Fun Places to Spend Thanksgiving – Top 5 Ideas
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family, reflect on everything we are grateful for, and indulge in delicious holiday foods. While many opt to celebrate Thanksgiving at home, venturing out to a new destination can make the holiday even more memorable.
From stunning national parks to charming historic towns, there are so many fun places across the country to spend Thanksgiving weekend. Let’s explore these 5 ideas of fun places to spend Thanksgiving!
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Experience Thanksgiving in National Parks
Crisp fall air, striking autumn foliage, and smaller crowds make national parks an ideal place to spend the Thanksgiving holiday. Parks often host special events and programming during this season, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature and learn about local history.
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is an excellent option for Thanksgiving travelers. Yellowstone offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities in November, as herds of bison and elk gather in the Lamar Valley seeking warmer temperatures and readily available food. Though bears are mostly hibernated, other predators like wolves, cougars, bobcats, and coyotes actively hunt during this time. For a luxurious holiday meal with a view, book reservations at the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, or Lake Lodge.
Over in California, Yosemite National Park comes alive in autumn. The massive granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome juxtapose brilliantly with the orange and red foliage. Get into the holiday spirit by booking one of Yosemite’s Thanksgiving buffets, surrounded by the soaring sequoias. Then work off your meal on a guided hike or stroll through the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, illuminated in twinkling lights.
With these fun places to spend Thanksgiving, remember to book lodging and activity reservations well in advance. Pack appropriately for the weather and dress in layers for comfort. Arrive early each day to avoid crowds and fully soak in the majesty of spending Thanksgiving outdoors.
Experience Traditional Holiday Festivities at Dude Ranches
For a celebration that combines breathtaking scenery with American traditions, consider booking a dude ranch getaway. These cattle or guest ranches provide comfortably fun places to spend Thanksgiving plus a full itinerary of Western-style activities like horseback riding, cattle work, campfires, and hayrides. Thanksgiving week often brings special programming too.
The Paws Up Ranch in Greenough, Montana truly goes all out for Thanksgiving. Guests stay in luxury safari-style tents and enjoy gourmet holiday meals, fireside s’mores, and a host of outdoor adventures. Families participate in holiday crafts while adults can opt for wine tastings, spa treatments, and much more. Football games play on big screens throughout the ranch common areas.
Over in Arizona, the Elkhorn Ranch throws a legendary midday punch party and turkey feast amidst the cacti. Other dude ranches offering special Thanksgiving meals and entertainment include the C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado, A Bar A Ranch in Wyoming, and Triple Creek Ranch in Montana. Just be sure to book your all-inclusive holiday package early.
Before going to these fun places to spend Thanksgiving, pack comfy jeans, cowboy boots, sweaters, and other ranch-ready attire. Share some downtime with fellow ranch guests and make the most of your beautiful natural surroundings. You’ll return home with a lifetime of treasured memories.
Revisit History in Charming Historic Towns
For an old-fashioned Thanksgiving experience, spend the holiday weekend wandering the streets of a historic American town. Many locations such as Colonial Williamsburg and Mystic Seaport host special programming and events to fully immerse visitors in the Thanksgiving traditions of the past.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is one of the top historic destinations for Thanksgiving. Actors in period clothing roam the 300-acre village, giving a glimpse into 18th-century life. Watch George Washington deliver his famed Thanksgiving proclamation and take part in colonial games, dances, and reenactments. The holiday atmosphere is capped off with fireside feasts at the on-site historic taverns.
Over in coastal Connecticut, Mystic Seaport Museum celebrates the holiday with Lantern Light Tours. These interactive theater experiences depict Christmas Eve in a 19th-century New England village, complete with carolers, dancers, and glowing lanterns. Close by, you’ll also find great Black Friday shopping outlets.
Among fun places to spend Thanksgiving, some other charming towns to visit include Plymouth, MA, St. Augustine, FL, and Annapolis, MD. Savor delicious local cuisine, stay at a cozy inn or B&B, and fully appreciate the holiday magic of these historic destinations.
Hit the Slopes at Fabulous Ski Resorts
For an active Thanksgiving getaway, hit the slopes at a premier ski resort! While ski conditions may be limited early in the year, many resorts kick their snowmaking operations into high gear to open up terrain for the holiday weekend. Most also offer lodging deals and a full calendar of Thanksgiving events.
Among fun places to spend Thanksgiving, Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado sets the bar high. Their annual Food & Wine Weekend takes place in late November, featuring cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and gourmet holiday meals. At nearby Breckenridge Ski Resort, you can take part in festive traditions like the Turkey Day Dash ski race, s’mores roasts, and torchlight parades.
Out west in Utah, Park City Mountain Resort hosts mountainside Turkey Day feasts at the Legacy Lodge and Mid-Mountain Lodge. Work up an appetite cruising the groomed slopes and carving through fresh powder.
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When choosing these fun places to spend Thanksgiving, embrace the beauty of outdoor spaces. Après-ski by the fire with hot cocoa, find your Zen on a guided snowshoe hike and exchange stories with new friends. A ski vacation makes for a holiday you’ll never forget.
Read on: Outdoor Master Reviews: Unbiased Opinion on This Brand
Relax on Stress-Free Thanksgiving Cruises
Finally, consider kicking back and letting someone else take care of the cooking this Thanksgiving by booking a cruise! Cruise ships pull out all the stops for the holiday, with traditional Thanksgiving menus, football broadcasts, parades, parties, and more.
Carnival Cruise Line offers memorable Thanksgiving celebrations across their fleet. Expect delicious roast turkey dinners, pie-eating contests, arts and crafts with the cruise directors, and screenings of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Toast with friends new and old and take in live musical performances.
Over at Royal Caribbean International, the holiday festivities begin as early as November. Dance with stilt walkers in the streets of Perfect Day at CocoCay, take merry family photos and decorate cookies in a gingerbread house workshop. You’ll enjoy Royal Caribbean’s legendary Broadway-style shows while the kids experience adventures all their own.
Choosing these fun places to spend Thanksgiving means less holiday stress and more time for meaningful connections. As the weeks of Christmas decorations, parties, and entertainment unfold on board, you’ll be reminded what the holiday season is truly all about.
Fun Places to Spend Thanksgiving: Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, unwind, and reconnect with loved ones. No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday this year, the most important ingredient is cherishing those relationships.
If you decide to venture away from home for Thanksgiving, there are so many fun places to spend Thanksgiving across the country that will make the long weekend truly special and memorable. From stunning national parks filled with crisp fall air to charming historic towns steeped in tradition, you’re sure to find a location that suits your family or group.
Find special ways to give thanks for all that you have. Donate your time or resources to those less fortunate. Offer kindness to friends, family members, and even strangers you encounter during your travels.
Here’s wishing you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving, wherever the holiday may take you. Savor this special time with loved ones and start new traditions that will become cherished memories for many years to come.
