Best Places to Spend Thanksgiving Weekend

Best Places to Spend Thanksgiving Weekend

Travel 2021 | 6 min read

Get into the holiday spirit with a quick getaway for Thanksgiving weekend. From west coast to east coast, these are some of the best places to spend Thanksgiving 2021:

Lake Tahoe, California


Lake Tahoe offers spectacular views year-round, but it’s especially beautiful in autumn. This woodsy California town gets the perfect amount of snow around the middle of November. With fresh powder, you can hit the slopes by ski, snowboard, or sled!
After some fun in the snow, cozy up with some hot cocoa by a cabin fire. And of course, you can visit one of Tahoe’s local spots for a Thanksgiving feast. Some hotels even offer a holiday package that includes a Thanksgiving meal with turkey, side dishes, and dessert. Because Lake Tahoe is a popular place to spend the holidays, be sure to book your rooms and any national park passes as soon as possible.

Keystone Resort, Colorado


If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination, consider a weekend at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colorado. This city is known for its powdery snow and abundant sunshine around mid- to late-November. Besides the chilly weather to get you into the seasonal spirit, there are plenty of snow activities for the whole family to enjoy. Most lodges allow kids to ski free all season long, which means there’s something for everyone. Plus, these lodges and surrounding restaurants offer a Thanksgiving meal that the whole family can enjoy. 
For those that wish to cook their own Thanksgiving meal, there are plenty of private homes and condos that are available for rent on AirBnB and other vacation rental sites. 
Orlando, Florida


If you’re looking for warmer weather this fall, fly south to Orlando, Florida! Whether you want to relax by the beach, golf at a world-famous course, or visit a magical theme park, Orlando offers plenty of sunshine and a variety of activities. 
With the (slightly) cooler weather, it’s the perfect season to visit Disney World, Universal Studios, and more. These parks are all decked out with fall decorations and some even have seasonal treats and Thanksgiving meals! Plus, the parks have extended hours during this time of year so you and the fam can maximize the fun.
New York, New York

Spend a weekend in the Big Apple and catch the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Although this celebration was completely virtual in 2020, the event will be in-person this year. Be amongst the millions of people that witness the epic floats, dancers, and exciting performances that the parade is known for. If you’re not too keen on crowds these days, you can watch the parade from the comfort of your hotel room. With the cool weather, decorated buildings, and electric energy of the city that never sleeps, there is truly no place like New York City.
Chicago, Illinois

The windy city might be the getaway for you if you’re looking for eye-catching holiday festivities. Chicago kickstarts the holiday season when the mayor lights up the city’s official Christmas tree on the night before Thanksgiving. Enjoy some hot chocolate and watch as a massive spruce tree is lit at Millennium Park. Then, enjoy the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade the morning of Thanksgiving! With giant helium balloons, marching bands, and spectacular performances, there are so many exciting sites to see throughout the three hour parade. After the parade, spend some time in the park to ice skate and enjoy the other festive activities.
New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is one the world’s restaurant capitals and it’s no secret that this city knows how to celebrate! For foodies that love nightlife, head to New Orleans, Louisiana. You can try local favorites like po’ boys, crawfish boils, and sweet beignets. Or, opt for local Thanksgiving delicacies like turducken (that’s a chicken stuffed into a duck...stuffed into a turkey). Whatever Thanksgiving craving you have, you can find it in one of the many restaurants in NOLA. 
After your food coma, you can partake in the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade. This festive parade travels down the most iconic streets and ends with a stop at Santa’s Workshop. This is where kiddos and parents can take a picture with Santa! 
Plymouth, Massachusetts

If you’re a history buff that appreciates tradition, you’ll enjoy Plymouth, Massachusetts. Transport back in time and experience the place where the first-ever Thanksgiving meal was had. You can visit preserved 17th-century English villages, explore the Mayflower II, and take in all the historic sites. There is also a parade, food festival, live entertainment, farmers market, and more to experience in Plymouth. 
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Although most places will feature pilgrims at Thanksgiving, you can dive into Native American culture in Santa Fe, Mexico. Here, you can learn about deeply-rooted traditions and appreciate tribal art, crafts, and performances. There is a three-day Winter Indian Market that showcases over 200 local artists, dance groups, and musicians. Experience the rich culture that Santa Fe has to offer. After learning about the history of the state and its people, you can gather at the Christmas tree lighting in Santa Fe’s historic plaza.
Signature 2.0 Garment Duffel with Antimicrobial Liner 


For anyone that plans to travel with suits, dresses, or expensive clothing, a 2-in-1 garment duffle bag is the best travel bag. This versatile piece of luggage offers an easy and efficient way to transport wrinkle-prone attire. It is highly recommended for your Thanksgiving weekend getaway and other formal events. When unzipped, it lays flat like a traditional garment bag--when fully zipped, a duffel bag is created! 
If you’re looking for the best suit bag luggage, it’s tough to beat the Signature 2.0 Garment Duffel with Antimicrobial Liner. It features a premium, vegan leather outer for superior durability and a silky, antimicrobial lining to keep items sanitary.
The easy-access garment compartment is equipped with a convenient hanger hook and stores up to 3 suits/coats with ease. To keep small items like jewelry and cuff links safe, there are three internal zipper pockets that provide the perfect storage space. Other organization features include two internal elastic pockets and two exterior side pockets. Plus, when the duffel is formed, you can stack even more apparel, shoes, and toiletry bags.
Depending on what’s most comfortable, you can carry the 2-in-1 bag by hand, shoulder, or wheel it around on your favorite rolling luggage. The Signature 2.0 Garment Duffel features dual top handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, and concealed luggage sleeve. The luggage sleeve simply slides over your favorite softside luggage or hard-shell suitcase and frees up a hand.
[Shop the Signature 2.0 Garment Duffel with Antimicrobial Liner
Dimensions: 23”L x 11.5”W x 12”H
Capacity: 52L
Water-bottle holders: No
Maximum laptop size: All laptops
Color Options: Track Stone, Track Black
Looking for more Garment Duffel Bags? Shop the Signature 2.0 Garment Duffel 
Or find on Amazon
Signature 2.0 Boston Duffel SE


One of the most popular weekender bags for Thanksgiving weekend is this premium Boston Bag-- the Signature 2.0 Boston SE. This unisex boston bag showcases sleek lines and minimal trims. With its compact silhouette, the Signature 2.0 Boston SE is the best carry-on luggage for domestic and international travel. It has several exterior pockets including the front compartment and two expandable, magnetic pockets. These are ideal for any items that you’ll need quick access to. Within the large main compartment there are many interior pockets. You can pack small items like socks and undergarments into two separate slip pockets. For delicate items like jewelry, watches, and belts, there is a velour-lined valuables pocket to offer a scratch-free space. The Signature 2.0 Boston SE even features a separate shoe compartment that allows you to keep dirty shoes away from clean clothing and toiletries. But the best part about this boston bag, is that you can monogram the front! It features a metal name plate that you can get engraved with your initials. 
Carry this boston bag by its dual top handles or padded shoulder strap. If you don’t feel like lugging your bag around, use the luggage sleeve to attach it to your favorite rolling luggage. 
[Travel Tip: You can increase your organization capabilities by pairing this boston bag with a luggage organizer or luggage divider.] 
Dimensions: 19”L x 8.5”W x 11.25”H
Water-bottle holders: No
Maximum laptop size: 17-inch laptop  
TSA-approved 
Different Colors: Black Pebbled, Rose Gold, Black Pebbled Croc
Shop the Signature 2.0 Boston SE 
Boston Bag Men | Boston Bag Women 

Skyline Lux Duffel


A travel bag trend that is perfect for Thanksgiving weekend is the Skyline Lux Duffel. This shoe duffel bag is one of the most popular for Fall 2021. It is crafted with premium, crosshatch-embossed vegan leather; antimicrobial lining, metal trims, and YKK zippers for a luxurious look and feel. Not only does this duffel bag look high-end, it is designed to be durable, weather-resistant, and easy-to-clean too. Whether you intend to use it for weekend getaways or gym sessions, the Skyline Lux Duffel offers an ideal balance of style and functionality. 
The large, main compartment provides impressive storage that accommodates enough clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, and more, for shorter trips. With two, internal slip pockets and two zippered pockets (one of which is lined with microfiber), it is easy to organize and keep track of small items. When you need a little extra packing space for longer trips, you can unhook the side S-hooks to expand the Skyline Lux Duffel. 
[Travel Tip: Use travel organizers to compartmentalize outfits of types of apparel.] 
Of course, it wouldn’t be a shoe duffel bag without a dedicated space for shoes. The Skyline Lux Duffel features a dedicated footwear compartment that can be accessed from the exterior. This comes in handy for making sure that dirty shoes don’t soil clean clothes and valuables. In the front, right pocket, you can secure your keys to the handy key-clip and toss in your wallet and passport for quick access. The front, left pocket is microfiber-lined to provide a safe spot for your sunglasses, readers, watches, and other valuables. 
To provide the ultimate carrying experience, the Skyline Lux Duffel showcases top handles and a detachable shoulder strap. You can swap between carrying the duffel bag by hand, or use it as a shoulder bag. The versatility and functionality of this duffle bag makes it the perfect go-to travel and lifestyle bag.
Dimensions: 18"L x 9.75"W x 10.5"H
Capacity: 34L 
Water-bottle holders: No
Maximum laptop size: Any
TSA-approved 
Colors: Black, Maroon, Natural 
Shop the Skyline Lux Duffel here
For more duffel bags, check out Valentino, Dior, Jacquemus, or Balmain.

Travel Accessories
Toiletry Bag
Pair your weekender bag with a handy toiletry kit. The best toiletry bag case for travel is the Signature 2.0 with Antimicrobial Liner. This men’s and women’s hanging toiletry bag is the perfect size for essential toiletries. Its compact yet spacious size fits easily into your duffel bag or garment bag. The Signature 2.0 Toiletry with Antimicrobial Liner features a water-resistant faux leather exterior and waterproof zippers. This helps prevent any spills or leaks from damaging other bag contents. 
This women’s and men’s dopp kit is designed with a book-style opening that reveals several interior organization features and a hanging hook. You can stash your toothbrush, toothpaste, and eye drops in one of the three mesh pockets. These items can stay separate from your shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and shaving products in the zip pockets and slip pocket. If you hate crowding the bathroom sink, you can use the hook to hang your toiletries on the towel rack instead. Whether you’re freshening up during a 10 hour flight, or preparing to go straight into a business meeting, this toiletry kit ensures your most-needed care items are at-hand. 
Drawstring Laundry Bag
When you’re enjoying a vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is laundry. However, you still want to keep track of what’s dirty and fresh. To help, you should bring along a reusable laundry bag. This simple travel accessory makes it easy to store dirty laundry and prevent unwanted odors and harmful bacteria from spoiling the rest of your vacation ‘fits. The VESSEL drawstring bag is the perfect size to pack away into your luggage and gradually fill with dirty clothing. The sturdy drawstring backpack is multipurpose and can be used to not only transport apparel to and from a laundry facility, but can be used as a daypack. It features pockets for small items and a microfiber-lined pocket. This drawstring bag fits up to a 13-inch laptop or tablet. 
Packing Cubes
Who doesn’t love hassle-free packing? If you’re not utilizing packing cubes, you’re probably spending way too much time figuring out how you’ll fit everything into your carry-on weekender bag. With these washable, mesh travel bag organizers, you can quickly organize apparel by type. Simply sort clothing, undergarments, and accessories into each packing cube to keep track of all your items. Pack clothes and gear down tightly using a “rolling” method to maximize the space within each travel organizer. Not only can you fit more items into your carry-on luggage, but you’ll have extra space for souvenirs! This maximizes the space of any rolling luggage, garment duffel, or duffle bag and allows travelers to sort items by type or pre-plan outfits. Stop trying to squish everything into your carry-on and make it easy on yourself.

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