If you’re already dreading arguing red versus blue while passing the green beans at this year’s Thanksgiving meal, it might be wise for your mental health to get out of town. Whatever the reason, you might need an escape or maybe you are just looking to create a new Thanksgiving traveling tradition, here are five destinations that are fabulous places to celebrate Turkey Day.
The Sagamore Resort, Adirondacks, New York
Holding court for over a century on picturesque Lake George in the Adirondacks, the 133-year old Sagamore Resort offers guests a Donald Ross-designed 18-hole golf course, hiking, tennis, and spa (as well as fishing and swimming during the summers). The resort kicks off a long-weekend with a Family Movie Night and campfire with s’mores on Thanksgiving Eve. On the big day, guests can watch the Macy’s Parade in the Rec Center or football at the pub, enjoy a holiday movie marathon, and then sit down to Thanksgiving dinner at La Bella Vita or a Thanksgiving buffet in the ballroom. The day after Thanksgiving, the resort has a Gingerbread House making, a mini golf invitational, and a tree lighting with Santa and Mrs Claus, including hot cocoa and hot toddys.
Congress Hall, Cape May, New Jersey
Start a new tradition this Thanksgiving with a weekend getaway with family and friends in Cape May. Gather round the table for a delicious Thanksgiving buffet in the historic Congress Hall Ballroom. It’s America’s oldest seaside resort, opened in 1816. In 2016, Congress Hall celebrated its Bicentennial, marking two hundred years as America’s First Seaside Resort. That’s an impressive legacy! Now in its third century, Congress Hall features the simple pleasures of the past with the modern luxuries we enjoy today. Congress Hall offers seasonal activities like gingerbread house building and hosts a special Thanksgiving buffet, as well as a sit-down meal, at its Blue Pig Tavern. For the long Thanksgiving weekend, guests can have breakfast with Santa, enjoy a live-theatrical performance of It’s a Wonderful Life
St. Regis Aspen Resort, Colorado
The St. Regis Aspen Resort is ideally located at the base of Aspen Mountain and is within walking distance to historic downtown Aspen. At the St. Regis Aspen Resort, you can expect Thanksgiving-themed wine pairings and afternoons spent on the slopes or at the spa. At sundown, guests congregate by the front entrance for the ceremonial sundown champagne sabering. You won’t want to miss the nightcaps and roasted s’mores at Shadow Mountain Lodge from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Four Seasons Hotel, Washington D.C.
Holiday traditions are huge at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C., which kicks off its annual festivities on Thanksgiving Day with a Mayflower event that brings together police, firefighters, EMTs, and public servants working on the day to enjoy a holiday feast. The event takes place on a 53-foot Mayflower Truck, which is parked directly in front of the hotel and outfitted in fine linens; hotel staff, guests, and volunteers dress in Thanksgiving-inspired costumes to serve meals. For hungry guests, the hotel offers brunch at Seasons Restaurant, including a room filled with nearly 30 Thanksgiving pastries and desserts, or a three-course menu at Bourbon Steak that includes heritage turkey, pecan pie doughnuts with a whiskey pecan glaze, and signature dishes such as Michael’s lobster pot pie and Hudson Valley foie gras. Yum!
Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, Riverside, California
Riverside, California’s Mission Inn Restaurant is renowned for its yearly Festival of Lights, which starts previewing on Thanksgiving Day and features fresh-falling (faux) snow, a fireworks show, and over 400 light up, animated figures, as well as Dickens carolers to start off the holiday season. For the big day itself, the hotel’s Grand Parisian Ballroom features bottomless mimosas; a seafood display of snow crab, mussels, Gulf shrimp, smoked fish, mussels, ceviche; carving stations featuring prime rib and ham; an assortment of farmer’s market vegetables and salads; seasonal fruits; cheeses; and charcuterie; plus morning favorites such as eggs benedicts, Belgian waffles and buttermilk pancakes, an omelet station, and a dessert display including a copious selection of tarts, pies, cakes. Be sure to pack your fat pants.
