10 of the Cheapest Places to Travel for Thanksgiving This Year

Seattle, Washington

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $519

A Thanksgiving trip to the Emerald City means sweeping skyline views framed by snowcapped peaks, cozy coffee shops tucked along cobblestone streets, and, of course, plenty of Pacific Northwest flavor. The season officially begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29), when Pike Place Market hosts its annual Magic in the Market celebration—complete with the lighting of the market’s towering Christmas tree, festive décor, photos with Santa, and vendors offering seasonal foods and handmade gifts.

Swap turkey for fresh-caught seafood at The Crab Pot, Elliott’s Oyster House, or Local Tide; alternatively, warm up with a latte at Elm Coffee Roasters or Analog Coffee and spend a rainy afternoon at the Seattle Art Museum.

Denver, Colorado

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $543

In Denver, fun and free Thanksgiving festivities abound, from the Mile High Drone Show, where 400 drones light up the sky, to the 110-foot-tall Mile High Tree. Nearby, Cherry Creek North’s Winter Wanderland glows with nearly a million lights, festive pop-up bars, and a holiday market featuring more than 40 local artisans. Don’t miss local-loved holiday classics like the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light or the Denver Zoo’s Zoo Lights, which covers 80 acres in more than three million twinkling bulbs.

Outside the city, hiking trails like Red Rocks Trail and Lair o’ the Bear Park Trail are blissfully uncrowded this time of year, and early ski season begins just an hour away in resorts like Breckenridge and Keystone.

Atlanta, Georgia

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $570

It’s pretty much impossible to be bored in Atlanta, especially during the busy holiday season. On Turkey Day, break a sweat at the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and 5K, or cheer from the sidelines with a coffee in hand. Many of Atlanta’s top attractions remain open, including the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, home to whale sharks, manta rays, and beluga whales, and hundreds of other marine animals. You can also kick off the season a bit early at Stone Mountain Christmas, where millions of lights, holiday light shows, and a scenic train ride create a festive escape. For dinner, skip the cooking and reserve a table at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, where guests dine in the elegant Astor Ballroom and enjoy wine pairings alongside traditional holiday fare. Afterward, stroll through the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where dazzling installations light up the night.

San Francisco, California

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $571

A trip to San Francisco is always a good idea—especially over Thanksgiving, when travelers can explore the city at a more relaxed pace. Many top attractions remain open, including Aquarium of the Bay, the colorful San Francisco Botanical Garden, and the beloved California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Of course, a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge is a must, as is a day trip to Muir Woods National Monument to stand beneath towering, centuries-old redwoods. When hunger calls, head to Tommy’s Joynt—a longtime San Francisco institution that offers carved meats, turkey, and gravy in its classic cafeteria-style setting.

Boston, Massachusetts

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $585

For history buffs, there’s no better place to spend Thanksgiving than Boston. Not only is this city steeped in American history, but it’s also just a short drive from Plymouth, where the holiday itself dates back to the 1600s. In Boston proper, spend the long weekend walking the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route that winds past landmarks like the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House, and Faneuil Hall, before taking a day trip south to see Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, and the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, which bring early New England history to life. Back in Boston, lace up your skates at the Frog Pond on Boston Common or browse local vendors at Snowport, the Seaport District’s festive holiday market filled with artisan goods, rooftop igloos, outdoor games, and more.

Chicago, Illinois

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $593

New York City may get all the thunder when it comes to Thanksgiving parades, but Chicago’s own, which dates back to 1934, brings plenty of holiday cheer as balloons, bands, and local performers march down State Street. But the fun doesn’t end here. Glide across the ice at Millennium Park, browse handmade gifts at the Christkindlmarket, or take in sweeping skyline views from the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck. Sick of turkey? Head to one of Chicago’s most beloved deep-dish joints, including big-name brands like Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s or local favorites like Pequod’s or Bartoli’s.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $597

In Las Vegas, the party never stops—even on Thanksgiving. In fact, some of the city’s best restaurants, including Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, roll out elevated holiday menus for the occasion. Wander through the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ seasonal display, try your luck at one of the city’s always-open casinos, or catch a show—many resident productions, like “O” by Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson ONE, offer Thanksgiving shows. You can also get a head start on holiday shopping at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, or The Shops at Crystals, all decked out in festive décor. Before the night’s over, stop by the Fountains of Bellagio to watch the iconic water show dance to holiday music beneath the city’s glittering skyline.

Mexico City, Mexico

Combined average flight and hotel cost: $599

Mexico City is the only international destination to make this list, and it serves as the perfect escape for travelers looking to trade turkey and stuffing for tacos and mezcal. The metropolis is a paradise for food lovers, boasting an array of Michelin-starred restaurants, including Pujol, often ranked among the world’s best, and Quintonil, renowned for its contemporary take on Mexican cuisine. Between meals, stroll leafy neighborhoods like Roma, Polanco, and Condesa, unwind in the vast Chapultepec Park—one of the largest urban green spaces in the Western Hemisphere—or float along the colorful canals of UNESCO-listed Xochimilco. Art lovers can spend an afternoon at Museo Frida Kahlo or Museo Jumex, both essential stops for a dose of local culture.