I am looking for ideas for something to do on Thanksgiving, some place to go. I am considering Montreal, Asheville, etc. I live in the Northeast, and would have about 2K to spend. I am not fond of large cities, would love to do something fun, and something that would not be considered unusual when done alone. I also realize the issue of how difficult Thanksgiving travel is.
I have been wracking my brain for a couple of weeks. Does anyone one have any ideas? I could use some help here.
Thanks.
Your favorite soup.
If not, order yourself a turkey dinner from Boston Market, get yourself your favorite bottle of wine then join me here on FR where we can chat......
Grove Park Inn in Asheville. It awesome at Thanksgiving.
San Juan, PR. The flight time from Boston is about 3.5 hours; depending on your travel days, you may be able to snag a flight for about $220 round trip; the weather is great; the people are great; the beaches are great; the food is great; and you will feel like you are in a foreign country without leaving the Country.
I took a cruise one year over Thanksgiving. It was a very nice way to spend the time. There are probably cruises out of NYC even that time of year.
Come join us.
The Greenbrier
Nice place. Gorgeous at that time of year.
That, or Stowe, if it’s snowing.
..........you can spend 4 days and nights on Maui in Hawaii at a 4 star Hotel for 2,200 including round trip air fare and I think one meal a day.
Volunteer to serve Thanksgiving dinner for the Salvation Army or shelter. It is rewarding to give on Thanksgiving.
I spent several years isolated from my family and friends due to work and on some of those I simply made a Thanksgiving meal for myself and pet (Dog) and after eating it would call my relatives across the country to keep in touch.
After a week or so of leftovers, Turkey and all the trimmings got a little old though. :)
Come to Iowa City for the Iowa/Nebraska game!
Some of the best tail-gating in the country!
I have no family close, so love that game!
Go Hawks!
You can always volunteer to serve the needy. A few churches in our town always get together and serve Thanksgiving dinner to the poor.
Asheville would be an excellent choice. Climate is pretty mild down in the town itself, not that much snow and highly unlikely in November anyway, day temps in the sixties are more likely than snow.
You can stay in a house on a mountainside overlooking the city which is quite beautiful, one of the prettiest small cities in the US, imho. You’d be out of the wacky and into conservative area most likely. Descend into Asheville proper for entertainment and activities, keeping the scene to manageable doses, lol.
It’s an artistic place, galleries, potters, music, writers so it’s leftish. That has drawn a lot of shall we say interesting people. I’ve never minded old hippies myself, just don’t want to be subject to their politics.
There’s a big microbrewery scene, about twenty, food choices excellent, gorgeous architecture from gargoyles to art nouveau to deco, remarkably well preserved. The Biltmore House will likely just be getting decked out for Christmas and that’s a sight to behold (pricey on the admission but it’s worth it, once).
Surrounding higher peaks may have snow so there’s that if you want. I love the place. Just too bad about the politics thst came with it. Great to visit, would love to live there but wouldn’t. It’s very liberal. All the beautiful places eventually are.
I am planning a trip to Tombstone AZ.
Planning a trip to Cochise Stronghold ,an absolute step back in time when a proud,strong People were in a struggle for their very existence.
November is Perfect,temperate and Quiet!
Make sure to turn on Satellite / Earth ...
This happened to me about twenty years ago.
I put on ex-Pats thanksgiving.
I quickly found I was not alone and had something like twenty acquaintances, friends of theirs, etc. show up.
I think it was 1995. It was a hoot.
Particularly when ‘Cousin Brian’ introduced us all to Capt. Morgan’s and Mountain Dew.
Had to leave the next morning for Korea, which wasn’t pleasant, but a good memory, nevertheless.
Wherever you go, look backward with forgiveness, forward without fear and around you with a thankful heart.
I like going where it’s warm just before Thanksgiving. It is just prior to the official start of the tourist season so prices are slightly cheaper and the locals are glad to see you come. (Later in the season they want you to go home.) You can extend your stay a day or two into the holiday and fly back Saturday and airfare will be cheaper.
A cruise could put you at sea in the tail end of hurricane season. Hit or miss on calm seas, but a three or four day cruise could be done on budget.
I like the British countries best because they are more civil and speak English well. Barbados is below most of the hurricanes. Belize is grand. The US or British Virgin Islands are wonderful.
There are many websites for vacation rentals by owners (rather than hotels) and that will save you a few bucks. Atlantis Paradise resort in the Bahamas is great for an opulent stay in a classy joint but not cheap.
I’d go with you but, Mrs. OOS would disapprove.
Dear Soup,
You say that you like the Gulf.
Might I suggest some place in Louisiana, outside of New Orleans.
The ‘other’ major towns are Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport.
Lafayette and Lake Charles have a lot to offer, as well as other foods for Thanksgiving, if not turkey and it’s accompanying fare. They are both in the heart of Cajun country, so i can assure you that there is something you might wish to eat. Lake Charles is different, with the entire town built around the huge lake.
Alexandria has some things, and is at the edge of Cajun territory. It is not ‘large’, but can be seen as a pass through, to either the two northernmost towns, or to Lafayette and Lake Charles.
Shreveport (river)Boosier City, or Monroe, are supposed to be major towns. Shreveport I have been to, albeit, to get to the larger V.A. facility there.
All the cities, including New Orleans, do not equate to any city in size, along the Washinton, D.C. to Boston megalopolis, with Alexandria boasting, at last count 80,000 people.
I lived in the NYC Tri-State Metro area, so I base my findings on that.
I did not include New Orleans, because lately, more folks have been getting hurt there, than when I lived there, prior to Hurricane Katrina. I do not wish to read your obit, and have the thought that -I- might have been that last impetus, to get you to travel there.
It will be cool weather, then, but I do not think you need your ‘stadium coat’.
Come and get ya a crawfish boil, enjoy a little different music, and have a nice stay.
relax and stay home. avoid the unnecessary travel.
You can always host a local college student who can’t get home if you feel domestic.