Holidays 
Cruises 
Flights 
Hotel Only 
Deals 
Destinations 
Extras
Travel information
Help CentreList
7 nights
Best places to spend Thanksgiving in the USA
Discover the best places to spend Thanksgiving in the USA.
Thanksgiving is the USA’s biggest holiday – it’s almost as big as Christmas. And, if you’re visiting over this festive period, there are loads of exciting shows, parades and events to get involved in, pretty much everywhere you go. Here’s our take on the best US cities to spend Thanksgiving in, and what you can do in each one…
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday in November every year, and this year, it falls on Thursday the 23rd of November. The national holiday started off as a day to give thanks for the harvest, back in the 1600s, and the first Thanksgiving is said to have taken place in 1621 as a celebration for the Pilgrims who arrived from England. Much like Christmas in the UK, Americans spend the day tucking into a giant turkey dinner, watching Thanksgiving TV specials, and spending time with the family. But, there’s plenty going on in the towns and cities too, including New York’s massive Macy’s Day Parade which is watched on TV by around 50 million people.
What do you eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Just like Christmas dinner, turkey is the main part of a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s usually seasoned and prepared with fruits or stuffing. For an alternative option, you can even try Turducken – also known as the three-bird roast – which consists of turkey stuffed with duck and chicken. When it comes to sides, the most popular options are stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, and candied sweet potato topped with marshmallow (yes, really). If you can handle dessert after that feast, the most popular options are pumpkin pie and pecan pie.
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is held on the fourth Thursday in November every year, and this year, it falls on Thursday the 23rd of November. The national holiday started off as a day to give thanks for the harvest, back in the 1600s, and the first Thanksgiving is said to have taken place in 1621 as a celebration for the Pilgrims who arrived from England. Much like Christmas in the UK, Americans spend the day tucking into a giant turkey dinner, watching Thanksgiving TV specials, and spending time with the family. But, there’s plenty going on in the towns and cities too, including New York’s massive Macy’s Day Parade which is watched on TV by around 50 million people.
What do you eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Just like Christmas dinner, turkey is the main part of a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s usually seasoned and prepared with fruits or stuffing. For an alternative option, you can even try Turducken – also known as the three-bird roast – which consists of turkey stuffed with duck and chicken. When it comes to sides, the most popular options are stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, and candied sweet potato topped with marshmallow (yes, really). If you can handle dessert after that feast, the most popular options are pumpkin pie and pecan pie.
NEW YORK
The biggest Thanksgiving event in New York (and arguably the whole of the USA) is the spectacular Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade. Millions of Americans watch it at home, but there’s no better way to experience it than in real life. The parade started in 1924, so it’s been going on for almost a hundred years, and consists of gigantic floats being paraded through the city, using a record-breaking amount of helium in the process. The floats are usually pop-culture related, so you can expect everything from a 60ft Santa-hat-wearing Spongebob Squarepants to a gigantic Kermit the Frog. You can watch the parade from the side of the street or, even better, from the comfort of your hotel room. Stay at the Ritz-Carlton New York in Central Park on the parade route, and you’ll have front-row seats without having to leave the building. Post-parade, there are plenty of top restaurants to get your turkey and trimmings fix, and there’s even an Annual Day After Thanksgiving hike at the Blood Root Valley park where you can work off all that grub.
FLORIDA
Head to Florida for Thanksgiving and you can make the most of the theme parks while experiencing the festive traditions. There are over 350 restaurants in Orlando for you to choose from. For a traditional Thanksgiving feast, Seasons 52 on Sand Lake Road and Capital Grille on International Drive are both great options. Or if you’re not a turkey fan, venues like Mi Tomatina and Tamarind serve alternative holiday-themed dinners. Head to Walt Disney World or the day, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants offering special Thanksgiving menus. There’s Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom, The Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios, Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, and loads more options in Epcot’s World Showcase and Disney Springs. Of course, the famous giant turkey legs are sold in every park if you want a quick turkey fix in between rides.
Universal Orlando also put on a few celebrations at their onsite resorts. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® at Universal Orlando and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando usually put on Thanksgiving buffets with live entertainment and a tree-lighting luau. If you happen to be at Universal Orlando over Christmas, you’ll also see the balloons and floats from the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, which are sent straight to the park after Thanksgiving.
Universal Orlando also put on a few celebrations at their onsite resorts. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® at Universal Orlando and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando usually put on Thanksgiving buffets with live entertainment and a tree-lighting luau. If you happen to be at Universal Orlando over Christmas, you’ll also see the balloons and floats from the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, which are sent straight to the park after Thanksgiving.
LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is action-packed at the best of times, and especially during Thanksgiving. Loads of Americans choose this city for their festive weekend away too, so you’ll be in good company. The City of Sin is known for its impressive all-you-can-eat buffets, and during the holidays, you’ll get to tuck into a traditional feast, too. There’s a buffet for every kind of budget, from a wallet-friendly option at New York New York which starts at $19.95, to an extravagant 5-course dinner at The Bellagio starting from around $145 per person. If you’re staying at The Bellagio, you’ll also have access to a grand Thanksgiving botanical display, featuring pumpkins and seasonal plants, that takes up the entire Bellagio Conservatory. When it comes to entertainment, you’ve got plenty of concerts, casinos and shows to take up your time, and you can take advantage of the amazing shopping discounts at the outlets stores on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, too.
Ready to head to the USA to experience Thanksgiving?
Browse our Florida and Cities deals. Or, read which hotel should I pick in Las Vegas and eight reasons to spend Christmas in New York.
Browse our Florida and Cities deals. Or, read which hotel should I pick in Las Vegas and eight reasons to spend Christmas in New York.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Selina Akhtar
Last updated: 16.11.2017