Although Boston’s top museums are closed on Thanksgiving Day, the long weekend is ideal for exploring cultural treasures.

• •◦Museum of Fine Arts: Features exhibitions on Winslow Homer, Monet, and Italian Renaissance art.
• •◦Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA): Showcases photography and multidisciplinary installations along Boston Harbor.

Just a 45-minute drive from Boston, Plymouth hosts immersive events at the site of the original Thanksgiving:

• Historical reenactments, including the Pilgrim Sabbath procession

• Indigenous remembrance ceremony at the Massasoit Statue on Cole’s Hill at noon on Thanksgiving Day

• Museum tours that bring early colonial history to life

Swap turkey for Peking duck at Red 8, where seasonal specials include whole and half ducks carved tableside (Wed–Fri). Pair your feast with dim sum, Cantonese BBQ, seafood, and house-made desserts.

Start Thanksgiving morning with the Franklin Park Turkey Trot, one of Boston’s largest races.

• •◦Location: Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse
• •◦Start: 9 a.m. | Bib Pickup: 7:30 a.m. Awards are given for the fastest runners, stroller racers, and even pups.

Boston is a shopper’s paradise during Thanksgiving weekend:

• •◦Faneuil Hall Marketplace for historic charm
• •◦Copley Place for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Versace
• •◦Newbury Street for a scenic, walkable retail experience

Catch the Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers on Black Friday (Nov. 28) at 1 p.m. at TD Garden, then return for additional home games on Nov. 29 (Detroit Red Wings) and Dec. 4 (St. Louis Blues).

The SoWa Winter Festival opens the day after Thanksgiving with 100+ local vendors, food trucks, and festive shopping. It runs throughout December (closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day).

For a quintessential New England experience, head to Appleton Farms in Ipswich for the Myopia Hunt, an age-old fox hunting tradition with formal attire, scenic trails, and expert guides. Hours are 10 a.m.–1 p.m.