Holiday guide. November.
Where to go for Thanksgiving
The busiest travel days in America wrapped around one of the best-value weeks abroad. Fly on the right day and go somewhere that is not having a holiday.
The straight answer
The best places to travel for Thanksgiving are Mexico City, the Riviera Maya, and Puerto Rico for warm and easy, Europe's cities for low-season prices as the Christmas markets open, and New York for the Macy's parade.
The best places to travel for Thanksgiving are the places where late November is quietly excellent: Mexico City and the Riviera Maya in their early dry season, Europe's cities as the Christmas markets open in the low season, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco in ideal temperatures, and Puerto Rico now that hurricane season is ending. At home, New York for the Macy's parade and the desert parks of the Southwest are the classics.
The trouble with Thanksgiving is the flying. The Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday after are among the busiest travel days of the year in the US, with the highest domestic fares and the longest security lines. The trip that works is the one that dodges those days: leave the Saturday before, or fly on Thanksgiving morning itself, when airports are often quiet.
If you have flexibility, the week before Thanksgiving and the first two weeks of December are some of the cheapest, emptiest weeks of the year almost everywhere. Homeschool families can take the whole week before, see Europe or the Southwest at low-season prices, and be home in time for dinner.
The world, ranked for Thanksgiving
Each pick opens its November page, with weather, crowds and what is on.
Book Mexico City for Thanksgiving.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Mexico CityOpens a hotel search for Mexico City in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Mexico CityWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Mexico CityTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mexico City for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Closer to home
The US picks for this week, from a long weekend drive to a national park.
New York City
New York
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade runs Thursday morning, the balloon inflation the afternoon before is a quieter way to see the giants up close, and the holiday windows and Rockefeller Center tree lighting ramp up right after.
New Orleans
Louisiana
The Bayou Classic football game between Grambling and Southern fills the Superdome and the city on Thanksgiving weekend. Otherwise, mild weather near 70F (21C) and great food.
Death Valley and Palm Springs
California
The desert finally cools to perfect, highs near 75F (24C). Death Valley's season opens in earnest in November.
Sedona and the Grand Canyon South Rim
Arizona
Sunny, highs near 60F (16C) in Sedona and colder on the rim. The North Rim is closed for the season.
Key West
Florida
Highs near 80F (27C), the end of hurricane season, and the start of the winter high season. A warm, walkable holiday.
Charleston and Savannah
South Carolina
Mild, sunny, highs near 67F (19C), and oyster roast season on the Lowcountry calendar.
Colonial Williamsburg
Virginia
Hearth cooking, trades demonstrations, and living history in cool fall weather. A thoughtful holiday for kids learning early American history.
San Diego
California
Mild and sunny, highs near 70F (21C). A low-stress holiday base with the zoo, the beaches, and good weather.
Skip this week
- Orlando theme parks. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at Walt Disney World and Universal. Expect long lines and peak prices.
- Ski resorts with a guaranteed-snow expectation. Many resorts open around Thanksgiving, but early-season terrain is often limited to a few runs on man-made snow. Treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
- The Greek islands and Amalfi Coast. Most hotels, restaurants, and ferries are closed or on a winter schedule. Athens and Rome are fine; the islands and coast are not.
- Central Vietnam. November is still the flood-prone rainy season in Hoi An, Hue, and Da Nang.
The booking playbook
- 01Avoid flying Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. Fly Saturday or Monday before, or on Thanksgiving Day itself, and return Monday or Tuesday.
- 02Book Thanksgiving flights in September or early October. Domestic fares climb steadily from there.
- 03Europe is in low season in late November. Transatlantic fares are usually far cheaper than summer, and hotels discount outside of market weekends.
- 04Reserve Thanksgiving dinner in advance if you are eating out. Many popular restaurants book up weeks ahead for the day.
- 05If you can move the trip, the week before Thanksgiving or the first two weeks of December are far cheaper for almost every destination.
With kids in tow
- For the Macy's parade with kids, the balloon inflation near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday afternoon is easier than the parade itself.
- Colonial Williamsburg and the historic Plymouth sites make Thanksgiving a real history lesson.
- Homeschool families: the week before Thanksgiving is one of the cheapest travel weeks of the year, before the holiday rush.
Thanksgiving, quick answers
When is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, so it falls between November 22 and November 28.
Where should I travel for Thanksgiving?
Mexico City, the Riviera Maya, and Puerto Rico are warm and easy. Vienna, London, and Paris are cheap and festive as the Christmas season starts. In the US, New York for the parade and the desert Southwest for perfect weather.
What are the worst days to fly at Thanksgiving?
The Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday after. Flying on Thanksgiving Day itself or the Saturday before is usually easier and cheaper.
Is Thanksgiving week a good time to visit Europe?
Yes. It is low season, so fares and hotels are cheaper, and the Christmas markets usually open in mid to late November. Expect cool, gray weather and short days.
Is Thanksgiving a busy week at Disney World?
Yes, one of the busiest of the year. If you want Orlando, go the first two weeks of December instead.
Where is warm for Thanksgiving?
The Riviera Maya, Puerto Rico, Key West, and Palm Springs all run near 75F to 85F (24C to 29C) in late November.
Other holiday weeks
Christmas Week
December
The most expensive, most crowded week of the travel year. Go somewhere Christmas is the whole point, or somewhere Christmas is not a thing at all.
Fall Break
October
The best-weather week of the school year, if you pick the right place. Leaf peepers, desert hikers, and the smart European shoulder season.
New Year's Eve
December, January
One night, a dozen very different ways to spend it. Choose between the giant public show, the tradition you cannot get anywhere else, or a quiet midnight somewhere warm.
Winter Break Ski Trips
December, January, February, March
Four holiday weeks, every family on the same lifts. Pick the resort by the snow and the calendar, not the brand name.
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