Top 12 Best Places To Go During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving transforms America into a tapestry of traditions and flavors. From New York's iconic parade to Savannah's historic charm, Boston's colonial roots to New Orleans' jazz-filled streets, the holiday offers countless destinations. Chicago's deep-dish warmth, Nashville's musical soul, and Napa Valley's harvest bounty await. Whether you crave Orlando's magical festivities or Washington DC's patriotic spirit, each city delivers its own Thanksgiving story.

Keep reading as we uncover the best places to go during Thanksgiving that will make your holiday weekend unforgettable and fill your heart with gratitude.

1. New York City: The Parade That Started It All

New York delivers Thanksgiving like nowhere else. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade stretches 2.5 miles from Central Park West to Herald Square, featuring massive balloons, celebrity performances, and three million spectators lining the streets.

The night before, you can watch balloon inflation near the Museum of Natural History. Arrive early—the best viewing spots fill by 6 AM. After the parade, the city's restaurants serve everything from traditional turkey to innovative fusion menus.

Times Square empties for a few precious hours on Thanksgiving morning, creating rare photo opportunities without crowds.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November
  
• Getting There: Fly into JFK, LGA, or EWR; subway system connects all boroughs
  
• Entry Fees: From free (parade viewing) to $200+ (restaurant dinners)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Broadway shows
  

2. Boston: Where Thanksgiving Began

Boston owns American history, and Thanksgiving feels authentic here. The Freedom Trail connects 16 historic sites, from the Boston Tea Party Ships to Paul Revere's House. November's crisp air makes walking tours perfect.

Local restaurants serve New England classics—turkey with cornbread stuffing, Boston cream pie, and cranberry sauce made from Cape Cod berries. Many offer special Thanksgiving brunches through the weekend.

The Boston Ballet's Nutcracker premieres during Thanksgiving week, launching the holiday season with world-class performances.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November through December
  
• Getting There: Logan International Airport; efficient T subway system
  
• Entry Fees: From free (Freedom Trail) to $150+ (special dinners)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Harvard Square, Boston Harbor
  

3. Plymouth: The Original Thanksgiving Table

Plymouth Rock may be smaller than expected, but the town's significance towers over American tradition. Mayflower II replica and Plimoth Patuxet Museums bring 1620 to life with costumed interpreters and authentic demonstrations.

I stood where the Pilgrims first landed on a gray November morning, watching fog lift from Plymouth Harbor. The same November wind that chilled the first Thanksgiving still carries salt from the Atlantic.

Local cranberry bogs turn crimson in late fall, creating stunning photography opportunities just outside town.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Thanksgiving week
  
• Getting There: 45 minutes south of Boston via Route 3
  
• Entry Fees: From $15 (museums) to $75+ (combination tickets)
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-2 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, cranberry bogs
  

4. Chicago: Deep-Dish Thanksgiving Tradition

Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade ranks second in the nation, marching down State Street from 8 AM to 11 AM on Thursday. The city's architecture creates dramatic backdrops for floats and performances against the November sky.

After the parade, Chicago's legendary restaurants serve turkey with Midwest flair—cornbread stuffing with Italian sausage, sweet potato casserole with bourbon, and deep-dish apple pie that requires two hands.

The city's lakefront offers brisk walks along Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile, where holiday window displays begin their seasonal showcase.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November
  
• Getting There: O'Hare or Midway airports; extensive L train system
  
• Entry Fees: From free (parade viewing) to $120+ (restaurant meals)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Art Institute, Skydeck Chicago
  

5. Nashville: Music City's Holiday Harmony

Nashville blends Thanksgiving tradition with live music on every corner. The Ryman Auditorium hosts special holiday concerts, while Lower Broadway's honky-tonks never stop playing.

Union Station's historic grandeur provides elegant Thanksgiving dining, with live music in the lobby each evening. The building's 1900 architecture creates cathedral-like acoustics that make every song feel sacred.

Cheekwood Estate transforms into a million-light wonderland starting Thanksgiving weekend, combining botanical beauty with seasonal magic.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November through December
  
• Getting There: Nashville International Airport; downtown walkable
  
• Entry Fees: From free (street music) to $100+ (special dinners)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Music Row, The Gulch
  

6. New Orleans: Jazz-Infused Gratitude

New Orleans transforms Thanksgiving into a celebration of music, food, and tradition. The Fair Grounds Race Course opens Thanksgiving Day with 10 races, while the city's restaurants serve turkey with Creole seasoning and jazz accompaniment.

Bayou Classic weekend brings college football excitement, culminating in the legendary Battle of the Bands that rivals the game itself. French Quarter restaurants offer elaborate prix fixe menus featuring local ingredients.

I watched sunrise over the Mississippi from Jackson Square, coffee and beignets in hand, while street musicians tuned their instruments for another day of magic.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November
  
• Getting There: Louis Armstrong International Airport; streetcar system
  
• Entry Fees: From free (street performances) to $150+ (special menus)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Spots: French Quarter, Garden District, Bourbon Street, Mississippi riverfront
  

7. Asheville: Mountain Thanksgiving Magic

Asheville's Blue Ridge setting creates postcard-perfect Thanksgiving backdrops. Biltmore Estate's Christmas celebration begins Thanksgiving weekend, with the mansion decorated in dozens of trees and thousands of ornaments.

The Asheville Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning supports local food banks while winding through downtown's art-filled streets. Many participants wear creative costumes, adding whimsy to the mountain town's natural charm.

Local breweries serve seasonal ales alongside traditional turkey dinners, creating unique mountain-to-table experiences you won't find elsewhere.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November through January
  
• Getting There: Asheville Regional Airport; car recommended for surrounding areas
  
• Entry Fees: From free (downtown walks) to $85+ (Biltmore admission)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway, downtown Art District, North Carolina Arboretum
  

8. Napa Valley: Harvest Season Gratitude

Napa Valley's Thanksgiving celebrates the harvest with wine pairings and farm-to-table perfection. November's golden light illuminates vineyards as restaurants serve turkey with California twists—fig stuffing, Meyer lemon cranberry sauce, wine-braised vegetables.

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers 3.5-hour Thanksgiving journeys through autumn vineyards, combining luxury dining with scenic beauty. Chef Thomas Keller hosts cookbook signings at Finesse, The Store during Black Friday weekend.

Morning fog lifts from the valley like nature's own turkey timer, revealing endless rows of dormant vines preparing for winter rest.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: October through November
  
• Getting There: San Francisco airports; 90-minute drive north
  
• Entry Fees: From $50 (basic tastings) to $375+ (Wine Train experience)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Castello di Amorosa, Oxbow Public Market, Calistoga hot springs, scenic Silverado Trail
  

9. Orlando: Magical Holiday Beginnings

Orlando launches the holiday season with theme park magic and perfect weather. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios debut Christmas decorations and shows during Thanksgiving week.

FusionFest celebrates cultures from 110 nations with food, music, and performances at Seneff Arts Plaza on Thanksgiving weekend. The free event creates a multicultural feast that embodies America's diversity.

Resort hotels serve elaborate Thanksgiving buffets with characters visits and live entertainment, making the holiday feel like celebration rather than obligation.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November through December
  
• Getting There: Orlando International Airport; theme park shuttles available
  
• Entry Fees: From free (FusionFest) to $120+ (theme park tickets)
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, ICON Park, Disney Springs
  

10. Washington DC: Patriotic Thanksgiving Spirit

Washington DC embodies American gratitude with monuments, museums, and Thanksgiving traditions. America's Trot for Hunger brings 20,000 runners from 42 states to Freedom Plaza, supporting local food banks.

The National Gallery's Sculpture Garden Ice Rink opens Thanksgiving weekend, surrounded by works from Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein. Smithsonian museums offer special hours and exhibitions during the holiday weekend.

Standing before the Lincoln Memorial on Thanksgiving morning, reading words of unity and preservation, reminds you why gratitude built this nation.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November through December
  
• Getting There: Three airports (DCA, IAD, BWI); extensive Metro system
  
• Entry Fees: From free (monuments, many museums) to $100+ (special dinners)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Spots: National Mall, Smithsonian museums, Capitol Hill, Georgetown
  

11. San Francisco: Golden Gate Gratitude

San Francisco's mild November weather makes Thanksgiving perfect for outdoor exploration. The Golden Gate Bridge offers fog-free morning walks, while Golden Gate Park hosts the Turkey Trot with bay views and festive costumes.

Restaurants serve California-influenced Thanksgiving menus—Dungeness crab appetizers, sourdough stuffing, and wine pairings from nearby valleys. Ferry Building Marketplace showcases local artisans and seasonal ingredients.

Chinatown adds cultural layers to the holiday, offering dim sum alternatives to traditional turkey dinners and lantern-lit streets for evening strolls.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November through December
  
• Getting There: SFO or Oakland airports; cable cars and Muni system
  
• Entry Fees: From free (Golden Gate Bridge walks) to $150+ (fine dining)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill
  

12. Savannah: Southern Thanksgiving Elegance

Savannah's historic squares and Spanish moss create romantic Thanksgiving backdrops. Horse-drawn carriage tours wind through cobblestone streets while mansions display early holiday decorations.

The United Way Turkey Trot through Daffin Park encourages costumes and benefits local charities. Riverboat cruises offer Thanksgiving dinners with live entertainment and sunset views over the Savannah River.

Evening ghost tours add mysterious charm to holiday traditions, combining history with seasonal storytelling under gaslight-style street lamps.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November through December
  
• Getting There: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport; walkable historic district
  
• Entry Fees: From free (square walks) to $120+ (riverboat dinners)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Spots: Historic squares, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery, Tybee Island
  

These twelve destinations prove that Thanksgiving travels far beyond any single table. Each city writes its own gratitude story—through parades and turkey trots, historic sites and modern celebrations, family traditions and new adventures.

Your perfect Thanksgiving awaits in bustling city streets or quiet mountain towns. In jazz-filled nights or vineyard sunsets. In theme park magic or colonial history.

The turkey will taste different everywhere you go. But the gratitude? That travels with you, growing richer with every mile, every moment, every memory you create along the way.

Pack your appetite for adventure. This Thanksgiving, let America's best destinations fill your heart as completely as they fill your plate.