Ways to get out of the house this Thanksgiving

If you get a little claustrophobic on Thanksgiving or just need a break from your relatives, there's plenty of alternatives to choose from.

If you love filling your belly, but hate the calories that come with it, then here's some options to help you have a guilt-free dinner:

• 102nd Thanksgiving 10K Run/Walk: Whether you run or walk, you can burn off that cranberry sauce one step at a time. The race starts at 9 a.m. at Paul Brown Stadium. For information on how to sign up for the race, go to http://thanksgivingdayrace.com .
• Deerfield Township's Lifetime Fitness 10K on Turkey Day Race/5K Walk: Deerfield Township leaders hope you join in on the race that will start and end at Lifetime Fitness along Wilkens Boulevard. It starts at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For the latest on this race go to http://www.runningtime.net/Races/TurkeyDay/home.htm .

If running isn't quite your thing, then you can also try some of these local activities fun for the whole family:

• US Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square: You can take a few spins around the ice rink from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Then let the holiday celebrations begin on Fountain Square where Macy's Light Up The Square is set for 7 p.m. Friday. To find out more about the festivities on Fountain Square, go to http://myfountainsquare.com/ .
• Cincinnati Zoo: You can check out the monkeys, lions, and elephants on Thanksgiving morning. The PNC Festival of Lights will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the other zoo attractions will be open. Zoo hours on Thanksgiving Day are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Festival of Lights is open Nov. 25 through Jan. 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information, go to http://cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights/ .
• Newport Aquarium: You can check out the penguins, frogs and sharks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Then on Friday, Scuba Santa dives into the aquarium to visit sea creatures and kids alike. Scuba Santa will bring holiday cheer to the Newport Aquarium from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1. For more details go to http://www.newportaquarium.com/ .

If you just can't get enough stuffing, visit some of these community meals:

• Fall Feast: Some of the city's best chefs are serving up meals at the Duke Energy Convention Center. It's a free meal and celebration hosted by Give Back Cincinnati. It's held every year from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, with food service starting at 11 a.m. For more information, go to http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/downtown/Thousands-expected-at-Fall-Feast-2011 .
• Turkey-Free Thanksgiving: Clifton United Methodist church is hosting a vegan potluck dinner. It's from 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. For more information, go to http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-24441-events_veganearths_turkey_free_thanksgiving.html .

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade may be a bit too far away, here is one local parade option:

• Price Hill Thanksgiving Day Parade: The parade goes from Glenway Avenue to Warsaw Avenue in Price Hill. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and goes until noon. To get more information, go to http://www.pricehillliving.com/Neighborhood_Traditions/Thanksgiving_Day_Parade/ .