This year, take the stress out of the holiday season by gathering your friends and family for a well-deserved Thanksgiving getaway in one of America’s most beautiful fall destinations.
Originating 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, as well as indulging in some much-needed R&R.
Our top picks of (mostly) US-based festive getaways promise the height of relaxation, as well as a completely authentic Thanksgiving experience, with roast turkey and pumpkin pie that is every bit as good as you would enjoy at home. However, if you do plan on inviting the family to celebrate at home, make sure to check Elite Traveler’s guide to laying the perfect Thanksgiving table.
Mayflower Inn & Spa Thanksgiving Package, Washington
The New England estate is offering guided hikes, storytelling sessions, tarot card readings and seasonal spa treatments as part of its Thanksgiving programming / ©Auberge Resorts Collection.
From November 24 – 28 2021, the Mayflower Inn & Spa is inviting guests to indulge in a countryside Thanksgiving retreat on its expansive 58-acre property. Across the long weekend, the hotel is putting on a series of themed events and activities, which are catered to the whole family. On the culinary side, as well as the classic Thanksgiving feast, guests can enjoy a bourbon cider and mini apple pie hour, private fireside supper, and field and farm cocktail classes.
The beautiful New England estate is also offering guided hikes, storytelling sessions, tarot card readings and seasonal spa treatments as part of its Thanksgiving programming, promising a getaway you’re sure to be thankful for. 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.
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Thanksgiving culinary experience in Los Cabos
For an alternative Thanksgiving getaway, take a trip to Montage Los Cabos, where renowned chef Christopher Kostow is hosting a two-night dinner series / ©Montage
For an alternative 2021 Thanksgiving getaway, take a trip to Montage Los Cabos, where renowned chef Christopher Kostow is hosting a two-night dinner series in partnership with the hotel’s executive chef Xavier Salomon. Kostow will bring with him his wealth of culinary expertise from his three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood, as well as his more recently opened eatery, The Charter Oak.
Guests are invited to first attend a welcome reception where they can meet both chefs, before enjoying a family-style three-course meal that reimagines signature favorites from The Charter Oak using the local produce and flavors of the Baja Peninsula. Accompanying the food will be fine wines courtesy of winemaker Josh Phelps of Grounded Wine Co., which celebrates all-American, terroir-driven sustainable wines.
November 26 and 27, tickets from $290 per person, plus accommodation. Book via mlcrestaurants@montage.com.
Blackberry Farm Thanksgiving Package, Tennessee
Nestled in the heart of Tennessee, Blackberry Farm promises an authentic all-American Thanksgiving getaway./ ©Beall + Thomas Photography
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 a brewery, ensuring that the food at Blackberry Farm is some of the freshest available with a menu that reflects the seasonal produce available during fall. 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.
Weekend retreat at Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club
A traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with all the trimmings will be served in both the Malibu Café and The Ranch Club / ©Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club
As the only spot in Malibu to offer both a private ranch and a beach club, Calamigos is an ideal destination for those of you planning to head to the West Coast for this year’s Thanksgiving getaway. On the holiday agenda is a host of treats designed to delight guests of all ages, from pumpkin carving and cookie decorating to a complimentary beverage station offering hot apple cider and cocoa, with spiked options for the grown-ups.
On the morning of Thanksgiving, each room will receive a delivery of freshly made pumpkin pies courtesy of the hotel’s executive chef, before embarking on a family 5k Turkey Trot around the property. To round off the day, a traditional Thanksgiving meal complete with all the trimmings will be served in both the Malibu Café and The Ranch Club.
Private cottages from $989 per night.
Private dining at The Mark, New York
No matter what time of year you visit the city, The Mark on the exclusive Upper East Side promises an unrivaled level of luxury / ©The Mark
Like most large-scale public events, New York City’s Thanksgiving parade was subject to serious downsizing in 2020, with an online broadcast only. However, this year the annual parade is back, and welcoming in-person spectators once more – so where better to spend 2021 Thanksgiving weekend?
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.
The Mark Three-Bedroom Terrace Suite from $25,000 per night.
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Celebrate at Cape Cod, first landing site of the Mayflower
With views across the stunning Atlantic Ocean, Wequassett Resort will be serving up a Thanksgiving meal to remember / ©Wequassett Resort and Golf Club
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, which is seen as the place to stay on Cape Cod by those in the know. With views across the stunning Atlantic Ocean and delightfully welcoming accommodations, Wequassett Resort will be serving up a Thanksgiving meal to remember in its award-winning restaurant.
Accommodation from $475 per night; Thanksgiving menu priced additionally.
Visit Lake Tahoe on the West Coast
This Thanksgiving, book in at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe where you can celebrate the bounty of fall with an indulgent Thanksgiving feast / ©Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
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.
Thanksgiving menu from $135 per person.
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