For families looking to avoid the kitchen and instead plan a vacation this Thanksgiving, there are no shortages of fantastic destinations to consider. These Thanksgiving getaways will certainly keep the entire family happy this holiday season. Then you can return relaxed and refreshed from your mini-vacation and ready to tackle your list for the holiday season. Be sure to book one of these getaways for Thanksgiving this year.
Congress Hall
Congress Hall is located in the heart of Victorian Cape May, New Jersey. It’s America’s oldest seaside resort, founded in 1816. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, guests can enjoy a special Thanksgiving buffet dinner. There will also be chili dinners with s’mores desserts at the resort’s Beach Plum Farm. Families will also enjoy the resort’s Winter Wonderland series which begins the day after Thanksgiving.
Escape to the North Pole this Holiday Season as Congress Hall’s Grand Lawn is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. Explore unique gifts from various merchants in our enchanted shopping village. Sip on a cozy cup of hot cocoa and enjoy special seasonal treats as you mosey on over to Santa’s Workshop. All aboard the Congress Hall Express! You won’t want to miss the train ride as it travels around Cape May’s North Pole.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island
Over 400,000 visitors descend on Kiawah Island, South Carolina for Thanksgiving getaways they will never forget. This makes it one of the island’s most popular weekends. In addition to the Thanksgiving Feast buffet in the Sanctuary ballroom, families can also enjoy pumpkin hockey, an early-morning 5K Turkey Trot fun run, a turkey “hunt” with prizes, and family sand sculpting. There is also a Fall Festival Thanksgiving evening with live music, an inflatable jump castle, pumpkin bowling, southern lawn games, face painting, arts and crafts, and train rides. After a long day of Thanksgiving fun, families will appreciate relaxing with The Sanctuary, Kiawah’s luxury oceanfront hotel. The Sanctuary prides itself on its AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Stars rating while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.
Montage Deer Valley
Park City, Utah’s famed Montage Deer Valley resort is a wonderful place for families to relax and unwind over the Thanksgiving holiday. There are many activities planned to keep the entire family entertained. On Thanksgiving Day, guests enjoy a Thanksgiving buffet, followed by family photos in front of the beautiful Wasatch mountains. Afterward enjoy the option of a cookie decorating class or simply enjoy s’mores, apple cider, and hot cocoa on the hotel patio. Over the weekend the resorts host a gingerbread house decorating sessions, tree lighting, turkey-themed archery, and even an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt! All this on top of early season skiing make getaways for Thanksgiving perfect at this locale.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Finally, families looking for Thanksgiving getaways off the mainland need look no further than Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i.
Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with local artisans and cultural experts to create Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. Inspired by the natural wonders and rich traditions of Hawai‘i, Aulani Resort is the ultimate family getaway—celebrating the beauty, history and welcoming spirit of the island.
This family resort offers a wide variety of options for Thanksgiving dining. Choose from seaside dining at Aulani’s restaurant Ama Ama, a Hawaiian-style Harvest Feast, or a Thanksgiving buffet at Makahiki. There will also be plenty of fun with appearances from Disney characters no matter which meal you choose. The kids will enjoy the resort’s onsite included kid’s camp. The entire family can also take advantage of the resort’s pools, water slides, and live entertainment as well.
No matter which of these amazing Thanksgiving getaways you choose, you’re guaranteed a relaxing holiday with memories that will last a lifetime. Looking for more getaways for Thanksgiving, explore the five best American towns to visit during the holidays.
