Thanksgiving weekend can be a great time to share, give thanks, stuff your face, and be together as a family. But don’t go crazy staring each other in the face, get out of the house with these great family style day trips that will jump start your holiday season proto.

Under 1 Hour

Old Bethpage Village 1863 Thanksgiving Celebration

Distance from Queens: 40 minutes

See a recreated 19th century village and enjoy the sights and smells of an old-fashioned thanksgiving, as wood burning stoves, and hearths are used to prepare foods and baked goods made from 19th century recipes. Each afternoon, historical music will be played, while children’s stories are read several times each day. $10, adults $ 7, ages 5-12 and 60+

When: Saturday & Sunday from 10 – 4pm

Where: Old Bethpage Village Restoration  1303 Round Swamp Road , Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516 572 8400

Winter at Flatbush Farm

Distance from Queens: 25 minutes

Kids can learn how to make candles, start a patchwork quilt, and preserve food for the coming months a the Flatbush Farm. Watch flax be spun into thread and enjoy Dutch treats made at an open hearth from a Lefferts family recipe. On Sunday, November 27, St. Nicholas will make an appearance at 3 pm.

When: November 26 & 27, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where: Lefferts Historic House is located at the Children’s Corner, inside the Park’s Willink Entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush and Ocean Avenues and Empire Boulevard

Under 2 Hours

Mohonk Mountain House

Distance from Queens:  1.5 hours

Hiking trails, seasonal ice skating, buffet lunch by a fire, tea and cookies and more await you at the scenic Mohonk Mountain House includes your day passes to $25 for adults $20 for children.

When: All Weekend long

Where: Mohonk Mountain House , New Paltz, NY

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place  

Distance from Queens: 1 hour 40 minutes

Sesame Place will be open this holiday season to celebrate A Very Furry Christmas! More than 300 Christmas trees will decorate Sesame Place and they will feature 3 special Christmas shows, awesome music and twinkling lights all around.  When the sun goes down kids can enjoy an  illuminated Neighborhood Street Party Parade, a special Christmas menu & a visit with Santa.

When: Friday, November 25-27th

Where: Sesame Place

The Crayola Factory

Distance from Queens: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

Located in Easton Pennsylvania, visitors enter a world of discovery as they experience more than a dozen hands-on activities as well as learn how Crayola Crayons and Markers are made. This is not the real manufacturing plant but it is a colorful and interesting visitor center that allows children of all ages to unleash their creative spirit.

When: All Weekend Long

Where: Crayola Factory - 30 Centre Square, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042  (610) 515-8000

Coco Key Indoor Water Park

Distance from Queens: 1hour 50 minutes

50,000 ft of indoor water park awaits you at the Coco Key Indoor Water Park. Families can purchase a weekend day pass for $20 per person.

When: All Weekend Long

Where: Coco Key Resort-  3580 East Main Street Waterbury, Connecticut 06705

Under 3 Hours

Montauk’s Starbright Holiday Lighting Weekend

Distance from Queens: 2.5 Hours

Lighting of the Gazebo and Downtown trees Friday, Judges review of the Best Decorated Montauk Store Front with prizes. Some fun for the kids to be announced! A joyous start to the Holiday Season! Montauk Library Holiday Book Sale This is the libraries Winter Book Sale and takes place on the lower level of the library on Montauk Hwy. just east of town

When: When: Friday, November 25 – 26^th

Where: Downtown Montauk

Tree Lighting, Cider Demos, Santa on a Tugboat, and Tree Lighting in Mystic Connecticut  

Distance from Queens: 2.5 Hours

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides at Blue Slope Country Museum , Santa and Mrs. Claus at Olde Mistick Village , Cider Demonstrationos and more are all going on in Mystic this weekend. Enjoy a classic New England experience in this quaint little town.

When: All Weekend

Where: Mystic CT