Episode Two: The Holiday Kick-Off on Long Island

Thanksgiving is upon us and Long Island has an endless array of opportunities from celebrity-studded brunches to beachy escapes to make your holiday stress-free and even more memorable.

This year the Garden City Hotel is serving up a Thanksgiving Brunch by Celebrity Chef David Burke in the Grand Ballroom with unlimited champagne, chilled seafood towers, carving stations, traditional sides, dessert bars and more. This exquisite brunch is the perfect fuel to kick-off your holiday shopping. Hunt for Black Friday deals at the nearby Roosevelt Field, Long Island’s premier shopping destination with over 250 stores, exclusive brands and over 40 eateries, or the Americana Manhasset, a collection of 60 luxury shops and boutiques on Long Island’s North Shore.

If it’s opulence you are looking for, why not dine at a mansion on Thanksgiving? The newly renovated Glen Cove Mansion will be hosting a Thanksgiving Feast in the ballroom that will transport you back to the roaring 20’s. New Chef Massiliano Muso from Italy will be serving up glitz and glamour with a perfectly roasted Vermont Turkey, Filet Mignon, traditional stuffing, seasonal vegetables and more for a dinner experience that is unlike anything this decade has seen. After dinner, walk around with friends and family to enjoy the late fall colors of the sprawling estate while sipping on a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or apple cider spritz.

Looking for a home-away-from-home experience? Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa has you covered with its Gather at Gurney’s package. From November 1-30, 2019, guests who book a cottage, residence, or two-bedroom suite will enjoy a holiday feast in the comfort of their own room. The dinner will feature traditional festive dishes by the resort's executive chef, including whole roasted turkey carved table-side with stuffing and other seasonal favorites.

For Thanksgiving Day, guests can watch the annual Macy's Parade and football on the big screen in The Regent Cocktail Club. That night, Gurney’s will host a Thanksgiving Dinner spread that includes a salad bar, artisan cheese and charcuterie, chilled seafood, whole turkey and prime rib carving station, as well additional main items including salmon, roasted chicken, confit duck leg, stuffing, sweet potatoes, kids station, desserts, and chocolate fountain. Across the resort, guests can kick off the holiday weekend with a family movie night, live music and beach bonfires for stargazing and s’mores. The day after Thanksgiving, the property will celebrate the lead up to Christmas with gingerbread house making and tree decorating.

Check out these adventures and more on News 12+ Discover Long Island. Head to www.discoverlongisland.com for everything to plan your upcoming visit and be sure to tag #discoverlongisland in your adventures.