5 things to do on Thanksgiving in Atlanta

For many, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a roasted turkey and a dinner table surrounded by friends and family. For others, Thanksgiving can be more than just dinner.

Here are five ways you can add a twist to you classic holiday activities:

1. Volunteer with your kids

Giving back to the community is a great way for families to express humility and bond with others in need this Thanksgiving. There are plenty of organizations in metro Atlanta that are still looking for volunteers.

If you can’t find a place to volunteer on turkey day, donating your time doesn’t have to be a holiday-only activity. There are several opportunities to volunteer in metro Atlanta during the entire year.

2. Forget the turkey and dine out

Tired of stressing yourself out cooking Thanksgiving dinner every year? This year, let someone else do the work for a change. Many metro Atlanta restaurants will be closed this Thanksgiving, but there are some that will be open. Note that some restaurants require a reservation, so be sure to call ahead.

3. Show your out-of-town friends the best of Atlanta

Hosting out-of-towners over the holiday weekend? Show them that there’s more to Atlanta than meets the eye. Take them on a tour of Ponce City Market, the Atlanta BeltLine, the Georgia Aquarium or under-the-radar Atlanta hotspots.

4. Go Black Friday shopping

If you’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving dinner and want to get moving, you can count shopping as a type of cardio. Black Friday seems to start earlier and earlier every year.

Holiday hours for Thanksgiving, Black Friday at metro Atlanta malls:

5. Take a hike

If you're looking to burn a few calories after Thanksgiving dinner, nothing is better than taking a hike up one of Georgia's outdoor trails. And the weather is more than agreeable for a brisk holiday hike. Read more of the Atlanta weather forecast for Thanksgiving Day here.