Best Places to Visit for Thanksgiving 2025

Introduction: Why Plan Thanksgiving 2025 Now

Looking for the best places to visit for Thanksgiving? You’re not alone. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest U.S. travel weeks, and smart planning turns parking-lot lines into smooth city strolls or beach sunsets. This guide blends the web’s top recommendations with fresh angles: iconic parades, warm beach retreats, living-history towns, crowd-smart national parks, and skip-the-rush overseas ideas. We’ll show where to go, when to move, and how to craft a weekend that fits your vibe—family gathering, adventure escape, or Friendsgiving on the road. Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27, giving you a perfect long-weekend canvas.

1) How to Choose Your Thanksgiving Destination (Fast)

Crowd math: flights, roads & smart timing

Peak demand hits Tuesday/Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Shift outward—arrive Monday night or early Thursday; depart Monday—to ease lines and fares. Drivers: late evening Sun/Mon before the holiday can be clearer, while Sunday returns are notoriously heavy.

Weather trade-offs: sun vs. foliage

If warmth is your must-have, aim for Florida, Southern California, or Hawaii. Prefer seasonal ambience? New England pockets still glow in late November, while Williamsburg serves candlelit charm and period feasts.

Budget moves: book windows & shoulder-season plays

Target shoulder-season pricing in cities that spike in December (e.g., NYC), or flip the script and go international—late November in Europe often means thinner crowds and kinder rates as markets switch on.

Pro tip: Thanksgiving 2025 is Nov 27—block Friday the 28th for a 4-day weekend using minimal PTO.

2) New York City, NY – Macy’s Parade & the Holiday Kickoff

NYC anchors nearly every “best places to visit for Thanksgiving” list. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings giant character balloons, Broadway performances, and the official start of the season. Use Upper West Side/Midtown viewing zones, dress for wind tunnels, and pair the parade with Bryant Park Winter Village, Fifth Avenue windows, and a Broadway matinee. The night-before balloon inflation on the UWS is a crowd favorite—arrive early.

Parade viewing tip: stake out early and plan a warm indoor brunch nearby for a seamless exit.

3) Orlando, FL – Warm, Family-Friendly Theme-Park Thanksgiving

If your brief is “sun + kid smiles,” Orlando is unbeatable: seasonal décor, extended park hours, special dining, character brunches, and waterparks still in play. Resorts with kitchenettes make Friendsgiving potlucks easy, and mid-week stays often unlock better value. Fly in Monday, hit parks Tue/Wed, and save Thanksgiving Day for a slower resort schedule or a character meal.

Value hack: bundle hotel + tickets and target Monday–Thursday nights.

4) Williamsburg, VA & Plymouth, MA – Rooted in History

Williamsburg offers one of the most atmospheric Thanksgiving weekends: period décor, living-history demos, special programming, and even a festive Turkey Trot. Nearby Jamestown and Yorktown layer deeper context, making it a reflective family holiday. Two states north, Plymouth hosts America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration—a historically themed parade typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving with waterfront views near Plymouth Rock. Check official 2025 schedules and arrive early for best vantage points.

Unique insight: Alternate years—Williamsburg one year, Plymouth the next—to experience both regional perspectives.

5) Chicago, IL – Big-City Comforts & a Top-Ranked Parade

Prefer crisp air and skyline views? Chicago’s State Street Thanksgiving Parade (commonly 8–11 a.m. CT) delivers a camera-friendly route with easy transit. Book a Loop or River North hotel and stack your weekend with the Art Institute, Millennium Park, the Riverwalk, and a deep-dish taste test. For shorter waits, try midday slices and early dinners.

6) San Diego, CA – #1 City for Thanksgiving (2024)

San Diego’s late-November strengths—mild weather, outdoor activities, and a robust dining scene—earned it top billing on several 2024 lists, and those signals translate to 2025. Surf in the morning, hike Torrey Pines mid-day, then catch a harbor dinner cruise at sunset. Families will love the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park; breweries are perfect for relaxed Friendsgiving toasts.

Local move: pack a Thanksgiving picnic for Sunset Cliffs—zero table waits, 10/10 views.

7) Yosemite National Park, CA – Cabin Coziness & Fall Trails

Craving granite cathedrals and crackling fireplaces? Yosemite is a superb Thanksgiving retreat. With calmer trails than summer and dramatic low-angle light, it’s ideal for “walk-off-the-pie” hikes. Book cabins early, layer up, and check road/park advisories. For a mixed-ability group, Lower Yosemite Fall offers a high-reward, low-effort stroll before or after a cabin-cooked feast.

8) Honolulu, HI – Sun-Splashed, Stress-Free Holiday

For the ultimate anti-stress option, fly to Honolulu. Swap turkey for poke at lunch, book a Makapuʻu Lighthouse sunrise walk, and reserve an oceanfront dinner—many restaurants offer festive menus without the fuss. Plan an early morning at Hanauma Bay for clear water and gratitude-soaked snorkeling before the day’s celebrations.

9) International Escapes – Vienna, London, Paris (Low Crowds, High Charm)

A growing number of travelers purposely skip domestic crowds by going abroad for Thanksgiving. Late November in Europe often means lower crowds and good prices as Christmas markets switch on. Vienna dazzles with Rathausplatz markets and classical concerts; London serves museums with shorter lines and West End shows; and Paris brings cozy bistros and early illuminations. Consider adding remote-work days to extend your stay.

Table: Parade & Event Highlights (Check Official 2025 Schedules)

Always verify official 2025 times and routes before you go.

Conclusion

Choosing the best places to visit for Thanksgiving starts with your vibe: parade-forward NYC or Chicago, warm-weather comfort in Orlando or Honolulu, reflective heritage in Williamsburg/Plymouth, or a restorative cabin retreat in Yosemite. Layer on crowd-smart timing (arrive Mon/Thu, depart Mon), reserve dining and parade plans early, and keep one flexible block for serendipity—markets, turkey trots, or a sunset stroll. Thanksgiving is about gratitude and connection; the right destination amplifies both. Whether you’re building family traditions, launching a Friendsgiving, or testing an off-season international adventure, this year’s holiday can be both easy and extraordinary with a touch of forethought.

Loved this guide? Share it with your travel circle, and tell us which destination you’re eyeing—NYC balloons, San Diego sun, or a Vienna market stroll?