Some years, the best way to give thanks is to go somewhere new. Not a big production...just a quiet town, a peaceful trail, or a cozy meal somewhere new. We’ve spent Thanksgiving in places where the leaves still cling to branches, where the river moves slowly, and where strangers smile as if they know you’re far from home. These are the towns and cities that reminded me that Thanksgiving isn’t about the table. It’s about how you feel when you sit down.
Best Places to Visit on Thanksgiving:
Memphis: Soulful Sounds & Slow Moments
We arrived in Memphis just as the leaves along the Mississippi were turning amber and gold. The air felt softer than I expected...like the whole city was exhaling after a long summer. I spent my morning at the National Civil Rights Museum, walking slowly through history layered in voices, photographs, and the quiet weight of Room 306. “This isn’t a place you visit,” I thought. “It’s one you carry.”
In the afternoon, we explored Beale Street where live blues spilled out of doorways and families snapped photos in front of neon signs. We spent the night at The Peabody Memphis.
Next day, we had Thanksgiving Brunch at The Peabody ($108 per adult, reservations required). There was so much to choose from: appetizers, salads, entrées, side dishes, and desserts.
What I Loved Most: The way Memphis turned Thanksgiving into something deeper. Something felt, not just eaten.
Fayetteville, NC: Gratitude in the Pines
Our Thanksgiving trip in Fayetteville began with a walk through Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Autumn leaves fluttered through the crisp air. I had to pull my scarf a little tighter. I stood near the Heritage Garden and thought, “This year, I’m thankful for quiet places.”
Afterward, I slipped into Arsaga's Coffee, tucked beneath tall windows and warm wood tones. My cappuccino arrived in a wide ceramic cup, the foam feathered just right.
Later, I stopped into the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. It reminded me of what courage and sacrifice look like when the world feels uncertain.
Next day, we headed to Ellas' Table for their Thanksgiving Buffet ($68 Per Adult). I had a Sweet Potato Casserole which made me feel warm and relaxed.
Golden, CO: Mountain Calm & a Warm Plate
We reached Golden just as the sun spilled over the foothills, turning the town’s red brick and golden leaves into something out of a postcard. It was Thanksgiving morning, and I started the day with a slow stroll along Clear Creek Trail. The water rushed steady beside me, and I paused on a wooden bridge thinking, “Gratitude feels easier out here—cleaner.”
We checked into The Golden Hotel ($225). We had reservation at the hotel's Bridgewater Grill for their annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet. My plate was stacked with turkey and stuffing, but it was the roasted root vegetables that I kept thinking about later. It tasted like the mountains had made them themselves.
Next day, I walked through the Colorado Railroad Museum, where vintage cars stood silent against the backdrop of snowy peaks.
What I Loved Most: The hush of the trails, the whistle of a train long gone, and the sense that I didn’t need to do anything except enjoy where I was.
There are many affordable hotels in Golden (from $76) if The Golden Hotel is sold out.
A downside? Parking was tricky in Golden.
Hudson, NY: Quiet Streets & Small Joys
While I lived in NYC, Thanksgiving in Hudson (2 hours by train, $33 one way) felt like stepping into a postcard from an earlier time. I enjoyed walking past antique shops dressed in twinkle lights, the clink of coffee cups in independent cafés, and the smell of woodsmoke curling into the crisp air.
I wandered down Warren Street, popping into bookstores and vintage shops, and thought, “There’s something generous about a town that lets you slow down without asking why.”
Mid-morning, I stopped into a quiet café for a maple latte and a warm biscuit that smelled like brown sugar and butter. Around me, couples read newspapers, someone sketched by the window, and the whole place seemed to breathe in unison.
Later, I walked along the Hudson River Park, the wide water stretching calm and gray-blue before me.
For dinner, we found a table at a small farm-to-table restaurant where the Thanksgiving menu was handwritten and seasonal. I loved the roast turkey with apple cider glaze, cornbread stuffing, and cranberry relish that tasted like it had been stirred that morning. No rush, no fanfare. Just warmth, and something that felt like enough.
We didn't feel like going back to NYC just yet so I booked a room at The Wick, Hudson, located in a thoughtfully restored 1860s candle factory. The hotel was just a block from the Amtrak station for our return trip to the city next day.
What I Loved Most: The way Hudson felt both old and alive, like a place where tradition quietly hums beneath everything.
Fort Pierce: Coastal Calm & a Florida Breeze
Thanksgiving morning in Fort Pierce started with a walk along Jetty Park. I enjoyed the Atlantic stretching out in slow silver swells. The sun was already warm on my face, and I watched a few early risers casting lines into the surf. “This is what a soft reset feels like,” I thought, standing still. The breeze lifted the scent of salt and hibiscus.
I wandered into the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market, which stayed open through the holiday weekend. It smelled like citrus and cinnamon and sea air. Vendors chatted with ease, selling warm pastries, fresh local produce, and hand-poured soaps. There was a sweetness in the simplicity of it all. No rush, no noise, just slow gratitude.
We had an early Thanksgiving dinner at Manatee Island Bar and Grille ($45 for adults, $22.50 for kids). You need a reservation and spots sell out early.
We spent the night at Hutchinson Island Plaza Hotel & Suites ($179).
What I Loved Most: The peace of the shoreline and the unexpected joy of a farmers market that felt like a neighborhood gathering.
Rancho Palos Verdes: Clifftop Views & Thanksgiving Stillness
Thanksgiving morning in Rancho Palos Verdes felt like the world had hit pause. I stood at the edge of Point Vicente Lighthouse, the Pacific stretching out in every direction, and thought, “Gratitude feels quieter when the view is this wide.” The cliffs dropped into churning surf, and pelicans soared overhead as if they were showing off just for me.
I spent part of the morning walking the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, where coastal scrub and winding trails offered the kind of solitude you can only find by the ocean. Each step felt like it was shaking off the year’s weight.
For dinner, we found a table with a view—floor-to-ceiling windows, soft light, and a Thanksgiving menu that paired tradition with California brightness: rosemary turkey, sourdough stuffing, and roasted Brussels sprouts with citrus glaze. The cranberry sauce tasted like it had been made by hand that morning. I lingered long after my plate was cleared, just watching the sun drop into the sea.
What I Loved Most: That moment on the cliff, salt wind in my face, and the sense that I was exactly where I needed to be.
You can check into Terranea Resort and book their Thanksgiving buffet in the lovely Palos Verdes Ballroom.
Athens: Music, Magnolia Leaves & a Thanksgiving Stroll
We arrived in Athens just as the morning sun lit the magnolia trees along Broad Street. The town had a relaxed, lived-in charm—college energy softened by the quiet rhythm of the holiday. I wandered through the historic North Campus of the University of Georgia, where brick paths wound beneath old oaks. “This feels like the kind of place where stories just hang in the air,” I thought, pausing under the Arch for a long breath.
At the Georgia Museum of Art, I spent a quiet hour among paintings and pottery, grateful for the hush, the color, the unexpected warmth of Southern creativity. Later, I sipped sweet tea on the patio at a small local café, the air just cool enough for a sweater, the streets gently quiet for the holiday.
Thanksgiving dinner came at a cozy spot just off Clayton Street. I had turkey with gravy the color of pecans, and collard greens with just the right vinegar bite. It was the kind of meal that reminded me how Southern hospitality isn’t loud—it’s steady and sure.
What I Loved Most: The way Athens wrapped art, history, and a warm meal into one easy, meaningful day.
Stillness & Story in Cambridge, Maryland
“Everything felt paused but not empty.” That was the thought that came to me as we walked along the quiet waterfront in Cambridge, Maryland on Thanksgiving Day. The town felt wrapped in stillness, its history present in every brick, every wharf, every whisper of wind across the Choptank River.
We started the morning walking near Long Wharf Park. The Choptank Lighthouse stood solid against the cloudy sky. The only sound was our boots crunching leaves. I felt calm, unhurried, grateful...in a way that had nothing to do with tradition and everything to do with presence.
What I Loved Most: That quiet hour by the river, no crowds, no schedules. Just the three of us and the soft lap of water on pilings.
We had our Thanksgiving meal at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay. We spent the night at the hotel as well. I really enjoyed the hotel's location right on the water.
Quiet History & Garden Paths in Malvern, PA
The morning light came in soft through old stone windows. I walked along King Street, where every corner felt like it had a story stitched into the brick. Malvern wasn’t loud—it was deliberate. “This place feels like a page from a book I didn’t know I missed,” I thought as I passed under the archway of a preserved train station, now quiet and still.
What I Loved Most: The blend of colonial charm and green space. I admired historic churches, trails lined with maples, and a downtown that seemed to whisper rather than shout.
My highlights? A long, slow walk through Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, a hidden gem. The air smelled like lilac and wet earth. Paths curved under copper beeches and native plantings.
Later, I ate at The Classic Diner, where I ordered brioche French toast topped with fresh berries and vanilla mascarpone. It was soft, warm, and fragrant, like something meant to comfort. Coffee steamed beside it, and I let time stretch out over a second cup.
Plan your Malvern trip on Thanksgiving:
- Drive Time from Washington, D.C.: ~2.5–3 hours north
- Vibe: Colonial village charm, garden walks, slow-lane local life
- Highlights: Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, Paoli Battlefield Historical Park, People’s Light Theatre, local shops in downtown Malvern
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall for blooms and changing trees
- Cost: Gardens and parks free; dining ~$15–$30
- Hours: Most shops and cafés 9am–5pm; gardens open daily until dusk
Thanksgiving on the Big Island of Hawaii
The sun dipped low over the Pacific as I arrived at the restaurant. The sound of waves was folding onto black lava rock just beyond the lawn. I thought, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather give thanks.” While we lived on the Big Island for half a decade, our friends always reminded us to book our seats at the Mauna Lani Thanksgiving buffet.
On Thanksgiving, we usually met outside, watched the sunset, then sat down at our table inside. The evening air smelled of plumeria and roasted herbs, blending holiday tradition with island rhythm.
What I Loved Most: The way the resort blended Hawaiian flavors with Thanksgiving staples. I admired the familiar comfort transformed by local touch.
My highlights? At the buffet, slices of roasted turkey were paired with lilikoi glaze. Sweet potatoes came baked with coconut and macadamia nuts. I tasted poke seasoned with sesame and ginger, ahi so fresh it melted like butter, and then spooned onto my plate haupia pudding, creamy with coconut and cool on the tongue. I lingered longest over the carving station.
A downside? Tickets are expensive and you need to book weeks in advance. The buffet was popular so I found myself waiting in line for certain stations. But the time passed quickly while chatting with my friends.
Plan your Thanksgiving at Mauna Lani:
- Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
- Vibe: Festive, oceanfront, luxurious yet relaxed
- Highlights: Holiday buffet with island flavors, sunset views, beachfront setting
- Best Time to Visit: Arrive early evening to catch the sunset before dinner
- Cost: Premium resort pricing; reservations strongly recommended
- Hours: Typically served late afternoon into evening on Thanksgiving Day
Final Thoughts About Traveling on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving with my family on the road was all about addition to our memories. From the coastal cliffs of California to the quiet charm of Hudson, each stop new to reminisce about the year after. My husband and I watched our son skip stones in a river, marvel at trains, and taste something new at every meal. And somewhere between a quiet trail and a sunlit café, I realized: "this kind of holiday stays with you, long after the weekend ends."
Jump to a Spot...
- • Memphis: Soulful Sounds & Slow Moments
- • Fayetteville, NC: Gratitude in the Pines
- • Golden, CO: Mountain Calm & a Warm Plate
- • Hudson, NY: Quiet Streets & Small Joys
- • Fort Pierce: Coastal Calm & a Florida Breeze
- • Rancho Palos Verdes: Clifftop Views & Thanksgiving Stillness
- • Athens: Music, Magnolia Leaves & a Thanksgiving Stroll
- • Stillness & Story in Cambridge, Maryland
- • Quiet History & Garden Paths in Malvern, PA
- • Thanksgiving on the Big Island of Hawaii
- • Next day, we went snorkeling just off the shore at Mauna Lani
- • If you prefer a home made meal, rent a home with a well equipped kitchen and prepare your favorite dishes
- • Final Thoughts About Traveling on Thanksgiving
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