Vacation Destination for Thanksgiving Weekend?
September 16, 2013 6:03 PM   Subscribe

Trying to decide on a location for a mini family vacation over Thanksgiving weekend, with me, my dad, and his girlfriend. Seeking suggestions for where to go and what to do there.

I'd like it to be somewhere the three of us can all enjoy as a group, preferably not insanely expensive (I know, it's already very late to be asking this question!). I live in NYC, they live in Chicago, the former is an option (I could play tourist). I'm in my mid-twenties. I like the idea of using Air BnB if possible.

We've been considering New Orleans and Nashville. Austin, the Florida Keys, Albuquerque, and Seattle also came to mind. Of these I've only been to Seattle. We've all been to San Francisco a lot, and love it, but I'd like to try something new. LA would be fun but is far away. They were unenthusiastic about the idea of Portland (also far).

I would be happy with somewhere nature focused, but they are more city people. We all like art museums, cool/funky stores, books, good food, historic sites, cool parks, interesting architecture. Warm weather might be a plus but not necessary.

I've gotten overwhelmed by the options (this trip would be a birthday gift), so I could use any sage advice in helping to determine what place makes the most sense. Thanks in advance!
posted by milkweed to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)
 
I'm biased because I just spent last week there, but: New Orleans!

It has everything on your list in spades except for the nature (not counting the gigantic river and associated birds that runs through the city, and the huge lake that's *right there*). Seriously - food, architecture, historic site, cool stores - all of it. It also has truly excellent mefites. Go.
posted by rtha at 6:17 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]


If none of you have been to Charleston, I highly recommend it. We did a Thanksgiving trip there last year and it was the perfect amount of time to see the major sights. The restaurant scene there is amazing, there is history at every turn, the city is unique and so old and beautiful. It's one of the most charming places in the United States I have ever been.
posted by something something at 6:31 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]


San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's close, it feels like an exotic destination but travel is very simple, it's warm, it will still be Thanksgiving there, and it's not expensive. Very cool place to travel!
posted by Capri at 8:46 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]


Not insanely expensive? You are going about this backwards with deciding on the city first, check airline ticket prices for the travel dates you want.

Albuquerque is likely to be above freezing during the day, and there are options for Thanksgiving meals with some "local flavor" to them. If you want to go to museums, shops, and historic sites on Thanksgiving day, check if they are open.

Looks like Acoma Pueblo will be open if you want to see that. Other pueblos that welcome tourists or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center might be open as well. If you are going to visit a pueblo on Thanksgiving Day of all things, do make a special point to read up on the etiquette for visiting.
posted by yohko at 9:51 PM on September 16, 2013


Of the previously mentioned suggestions, I like Charleston and Albuquerque (though I would focus on Santa Fe/Taos rather than Albuquerque).

I'd like to the add the following to the list -- Asheville, North Carolina. A small city, but with many of the your requirements - quirky shops (very artsy), architecture (Biltmore House), great restaurants (I could send you my list), and the beauty of the mountains. I live in Atlanta and we take Asheville trips frequently just to be in solitude and eat great food.
posted by tmharris65 at 2:22 AM on September 17, 2013


Have you considered DC?

It's a city with historic sites and monuments, lots of museums, a couple of nice parks, and decent November weather.

It is also completely quiet on Thanksgiving weekend because most locals visit their families so you could really have your pick of restaurants and (free) museums without having to put up with reservations and lines. You would also have your pick of parking spots.

Relative to getting there, there are DC-NY buses and there are three public trans accessible airports in the DC area: Dulles, DCA, and BWI.
posted by donut_princess at 5:39 AM on September 17, 2013


nthing Charleston if you can get reasonable flights
posted by darsh at 5:42 AM on September 17, 2013


My vote is New Orleans!
posted by likeatoaster at 8:09 AM on September 17, 2013


Response by poster: thanks, all! this is useful.
posted by milkweed at 7:46 AM on September 18, 2013


Seattle is wonderful, BUT late November will have very short daylight. Getting dark at 4:00. You might luck out with some sunny weather, but it's more likely to be grey, drizzly, and grey, and grey.

Austin sounds good!
posted by valannc at 2:53 PM on September 18, 2013


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