As published in The Florida Villager.
Thanksgiving, Somewhere Wonderful: Five Places to Make the Holiday a Journey
What if this Thanksgiving, instead of asking, “Who’s bringing the sweet potatoes?” you asked, “Where should we go?”
There is something wonderfully liberating about spending Thanksgiving somewhere other than home. No days of grocery shopping, no marathon cooking, no mountain of dishes waiting afterward. Instead, imagine waking up in a charming New England inn, walking through a historic Southern city, watching the sun set over red-rock cliffs or breathing crisp mountain air before sitting down to a beautifully prepared Thanksgiving dinner.
And perhaps the best part? You get to experience the holiday while making memories along the way.
Plymouth, Massachusetts — Where Thanksgiving Began
If there is one destination that seems made for Thanksgiving, it is Plymouth. Walking through this historic coastal town during the holiday season gives you the opportunity to think about Thanksgiving beyond the turkey and football.
Visit Plimoth Patuxet Museums, where history comes alive through reconstructed 17th-century settings and interpreters who help visitors understand what life was like during the colonial period. Nearby, Plymouth Rock and the waterfront provide another connection to the story most of us learned in elementary school.
But Plymouth isn’t just about history. Its harbor, restaurants, boutiques and beautiful coastal scenery make it an enjoyable getaway in its own right. There is something especially fitting about spending Thanksgiving in the place associated with the story behind the holiday.
Savannah, Georgia — Southern Charm Without the Stress
Savannah is one of those cities where you can simply wander and feel as though you’ve stepped into another era. Spanish moss hangs from enormous oak trees, historic squares invite you to linger, and beautiful architecture seems to appear around every corner.
Thanksgiving here can be wonderfully unhurried. Spend the morning exploring the historic district, enjoy a leisurely Southern meal and take an afternoon walk along the river. You don’t have to plan every minute. Savannah has a way of making you slow down—and isn’t that what a holiday is supposed to do?
Sedona, Arizona — Thanksgiving Among the Red Rocks
For something completely different, head west to Sedona. Thanksgiving surrounded by towering red-rock formations is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Start the day with a hike or scenic drive, explore the galleries and shops in town, and then settle down for Thanksgiving dinner with those dramatic formations as your backdrop. Sedona offers something many holiday destinations don’t: the opportunity to spend part of Thanksgiving immersed in nature.
Stowe, Vermont — A Cozy New England Escape
Picture this: a historic inn, a crackling fireplace, mountains outside the window and the possibility of the season’s first snow.
Stowe is ideal for travelers who want a quintessential New England Thanksgiving. Spend the day exploring the village, hiking through the mountains or simply relaxing by the fire. Then let someone else prepare the turkey while you enjoy a long, leisurely dinner.
Santa Fe, New Mexico — Culture, History and a Little Adventure
Santa Fe offers a Thanksgiving experience with a distinctly Southwestern personality. Adobe architecture, art galleries, historic sites and Native American and Hispanic cultural influences make this a destination where there is always something new to discover.
Instead of spending the entire day preparing a traditional meal, you might visit a museum, explore Canyon Road or take a scenic drive before enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with a Southwestern twist.
Maybe that is the real appeal of a Thanksgiving getaway. You aren’t abandoning the holiday—you’re changing the way you experience it.
Thanksgiving is ultimately about gathering, gratitude and appreciating the people and places that make life meaningful. And sometimes, stepping away from the familiar makes us appreciate all of it a little more.
So this year, pack a suitcase instead of stuffing a turkey. Your Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to be at home. It could be anywhere.
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