Celebrate Thanksgiving: Top 21 U.S. Destinations to Visit

Throughout the ages, we’ve been taught that Thanksgiving is a time to gather around a massive table with a cornucopia as the centerpiece and a roomful of relatives. For many, that sounds delightful. Others, however, are seeking something a little more zesty this season. 

If you fall into the second category, we have a hearty list of destinations throughout America that are just waiting to welcome you with open arms. Although we tend to make the food the focus – and rightly so – the real reason for the season is to augment our attitude of gratitude. And that can be done from anywhere in the world. 

Still, we’ll keep things simple, focus on The Land of the Free, and see if we can help you book the perfect getaway to kick off the holiday season. 

Orlando, Florida

During a time of thanksgiving, why not go to the happiest place on earth? It’s a well-known “secret” that many of the resorts like to go all out and treat families to Thanksgiving buffets and other delights throughout the holiday weekend. 

Plus, the parks are so much more enjoyable when you’re not sweltering in the summer sun. You can truly make the most of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Universal – especially if you have some Harry Potter fans in the fam. 

To help you make the best pick, here are 20 of the best Walt Disney World hotels. 

Ormond Beach, Florida

How about an oceanside retreat for Thanksgiving this year? Wouldn’t that be a wonderful memory? Just a few miles north of the ever-popular Daytona Beach, you’ll find Ormond Beach – a quiet little stretch of sand with calm, cooling waves from the Atlantic. 

Stay a few nights at Home 2 Suites by Hilton for easy access to sand and surf, an oceanfront room, and a small kitchenette in case you want to heat up your own version of a Thanksgiving dinner. 

New York, New York

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the official start of the holiday season. Onlookers from the streets of New York – and home – wait for the moment when Santa pulls up in his sleigh at the end of the succession. 

Be sure to bundle up, book a nice Midtown hotel (so you don’t have to worry about figuring out the subway system), and park yourself somewhere along 5th Avenue in the early hours of the morning. You’ll be treated to a wonderful performance, and afterward, you can go warm up in a lovely little wine bar somewhere equally exciting, like Soho or Greenwich Village. 

Our list of unforgettable things to do in New York will help you round out your weekend stay. 

Palm Springs, California

Have you ever seen a Kardashian holiday? They don’t let the California temps prevent them from ushering in the joys of the winter season. In Palm Springs, Florida, you can seek out a similar effect. 

The Rowan Palm Springs would be a lovely place to base yourself for a few days. Nestled between those iconic mountain views, you can sit poolside while sipping an umbrella drink instead of slaving over an oven and thinking to yourself, “What a wonderful world it is.”