If I’m Not Going Home for Thanksgiving, Where Should I Go?
Quick Answer
If you’re not going home for Thanksgiving, choose a destination based on what you want the long weekend to become.
New York City is the strongest choice if you want Thanksgiving itself to be part of the attraction, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the beginning of the Christmas season.
Choose Plymouth for Thanksgiving history, Williamsburg for an immersive historic holiday, Washington, DC for museums and American history, Boston for a New England city getaway, or Philadelphia for founding history, food, and compact sightseeing.
Want something completely different?
Choose Orlando for a warm-weather family vacation, Palm Springs for sunshine and relaxation, or Asheville, NC, for a cozy mountain getaway.
The most important distinction is this: Some destinations turn Thanksgiving into the vacation.
Others use Thanksgiving as the opportunity to take a vacation.
So don’t start by asking which Thanksgiving destination is best.
Start by asking what you want to do instead of going home.
Thanksgiving is usually associated with going home, family, dinner, football, traditions, and one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
But what if you’re not going home for Thanksgiving?
A Thanksgiving Vacation
Maybe you have four days off.
Or maybe your family isn’t gathering this year.
Maybe you want to start a different tradition.
Or maybe you’d simply rather turn Thanksgiving weekend into a vacation.
That creates a surprisingly interesting travel question: Where should you go?
Should You Travel for Thanksgiving?
Traveling for Thanksgiving is fundamentally different from traveling for Christmas, Halloween, or July 4.
The holiday isn’t usually the entire destination.
In most places, Thanksgiving is more like the setting for a long-weekend vacation.
That’s an important distinction.
New York City is a major exception because the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can become the centerpiece of the trip.
Plymouth is another exception because of its connection to the 1621 harvest gathering later incorporated into America’s Thanksgiving origin story.
But in Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Orlando, and most other destinations?
The question is different. Would this be a good place to spend a four-day November weekend?
That opens Thanksgiving travel to a much wider range of destinations.
Thanksgiving History: What Actually Happened in Plymouth?
The famous event occurred in autumn 1621.
With the exact date, Plimoth Patuxet Museums places it sometime between September 21 and November 9.
Edward Winslow provides the only surviving eyewitness account.
His description tells us that after the harvest, colonists gathered to celebrate.
Ousamequin and approximately 90 men were present. The Wampanoag party brought five deer. And the gathering lasted three days.
So visiting Plymouth for Thanksgiving is valuable because you can stand where a simple national story began.
3 Pros and 3 Cons of Traveling for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving gives many Americans a built-in opportunity for a longer trip, but traveling over one of the country’s biggest holidays comes with obvious trade-offs.
The 3 Biggest Pros
Traveling for Thanksgiving means enjoying a natural long weekend and seeing the beginning of the Holiday season in many areas.
1. Thanksgiving Creates a Natural Long Weekend
Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday.
For many travelers, taking Friday off, or already having it off, creates a four-day weekend without requiring a full vacation week.
That makes Wednesday through Sunday, or Thursday through Sunday, a natural window for a short domestic trip.
You don’t necessarily need a week.
You need a destination that works well in three or four days.
2. You Can Create an Entirely Different Thanksgiving Tradition
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean recreating the same dinner somewhere else.
You can:
- Watch a parade
- Explore museums
- Walk through a historic city
- Visit the place connected to the famous 1621 harvest gathering
- Ride a theme park attraction
- Stay in a mountain cabin
- Go somewhere warm
Or eat Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant and spend the rest of the weekend sightseeing.
It’s up to you.
3. Thanksgiving Can Become the Beginning of the Holiday Season
Thanksgiving sits at an interesting point on the calendar.
Fall is ending. Christmas is approaching.
And many destinations begin transitioning into their holiday season.
New York’s parade famously kicks off the Christmas season.
Washington begins adding holiday markets and seasonal displays around Thanksgiving.
Williamsburg starts transitioning toward its holiday programming.
And Orlando’s theme parks, including Disney World, are already deep into their holiday season.
So Thanksgiving travelers can sometimes get two trips in one:
Thanksgiving weekend.
And the beginning of Christmas.
The 3 Biggest Cons
Those advantages come with three major complications.
1. Traffic and Crowds
Thanksgiving is one of America’s major travel periods.
Airports are busy. Highways are busy.
Popular travel days can be stressful.
And transportation costs may influence your destination choice more than they would on an ordinary weekend.
That means the best Thanksgiving destination isn’t necessarily the place with the most holiday activities.
It may be the destination you can reach without sacrificing half the weekend getting there.
2. Thanksgiving Day Itself Requires Planning
Thursday is not an ordinary sightseeing day.
Some museums and attractions may close.
Restaurants may operate special hours.
Some restaurants require reservations or offer fixed Thanksgiving menus.
Public transportation schedules may change.
And stores or services that would normally be available may be closed.
So Thanksgiving travel requires a different planning strategy: Plan Thursday first.
Then build Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around it.
3. The Four-Day Weekend Goes Quickly
This isn’t Christmas week.
For many travelers, Thanksgiving means four days.
And two of those days may involve transportation.
That’s why destination scale matters.
A complicated road trip might not make sense.
A destination that takes several days to understand can feel rushed.
Thanksgiving rewards places where you can arrive, settle in, and quickly start enjoying the vacation.
What Kind of Thanksgiving Trip Do You Want?
Before choosing a destination, decide what you’re actually replacing the traditional Thanksgiving-at-home experience with.
| If You Want… | Start With… |
| The classic Thanksgiving spectacle | New York City |
| Thanksgiving history | Plymouth |
| Immersive American history | Williamsburg |
| American history + free museums | Washington, DC |
| History + classic New England city | Boston |
| Founding history + food | Philadelphia |
| Warm weather + family attractions | Orlando |
| Cozy mountain getaway | Asheville, NC |
| Warm relaxing escape | Palm Springs |
Each destination solves a different Thanksgiving problem. Some make the holiday itself part of the attraction, while others offer a compelling place to spend four days away from home. Here’s where each destination makes its strongest case.
New York City: Best Thanksgiving Spectacle
Best for: The parade + entertainment + holiday atmosphere
If you want Thanksgiving to actually feel like a travel event, New York City makes the strongest case.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alone separates NYC from almost every other destination.
But the parade isn’t the only reason to go. There is also:
- Central Park
- Broadway
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Observation decks
- Shopping.
- Neighborhoods
- Holiday decorations
And the beginning of New York’s Christmas season gives you plenty to do for the rest of the weekend.
That matters because Thanksgiving itself only takes up part of one day.
New York gives you a complete four-day vacation around it.
The downside?
- Expense
- Crowds
- Hotel demand
- Parade logistics
- Cold weather
And one of the most ambitious Thanksgiving trips on this list.
But if you want Thanksgiving itself to become part of the attraction?
New York City is the Thanksgiving spectacle.
Choose NYC if: You want the parade, big-city entertainment, restaurants, museums, and the beginning of the Christmas season.
Think twice if: You want an inexpensive, relaxing, or spontaneous Thanksgiving getaway.
Plymouth, Massachusetts: Best for Thanksgiving History
Best for: Understanding the history behind America’s Thanksgiving story
Most Americans know a simplified version of the story:
- Pilgrims
- Native Americans
- A feast
- The first Thanksgiving
One surviving eyewitness account describes the 1621 harvest celebration.
Edward Winslow wrote that after the harvest, the English colonists gathered to “rejoice together.” Ousamequin, also known as Massasoit, and approximately 90 men joined the gathering, and the celebration lasted three days. The Wampanoag participants brought five deer.
But Winslow didn’t call the gathering Thanksgiving.
In fact, Colonial Williamsburg’s historical analysis notes that the 1621 event did not resemble what Plymouth’s English colonists themselves would have called a religious day of thanksgiving. The event only became firmly embedded in America’s “First Thanksgiving” story much later.
Visit Plymouth to understand how the Thanksgiving story began, and how it became the American tradition we know today.
Choose Plymouth if: The history of Thanksgiving is why you’re traveling.
Think twice if: You want a huge portfolio of attractions or a Thanksgiving vacation dominated by entertainment.
Plymouth is the Thanksgiving history trip.
Williamsburg, Virginia: Best Historic Thanksgiving Getaway
Best for: Immersive history + traditional holiday atmosphere
Williamsburg offers a different kind of history trip.
Plymouth connects directly with the story Americans associate with Thanksgiving
Williamsburg gives you something broader: An immersive American history vacation over Thanksgiving weekend.
That makes Williamsburg particularly attractive for families and history travelers.
You aren’t simply looking at artifacts behind glass.
You can:
- Walk through a reconstructed and restored colonial city
- Interact with interpreters
- Explore homes and public buildings
- Learn about the diverse people who lived in eighteenth-century Williamsburg
Then sit down for a Thanksgiving meal and continue exploring the Historic Area.
So: Plymouth tells you where the famous Thanksgiving story comes from.
Williamsburg gives you an immersive colonial Thanksgiving weekend.
Choose Williamsburg if: You want history, atmosphere, family-friendly activities, historic surroundings, and a destination that feels especially appropriate for Thanksgiving weekend.
Think twice if: You want nightlife, a major-city vacation, or warm weather.
Washington, DC: Best Thanksgiving Museum Trip
Best for: American history + museums + value
Washington doesn’t need a giant Thanksgiving event to make sense.
The long weekend itself is the opportunity.
You can visit:
- The Smithsonian museums
- National Mall
- Monuments
- Memorials
- Capitol
And dozens of other attractions can fill the weekend.
Many of Washington’s major museums are free.
And by Thanksgiving, Washington has begun transitioning into the holiday season. That creates an excellent Thanksgiving strategy:
Use Thursday for the activities you’ve confirmed are open.
Then use Friday through Sunday for the full Washington experience.
Choose Washington if: You want museums, American history, monuments, family-friendly fun, and great value.
Think twice if: You want Thanksgiving itself to dominate the vacation.
Washington is less about celebrating Thanksgiving.
It’s about using Thanksgiving weekend exceptionally well.
Boston: Best Thanksgiving + New England City Trip
Best for: American history + New England atmosphere
Boston is another destination where Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be the attraction. The city itself is.
You can:
- Walk the Freedom Trail
- Explore Beacon Hill
- Visit historic sites
- Eat Italian food in the North End
- Walk along the waterfront
- Visit museums
And experience one of America’s strongest history cities at the transition between fall and winter.
Boston for Thanksgiving also has a natural thematic connection with Plymouth.
That gives you an itinerary none of the other cities can quite replicate: Boston + Plymouth
Spend most of the long weekend in Boston.
Then spend part of the trip learning the history behind America’s Thanksgiving story in Plymouth.
That makes Boston especially compelling for travelers who want Thanksgiving history without spending the entire vacation in a smaller historical destination.
Choose Boston if: You want a complete New England city vacation with American history and the option to incorporate Plymouth.
Think twice if: You want warm weather or a destination where Thanksgiving itself drives most of the activities.
Philadelphia: Best Thanksgiving Founding-History Trip
Best for: American history + food + compact sightseeing
Philadelphia makes sense because of the long weekend, not one enormous Thanksgiving attraction.
You can visit:
- Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell
- Old City
- Museum of the American Revolution
- Reading Terminal Market
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Enjoy excellent food
Essentially, you can explore one of America’s most concentrated collections of founding-era history.
That compactness is especially useful for Thanksgiving because you don’t have a week.
You have a long weekend.
Philadelphia lets you see a lot without spending a lot of time traveling between attractions.
And food is an underrated advantage.
Thanksgiving is, after all, America’s most food-centered holiday.
Philadelphia gives you a destination where eating well can be part of the weekend, not just finding somewhere serving turkey on Thursday.
Choose Philadelphia if: You want American history, great food, walkability, and a city that fits naturally into a two- or three-day trip.
Think twice if: You want warm weather or a destination with one iconic Thanksgiving-specific event.
Orlando: Best Warm-Weather Family Thanksgiving
Best for: Families + attractions + warmer weather
And now we completely change the vacation.
Maybe you don’t want history or cold weather.
You might not particularly care whether the destination feels traditional.
Maybe Thanksgiving gives your family four days together and you want to use them for a vacation.
That’s where Orlando makes sense. It offers:
- Theme parks
- Resorts
- Pools
- Entertainment
- Restaurants
- Family attractions
And generally warmer late-November weather than the Northeast destinations on this list.
There’s another advantage.
Orlando is already transitioning into its holiday season by late November.
You’re escaping winter while getting an early taste of Christmas.
The obvious trade-offs are crowds and cost.
Other families have exactly the same idea.
Choose Orlando if: You want warmer weather, theme parks, family entertainment, resorts, and a Thanksgiving that feels like a vacation.
Think twice if: You want a traditional Thanksgiving atmosphere, history, or a quiet long weekend.
New York turns Thanksgiving into a spectacle.
Orlando turns Thanksgiving into a vacation.
Palm Springs, California: Best Relaxing Warm-Weather Thanksgiving
Best for: Sunshine + resorts + relaxation
Maybe you don’t want to replace Thanksgiving dinner with another attraction.
Maybe you want to replace the entire stressful Thanksgiving weekend with a pool.
That’s where Palm Springs becomes interesting.
Palm Springs offers a completely different Thanksgiving proposition from New York, Plymouth, Williamsburg, or even Orlando.
This isn’t primarily a Thanksgiving sightseeing trip. It’s a Thanksgiving escape.
Late November brings much more comfortable desert conditions than summer, making it easier to combine resort time with outdoor activities, architecture, shopping, restaurants, golf, hiking, and exploring the surrounding Coachella Valley.
And unlike Orlando, you don’t need to fill every day with attractions.
You can:
- Relax at a resort
- Spend time by the pool
- Visit a spa
- Explore Palm Springs’ midcentury modern architecture
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Hike
- Shop
- Eat Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant
- Deliberately leave part of the itinerary empty
Thanksgiving dining is also easy to build into the trip, with resorts and restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley typically offering holiday meals, special menus, and seasonal dining experiences.
That’s what separates Palm Springs from Orlando.
Orlando turns Thanksgiving into an attraction-filled family vacation.
Palm Springs turns Thanksgiving into an escape.
Choose Palm Springs if: You want sunshine, resorts, pools, spas, desert scenery, restaurants, and a Thanksgiving weekend built around slowing down.
Think twice if: You want Thanksgiving history, traditional cold-weather atmosphere, major family attractions, or a packed sightseeing itinerary.
Other warm-weather destinations can work too. Miami offers beaches and nightlife, Honolulu provides a full tropical vacation, and San Diego combines beaches with city attractions. But for a short Thanksgiving getaway centered specifically on sunshine and relaxation, Palm Springs makes an especially strong case.
Asheville, North Carolina: Best Cozy Mountain Thanksgiving
Best for: Mountains + food + cozy holiday atmosphere
Maybe your ideal Thanksgiving doesn’t involve a parade, museum, beach, or theme park.
Maybe it looks more like this:
- Cold mountain air
- A fireplace
- A good meal
- A scenic drive
- A historic hotel
- A cabin
- And nowhere particularly urgent to be
That’s the case for Asheville.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville combines a mountain getaway with restaurants, breweries, arts, historic architecture, outdoor scenery, and one of America’s most famous historic estates.
And Thanksgiving arrives at an interesting moment. Christmas at Biltmore is already underway.
Thanksgiving also fits naturally into the Biltmore experience, where dining, accommodations, the historic estate, and the beginning of the Christmas season can become part of the getaway.
That means you don’t have to choose between a Thanksgiving getaway and the beginning of Christmas.
You can have both.
Asheville, NC also gives you something the major cities on this list can’t: The option to make doing less part of the vacation.
That’s important over a four-day weekend.
You don’t need to conquer the Blue Ridge Mountains.
You can simply enjoy being there.
Choose Asheville if: You want mountains, food, Biltmore, cool weather, holiday atmosphere, and a Thanksgiving weekend that feels cozy rather than hectic.
Think twice if: You want guaranteed snow, major-city attractions, warm weather, or a Thanksgiving-specific event on the scale of New York’s parade.
Asheville is the cozy mountain Thanksgiving.
Stowe, Aspen, Gatlinburg, and the Berkshires can all provide appealing late-November getaways. But Asheville offers an unusually balanced combination of mountain atmosphere, food, Biltmore, outdoor scenery, and the beginning of the Christmas season without requiring reliable early-season snow.
Which Thanksgiving Destination Should You Choose?
By this point, the decision becomes much simpler. Don’t compare all nine destinations attraction by attraction. Decide what you want Thanksgiving weekend to feel like, then choose the destination that best matches it.
Want the classic American Thanksgiving spectacle? New York City.
Want to understand the history behind the Thanksgiving story? Plymouth.
Want an immersive historic Thanksgiving weekend? Williamsburg.
Want museums and American history? Washington, DC.
Want New England + history + Plymouth access? Boston.
Want founding history + food + compact sightseeing? Philadelphia.
Want warm weather + theme parks + family entertainment? Orlando.
Want warm weather + relaxation? Palm Springs.
Want mountains + fireplaces + a cozy holiday atmosphere? Asheville.
And if you’re still undecided, ask one more question: Do I want Thanksgiving to be the reason for the trip, or simply the reason I have time to take one?
Planning Your Thanksgiving Trip: How Many Days Do You Need?
Thanksgiving favors destinations that fit naturally into a long weekend.
| Destination | Good Thanksgiving Trip |
| New York City | 3–4 days |
| Plymouth | 1–2 days |
| Williamsburg | 2–3 days |
| Washington, DC | 3–4 days |
| Boston | 3–4 days |
| Philadelphia | 2–3 days |
| Orlando | 3–4+ days |
| Palm Springs | 3-4 days |
| Asheville, NC | 3-4 days |
Boston + Plymouth: 4 days
Spend most of the trip in Boston, then devote part of one day to Plymouth for the Thanksgiving-history component of the trip.
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Trip
Thanksgiving travel requires a different planning order from an ordinary vacation. Because Thursday may have reduced hours, special events, restaurant reservations, and unusual transportation schedules, build the trip around Thanksgiving Day first, not around everything you hope to do Friday and Saturday.
1. Plan Thanksgiving Day First
What will you actually do Thursday?
- Parade
- Historic programming
- Theme park
- Museum
- Relax
- Thanksgiving meal
Figure that out before anything else.
2. Decide Whether You Want a Thanksgiving Trip or a Thanksgiving-Weekend Trip
There’s a difference.
Thanksgiving trip: The holiday itself is central. Think:
- NYC
- Plymouth
- Williamsburg
Thanksgiving-weekend trip: Thanksgiving gives you the time to take the vacation. Think:
- Washington, DC
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Orlando
- Palm Springs
- Asheville
Knowing which kind of trip you’re taking makes everything else, from your destination to your Thanksgiving Day plans, much easier to decide.
3. Reserve Thanksgiving Dinner
Don’t assume you’ll simply find somewhere Thursday afternoon.
Research restaurants before you leave.
Check Thanksgiving hours.
Make reservations where appropriate.
And confirm whether restaurants are serving normal menus, special menus, or fixed-price Thanksgiving meals.
4. Check Thursday Hours Separately
Don’t build a normal Thursday itinerary and assume everything will be open.
Thanksgiving Day is the exception.
Plan the rest of the weekend normally, but treat Thursday as its own itinerary.
5. Don’t Overload Four Days
If you’re flying Wednesday and returning Sunday, you don’t really have four full sightseeing days.
Choose accordingly.
Thanksgiving rewards compact trips.
Should You Travel Wednesday or Thursday?
Your travel day can determine whether Thanksgiving feels like part of the vacation or simply the day you arrive. There’s no universal answer, because the right choice depends on what you want to do Thursday.
Travel Wednesday if you want to wake up at the destination Thursday morning.
That’s almost essential if the Macy’s parade is the reason you’re visiting New York.
Travel Thursday if Thanksgiving itself doesn’t matter and you’re primarily interested in Friday through Sunday.
For some travelers, that can turn the holiday into a travel day and preserve the rest of the weekend for sightseeing.
But flight schedules, fares, traffic, and transportation patterns change.
Compare the actual options before booking rather than assuming one Thanksgiving travel day is always best.
Who Should Travel for Thanksgiving?
A Thanksgiving getaway makes the most sense for travelers who aren’t tied to a traditional gathering and see the four-day weekend as an opportunity.
It’s particularly appealing for:
- Couples creating their own traditions
- Families who want an experience instead of hosting
- History travelers
- Theme-park families
- Travelers living far from extended family
- People looking for a short November vacation
It may not make sense if:
- Family traditions are important to you
- Holiday travel stress outweighs the benefit
- You can’t leave until late Wednesday and must return early Sunday
- You’re trying to save money during a high-demand travel period
- You’d rather save the vacation budget for Christmas
Thanksgiving vs. Christmas Travel
Thanksgiving and Christmas may occur only about a month apart, but they produce very different vacations.
Choose Thanksgiving travel if you want:
- A long weekend
- A parade
- American history
- A quieter holiday tradition
- A family vacation
- A warm-weather escape
- Or an early start to the holiday season
Choose Christmas travel if you want:
- Christmas markets
- Lights
- Decorations
- Trees
- Holiday shows
- Seasonal traditions
- And destinations where Christmas itself transforms the experience
The simplest difference?
Thanksgiving gives you the time to take a trip.
Christmas is often the reason for the trip.
New York City is one of the rare destinations where both can be true.
The Decision Is Yours
If you’re not going home for Thanksgiving, you have more choices than you might think.
You can make Thanksgiving itself the vacation.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Go to Plymouth and learn what we actually know about the famous 1621 harvest gathering.
Spend the holiday surrounded by living history in Williamsburg.
Or use Thanksgiving as an excuse for a vacation.
Explore museums in Washington, DC.
Spend a long weekend in Boston.
Eat and explore your way through Philadelphia.
Turn Thanksgiving into a family vacation in Orlando.
Trade November weather for sunshine and relaxation in Palm Springs.
Or slow down in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Asheville.
That’s why there’s no single best Thanksgiving destination.
The real decision is: What do you want to do instead of going home?
3 Pros. 3 Cons. You Decide.
Thanksgiving Travel Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go if I’m not going home for Thanksgiving?
Start by deciding what kind of trip you want. New York City is strongest for the classic Thanksgiving spectacle; Plymouth for Thanksgiving history; Williamsburg for immersive history; Washington for museums; Boston for a New England city getaway; Philadelphia for history and food; Orlando for warmer weather and family attractions; Palm Springs for sunshine and relaxation; and Asheville for a cozy mountain getaway.
What is the best Thanksgiving destination in the United States?
There isn’t one best Thanksgiving destination for every traveler. New York City makes a particularly strong case if you want Thanksgiving itself to be part of the attraction because of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Plymouth is stronger for Thanksgiving history, Orlando for a family attraction-filled vacation, Palm Springs for a warm relaxing escape, and Asheville for a cozy mountain getaway.
Is Plymouth worth visiting for Thanksgiving?
Yes, especially if you want to understand the history behind America’s Thanksgiving tradition. Edward Winslow’s surviving account describes the 1621 harvest celebration attended by Ousamequin and about 90 men, but the historical reality is considerably more complicated than the familiar “First Thanksgiving” story.
Did the first Thanksgiving happen in Plymouth?
The famous 1621 Plymouth harvest gathering later became associated with America’s “First Thanksgiving,” but participants did not necessarily understand the event that way. Edward Winslow’s account does not call it Thanksgiving, and other European Thanksgiving observances in North America predated Plymouth. Indigenous peoples also practiced traditions of gratitude long before European colonization.
Is Williamsburg good for Thanksgiving?
Yes, particularly if you want to combine Thanksgiving weekend with immersive American history. Colonial Williamsburg offers historic interpretation, museums, dining, and seasonal atmosphere throughout the Historic Area. It also offers a chance to explore how Thanksgiving history is more complicated than the familiar story of the 1621 Plymouth harvest gathering.
Is Washington, DC good for Thanksgiving weekend?
Yes, particularly if you want to use the long weekend for museums, monuments, American history, and family attractions. Many of Washington’s major museums are free, and the city’s large concentration of attractions makes it easy to build a three- or four-day Thanksgiving-weekend trip.
Is Orlando good for Thanksgiving?
Yes, particularly for families who want warmer weather, theme parks, resorts, and entertainment rather than a traditional historical Thanksgiving trip. By late November, Orlando’s major theme parks are also transitioning into their holiday seasons, giving Thanksgiving travelers an early taste of Christmas.
Is Palm Springs good for Thanksgiving?
Yes, particularly if you want to turn Thanksgiving into a relaxing warm-weather getaway. Late November offers much more comfortable desert conditions than summer, while resorts, restaurants, hiking, golf, spas, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway give you enough to do without requiring a packed itinerary.
Is Asheville good for Thanksgiving?
Yes, particularly if you want a cozy mountain getaway with food, scenery, Biltmore, and the beginning of the Christmas season. Christmas at Biltmore and Winter Lights are already underway by Thanksgiving, giving the weekend both a Thanksgiving and early-Christmas atmosphere.
How long should a Thanksgiving trip be?
Three or four days is ideal for most destinations because Thanksgiving naturally creates a long-weekend travel window. Smaller destinations such as Plymouth may only need one or two days, while Orlando or New York can easily justify four or more.
Do attractions close on Thanksgiving Day?
Some do. Hours vary by destination and attraction, so check Thanksgiving Day hours individually rather than assuming normal Thursday schedules.
Should I make Thanksgiving dinner reservations?
Yes, if eating at a restaurant is important to your trip. Thanksgiving menus and hours can differ from normal operations, and popular restaurants may require advance reservations.