Best Thanksgiving Vacations: Top Spots to Celebrate in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Keep an open mind when travel planning. If your dates and destination are flexible, you can find amazing Thanksgiving week deals. 
• November is off-season in much of the world. Maximize your trip by choosing destinations that not only have cheap flights but are affordable on arrival. 
• Flying on Thanksgiving Day, when much of the country is feasting, can be a great way to save. 
• Going membership plans help you find cheap flights to a wide range of destinations. You’ll get real-time alerts as deals come through, right from your home airport. 

Why take a Thanksgiving vacation?

For many, Thanksgiving is a time spent with family or friends. But avid travelers know: Thanksgiving also happens to be one of the cheapest weeks of the year for international flights. 

With so many people in the US traveling domestically, airlines slash their international flight prices to entice travelers. Plus, November is shoulder season in much of the world. This means you won’t run into as many tourists, and in-destination prices are often cheaper. 

Europe—which sees surges of visitors in the summer, as well as December for Christmas markets—is a top Thanksgiving getaway. If you’ve been dying to visit Paris, Barcelona, or any other typically crowded and expensive destination, traveling over Thanksgiving week could be a great time for a trip. Consider convincing the family to forgo the pie and eat paella for Thanksgiving this year. Or, if you can get away with it, set off on a trip on your own. 

Best Thanksgiving vacation destinations

If you’re debating where to go for Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered. These destinations offer a range of activities and weather. Plus, they don’t completely close for the holiday. 

US destinations

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the best places for Thanksgiving. The party is always rolling, no matter the time of year. While many US destinations will have restaurants and businesses that are closed on Thanksgiving and maybe even the following day, in Vegas you’ll be able to eat, drink, shop, gamble, see shows, and more. The weather is nice in Vegas this time of year, and you’ll find discounted hotels and show tickets during Thanksgiving week. And for the traditionalists out there, many restaurants offer a version of Thanksgiving dinner. 

New York City

New York City doesn’t immediately jump out as an affordable Thanksgiving destination, but if you fly on Thanksgiving Day, rather than the day before like most people visiting family this week, you can find some amazing deals. 

If you’re looking for Thanksgiving family trip ideas, New York has plenty to offer. You can see the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and stay for the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. Once December rolls around, New York City gets busy with visitors for the Rockettes and holiday shopping. 

California wine country

California wine country can be quiet during Thanksgiving week—but also much cheaper than usual. November is the tail end of harvest season, and most wineries will be open at least a few days during Thanksgiving week and the following weekend. Plus, the areas around Sonoma and Napa are gorgeous. Even if businesses are closed, you can hike, take in the fall colors, or relax at one of the many spa hotels. 

Europe destinations

Germany

If you don’t mind a little chill, Germany is one of the top Thanksgiving travel destinations. Many Christmas markets around Bavaria start in mid-to-late November, meaning you can get a headstart on holiday shopping without the crowds that typically flock to Germany in December. Mulled wine and pretzels aren’t exactly Thanksgiving fare, but they are delicious. 

Rome

Rome is packed during the spring and summer, and Christmas brings lots of visitors to the Vatican. But in November, Rome is for Italians…and a few savvy visitors. That makes it a top Thanksgiving holiday destination. The city starts to get festive around Thanksgiving, so you can take in the holiday lights and see Christmas decorations going up while also enjoying fewer lines at the Colosseum and easier restaurant reservations. 

Stockholm 

November is not the warmest—or lightest—month to visit Stockholm. But, it is one of the cheapest Thanksgiving holiday destinations. The Scandinavian city has so much to do indoors that you won’t even notice the chill. Visit the many museums, and enjoy how festive the city looks with all of the twinkling lights and window candles in the dark. 

Other destinations

Morocco

November is one of the best times of year to visit Morocco. The weather is warm but not hot, and there are far fewer crowds than in the peak months of September and October. Many visitors to Morocco come from around Europe, but since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, European workers don’t have Thursday or Friday off. 

That means you’ll have the souks to yourself. Thanksgiving week is a great time to visit somewhere typically busy, like Marrakech, and it’s cool enough to comfortably camp in the Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert. 

Argentina 

Swap turkey and Beaujolais for beef and Malbec in Argentina. November is the end of spring, meaning mild, comfortable weather. For that matter, many places in South America are lovely this time of year and far less crowded than in the winter or summer, when many Americans visit. Top Thanksgiving getaways include Peru and Chile, too. 

Top Thanksgiving vacation ideas by budget

If you don’t have your heart set on a destination, you can save money by letting the deals dictate your vacation. Look around for cheap flights to anywhere, and see what comes up. If you see an amazing deal, take it! 

Signing up for the Going app is one easy way to do this. Simply set your home airport or a dream destination for your Watchlist, and we’ll send you deals as we see them. 

Another way to travel cheaply is to pick an already-affordable destination, then travel in the off-season when it’s even cheaper. Luckily, November is off-season in much of the world. These are some of our favorite affordable Thanksgiving getaways.

Affordable destinations

Morocco and Argentina

Like we mentioned above, Morocco and Argentina both have fantastic weather in November. Both are also pretty great for budget-conscious travelers. You can find great airfare deals this time of year, and once you’re there, hotels, food, and souvenirs typically won’t break the bank. 

In Morocco, the average restaurant meal costs about $10 per person. In Argentina, a glass of wine in Buenos Aires is about $3. In both locations there are luxury hotels, but there are also mid-tier hotels for less than $80 per night. 

Portugal

Although it’s a popular destination, Portugal is still less expensive than other European countries. In November, it’s far less crowded than in the summer or early fall, and although it can be chilly, the weather is generally pretty mild. 

Hotels in November can be found for around $100 per night, and there are plenty of food stalls and local restaurants where you can dine for $10–$15 per person. If you visit Lagos or other beach towns, you can save even more. 

Luxury escapes

Paris

Paris is always a good idea, especially in November before the Christmas crowds descend. Airfare is cheaper during Thanksgiving week, but there’s no shortage of ways to indulge in Paris, from luxury hotels to fine-dining restaurants and lots of high-end shopping. 

Thailand

Thailand can be a great budget travel option, but you can also lean into luxury. There are gorgeous island resorts, luxury hotels in Bangkok, fancy rooftop bars, shopping, and Michelin-starred restaurants. November is when Thailand sees some of its best weather. Although flights from the US may be cheaper during Thanksgiving week, it’s still popular with European visitors, meaning hotel fares don’t drop significantly. 

Download the Going app, now and unlock the best Thanksgiving travel deals!

How to plan the perfect Thanksgiving vacation

If you’ve decided to take a vacation over Thanksgiving, there are a few things to consider. Think about your budget, how much time you have off work, and whether an amazing airfare deal is enough to offset hotel and other costs once you’re in the destination. Some destinations are well suited for Thanksgiving weekend trips, while others need a whole week. 

What to consider when choosing a destination

If you only have a long weekend, you likely don’t have time to fly outside the US. Look into locations like Las Vegas or New York City that still have attractions open over the holiday, making them popular Thanksgiving vacation spots. 

If you have the whole week off, you might want to fly to Europe or South America, or even extend your trip a few days and go to Asia. If you see an amazing flight deal, don’t book until you look into hotel costs. Just because airfare is cheap doesn’t mean the destination will be. Paris and New York City are generally expensive places, for example. But if you’ve always wanted to go, a great flight deal could make it worth going now rather than during peak season. Other destinations are generally inexpensive, and your trip can be even cheaper with low airfare. 

Booking tips

Early bird vs. last-minute booking tips

While it’s tempting to hold out for last-minute deals, most of the time the early bird gets the cheap flight. Just remember: Don’t book too far ahead. There’s a period we call the Goldilocks Window when you’re likely to find the best deals—it’s not too far ahead of your trip but not too close either. The window falls 1–3 months before a domestic trip and 2–8 months before an international trip. 

Airlines typically raise prices 21, 14, and 7 days before departure. Keep this in mind to get the best deals on flights. 

If you’re planning to travel during peak season, like winter holidays, we suggest looking for flights even further ahead of time on the Goldilocks Window spectrum—think June or July for a winter trip. 

Finding the best deals on flights

One of the easiest ways to save money on flights is to download the Going app and let us do the searching for you. Set your home airport, and we’ll send you flight deals as we see them. 

If you don’t have your heart set on a specific destination, you can save money by being open to wherever has the best deals. Select “let us choose” if you’re feeling adventurous, or search a few different destinations and see what comes up. If you see an amazing deal, that’s your destination! 

Being open to alternate travel dates is another way to save. Sometimes, flying a day earlier or later than you originally planned can make a big difference, so be sure to check multiple dates before booking. 

How to book cheap accommodation

Like with flights, it’s typically best to book hotel rooms on the early side of travel planning. Most hotel booking websites allow you to select ‘pay on arrival.’ That way, you can keep an eye on the cost and either cancel and rebook if it goes down, or ask for a price match when you check in. 

HotelTonight is a travel app that offers deals on hotel rooms for same-day bookings. Some people don’t like to leave this part of their vacation up in the air until the last minute, but if you’re willing to risk it you can sometimes find drastically reduced prices. Just be aware that you can’t always select your room type. The inventory is based on what hotels have available and want to sell that night. 

Ready for a Thanksgiving getaway? Get the best deals with Going! 

Thanksgiving week is a great time to travel, especially outside the US, as most Americans are flying domestically. If you are traveling within the US, look for destinations that will have attractions and restaurants open during the holiday week. Outside the US, take weather, flight time, and the cost of your destination on arrival into account. If you plan a few months ahead and are flexible with your travel dates and location, you can find an amazing deal. 

Looking for unbeatable travel deals? Join Going today, and get real-time alerts for exclusive offers and personalized savings on flights worldwide!