What to do with my mom on Thanksgiving in NYC?

I've got nothing on location, but the upper west/east sides will be far cheaper, and she'll probably like them far more than the hustle and bustle of midtown/herald Sq. While the parade is going on the subway is amazingly efficient, and empty, so transportation wise, just be aware that everything runs on a sunday schedule (more time between trains), and allocate more time accordingly. For food, a huge amount of restaurants do thanksgiving dinner, but you'll need to get reservations ASAP. You will be hardpressed to get a thanksgiving dinner at a decent place for under $50 total. Window shopping is always an option- walking up and down 5th Ave in the 50's is always a treat. Most Churches should have open hours during the holidays, and have listings of whatever choral perfomance is going on. Grace Church (right below union sq on 12th st) usually has a bunch of http://music.gracechurchnyc.org/Music_at_Grace_Church_in_New_York___Afternoon_Organ_Meditations.html that are quite gorgeous. (I've walked into then a few times; they are totally non religious- just an organist jamming.) Since your mother doesn't walk much, would she be amenable to you pushing her about in a wheelchair in a muesum? Taking the time to really look at some modern art at the Moma, would probably be pretty nice. I would recommend avoiding Union Sq due to the Holiday Market going on right now.

Not looking for >50 total for food, I meant per person, but that's flexible. Also, wheelchair is out. My mom just mostly doesn't like walking. It's a choice for her. She wouldn't be caught dead in a wheelchair. I have already considered the Holiday Market at Union Square. I went the other day, she might dig it, despite the crowds. She likes cheesy holiday crafts :) and I like the other non-cheesy stuff there (bags!). I would prefer to have her stay not uptown so far, as it will be a major boon to get to her, and I think she would feel weird and isolated. I'll check out church schedules for performaces. Do you have any recommendations? (I'll look at Grace, too). I was hoping that the fashion exhibit at Brooklyn Museum was still there, but it isn't. Does anyone know of any 'fashion through the ages' with actual dresses exhibits going on right now? I would look all this up myself, but I'm pretty much working straight until she gets here, hence the request for hive-mind help. Thanks so far!

Food: http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/the-sifty-fifty-thanksgiving-list/ Thanksgiving edition. Hotel: Hotel Chandler in Murray hill on the east side or the Hilton Garden Inn in Chelsea on the west side. I've put people in both and both are currently showing availability of under-$200 rooms.

We're trying to set up a http://irl.metafilter.com/247/Bah-Turkey but haven't picked a space yet.

http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2010/11/open_thanksgivi_2.php. A lot of the nicer, American or New American restaurants will charge over $50pp for Thanksgiving but http://www.backfortynyc.com/ looks like it's in your price range. Call ASAP to reserve. Hopefully they aren't booked solid. That would be my first choice from the Serious Eats list. If you can go a little bit higher, http://www.fivepointsrestaurant.com/ is also solid and $60pp. They are showing availability on OpenTable for 2 people at 5pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8pm right now (not sure when you wish to eat).

http://www.unionsquareinn.com/ might work. If you can get her to think of a common toilet as "fancy and European" then http://www.hotel17ny.com/ (sink in room) and the http://www.chelsealodge.com/ (sink and shower in room) are other places that I've heard good things about.

Activities and shows, etc. that are open on Christmas Day via Newyorkology.com. By which I meant Thanksgiving Day, of course. I also see that Balthazar is open on Thanksgiving Day with a choice of a roast turkey platter or a prix fixe. The platter is well within your price range. The atmosphere is that of a bustling brasserie. It is a little cramped and loud, but it's been in countless movies, which your mother might get a kick out of. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/dinersjournal/thanksgiving-menus/balthazar_tday.pdf. Call for reservations.

Take a look in the Wall St. area for hotels. Most of them cater to business travelers, and since it's a holiday, you may be able to score a last minute vacancy at a reasonable price. I've had a few people I work with stay at the http://eurostarswallstreet.com/ which is reasonably priced, and very well kept, though the rooms are small. A lot of my co-workers have also stayed at http://www.thepodhotel.com/index.php when they need cheap, last minute reservations. It is a shared bathroom situation, but it is clean, and they have indicators in your room, to let you know when the shower etc. is available. It isn't too hostelly. The Met has an excellent collection of clothing/costumes on display, so that might be a good place to check out. FIT also has a nice museum.

Walked by a bar on W 3rd street this morning that's advertising $25/pp prix fixe for Thanksgiving - the http://www.thehalfpint.com/. They tend to do solid pub food & I bet their turkey etc would be perfectly adequate. My only caution is that a lot of their seating is stools without backs which might not be great for this situation. If you're looking in that area I've known folks who have stayed happily in the Washington Square Hotel on the NW corner of the park; I think it's fairly reasonable by NYC standards.