Thanksgiving is a holiday that should be spent at home; one that involves cooking an extensive amount of food, attending parades, watching football, and keeping your in-laws entertained, right? Wrong! This year why not opt for one of our alternative thanksgiving vacation ideas for families, and, for once, let somebody else stress out about thawing the turkey!
Each year, an increasing amount of families are opting against traditional thanksgiving customs, and instead of finding new means of celebrating the national holiday, namely, by going on vacation – and what better time to go?
With off-season rates and a long weekend for you and your family members, why not make this Turkey Day one to remember?
Here are 6 amazing thanksgiving vacation ideas for your family.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The fun doesn’t dry up in the offseason months at Colorado Springs; in fact, it becomes an even better vacation location! Cooler climates make the city’s outdoor activities more appealing for all family members, young and old.
Some of the best outdoor activity found around Colorado Springs is free of charge, including the Garden of the Gods Park, that is teeming with craggy cliffs and deep caves, that you and your family can explore at your leisure while learning a thing or two about the surrounding rock formations at the visitor and nature center.
Other popular outdoorsy activities include exploring the Broadmoor Seven Falls, Red Rock Canyon, Helen Hunt Falls, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – which offers discounted tickets to Thanksgiving visitors!
Plenty of hotels and resorts throughout Colorado Springs also offer Thanksgiving discounts, specifically the renowned Broadmoor Resort, which offers a 25% off its usual rate and boasts a golf course and spa.
O’ahu, Hawaii
Any Hawaiian island would suffice if you’re looking to turn Thanksgiving into a tropical getaway, but O’ahu probably has the best offerings in the form of parades and other celebrations.
The fun begins early on O’ahu, with the Turkey Trot, a fun run, open to all ages, that sees attendees dress in Thanksgiving attire and run 10 miles – which is as entertaining to watch as it is to participate in!
The Waikiki Holiday parade takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving and is bursting with family-friendly activity, including arts and crafts, music, food, and gingerbread house building.
You’ll find most oceanfront resorts on the island to be offering discounted rooms around Thanksgiving, and many of the best restaurants on the island offering family-sized dinner packages.
Put a spin on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and see what turkey tastes like when it’s roasted using a traditional Hawaiian smoke pit! O’ahu is definitely an underrated of thanksgiving vacation ideas for families.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Catch one last beach vacation before winter properly sets in at Myrtle Beach, which has long been the go-to for those looking to liven up their family thanksgiving.
With a gorgeous, 60-mile beachfront, comfortable temperatures, and next to no threat of rain, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand is still great for beach meanders in November by day.
By night, the vibrant promenade is the best place to be, with carnivals, amusement parks, live music, and other entertainments, that are sure to delight both the youngest and the oldest members of your family.
A live music festival, the South Carolina Bluegrass Festival, takes place over the weekend following Thanksgiving, which is known to be a hit with families.
The Broadway Grand Prix, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Myrtle Beach mini golf course will also keep excitement levels running high.
Sedona, Arizona
If you’re seeking serenity, with the chance of getting your family together for some gratifying hikes, book into one of Sedona’s resorts, situated in the heart of the Arizona desert.
The surrounding Red Rocks are ideal for hiking, biking, and climbing, with light, 3-mile trails to cater for the older members of your family, and more challenging ones for you and the bigger kids. What better way to bring the family together than hiking adventuring into the desert?
Find peace and quiet to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner at such resorts as the Enchantment Resort, the Sky Ranch Lodge Resort, and the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, the latter of which is pet friendly.
Sedona is one of the best alternative thanksgiving vacation ideas for families, as it allows you to experience thanksgiving away from the parades, fireworks, and jubilation, and lets you settle down to enjoy the holiday peacefully.
Jeffersonville, Vermont – One of the Best Thanksgiving Vacation Ideas for Families who Ski
Thanksgiving coincides with the start of Vermont’s skiing season, and there’s no better place to celebrate than Jeffersonville. Bromley Mountain Ski Resort and Killington Ski Area are worth checking out, but the highlight resort is definitely Smuggler’s Notch, with a vast array of different ski terrains, and special packages available for those staying over Thanksgiving weekend.
Even if you’re not into skiing, Smuggler’s Notch resort is a great place to celebrate turkey day, with mind-blowing ice carvings, fire dances, and fireworks on display throughout the weekend, plus a sizable indoor pool for you and the kids to blow off some steam, the fun doesn’t end at the base of the slopes!
Jeffersonville also affords some of the most stunning nature trails within its vicinity, which are great for burning some of the Thanksgiving feast calories!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts – the most traditional of Thanksgiving vacation ideas for families
Make the pilgrimage to Cape Cod this November to celebrate the birthplace of the first-ever Thanksgiving.
The original Thanksgiving of 1621 was held not too far away from Cape Cod, in the town of Plymouth, and Cape Cod has since been regarded as one of the best places to embrace and celebrate American tradition.
Maybe better known for its summertime festivities, why not see the place off-season, for celebrations, gift shopping, and some of the most delicious turkey you’re likely to find.
Learn all about the history of Thanksgiving by visiting the landing site of the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Monument, and the extensive selection of nearby museums.
There is also plenty of fun to be had on the beach, with bike trails leading along the coast.
Not only is Cape Cod the most traditional of Thanksgiving vacation ideas for families, but it is also one of the most educational and adventurous.
Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your family holiday.