling State and Southern University has evolved into a multi-day event culminating in a much-anticipated game between the two schools. The rivalry itself goes back 40 years, resulting in some intense excitement from everyone who takes part in the Bayou Classic.
On Thanksgiving Day at 3 p.m., the Bayou Classic Parade will roll through downtown, starting at the Superdome. Then on Friday night, grab a ticket to the exciting Battle of the Bands event in the stadium. On Saturday, November 30, 2024, it’s time for the main event. The game itself starts at 1 P.M., but there’s lots of fun to be had all day long.
Horse Races at the Fair Grounds
It’s a New Orleans tradition to spend Thanksgiving at the track at the Fair Grounds. This year, the 100th Annual Thanksgiving Classic will kick off the racing season. During the derby, it’s so much fun to get all dolled up (think Kentucky Derby style), grab a mint julep, and place your bets on your favorite horse.
Human Horse Races
Only in New Orleans! This year’s 5th Annual Human Horse Race (yes, you got that right – human horse race) kicks off on November 28, 2024, from 11 – 3 P.M. at Easton Park in Mid-City. You’ve never seen anything like this – the riders in this event hop up onto the backs of humans in horse costumes and ride them piggyback in each race.
The Human Horse Races are all in good fun – this silly event is meant to raise money and awareness for local animal and wildlife rescue initiatives. There’s live music, food, and beverages, and you can purchase betting tokens to place bets on the “horse” you think will win.
Turkey Day Run
If you’re a runner, you might want to spend your Thanksgiving in New Orleans doing a turkey trot. Burn off the turkey dinner calories before your meal by registering for the NOAC Turkey Day Race in City Park. The event, which has been going on for over a century, offers registrants the chance to run or walk five miles. They also have a half-mile kids’ fun run for the little ones.
Sporting Events
If your family loves to watch football on Thanksgiving, all you need to do is cozy up in the spacious living room of one of our NOLA vacation rentals. (Some of our favorite large homes are below.)
But if being out with the crowd is more your style, consider grabbing a stool in a local sports bar to cheer on your team. Some options are The Bulldog, Coach’s Corner, Hurricane’s Sports Bar and Grill, or Walk-On’s, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from.
Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in New Orleans
Sometimes when you’re traveling for the holidays, the last thing you want to do is worry about cooking a huge meal. (If you do, the fully equipped kitchens in our vacation rentals make cooking for large groups a breeze.)
Many restaurants in New Orleans are open on Thanksgiving and offer dine-in or take-out options, so you can kick back and relax with family and friends while someone else does all the cooking. Always make sure to call ahead to ensure your restaurant of choice is open, and make reservations for your group if that’s an option.
Here are some New Orleans restaurants that are open for Thanksgiving 2024 and taking reservations.
Central Business District
- Chophouse New Orleans | Steakhouse
- Luke | French
- Domenica | Italian
- Restaurant Agust | Contemporary French/American
- Chemin a la Mer | Creole
- Seaworthy | Seafood
- The Grill Room
- King Brasserie & Bar | French
- Trenasse | Seafood
French Quarter
- Palace Cafe | French American
- Bourbon House | Seafood
- Tableau | Creole/Cajun/Southern
- Tujague’s | Creole/Cajun/Southern
- Broussard’s Restaurant | Creole
- Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse | Steakhouse
- The Italian Barrel | Italian
- Fogo de Chao | Brazilian
- Kingfish | Creole/Cajun/Southern
- New Orleans Creole Cookery | Creole/Cajun/Southern
- M Bistro | Contemporary American
- Landry’s Seafood House | Seafood
- The Rib Room | Steakhouse
- Curio | Contemporary American
- Hard Rock Cafe | American
Other Neighborhoods
- Briquette | Seafood | Warehouse District
- Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ | Japanese | Warehouse District
- Tommy’s Cuisine | Italian | Warehouse District
- Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern | Creole/Cajun/Southern | Warehouse District
- Jack Rose | Creole | Lower Garden District
- Lula | Contemporary Southern | Lower Garden District
- GAIA Steakhouse | Steakhouse | Lower Garden District
- The Country Club | Creole/Cajun/Southern | Bywater
- Fleming’s Steakhouse | Steakhouse | Metairie
- Ruth’s Chris | Steakhouse | Metairie
- A Tavola | Italian | Metairie
You can also arrange catering to enjoy at home in your vacation rental. If you’re staying with us in a Book NOLA property, we’re happy to make recommendations!
Where to Stay in New Orleans for Thanksgiving: Our Favorite Large NOLA Homes for Holiday Gatherings
If you’re bringing the whole family together for the holidays – whether Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other – you’ll need a large home that can comfortably accommodate everyone. If the home is centrally located close to all of the city’s main attractions, even better.
Here are a few of the best large vacation rentals in New Orleans — and we’re proud to say they’re all in our Book NOLA portfolio. Each has super comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchens, high-quality linens and towels, toilet paper, paper towels – the works. All you need to do is check in.
Take a peek and choose your favorite.
Gorgeous Home Near Streetcar
Location | Mid-City
Bedrooms | 4
Bathrooms | 3
Sleeps | 8
Beds | Q, Q, Q, Q
This spacious duplex comes complete with a private gated pool with lounge chairs, pool toys, and towels for the ultimate relaxing vacation experience. Each beautifully appointed bedroom has a comfy Queen bed, the modern kitchen has a large kitchen island and stainless steel appliances for cooking holiday meals, and the living space hosts a cozy sectional sofa perfect for gathering.
House of Vibes
Location | Mid-City
Bedrooms | 5
Bathrooms | 3
Sleeps | 10
Beds | K, K, K, Q, T, T
Experience luxury living in this eco-friendly, newly renovated home in the heart of Mid-City. With parking for 3 vehicles and a huge backyard for enjoying peaceful evenings, this home is perfect for group trips and family gatherings. Enjoy a 10-minute walk to the Superdome or downtown, a quick 5-minute drive to the French Quarter, and a 5-minute walk to the Streetcar and other popular NOLA destinations. Relax in the spacious backyard with seating for 10 and enjoy the beautiful property.
Modern Mid-City Maison
Location | Mid-City
Bedrooms | 5
Bathrooms | 3.5
Sleeps | 10
Beds | K, K, K, K, T, T
Newly built, centrally located, and just a 5-minute walk from the streetcar, this home makes it super convenient to explore the French Quarter and downtown on your holiday weekend. If you’re cooking for the holiday, you’ll love the incredibly beautiful open kitchen with seating for ten. After dinner, relax on the huge comfy sectional and watch the game on the Smart TV or play a round of cornhole in the private grassy backyard.
Bywater Bungalow
Location | Bywater
Bedrooms | 5
Bathrooms | 3
Sleeps | 10
Beds | Q, Q, Q, Q, Q
The spacious, open layout of this Bywater bungalow is just perfect for groups who want plenty of privacy and lots of space to spread out. With multiple large living spaces, there’s no way to feel cramped, and the formal dining room hosts an eight-seat round table ideal for conversation with your favorites. You’ll love the beautiful architectural details like stained glass windows and a bedroom fireplace, the comfortable beds, and the inviting backyard deck with seating.
Mid-City Muse
Location | Mid-City
Bedrooms | 5
Bathrooms | 5
Sleeps | 15
Beds | Q, F, Q, F, Q, F, Q, Q,
At this Mid-City gem, the highlight of your holiday might just be napping on a lounge chair by the pool, unwinding in the hot tub, having conversations by the fire table, or gathering at the outdoor bar. You’re just minutes from the French Quarter and one block from Whole Foods, making it easy to grocery shop. When it’s time to dine, you’ll love the large eat-in kitchen table with ample bench seating. There’s also plenty of easy free street parking. With other large units available on the same property, this is a great option for large groups traveling together.
Stay with Book NOLA for Your Thanksgiving in New Orleans
Spending Thanksgiving in New Orleans with your favorites – what could be better than that?
If you travel to NOLA for Turkey Day, we hope you’ll stay with us at Book NOLA. There’s nothing quite like staying in a home for the holidays.
And with all the extras we provide, like high-quality linens and towels, toilet paper and paper towels, etc., you don’t have to pack nearly as much or worry about a thing. Simply grab your bags and prepare for an amazing holiday with your favorites in NOLA.
Browse our Book NOLA properties to find the New Orleans vacation rental that’s perfect for you.
We can’t wait to host you in NOLA!