Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 24. It’s a wonderful day for families and friends to get together to enjoy food and fun while giving thanks. But the day after the holiday is a great day to spend time with loved ones, too! Browse our list of 10 things to do the Friday after Thanksgiving on Staten Island and nearby. And check out even more events on our calendar to enjoy family fun after Thanksgiving and all year long!
Things to Do the Friday After Thanksgiving on Staten Island and Nearby
Book a Ride on a Polar Express Train
Now’s a great time to book a holiday train or polar express ride for the Friday after Thanksgiving. These whimsical train or trolley rides are located throughout the metro area. And, they’re perfect for putting your family into the spirit of the holiday season. It’s an experience sure to delight kids—and adults!—of all ages.
Go Ice Skating
Get out those skates from last year, and hit the ice! Head to one of the many ice-skating rinks on Staten Island and throughout the metro where families can enjoy this graceful activity that is signature of the season. (BONUS: Ice skating is a great way to work off all that extra stuffing and pumpkin pie from the night before!)
Visit a Retro Arcade
Black Friday is a great day for playing games! Put a unique spin on classic family game time by embracing your inner 80s child at a really cool retro arcade. There are so many of these fun vintage arcades located throughout Staten Island and New Jersey. Your kids will get a kick out of you reminiscing about Pac-Man, his wife Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and all your favorite game-time characters of yesteryear.
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Visit the New Titanic Exhibit
Learn about the passengers, heroes and heart-breaking history of the most famous shipwreck of all time at the NYC debut of Titanic: The Exhibition, which opened this month in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The exhibit provides a great all-ages opportunity for both children and adults to learn about the legendary ship, which sank in the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912.
Volunteer
The holiday season is a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. There are many ways to give back to the community and plenty of Staten Island volunteer opportunities this year. You can donate to toy and coat drives, deliver meals to seniors collect food for a local food pantry, and so much more.
Head to the NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Another great activity to enjoy the Friday after Thanksgiving on Staten Island is the winter lantern festival at SIUH Community Park! Wander through a world inspired by Chinese myths and legends at this beautiful and bright festive experience. The festival’s theme this year is “Journey to the East” and features more than 1,000 illuminated displays of hand-made Chinese lanterns.
See Animals at the Liberty Science Center
The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, is known for its impressive science exhibits, but many Staten Islanders would be surprised to find out it’s also home to some cool animal creatures! See a rose-hair tarantula, chinchilla, naked mole rat, tamarin monkeys and lots of other fun animal friends sure to make your and your kids smile.
Explore Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Haven’t been to Snug in a while? The day after Thanksgiving is a great time to reconnect with this cultural hotspot on Staten Island. Set on a sprawling 83-acre campus,Snug Harbor is dotted with trees, gardens, museums–including the Staten Island Children’s Museum—historic architecture and so much more for families to enjoy.
Buy Nothing Day
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve will hold a two-day event where you can make some unique holiday gifts using recycled materials. Create a candle holder from cans, wind chimes from straws, or picture frames from tissue boxes. The ideas are endless!
Or…Buy Something Day!
And of course, there’s nothing like a trip to a local mall the day after Thanksgiving. Between sales, beautiful decorations and lots of crowds, there’s always the classic activity: shopping on Black Friday. From the Empire Outlets on Staten Island to Menlo Park in NJ, there are many local places where you can start—or complete—your holiday shopping.
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