Story highlights
Step back in time and explore a Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts
A Manhattan hotel will help guests ship their Black Friday purchases home
Ski the Utah slopes for Thanksgiving and follow it up with a romantic dinner
New York City deli Katz's will host Thanksgiving dinner with deli sides
Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday period of the year, with tens of millions expected to travel.
For anyone not loading up the SUV to make the trek to the family homestead, here are some other yummy options you might want to consider.
Space for many of these events is limited and could fill up. If you miss out this year, you might want to get ahead of the game and book it for next Thanksgiving. Check out these Thanksgiving destinations across the USA:
1. Plymouth, Massachusetts
This historic settlement south of Boston, where the voyagers aboard the Mayflower landed in 1620, was the site of the first Thanksgiving. Visitors to Plymouth can step back in time and explore the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the celebrated sailing ship. View Myles Standish’s sword, William Bradford’s Bible and other artifacts belonging to the original colonists at the Pilgrim Hall Museum, witness participants in period costumes marching in the annual Thanksgiving procession, and more.
Where to eat: The Plimoth Plantation living history museum offers popular Thanksgiving dinner options. (137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA 02360; +1 508 746 1622)
Where to stay: Opt for a cozy fireplace suite at the John Carver Inn & Spa. Children will especially love the hotel’s indoor pool with 80-foot water slide and Jacuzzi set amid an imitation Plymouth Rock. (25 Summer St Suite #1, Plymouth, MA 02360; +1 855 771 3293)
2. Philadelphia
The New York Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade may be the nation’s most well-known, but Philadelphia’s 6abc Dunkin Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest. Originally sponsored by Gimbels, it has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1920. A steady stream of festive floats, giant balloons, marching bands, choirs, dance troupes and even Santa liven up downtown during the hourslong event. Date for 2019: Thursday, November 28.
Where to eat: Moshulu, a 20th-century, square-rigged sailing vessel-turned-restaurant docked along the Delaware River waterfront, makes a perfect setting for savoring your Thanksgiving Day repast. (401 S. Columbus Blvd., Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, PA 19106; +1 215 923 2500)
Where to stay: The Embassy Suites Philadelphia-Center City is right along the parade route, making it easy to get there early and nab a prime viewing spot. (1776 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103; +1 215 561 1776)
3. Sonoma County, California
If you’re one of those people who has to go up a pants size post-Turkey Day, then a trip to this food lover’s mecca should be on the menu. The county is always ready to host visitors with the usual backdrop of vineyard-filled valleys, towering redwoods and rugged coastline.
Where to eat: Dry Creek Kitchen cooks up a Thanksgiving spread featuring fresh, local ingredients. A sampling from the menu includes lentil soup and farm beet salad for starters, turkey and scallops for entrees and caramel apple trifle for dessert. (317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448: + 1 707 431 0330)
Where to stay: The quaint Farmhouse Inn has just 18 rooms but loads of charm and amenities, not to mention an award-winning restaurant. (7871 River Road, Forestville, CA 95436: +1 707 887 3300)
4. New York
New York is synonymous with shopping, so where better to start your holiday gift buying than the Big Apple? Whether you hit Barneys, Bergdorf’s, Bloomingdale’s or any of the thousands of storefronts in between, you’re sure to find that special something for that special someone. And if the weather is good, a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge is a classic way to spend part of the day.
Where to eat: Maybe you’ll want an Italian touch to your Thanksgiving meal when you’re in New York. You can check out Maialino in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Offerings include butternut squash soup, heritage turkey, braised lamb and tiramisu. (2 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010; + 1 212 777 2410)
Where to stay: The elegant Iroquois in Midtown Manhattan was once the home of actor James Dean for two years in the early 1950s. There’s a suite named after him. It’s easy walking distance from Bryant Park, the stunning New York Public Library, Times Square and the Museum of Modern Art. (49 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036; +1 212 840-3080)
5. Salt Lake City
If you’d rather be outdoors doing something active than inside eating leftover turkey sandwiches and watching football, grab your Gore-Tex and get yourself a lift ticket. There are 11 ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, so you can be off the plane and schussing on fresh powder in record time.
Where to eat: Dining at La Caille, once voted one of the most romantic restaurants in America and even dreamier when it’s dressed up for the holidays, will make you feel like you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving meal at a fabulous French chateau. (9565 Wasatch Blvd, Sandy, UT 84092; +1 801 942 1751)
Where to stay: The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird, set amid the picturesque Wasatch Mountains, boasts ski-in/ski-out access, ski lockers, equipment rental and repair, a full-service spa and even a licensed day care for those whose little ones aren’t yet skilled ski bunnies. (9320 Cliff Lodge Drive, Snowbird, UT 84092; +1 801 933 2222)
Filled with national parks
Utah is a treasure trove when it comes to comes to national parks. The state holds five of them – including acclaimed Zion National Park.
CNN’s Forrest Brown contributed to this report, which has been updated for 2019.
