Top 18 Thanksgiving Destinations for 2026 Our Favorite Picks

Best Thanksgiving Getaways for 2026 Wonderful Vacations 

Thanksgiving break is short, so the destination matters. If you want a trip that actually feels like a reset (and not just a long weekend spent in airports), pick a place with easy logistics, good weather, or a “one big thing” worth traveling for. And yes—if you’re flying, booking business class early is still the easiest way to avoid starting your holiday already tired.

Thanksgiving getaways To Orlando Florida 

Orlando is one of those places that just works for Thanksgiving. The weather is usually comfortable, crowds are often lighter than peak summer, and the city is built for families, couples, and friend groups who want to do a lot without overplanning.

If you’re coming for theme parks, you’ll have plenty to choose from—Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND are the obvious headliners. Thanksgiving week often comes with seasonal shows, special dining, and holiday décor starting to creep in. You can keep it simple: park during the day, dinner somewhere nice at night, and call it a perfect holiday.

And Orlando isn’t only rides and characters. If you want a break from the parks, head to Wekiwa Springs for clear water and quiet trails, or do a proper Florida-style airboat ride to spot wildlife. That switch—from “theme park energy” to “nature and fresh air”—is exactly why Orlando works so well for a holiday trip.

Orlando also has a surprisingly strong food scene. You can absolutely find a classic Thanksgiving plate, but you can also go off-script with modern restaurants, farm-to-table spots, and outdoor dining while the rest of the country is putting on coats.

New York City during Thanksgiving day 

New York at Thanksgiving is crowded, loud, and a little chaotic… and that’s kind of the point. If you want a city that feels alive, this is it.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the headline event, and seeing it in person is a completely different experience than watching on TV. It’s cold, you’ll be standing for a while, and you may not get the “perfect view.” But when those giant balloons come down the route and the crowd starts reacting as one, it hits in a way TV never captures.

After the parade, NYC basically gives you unlimited options: Central Park in late fall, museums that can absorb an entire day, and Broadway if you want a “big night” moment. Then there’s the Thanksgiving weekend shopping rush—if you love it, you’ll have a blast; if you don’t, treat it like a spectator sport and duck into smaller boutiques and markets.

If you’re flying in, this is one of those trips where comfort matters. New York is a lot. Starting it rested makes the whole weekend better.

Costa Rica a Tropical Thanksgiving Getaways 

If you’re over cold weather and heavy food, Costa Rica is the escape hatch. It’s warm, green, and built for people who want nature plus comfort—sometimes in the same day.

Arenal Volcano is a classic base: hot springs, rainforest views, hiking, and ziplining if you want your adrenaline fix. You can keep things calm with wildlife tours (sloths and toucans are not rare if you go to the right spots), or go full adventure with canopy tours and rafting.

What I like about Costa Rica for Thanksgiving is that it doesn’t try to “pretend” it’s Thanksgiving. You can still find resorts and restaurants that offer turkey-style menus for visitors, but you don’t have to. You can just eat well—fresh fruit, seafood, coffee, chocolate, the whole thing—and call it a win.

Beach-wise, you’ve got choices: Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side, or Puerto Viejo if you want a laid-back Caribbean vibe with Afro-Caribbean culture and reggae in the background.

Thanksgiving Day in Palm Springs California 

Palm Springs is for people who want to do… less. In the best way.

Late November is usually perfect weather for desert hiking, biking, and long lunches. You can take the aerial tramway up into the San Jacinto Mountains, wander around mid-century neighborhoods, and spend the rest of the day pretending you don’t own a phone.

It’s also an easy place to turn Thanksgiving into a “treat yourself” weekend: spa day, a great dinner, maybe Joshua Tree nearby for a dramatic landscape change. Palm Springs is clean, stylish, and low-effort—ideal if your year has been a lot.

Lake Tahoe During The Thanksgiving Season 

Tahoe is the move if you want a holiday weekend that feels like a real break from normal life—mountains, cold air, and that “I should be drinking something warm” feeling.

If snow arrives early, you’ll get the start of ski season at resorts like Northstar, Heavenly, and Palisades Tahoe. If the slopes aren’t fully in, Tahoe still works: scenic drives, lake views, easy hikes, and cozy resort time. The Lake Tahoe Loop is one of those simple plans that always delivers.

And if you want a split vibe, North Lake Tahoe tends to feel calmer, while South Lake Tahoe leans more lively with casinos and nightlife.

Highlights of a Thanksgiving in Milwaukee 

Milwaukee is underrated—and that’s why it’s a great Thanksgiving pick.

You get museums, a legit food scene, and a city that’s easy to navigate without feeling “small.” If you’re into history and culture, Bronzeville is worth your time, and America’s Black Holocaust Museum is powerful in a way that stays with you.

Thanksgiving season also lines up with holiday lights and events downtown, so you get that festive feeling without the NYC-level crowds. It’s a great “let’s do something different this year” destination.

Thanksgiving in Coastal Louisiana 

If your love language is food, coastal Louisiana wins.

This is not the place for a standard turkey-and-stuffing routine (unless you want it). It’s seafood, gumbo, oysters, crawfish, and Cajun flavors that make a normal Thanksgiving dinner feel… honestly, a bit boring in comparison.

Beyond eating, you’ve got swamp tours, fishing, small-town holiday events, and live Cajun music that turns “we’re just going out for a bit” into “how is it midnight already?”

Tennessee Thanksgiving Getaway Great Smoky Mountains 

Gatlinburg is made for Thanksgiving: cabins, mountain views, crisp air, and that cozy holiday mood without needing a big city plan.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the anchor—hikes, scenic drives like Cades Cove, and wildlife spotting if you’re lucky (and patient). Then you’ve got the Arts and Crafts Community loop for handmade gifts and local workshops.

This is the kind of trip where the best part is simple: coffee on a deck, mountains in the distance, and nowhere you need to be.

Thanksgiving In Hawaii Is Unlike Any Other 

Thanksgiving in Hawaii feels like cheating—in a good way.

You’re trading coats for beach weather, and the whole holiday becomes lighter. You can still find turkey dinners at resorts, but you can also lean into local food: poke, kalua pig, fresh seafood, and a luau if you want the full cultural experience.

If you’re traveling with family, the Big Island is a standout: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can be genuinely jaw-dropping, especially if conditions allow you to see volcanic glow at night. O’ahu adds Pearl Harbor and the energy of Honolulu, and Kaua’i and Maui lean more scenic and laid-back.

Thanksgiving getaway outdoor activities Branson Missouri 

Branson is a classic family Thanksgiving pick because it’s basically built for group trips.

You get nonstop live entertainment, easy outdoor access in the Ozarks, and Silver Dollar City—which goes big on holiday lights and seasonal vibes. It’s not “trendy,” and that’s the charm. It’s warm, friendly, and surprisingly fun.

Looking For a Unique Thanksgiving Getaway In Belize 

Belize is for travelers who want beach time and something that feels like an actual adventure.

The reef is a major draw—snorkeling, diving, and boat trips are the headline activities. If you’re into history, Mayan ruins like Xunantunich or Lamanai make the trip feel deeper than “we went somewhere warm.” And if you want something really memorable, cave experiences like ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) are the kind of thing people talk about for years afterward.

Then you can finish the day on a cayes beach with seafood and a sunset that makes you stop scrolling. That’s Belize.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

If you want a simple beach trip without the long-haul flight, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are an easy win.

White sand, calm days, seafood-heavy meals, and enough outdoor options (Gulf State Park, fishing, boating) to keep it from feeling repetitive. It’s relaxed, family-friendly, and quietly great for a low-stress Thanksgiving.

The Adirondacks in New York

The Adirondacks are for people who want nature, quiet, and that “small town + lodge + fireplaces” feeling.

You can hike, drive scenic routes, spend time around lakes, and base yourself in places like Lake Placid if you want more restaurants and shops nearby. It’s a good Thanksgiving trip if you want something peaceful that still feels special.

London, England for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving isn’t a thing in the UK, but London is still a fun choice if you want to be somewhere iconic during late November.

You’ll get museums, historic landmarks, West End shows, and early holiday markets and lights. And because you’re not chasing Thanksgiving events, you can treat it like a normal London trip—just timed around a long weekend.

If you want a taste of home, some American restaurants and expat-friendly spots do Thanksgiving-style meals, but I’d honestly lean into British comfort food while you’re there.

Sedona Arizona Is A perfect Thanksgiving Destination 

Sedona is part hike, part spa, part “why does this place feel like another planet?”

The trails are the main event—Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge—plus those classic red rock views that make even a short walk feel cinematic. The “vortex” side of Sedona is either your thing or it isn’t, but the tours are fun either way, and the atmosphere is genuinely calming.

It’s also a great destination if you want Thanksgiving without the usual noise: good food, quiet nights, and nature that does most of the talking.

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Is a Fantastic Thanksgiving Getaway 

Philadelphia is a Thanksgiving city through and through—historic sites, great food, and a parade tradition.

You can do the classic American-history circuit (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell), then eat your way through the city. Philly is one of those places where casual food can be as memorable as fine dining, and you should absolutely grab a cheesesteak at some point—no debate.

It’s a strong pick if you want a festive vibe without the intensity (or cost) of NYC.

A Snowy Thanksgiving Getaway Park City Utah 

Park City is the snowy, polished Thanksgiving getaway: skiing, spa time, fireplaces, and Main Street charm.

Deer Valley is ski-only and known for high-end service. Park City Mountain is huge and more mixed with skiers and snowboarders. Even if you don’t ski, Park City still works—sleigh rides, snowshoeing, shopping, and great restaurants in a setting that feels like a holiday movie.

Thanksgiving getaways: Portugal (Lisbon)

Lisbon is a great “Thanksgiving, but make it Europe” option.

Late November is quieter, the city is still lively, and you can spend days wandering neighborhoods like Alfama and Belém—viewpoints, tiled streets, pastries, museums, long dinners. It’s not a Thanksgiving trip in the traditional sense, but that’s the appeal. It feels like you stole a few extra days of life.