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The Best Places to Enjoy the Ultimate Thanksgiving Holiday
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It’s the national holiday we all look forward to, gathering around the table feasting on turkey and pie with family and friends. But for those looking to switch things up a little bit this year, an extended weekend enjoying traditional Thanksgiving festivities may call for a change of scenery.
Cities and towns across America have their fair share of Thanksgiving Parades, wonderful restaurants preparing turkey feasts and some great shopping. Here are our top three places to enjoy a truly authentic Thanksgiving!
Plymouth, Massachusetts
What Thanksgiving travel list would be complete without Plymouth, Massachusetts for wonderful pilgrim fun. Plymouth hosts a three-day event celebrating the history of Thanksgiving and the Plymouth area in general, where “Pilgrims, Native Americans, Soldiers, Patriots and Pioneers proudly climb out of the history books and onto the streets of Plymouth.”
Festivities include a Thanksgiving Parade, Waterfront Activities, Delicious New England Food Festival, Bugle Concert and Market. In the Historic Village people can travel back in time as dedicated living historians fill the village with different themes and entertainment.
After exploring Plymouth hop in the car to nearby Boston to visit historical sites, great pub-grub and shopping. Boston is a great walkable city, so you can indulge in all your favorite Thanksgiving treats before hitting the cobblestone streets!
Chicago, Illinois
Home of the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago may be the ‘Windy City’ but it’s also one brimming with Thanksgiving festivities. Along with the iconic parade, the city has a festive light display along the Magnificent Mile, local Turkey Trots, some amazing Black Friday shopping and restaurants galore.
Teddy Turkey is the son of Tom Turkey, and official mascot of the #ChicagosParade! He'll be on State Street this #Thanksgiving to help throw the biggest party to kick off the holiday season! Get more info at https://t.co/X6klc4iIfA pic.twitter.com/oh4zCOUgHh
— McDThanksgvingParade (@TeddyTurkey) November 15, 2017
Make sure to visit the Christkindlemarket – an open-air market open November 17 through December 24 along Washington Street. The street is lined with vendors selling wonderful festive goodies, including gingerbread, holiday decor, cider and other goodies.
Washington D.C.
What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than in our nation’s capital. Not only is the city full of free museums and attractions, it’s also full of history. Head to Market Street and Freedom Drive for the Annual Holiday Parade with floats, a tree lighting ceremony and entertainment.
Bought a ticket to go to the other Washington (Washington DC) at Thanksgiving! 🦃🦃🦃 Fall/Winter is my favorite season to go to DC! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NytCVgtFbl
— Austin Kiyomiya (@akiyomiya) October 29, 2017
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving will see President Trump participate in the annual Turkey Pardon ceremony at the White House. After being pardoned the lucky fowl heads off to the ‘Gobbler’s Rest’ retreat at Virginia Tech where visitors can learn about research in poultry science and veterinary medicine.
The famed Mandarin Oriental in D.C offers an extravagant Thanksgiving buffet suitable for the whole family.
Not only does the city offer great Black Friday shopping, they also have an abundance of small business that participate in ‘Small Business Saturday’ where shoppers can support small businesses.
