Cheap Chick Thanksgiving Guide

If you're like the Cheap Chick and will be around the city during the Thanksgiving holiday, don't despair, there are plenty of free and cheap things to do during the long weekend:

See the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons before the parade. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving you can see the balloons that have been blown up for the parade (for free!) on the Upper West Side between 77th and 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue from 3 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Look closely that night and you might see the Cheap Chick under the Shrek balloon!

Of course you can also watch the parade for free as well, just be sure to get there early before the crowds gather. The parade officially starts at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West.

At Canstruction, you can see sculptures created out of ordinary objects such as tuna cans, water bottles, and soup cans. The Cheap Chick highlights of this year's display included a panda bear with bamboo, Mr. Potato Head, and the head of Olympian Michael Phelps, complete with goggles. The event is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate a canned good that will go to someone in need. Canstruction is open through Thanksgiving (and beyond) and is located at the World Financial Garden with hours beginning at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Of course Herald Square, Union Square, and SoHo will be a madhouse on Black Friday so you can wait one day to check out Housing Works White Saturday sales, with free hot chocolate and cookies at all the thrift store locations. The sale lasts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all stores (here's a link to store locations: http://www.housingworks.org/locations)

Also, don't forget that volunteering is always free, think about contacting a church or other charitable organization about serving a Thanksgiving dinner to those less fortunate than yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Cheap Chick in the City! Look for the Cheap Chick NYC Holiday guide coming soon!