Where to Travel for Thanksgiving (Besides Mom's)

Filed in archive Events on November 12, 2007

In the US of A, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. For most of us, the journey usually leads back to mom's place, or to the house of a good friend. I have never known a Thanksgiving without family, turkey, and an afternoon nap. Not exactly exciting stuff, but tradition nonetheless.

So this year, I have an important goal: find out what other Thanksgiving events are out there.

The one Thanksgiving destination everyone can name is New York City. Few people I have met have actually been there, but have seen the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. I'm sure spending Thanksgiving in NYC is exciting, but could be a little chilly given the unpredictable November weather on the East Coast.

Ski season gets into full swing on Thanksgiving; meaning Colorado gets a healthy influx of tourists. Las Vegas also gets its share of holiday traffic, though getting your turkey and stuffing from the buffet line after shooting craps and before hitting the blackjack table doesn't sound like the makings of a holiday tradition to me.

Some of the more unusual options according to MSNBC.com's travel editor include:

the annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festivale, featuring two dozen Dixie Land bands...And wine-lovers can spend Thanksgiving Day aboard the Napa Valley wine train, which offers lunch and dinner excursions...

The most interesting occurrences are in the city of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Here people re-enact the first Thanksgiving every year, complete with pilgrim garb and freshly plucked turkey.

Every year I've been abroad for thanksgiving, I've been able to find a decent spread at a local expat restaurant. So, no matter where you are, it'd be hard not to find a place to celebrate turkey day.