With the warm days of summer behind us and the festive season upon us, it’s time to start making holiday plans. While many opt to stay home for Thanksgiving, take the stress out of the holiday by leaving the cooking to someone else, and whisk the family away on a last-minute Thanksgiving getaway.
Although it originated as a celebration of a successful harvest, Thanksgiving has now merged into a holiday dedicated to spending time with loved ones and eating good food. With this in mind, our top picks for the long weekend prioritize not only valuable family time but also gourmet feasts, with roast turkey and pumpkin pie every bit as good as that you’d have at home, without any of the usual stress.
From western-style ranches to tropical Caribbean retreats, these are Elite Traveler’s top Thanksgiving getaways for 2023.
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A Wyoming Western Thanksgiving
Found in the heart of Wyoming’s Platte River Valley, Wyoming, Brush Creek Ranch combines authentic Western culture with all-inclusive luxury, offering a series of secluded ranch-style properties dotted across 30,000 unspoiled acres.
This year, the private ranch has upped the ante for Thanksgiving with five jam-packed days of programming. The holiday will kick off on Wednesday, November 22 with celebrations continuing across the weekend. Expect everything from the traditional Turkey Trot and gourmet dinners to horseback riding and line dancing classes, as well as cooking lessons and wine tasting.
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Thanksgiving in the Caribbean
While many prefer to make the most of the diverse landscapes of the US for a luxury Thanksgiving getaway, those who prefer to travel further afield for the holiday weekend need not look any further than the Caribbean. For 2023, Eden Roc Cap Cana is inviting guests to indulge in a long weekend of celebratory experiences and events, catered to the whole family.
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For the little ones, there’s a turkey-themed treasure hunt, kayaking sessions, and art and crafts workshops, while grownups can take part in the guided wine tasting, sunset yoga and the special spa programming. And of course, as with any proper Thanksgiving celebration, Eden Roc is putting food at the forefront of the party, with several gourmet feasts planned for the course of the weekend, including a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and a beach barbecue.
Wildflower Farms, Hudson Valley
Having opened just last year, Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort, has already become a Hudson Valley must-visit. For Thanksgiving 2023, the resort is hosting a jam-packed long weekend itinerary. The celebrations will begin on Thursday with an epic Thanksgiving feast, which will see Wildflower Farms’ executive chef serve a menu that showcases the finest ingredients from the surrounding landscape.
Over the next few days, guests can take part in a serious of themed activities and events, including wine tastings, art workshops, gratitude hikes and mixology classes. For a whole-family get-together, be sure to book one of the generously sized Meadow Cottages.
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Mayflower Inn & Spa Thanksgiving Package, Washington
Holidays are always a big deal at the Mayflower Inn & Spa and Thanksgiving is no exception. This year, the New England resort is kicking things off with Thanksgiving brunch in the opulent The Garden Room. Come evening, guests can sit down for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the hotel’s executive chef, Jose Ramírez-Ruiz.
The property is also offering guided hikes, tarot card readings, seasonal spa treatments and cocktail hours across the course of the Thanksgiving weekend. After a long day of immersive activities, guests can head to one of the Mayflower Inn’s sumptuous guest suites, complete with cozy fireplaces, original artwork and handcrafted furniture.
Blackberry Farm Thanksgiving Package, Tennessee
Tucked away in the heart of Tennessee at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm promises an authentic all-American Thanksgiving getaway. The farm’s extensive holiday itinerary includes a wide range of activities, such as family bingo, a morning 5k Turkey Trot and flag football, as well as a host of gourmet culinary offerings, including a special Thanksgiving chef’s menu and cocktail-making classes.
Alongside a lovingly tended vegetable garden and roaming cattle, the farm’s 4,200 acres of pastoral land is also home to a creamery, bakery and brewery, ensuring that the food at Blackberry Farm is some of the freshest available with a menu that reflects the seasonal produce. A Thanksgiving spent at Blackberry Farm promises to hold true to the holiday’s origins of celebrating the land and your loved ones – with a touch of added luxury.
Private dining at The Mark, New York
No matter what time of year you visit the city, The Mark Hotel on the exclusive Upper East Side promises an unrivaled level of luxury – but as with most New York hotels, it truly comes into its own during the holiday season. To ease the stress of cooking after the excitement of the parade, indulge in a private dining experience at The Mark, where renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will cook up a gourmet feast for you and your loved ones, promising a once-in-a-lifetime Thanksgiving getaway.
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Celebrate at Cape Cod, first landing site of the Mayflower
Steeped in history, Cape Cod is regarded as the birthplace of modern America, making it the perfect destination for a Thanksgiving getaway. Centuries ago, the Mayflower ship, which is known to have carried the first pilgrim settlers, landed at the tip of Cape Cod, in what is now Provincetown, before carrying on to Plymouth.
Just 45 minutes from the Mayflower’s first landing point, you will find Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, regarded as the place to stay on Cape Cod. With views across the stunning Atlantic Ocean and delightfully welcoming accommodations, Wequassett Resort will once again be serving up its famous Thanksgiving meal, this year with the added luxury of a Macallan Single Malt tasting and a Moet & Chandon Champagne and Caviar Bar.
Visit Lake Tahoe on the West Coast
Although the East Coast is regarded as the home of Thanksgiving, the west is equally as inviting for a fall getaway. Northern California’s Lake Tahoe is known as one of the most stunning natural destinations in the state, particularly during fall when the surrounding forest is at its most magnificent – and with Thanksgiving unofficially marking the start of ski season, we can’t think of a better time to visit.
This year, check in at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe where you can celebrate the bounty of fall with an indulgent Thanksgiving feast featuring local and seasonal ingredients, served up in the hotel’s Manzanita restaurant. Follow dinner up with a nightcap at the Highlands Bar, before retreating to the comfort of one of the hotel’s slopeside residences. A perfect Thanksgiving weekend in our eyes.
