Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26, which makes the long weekend November 26 to 29. Here are 10 U.S. cities worth that weekend, and where to stay in each.
The turkey might be the star, but the long weekend is the real reason people count down. Some years you skip the cooking. Some years you fly somewhere warm and let someone else host.
Either way the booking window is short, because Thanksgiving is the busiest domestic travel week of the year.
Thanksgiving Getaway U.S. Destinations
Stroll tree-lined streets and lights in Greenville, SC
Downtown Greenville shines during the holiday season, with twinkling lights up and Ice on Main, an open-air skating rink. It’s the kind of cozy, walkable city that’s perfect for couples looking for a festive Thanksgiving getaway. Grab coffee and stroll Falls Park on the Reedy or shop festive Main Street boutiques.
- Where to stay: The Aventine Greenville sits off Woodruff Road, a short drive from Main Street, with a resort-style pool, a 24-hour fitness center, in-unit laundry, and a fire pit lounge for the evenings. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is nearby if the group wants a morning walk before dinner.
Trade your turkey for tunes in Nashville, TN
Thanksgiving weekend in Nashville is the best of both worlds, festive but still laid-back, with fewer crowds and mild weather. Going with friends or just your partner, this music-filled city hits the right note. Wander around Broadway or stroll through Cheekwood’s Holiday Lights with a hot cocoa in hand.
- Where to stay: Settle into The Flats at Walden Grove, just a short drive from downtown and the Franklin tree lighting. This stylish short-term stay includes a year-round pool, 24-hour fitness center, and grilling stations, perfect after a day exploring Music City.
Watch giant balloons and sip mulled wine in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is perfect for families looking for fun or couples looking to kick off the holidays early. Catch the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade, one of the biggest in the South. Then head to the Charlotte Christmas Village for German food, mulled wine, and holiday shopping. Try ice skating, pond hockey, or even curling at Winter at Whitewater. And don’t forget to browse Black Friday deals at SouthPark Mall.
- Where to stay: If you’re looking for accommodation, both Ventana Northlake and Highland Park at Northlake offer easy access to uptown Charlotte and festive spots like the Christmas Village and Whitewater Center. Both offer fire pits, fitness centers, and space to spread out.
Visit monuments and holiday markets in Washington, D.C.
Thanksgiving in D.C. means peak fall colors, fewer crowds, and lots to do. It’s the kind of trip that proves why off-season travel is the ultimate hack. The museums are still open, the National Mall is beautiful, and the DowntownDC Holiday Market has plenty of art, treats, and live music for you to enjoy. Plus, you can walk off dinner with a beautifully lit, historic stroll during Mount Vernon’s candlelight tours. It is ideal for solo travelers, couples, or families wanting a relaxed Thanksgiving getaway.
- Where to stay: Seventy Capitol Yards is in Navy Yard at 70 I Street SE, a block from the Navy Yard Metro and next to Nationals Park, with the Mall two stops away. Fully equipped kitchens, in-unit washer and dryer, a pool, and a rooftop deck with views toward the Capitol.
Kick off the holidays a weekend early in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis brings the festive energy, making it a great pick for families or nostalgic travelers looking to kickstart the season. The Ameren Thanks-for-Giving Parade no longer runs on Thanksgiving morning. In 2025 it moved to the Saturday before, stepping off on Market Street in the afternoon and ending at Kiener Plaza, where Winterfest opens for the season. The 2026 date hadn’t been published when this was written, so check before you book around it. Stick around for the Garden Glow light show at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Don’t forget to try the toasted ravioli and local beer for the full experience.
- Where to stay: Right downtown, Ballpark Heights is a beautiful short-term rental with skyline views, a rooftop deck with skyline views, and an indoor lounge with a bar area.
Swap your sweater for a swimsuit in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale has gorgeous weather, outdoor dining, and lots to explore, perfect for couples, solo travelers, or anyone looking to escape the cold. Find great Black Friday deals at Galleria Mall or along Las Olas Boulevard’s boutiques, or simply hit the beach and call it a weekend well spent.
- Where to stay: Just minutes from it all, Aviah is a luxurious apartment community with a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, and outdoor stone fireplace, perfect for a warm-weather Thanksgiving getaway.
Hike and golf instead of hosting dinner in Tucson, AZ
Tucson is the quietest pick on this list, offering sunshine, serenity, and world-class golf. It’s ideal for couples or solo travelers looking for an outdoor adventure. Start your morning hiking the Saguaro National Park, grab lunch downtown, and catch sunset at Gates Pass.
- Where to stay: RendezVous Urban Flats sits right downtown and makes for a great base for golfers, hikers, and foodies alike. Enjoy mountain views from the rooftop deck, grilling stations, and a mini mart.
Slow down and soak up the sun in St. Petersburg, FL
St. Pete offers warm weather and lots of culture, perfect for couples and creatives. Stroll the Sunken Gardens, pop into the Dalí Museum, or just hang out at the beach with a cold drink. At night, head to the St. Pete Pier or check out local murals in the Warehouse Arts District.
- Where to stay: Just across the bay, stay at Gateway Commons in Palmetto. It offers quick access to Tampa Bay and includes pickleball courts, a yoga studio, and a resort-style pool.
Kayak your way through a peaceful Thanksgiving in Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers is a quiet, scenic option for families and couples planning a low-key Thanksgiving vacation. Kayak the canals, drive over to Sanibel Island, or grab fresh seafood at a dockside spot. The local farmers’ market on Saturday is a great way to get outside and snack your way through the morning.
- Where to stay: Vantage offers modern furnished apartments near the beach with yoga studios, sundecks, and fitness centers. It is a great spot to relax after a day of outdoor adventures.
Spend Thanksgiving hiking and stargazing in Phoenix, AZ
For outdoorsy travelers and friend groups, Phoenix offers a warm and sunny twist on traditional Thanksgiving vacation ideas. Start the day with a desert hike, then head to brunch or a spa. At night, hit up ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, which opens just in time to add a little sparkle to the end of your weekend.
- Where to stay: Stay downtown at Brix Warehouse District, close to ZooLights and Roosevelt Row, or opt for Preston at Biltmore for mountain views and resort-style luxury. Both have sky decks and pools, and both put you within reach of the city’s holiday events.
When Is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, with Black Friday on the 27th. The standard long weekend runs Thursday the 26th through Sunday the 29th, and most school breaks start Wednesday the 25th.
Plan the drive around the crowd. For Thanksgiving 2025, AAA projected 81.8 million people travelling at least 50 miles between the Tuesday and the following Monday, a record, with nearly 90% of them driving. AAA put the worst traffic on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning and the Sunday coming home. Leaving Thursday morning, or staying through Monday, skips most of it.
Where Should Families Go for Thanksgiving?
Pick a city with a parade and you have the morning solved. Charlotte runs its Thanksgiving Eve parade uptown on Wednesday the 25th at 5:30 p.m., and Washington, D.C. gives you monuments plus holiday markets within a Metro ride.
The practical part matters more than the itinerary. Four nights with kids means laundry, a real kitchen, and somewhere for people to be in separate rooms, which is where an apartment beats two adjoining hotel rooms.
Best Thanksgiving Getaways for Couples
Greenville, South Carolina is the easiest call. It’s walkable, the downtown lights are up by late November, and Falls Park sits in the middle of it.
Tucson is the other one, and it’s the quietest city on this list. Saguaro National Park is twenty minutes out, the golf is good in November, and nobody is fighting you for a dinner reservation.
Both work as a two-night trip, which is the honest length for a couples’ Thanksgiving when one of you still has family obligations.
Where Can You Go for a Warm Thanksgiving?
Florida and Arizona, and it isn’t close.
Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and Fort Myers all put you on the water in shorts in late November. Phoenix and Tucson give you dry warmth and hiking instead of beach.
The trade is demand. These are the same places every snowbird is heading in November, so they book earliest and they price accordingly.
How Do You Keep a Thanksgiving Trip Cheap?
Three things move the number more than hunting for a deal.
Drive instead of fly. Nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travellers drive, and a city within a half-day’s drive takes the most volatile cost out of the trip entirely.
Cook one meal. Thanksgiving dinner for four at a restaurant is the single biggest line item on most of these trips. A stay with a full kitchen removes it, and leftovers cover Friday.
Travel on the holiday itself. Thursday morning is the quietest driving window of the week, and arriving a day later shortens the stay you’re paying for.
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Your Home Away From Home This Thanksgiving
Pick any city on this list and the hard part is the same: five people, four nights, and nowhere to put the pie. Hotel rooms don’t have kitchens, and hosting at home is the thing you were trying to escape.
Landing’s fully furnished apartments come with full kitchens and premium amenities, so you can actually cook the bird, spread out after dinner, and still have a door to close. Stay the long weekend or the whole month.
