17 of the Best Towns to Visit for Thanksgiving
Visiting with family and friends and sharing that traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey as the main dish can be a great deal of fun. And since Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, it can also be a great time to consider a mini vacation while visiting with friends and family.
Choosing between a road trip verses flying depends on a number of factors for most people. Some of the most pressing might be whether driving is preferred over flying, how restless the kids will get, if there are several interesting things to see and do on the way to the final destination, and several other factors, according to Avis.
Here are a few ideas for places to visit that have some family-friendly appeal:
1. Branson, Missouri
Besides Silver Dollar City, Branson offers an array of activities for families with diverse tastes. There’s also Shepherd’s Adventure Park, WonderWorks, Beyond the Lens, and even an opportunity for a positive values focus for families looking for a faith-based activity to throw in the mix with Sight and Sound Theater.
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2. Chicago, Illinois
The windy city lets visitors choose from Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute of Chicago, Bobby’s Bike Hike that highlights the tastiest aspects of Chicago, and so much more! For the faith-based nudge, consider a visit to Unshackled radio theater, where a live production with audience participation is always a great deal of fun.
3. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Ahhh, yes! If your family loves hiking, the Smoky Mountains are the place to be! That plus tons of other activities such as Mountain Mall, Hillbilly Golf, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, and several other fun options make Gatlinburg a great place to visit.
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4. Hershey, Pennsylvania
Home of Hershey chocolate! It doesn’t get a whole lot better than vacationing someplace where chocolate is the main attraction. Not only is Hershey Park a must see, but taking a tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World offers a fun opportunity for a bit of sweet history. Oh, and not only is this a free activity, but they even give their visitors some complimentary chocolate at the end of the tour.
5. Washington, D.C.
Rich with information about America’s history and heritage, Washington D.C. offers an array of activities from monuments, to Smithsonian museums, and plenty of free stuff to enjoy. For a nice faith-based touch, consider a visit to the Museum of the Bible.
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6. Dayton, Ohio
So this location offers an interesting blend of aeronautics and broadcasting. Believe it or not, the midsized, Midwestern city of Dayton, Ohio is home of the largest military aviation museum. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is a walkthrough exhibit that also includes a simulator ride, movies, and special events at various times of the year. Not too far from that is the Voice of America Museum, with the amazing rich history of helping to bring an end to the Nazi regime.
7. Atlanta, Georgia
For those who are curious about the World of Coca Cola, Atlanta, Georgia is where the renown soft drink got its start. A few other interesting things to see and do in Atlanta include the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, Ponce City Market, and the Atlanta Zoo.
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8. Tulsa, Oklahoma
This is a fun place for jazz lovers to visit since it’s the home of the Jazz Hall of Fame. Other fun things to do include the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Tulsa Arts District, and the Gathering Place.
9. Billings, Montana
Here’s a place that’s going to be a shopper’s delight. And since the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year, Rim Rock Mall allows the family’s shoppers to shop until they drop.
10. Houston, Texas
Perhaps one of the most unique places to visit in the United States is Houston’s National Museum of Funeral History. But there are also things to do that are more upbeat such as Geronimo Adventure Park. One option that would perhaps make for interesting conversation at the office back home is to take a Segway or bicycle tour. And Houston is brimming with plenty of other interesting things to do.
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11. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
If skiing is the family passion, Park City Mountain Resort boasts of being the largest ski resort in the United States. It offers 7300 acres of skiing bliss with six terrain parks.
12. Flagstaff, Arizona
November can be one of the most ideal times to visit the Grand Canyon’s south rim because busy season is over and it’s often more affordable. Beautiful landscape and plenty of trail options await lovers of the outdoors.
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13. Grapevine, Texas
As the Christmas capital of Texas, this can be a fun place to visit the day after Thanksgiving with its many festivals and events. A few fun side items for the kids include the LegoLand Discovery Center, Peppa Pig World of Play, and the Escape game.
14. Williamsburg, Virginia
Lots of history here since this area was Virginia’s capital back in the colonial days. The entire area is something of an interactive history lesson, but there are plenty of other things to do too, such as Bush Gardens amusement park, and plenty of restaurants to enjoy.
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15. Natchez, Mississippi
Boasting of being the oldest city along the Mississippi river, it’s also a very beautiful and peaceful place. History, tasty southern meals and an interesting Indian heritage are some of the most notorious items regarding Natchez. The Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles long, and leads from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee.
16. Greenville, South Carolina
The Greenville County Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum, and Falls on the Reedy are just a few of the top reasons to check out Greenville, South Carolina. The Museum of Art is considered one of the top museums in the nation, while the children’s museum is great hands-on learning for the kids. The center of the city is home to beautiful Falls Park on the Reedy.
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17. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Natives in Michigan have the benefit of a map on hand when they need to find a particular location, sort of. Ever notice how the shape of Michigan looks like a mitten on someone’s hand? Speaking of cooler weather, Grand Rapids offers several fun family activities, a few of which include ice skating on the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink, creating pottery in the Mud Room, or check out the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
