Posted by: If you're out and about, some parks, natural areas, restaurants, attractions, lights displays and shopping plazas are open for fun, entertainment and food on Thanksgiving Day in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Maybe you want to take your relatives on a day trip to the next county. You will find lots of sights to see and things to do that are free or relatively inexpensive.
If you want to eat out, there are many restaurants open Thanksgiving Day or perhaps you would prefer to order your Thanksgiving dinner prepared to eat at home, rather than cook or eat out. If your family needs help with food, there areplaces that are giving away Thanksgiving food free.
Things To Do Thanksgiving Day 2024
Dining
A variety of restaurants in South Florida offer dine-in or takeout options.
Holiday Entertainment
Parade in Dade
For entertainment, attractions and holiday lights displays are poised to delight. Lots are free. Popular free events include WinterNational Thanksgiving Day Parade is 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day with a route from Northeast 6th Avenue along 125th Street to Northeast 12th Avenue, North Miami 33161, with floats, dancers & music.
Lights & holiday displays
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Lights and holiday displays are featured at Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33316. Entry is free. Parking fees at Fort Lauderdale beach are usually $4 an hour. A highlight of the displays is Olas, a snappy beach snowman.
Olas the Beach Snowman at a previous event. Photo/Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
The waterfront Riverwalk promenade is decorated for the holidays with lights and bows and lovely for leisurely walk. Entry is free. Parking is about $3 an hour.
Drive-thru lights at Tradewinds Park
Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Tradewinds Park in North Broward is $28 per vehicle, and $60 for buses and vehicles with 15 or more people. Register for emails for discount opportunities.
Tradewinds Park is at 3600 W. Sample Road; enter on the northern side of the park. For information about the park, dial 954-357-8870 or visit the website.
Shopping
Shoppers are able to browse vendors at Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop flea market, 954-791-7927, is at 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33311. The venue includes a Ferrari display.
Ride a train
Tri-Rail offers $5 all-day rates holidays and weekends. The railroad runs from Miami-Dade to West Palm Beach with stops in Broward. Information about Tri-Rail, including routes and shuttles to and from stations, call 954-783-6030 or 800-874-7245 Feature: Tri-Rail offers $5 fares on weekends.
Photo/Tri-Rail
Attractions
Several popular attractions are open.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, 305-667-1651, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables 33156, fees are about $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $16 for students, $12 for ages 3-11
- Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 33132, 305-434-9600, regular fees are about $30 for adults and $25 for youth, website
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami. It's open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thanksgiving, with entry by 2 p.m. required, 305-251-0400, regular entry is $25.95 for ages 13 and older and $21.95 for ages 3 to 12. Tax is extra. Discounts are offered for seniors, military and teachers with ID.
- Fair at Margate November 22-December 8, includes rides, entertainment. Entry fee is $5 to $10. Unlimited ride tickets are about $40 – $45. Deals are featured on the website.
Photo/Sunrise Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation
Lots of local and regional parks are open. Phone the park you're interested in to inquire if it's open. Entry is usually relatively inexpensive or free.
Deerfield Arboretum, 2841 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach 33442, features trees from around the globe. Entry and parking are free.
Palm Beach County Parks most are open Thanksgiving, with free entry. Some indoor facilities and amenities may not be open
Broward Parks Some natural areas and other venues are always free. For others, especially regional parks, weekend & holiday entry fees are $3 per vehicle with up to 8 people
Miami Dade Parks
AllGolf mini golf in Pembroke Pines, 950 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines 33028, 954-441-1333, fees are $13 for 18 holes & $15 for 36 holes
Dania Bowlero, 1841 Way Pointe Place, Dania, website, 954-374-1935
Manor Lanes Bowling, 1517 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors 33305, website, 954-566-7457
Riverbend Park. Photo/ Palm Beach County Parks
Admire Art
Delray Beach
Delray Art Trail offers a website that includes information about outdoor sculptures and other public art displays in the downtown area
Downtown Hollywood
Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 45 murals on buildings and sidewalks in easy walkable route. Information about the artwork and artists is online
Photo/Downtown Delray Beach
To keep up with latest news, sign up for the daily South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on Facebook and Instagra
Free and cheap things to do Thanksgiving weekend
Miami on the Cheap is a member of 