Turkey and Who Dats: Thanksgiving in New Orleans!

Thanksgiving in New Orleans is the ideal opportunity to don a very fancy hat and celebrate what we’re thankful for with friends—which is hopefully a Saints win against the Atlanta Falcons!

There are endless ways to celebrate Turkey Day in the Crescent City. Some folks celebrate with a fairly traditional dinner—maybe with some collard greens, dirty rice, and Mirliton dressing—and others elect for a day at the Racetrack, followed by an evening at one of the many fantastic restaurants in town serving up a special Thanksgiving menu.

Read on for more ideas on how to celebrate this day of gratitude, family, food, and friends in New Orleans.

Tad Gormley Stadium, where the NOAC Turkey Day Race starts and concludes.

the new orleans athletic club’s turkey day race

Get a head-start on burning off Thanksgiving dinner with this casual race at City Park. Hosted by very pretty and historic gym, the New Orleans Athletic Club, the Turkey Day Race is a 5-Mile jaunt that starts and ends at Tad Gormley Stadium. Post-race refreshments are provided by Abita Beer and it’s a healthy way to start your Thanksgiving. Proceeds from the Turkey Day Race benefit Spina Bifida of Greater New Orleans.

Your Marketing Manager, truly, celebrating Thanksgiving at the Track with pals.

Opening Day at the Fair grounds race track

Not your grandpa’s day-at-the-races: The Fair Grounds on Thanksgiving Day is a see-and-be-seen affair for New Orleans artists, musicians, and general costume enthusiasts. Ensembles run the gamut from tame and equestrian-inspired furs and boots to full-on Mardi Gras test runs.

Tickets to this bohemian costume party at the Race Track are only $5 and cocktails + salty snacks are available from the very kind and patient concession stand workers inside.

save yourself from thanksgiving cooking

Many New Orleans restaurants offer a special Thanksgiving menu, which means you don’t have to do any dishes when you’re a lil’ wine drunk at 11pm on Thursday evening!

At Belle Époque, Chef Hayley Vanvleet will be serving a three-course meal, with the key course being a Thanksgiving Dinner en Papillote: turkey, fragrant herb stuffing, and roasted veggies all served in parchment and presented table-side with cranberry and gravy to accompany. The standard menu of Belle Époque epicurean delights will be available as well for those who are not on Team Turkey.

You can find a curated round-up of restaurants serving Thanksgiving menus here!