Thanksgiving Getaways: 7 Easy US Trips for the Long Weekend
Thanksgiving gives most people a rare thing: four days off in a row without burning vacation time. If hosting the big dinner is not on your list this year, that long weekend is a great window for a short trip with family or friends.
Here are seven Thanksgiving getaways in the US that work well for a Thursday to Sunday trip, plus a few tips for booking this close to the holiday.
How to plan a Thanksgiving getaway
Pick the right length
Most Thanksgiving trips run Wednesday night through Sunday. Leaving Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, and coming home Saturday or Monday, usually means calmer airports and roads than the peak Wednesday afternoon and Sunday rush.
Decide on dinner first
Thanksgiving Day is the one day your plans hinge on a meal. Many hotels and restaurants serve a holiday dinner, but popular spots fill early. Book your table before anything else, or plan a casual picnic or takeout night if your group would rather keep it loose.
Expect some closures
Museums, shops and attractions often close or shorten hours on Thanksgiving Day itself. Plan a walk, a scenic drive or the big meal for Thursday, and save indoor sights for Friday and Saturday. Check current hours for anything on your list.
1. New York City for the parade
Few trips feel more like Thanksgiving than a morning at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a New York tradition since the 1920s. The balloons, floats and marching bands travel down to Herald Square, and spots along the route fill up hours before it starts. Dress warmly, bring a thermos and arrive early.
The night before, many families stroll the streets around the American Museum of Natural History to watch the giant balloons being inflated. On Friday, the city starts to turn toward the holidays, with windows going up along Fifth Avenue. Our 3 day New York City itinerary covers the rest of the weekend.
2. Plymouth, Massachusetts for the history
If you want a trip with a connection to the holiday itself, Plymouth is the place. The town sits on the harbor where the Mayflower passengers landed in 1620. Visit Plymouth Rock along the waterfront, then spend time at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which tell the story of both the English colonists and the Wampanoag people who lived on this land long before them.
Plymouth is an easy drive from Boston, so you can pair a day of history with a city weekend.
3. New Orleans for food and football
New Orleans treats Thanksgiving weekend as a celebration. The Bayou Classic, the long running football rivalry between Grambling State and Southern University, is played in the city that weekend and brings parades, tailgates and a famous battle of the bands. Even if you skip the game, the city is full of energy.
Fill the rest of the weekend with beignets, a streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue and live music on Frenchmen Street. Use our New Orleans 3 day itinerary to plan each day.
4. Nashville for an early start on the holidays
Nashville is a strong pick if your group wants music and an early taste of Christmas. Gaylord Opryland Resort decorates for the holidays with huge light displays across its indoor gardens, and the season is usually underway by Thanksgiving. Check current dates before you go.
Spend the evenings on Lower Broadway, see a show at the Grand Ole Opry or the Ryman Auditorium, and save Friday for hot chicken and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
5. San Diego for warm weather
If you would rather trade sweaters for sunshine, San Diego is one of the most reliable warm weather escapes in late November. Walk the beach in La Jolla and watch the sea lions, spend a day in Balboa Park and its gardens and museums, and catch the sunset from Sunset Cliffs.
A beach picnic or a waterfront dinner makes a relaxed Thanksgiving, especially for a group that wants a break from the usual routine.
6. Grand Canyon South Rim for quiet views
Late November is one of the quieter times at the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is open all year, with viewpoints along the rim and the Rim Trail between them. Mornings can be cold and snow is possible, so pack layers and traction for your shoes.
Sunrise at Mather Point or sunset at Hopi Point is a memorable way to spend a holiday weekend. If you want to book a Thanksgiving meal at a lodge inside the park, reserve as early as you can. The Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary has a day by day plan.
7. Savannah for a slow Southern weekend
Savannah is mild in late November and made for slow days. Wander through the historic squares under live oaks draped in Spanish moss, stroll Forsyth Park and walk the cobblestones of River Street. A Southern Thanksgiving dinner fits right in here.
It is also a short drive to Tybee Island if your group wants a beach walk on Friday morning.
Tips for booking a Thanksgiving trip late
- Lock in flights or your route first. Holiday travel is busy everywhere, so settle how you are getting there before you plan the details.
- Stay central. A hotel within walking distance of your main sights saves time and parking stress over a short weekend.
- Book Thanksgiving dinner early. Restaurants that serve a holiday meal often take reservations weeks ahead.
- Keep one shared plan. With a group, put every booking and reservation in one place so no one is hunting through texts for the dinner time.
- Leave Friday open. One unplanned afternoon gives everyone room to rest or follow a new idea.
Planning your Thanksgiving getaway in Wander Off
Create an adventure for the long weekend and invite everyone who is coming. Add the parade spot, the dinner reservation and the sights you want to see to the Plan tab by day, and let the group vote on the extras. Book flights, hotels and things to do in the Tickets tab, or ask the AI Travel Concierge to find options for your dates. Our family vacation planner page has more ideas for trips with kids and grandparents. Photos from the weekend land on the right day and place, and when you get home you can make the adventure public so friends can copy your Thanksgiving trip for next year.
