Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family…and food, lots of it. For many, it’s also a chance to travel, experiencing new places while enjoying the holiday with loved ones.
Whether you want a traditional celebration, a unique twist, or just a change of scenery, these five destinations offer something special for Thanksgiving.
New York, New York
For an unforgettable Thanksgiving, New York City tops the list with it’s iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Dating back to 1924, Macy’s employees organized the event, even including live animals from the Central Park Zoo.
The parade quickly became a New York City tradition, drawing large crowds and adding giant balloons like Felix the Cat in 1927.
Elaborate floats, Broadway performances, and celebrities joined the fun prompting CBS to start televising the parade nationally in 1948.
While you can line the streets for a front-row view, many opt for a hotel room along the parade route for added comfort.
After the parade, explore New York’s world-class dining scene. Many top-tier restaurants offer Thanksgiving menus, ranging from traditional turkey to international dishes. Here are a few:
Post-feast, you can stroll by the city’s famous holiday window displays or lace up your skates at Rockefeller Center for a quintessential NYC holiday experience.
A City Tour is the perfect way to hit all the city’s hot spots. NewYork CityPASS will grant admission into the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History. Plus choose admission to three more attractions of your choice out of these attractions: Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, or Guggenheim Museum.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Known as “America’s Hometown,” Plymouth is where the Pilgrims settled in 1620, marking the birthplace of Thanksgiving. After two months sailing from Plymouth, England on the Mayflower, exhausted colonists arrived at Cape Cod. Eventually, they settled 40 miles north.
While the original Mayflower ship is believed to have been scrapped for timber, a full-scale replica named Mayflower II was placed in Plymouth Harbor in 1957. Visitors can board the ship to learn about life onboard the vessel.
Each November, Plymouth celebrates the colonists monumental arrival with the Plymouth Thanksgiving Parade, showcasing floats and participants in colonial attire. Historical reenactments, and special events also immerse visitors in colonial life.
To learn more about the area, the Plymouth Self-Guided Walking Tour. History unfurls as you explore the steps pilgrims once walked.
For an authentic Thanksgiving meal, consider a traditional feast at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, similar to what the Pilgrims and Wampanoag ate. The usual accoutrements are served, as well as wood pressed cider and warm Indian pudding. Museum educator’s and regal you throughout the meal.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Spice up your Thanksgiving in New Orleans. Known for its vibrant culture and bold flavors, the city offers a festive twist on the traditional holiday.
Thanksgiving weekend features the annual Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Parade. Over twenty bands and a dozen floats celebrate the community culture and how far it’s come. Battle of the bands is a favorite among spectators.
A highlight is the Bayou Classic, a football game between Grambling State and Southern University, which is celebrating 50 years. Over 64,000 fans pack Caesar’s Superdome to cheer on the teams.
Worked up an appetite hooting and hollering? Think deep-fried turkey, Cajun cornbread stuffing, and pecan pie with a local twist for dinner—because why settle for plain when you can add some spice? Try to snag a reservation at Commander’s Palace. The restaurant is a real treat.
Walk off a few calories on the Garden District History and Architecture Walking Tour. An experienced guide will share how the small riverside settlement grew into a lavish, wealthy city. You’ll get local tips on the city’s best places to enjoy New Orleans’ finest music, food, and drink.
The Big Easy has plenty of nightlife to enjoy long after your last bite of pie.
Palm Springs, California
If balmy weather is more your speed, gather the two and four-legged kids and head to Palm Springs. Sunny days with temps in the 70’s are perfect for outdoor family fun.
Work up an appetite with the Scavenger Hunt of Palm Springs PS I Love You! It’s a collaboration between Tara, your game designer and host, the history, color, and nature of Palm Springs, and you. For two hours you’ll explore the area in a unique way.
Afterwards, there are many choices to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Melvyn’s restaurant is old time Palm Springs with mahogany trim, vintage chandeliers and leather seating. It was a hot spot for celebrities the likes Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and more. Frank Sinatra had his own table; number 13. His favorite was steak Diane and Jack Daniels with a splash of water.
- For something more casual, Lulu California Bistro. Their “Best in the Valley” awards is too long to list. It’s location on Palm Spring’s South Palm Canyon Drive puts you in the heart of the action.
- If creamy baked potato soup, Salmon Florentine Croute, and bourbon sweet potato pie sounds yummy, make reservations at Zin American Bistro. Traditional fare is offered, too.
Chicago, Illinois
For an International feel and dazzling holiday city lights, Chicago delivers. Starting November 22nd for a month, Christkindlmarket gathers vendors and sets up booths fashioned after the Christmas markets in Neurenberg, Germany.
Fifty vendors from Austria, Poland, Germany and the United States sell everything from hand blown glass ornaments and nesting dolls to beer steins and homemade dog treats.
The food is equally as global serving hot Glühwein mulled cider to warm your insides as you stroll the market.
No trip to the Windy City is complete without taking the Chicago River Architecture Tour. It is by far one of the best ways to see the sites. For 90-minutes you’ll cruise down Chicago River viewing top attractions while the tour guide uncovers more than 130 years of architectural history. Indoor seating is available for wintertime excursions.
As with most big cities, Thanksgiving dinner options abound. Here’s a few:
- Big Jones is “heritage cooking” using old-time recipes. Three words may sway you…deep friend turkey.
- A huge buffet with all the trimmings is Prime & Provisions speciality. Should you have a hankering for steak, they have some of the best in the city.
- Those not eating turkey will love Shaw’s Crab House. Seafood gumbo and lobster tacos are a fan favorite.
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