Holiday travel during Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year, and so finding a place to travel can be difficult. For those who want to escape the crowds on Thanksgiving, here are six great places to visit over the long weekend.
1. Cancun, Mexico
Mexico is the perfect place to escape the crowds and enjoy the warm weather. In Cancun, there are great resorts that are big enough to get away from the crowds, but small enough that you don’t leave a huge footprint on an otherwise quiet place. The area is just far enough off the beaten path that it’s not crowded with tourists, nor is it overrun by locals trying to cash in on tourist dollars. You can enjoy your Thanksgiving day with a relaxing beachside holiday.
2. New York City
For those who want to see what Thanksgiving looks like in a big city, then New York City is for you. New York City will be full of revelry, from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, to the numerous parades. There are also numerous celebrations on the day of Thanksgiving itself, including a huge concert at Madison Square Garden. As for dining, you can enjoy traditional turkey dishes like turkey and dressing or a tasty burger and fries.
3. Key West, Florida
Key West is a great place for an extended vacation by the sea. This coastal town is home to over 700 restaurants; making it an ideal place to try all different types of cuisine from around the world. There are many great hotels with pool areas and beach access too. If you’re looking for quiet since it’s not too near Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, this could be the best destination for you.
4. Hawaii
While modern travelers are often leaning toward a quick escape to Hawaii, the traditional Thanksgiving is still enjoyed by many. On-island dining and entertainment options may be limited, but one can visit the island from Honolulu or even drive from Kahului (on the Maui side of the island). Enjoy holiday favorites in Hawaii with traditional Hawaiian food at some real local places like Papohaku’s and Laupahoehoe General Store.
5. Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska offers great ways to escape the crowds without having to fly too far across America. Anchorage does not get nearly as much precipitation as the rest of Alaska, making it a perfect place for those who don’t like to deal with the snow and cold. Situated on the Pacific coast, Anchorage is surrounded by some great nature areas to visit.
6. San Francisco, California
San Francisco offers an exciting holiday experience that doesn’t include too much travel time. While San Francisco is a popular tourist spot in general, there are still unique experiences to be had even over Thanksgiving Day and weekend that don’t require fighting the waves of tourists in other parts of the city throughout the fall and winter months. Muster your closest friends and family and spend Thanksgiving enjoying one of America’s greatest cities.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving is a time to spend with relatives and loved ones, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be spent in the same place. With these suggestions, you can take advantage of Thanksgiving while saving yourself some stress and the hassle of dealing with holiday travel.