Although there may be some argument as to whether it is the day before Thanksgiving, the Sunday after or the holiday itself, most travel authorities agree that the Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest travel time, supposedly because everyone is trying to make it home for the holiday. But who says you need to go home for the holiday? Some families avoid traveling from home near the holidays because they fear a greater chance of home break-in that time of year. But if you ensure your home is secure with a smart security system like Lifeshield, you can hit the road with confidence. There are several cities particularly suited for Thanksgiving Day destinations. Here are four fun places to spend Thanksgiving with your family.
Places To Spend Thanksgiving- 4 Fun Destinations
Photo of Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City by Flickr user martha_chapa95
1. New York City
This year, why not give the kids more than the experience of just sitting in front of the television, wishing they were there? The larger-than-life sights and sounds of the parade are a great option for families looking to spend the holiday in the city. From the Upper West Side down to Herald Square, you and your family can join nearly three million others crowding the streets of the Big Apple for the celebration. Later, see the many sights of the city, let your kids hit NYC’s best playgrounds, kick off your holiday shopping and enjoy turkey dinner at one of the city’s numerous restaurants.
2. Plymouth, Mass.
To ensure your children remember what the holiday is all about, you may want to pack up the family and head to Plymouth, Mass., the site where pilgrims first made landfall. The town does the holiday up right with a three-day Thanksgiving celebration, stretching through the weekend. Enjoy a parade, food festival and live music. For a bit of history, take in a performance of local residents reenacting the first Thanksgiving meal.
3. St. Augustine, Fla.
If you are looking to escape northern wintry weather, consider spending the Thanksgiving holiday in St. Augustine, Fla. The city boasts the title of oldest European-established community in the continental U.S. Fifty-six years before the pilgrims shared a meal with Native Americans in Massachusetts, the Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his crew landed here and celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, followed by a meal with natives. While the festivities may not be as extensive as you find in Plymouth, you can enjoy the advantage of pristine beaches and warmer temperatures.
4. Detroit, Mich.
If you have a family of sports lovers, especially football fans, then you may wish to forgo the historic spots for a Thanksgiving holiday in Detroit, Mich. For some fans, football goes with Thanksgiving as naturally as do turkey and pumpkin pie. Most diehard fans, regardless of their team loyalty, associate Thanksgiving with the Detroit Lions. Other than the years during World War II, the Lions have taken the field every Thanksgiving Day since 1934. Round out your trip with visits to nearby art galleries or museums commemorating the automobile industry’s impact on the city. Despite its economic woes, the city will also welcome you with many restaurants and opportunities for holiday shopping.
I hope you enjoy these ideas for fun places to spend Thanksgiving with your family. Do you go home for the holidays, escape somewhere new, or enjoy free time at home?
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I’m a little spoiled for Thanksgiving. We snuggle up in the warmth of the house to watch the TGD Parade, then travel all of 3 miles to my in-laws house for a wonderful home made TGD dinner. It would be fun though to travel one year… maybe when the kids are a little bigger.
We once camped for Thanksgiving at St. Augustine … it was a fabulous way to spend the holiday!
I’m thinking about taking the plunge and going to the New York City parade this year. My mom has been sick for the past couple of years so now that she has recovered, it would be quite inspiring. My circulation never does too well with the cold which is why we have watched it for years on the television. It’s such a magical time and would love for my mom to actually be there for the moment=)