Since many big sporting events take place on that Thursday as well, head to a local sports bar to cheer on your team. Work up an appetite at the annual Turkey Day Race at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. Place some bets and have some fun! A casino is also located on the property. The horse races at the Fair Grounds are a big draw on Thanksgiving day. For sweets, we love La Boulangerie, Levee Baking Co., Bywater Bakery, and Camellia Grill. Check out local grocery stores such as Rouse's and Langenstein's for other options as well.

There are plenty of places that offer Thanksgiving catering if you would rather eat on your own terms or if you are in town as someone's guest and want to contribute a dish. Be sure to place an order in advance as many places have deadlines. Some of our favorites include Brigtsen's, Mother's, Deanie's Seafood, Desi Vega's Steakhouse, Blue Oak BBQ, Central City BBQ, Cochon Butcher, Willa Jean (especially for pies) and you can't go wrong with a fried turkey from Popeye's. You will find a meal that will make you say, “Happy Thanksgiving, New Orleans.” Check with your hotel guide, concierge or cab driver for recommendations and call a few. Make sure you check ahead to see which restaurants are open and what the hours will be. Most hotels offer turkey dinners as well, so you’ll be sure to find a great meal somewhere in the city. Many of the city’s finest restaurants stay open for Thanksgiving dinners, so you can kick back with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company while someone else does all the cooking. No city cares more about good eating, after all. The best home away from home on this holiday is New Orleans. New Orleans holiday cooking is creative and delicious, making our Thanksgiving staples anything but ordinary. Traditional stuffing is tasty, but in New Orleans we add a little cornbread, Creole pork, oyster, shrimp, or crawfish. And if you find yourself craving the creation for future holiday meals, you’re in luck – many companies will ship turduckens nationwide. Take our word for it – take one bite and you’ll be hooked. Eclectic and excessive, this Cajun creation cooks a boneless chicken breast inside of a boneless duck breast inside of a turkey. But on a day devoted to eating as much delicious food as possible, why not go the extra mile in indulgence? Another option is the turducken – a legendary New Orleans Thanksgiving dish. We’ve even managed to jazz up the turkey, putting a New Orleans spin on the traditional holiday bird. After spending the holiday in New Orleans, you’ll walk away with at least one new dish to add to your traditional meal.

Louisiana thanksgiving day parade