Want to do something a little different this Thanksgiving? 

Here are six destinations that each promise a memorable and stress-free holiday weekend. 

Lake George, New York

If you live in the north-east of the USA, chances are that it will not take you more than a day to drive to the Adirondacks. Once you get there, make your way over to Lake George. Running for 32 miles at the base of the Adirondacks, this glacier-formed lake is not only a hotspot during the summer months, but has plenty to offer as a Thanksgiving destination too. 

Things to Do

With everything from forests to beaches, along with a healthy sprinkling of breweries and wineries, Lake George is the perfect vacation spot for many. Here are just a few of the activities you can enjoy in the area: 

• A three mile walk up Prospect Mountain, from where you will be able to enjoy stunning views of Lake George and the rest of the Adirondacks
• A visit to the Fort William Henry Museum & Restoration, to learn more about the area’s past
• Spend some time exploring Million Dollar Beach, which earned that name due to how much money was spent creating it 
• Get your adrenaline pumping by taking a ride on the Eagle Flyer Zipline, which will have you racing through the air at 50 miles per hour 

Where to Stay 

If you want to ensure that you and your loved ones do not miss out on any Thanksgiving festivities, then the Sagamore Resort is where you need to book yourselves into. 

Why? 

Because this 133 year old resort is offering up a variety of fun-filled Thanksgiving activities, including: 

• A family movie night, along with a campfire, on Thanksgiving Eve 
• A Thanksgiving buffet 
• A gingerbread house-building session 
• Screens showing both the football as well as the Macy’s Parade 

From an 18-hole golf course (designed by Donald Ross) to tennis courts and a spa, there is plenty to keep you busy at this resort on Thanksgiving weekend. 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Although the pilgrims may have initially tried to land the Mayflower in Virginia, Cape Cod was actually the very first landing site, and there is now a 255 foot monument in place as proof. A year later, the very first Thanksgiving was aso celebrated in Cape Cod, making this the perfect place for you to spend Thanksgiving weekend this year. 

Things to Do

There are numerous Thanksgiving-related activities to take part in in Cape Cod, such as: 

• The lighting of the Pilgrim Monument, which takes place the night before Thanksgiving
• Take a ride on the Thanksgiving Dinner Train – a three hour journey featuring a five course gourmet meal 
• Walk or run the 5K Annual Chatham Turkey Trot 
• Explore the Cape Cod National Seashore, a stunning area of wilderness that stretches out for 40 miles 
• Spend a day on Nantucket, a small island just south of Cape Cod
• Head off on a boat tour to do some whale and seal watching 

Where to Stay

For a truly decadent getaway, book yourself in to the Chatham Bars Inn. Located right by the sea, yet a short walk away from the center of town, this gorgeous hotel offers up the ultimate in relaxation. 

One thing that really helps this hotel to stand out is its eight acre farm, which is open for guests to visit. This is where the inn grows the freshest vegetables to cook up for their guests, guaranteeing an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal. 

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Thanksgiving is a huge deal on Kiawah Island, with around 40,000 visitors flocking here for Thanksgiving celebrations each year. Festivities are varied, but are generally suited to the entire family. 

Things to Do 

Being a private retreat, Kiawah Island has not yet been turned into a tourist trap, with many of its wild and natural features standing strong. Here are just a few of the things that you can entertain yourself with on the island: 

• A long walk or bike ride along the coastline 
• A visit to the Beachwalker County Park, where you may even be lucky enough to spot some dolphins 
• Spend a few hours at Freshfields Village, not only for their fantastic selection of boutique stores, but also for the multiple restaurants, each showcasing different cuisines, that you will find here 
• Explore Night Heron Park, especially its exotic pools 
• Give watersports a try, whether this may be kayaking, fishing or anything else 
• Play some golf, with several courses to choose from on the island 

Where to Stay

There are quite a few accommodation options on Kiawah Island, but the best one for Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, the five-star Sactuary resort. 

What makes this resort so great for Thanksgiving? 

All of the following, plus more: 

• A massive Thanksgiving buffet at four locations around the island, including one at the hotel itself 
• A pumpkin hockey game 
• Their annual Thanksgiving fun run, known as the 5K Turkey Trot 
• Sand sculpting sessions for the whole family 
• The annual Party in the Park, complete with games, food, drink and live music 

The day after Thanksgiving, you will also be able to watch Santa arriving at the hotel to light up the tree, along with a few other Christmas-related activities. 

Oahu, Hawaii

Looking for a more tropical Thanksgiving? 

You won’t go wrong with spending the weekend in Hawaii, on Oahu to be specific. The third largest Hawaiian island, Oahu is famous for both its history as well as its natural beauty, offering its visitors plenty of variety. 

Things to Do

It is always worth learning a little about the history of each destination you visit, and there are plenty of attractions that make this easy on Oahu. Once you have had your dose of education, you can then spend some time exploring all of the natural features that set Oahu apart as one of the best vacation destinations in the world:

• Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn more about Hawaiian culture. Everything from food to dance performances to shops can be found at this one-of-a-kind place
• Do some snorkeling at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, with fall being one of the best seasons to check out the marine life 
• Soak up some history at the Pearl Harbour Historic Sites
• Take part in the 44th Annual Turkey Trot at Kapiolani Park 
• Enjoy the festivities at the Royal Hawaiian Center, where you will find special seasonal activities for both children and adults 
• Watch the Waikiki Holiday Parade, featuring thousands of marchers, 38 different local bands and so much more 

Where to Stay

There are numerous accommodation options on Oahu, ranging from budget to ultra-luxury. Of course, with it being Thanksgiving, this is the perfect time to treat yourself to some decadence, which is why the Hilton Hawaiian Village should be your first choice. 

In addition to offering the finest accommodation, the Hilton Hawaiian Village also hosts a variety of Thanksgiving events, such as: 

• The Holiday Luau, which takes place on the Great Lawn and features everything from traditional dancers to fire knife performances to a huge Thanksgiving feast 
• The Rainbow Lanai Dinner Buffet, which, as you can tell from its name, will boast a truly delicious spread 

Worried about how your skin is going to react to all of that holiday food? 

Don’t be, because you will also find one of our OROGOLD stores at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Feel free to pop in for some free product demonstrations, VIP facials and expert skin care advice, ensuring that your skin is able to enjoy its Hawaiian Thanksgiving getaway just as much as you are. 

Aspen, Colorado

While Hawaii offers up sun, sand and sea, Aspen lies on the other end of the scale. This ski town is known for its snow-covered slopes, providing a winter wonderland backdrop that makes for such a magical Thanksgiving. 

Things to Do

Aspen is a stunning town to visit, with picturesque views to be seen no matter where you go. While you could easily spend the majority of your time exploring the area to find the best views, there are plenty of other activities you can take part in too, such as: 

• Check out the Thanksjibbing festivities at Snowmass, featuring competitions, Turkey Bowling, delicious foods and more 
• Hike over to the Maroon Bells, which are twin peaks that rise to over 14,000 feet 
• Drive along Independence Pass, one of the highest scenic roads in North America 
• Sample some local beers at the Aspen Brewing Company  
• Enjoy a ride on the Silver Queen Gondola, which will take you to the top of Aspen Mountain. You can then either ski, eat, drink, or simply enjoy the views
• Catch a show at the Wheeler Opera House 

Where to Stay

There are some truly beautiful hotels and resorts to choose from in Aspen, but the St. Regis Aspen Resort is always one of the most popular. In addition to the Thanksgiving buffet that they serve up, this resort also offers the unique opportunity to indulge in some Thanksgiving-themed wine tastings, as well as a ceremonial ceremony at sundown on Thanksgiving eve, complete with nightcaps and roasted s’mores. 

Washington D.C.

If you would prefer a city-based Thanksgiving getaway, Washington D.C. will not disappoint. Being the capital of the United States, this powerful city is home to several important national landmarks, along with plenty of Thanksgiving events too. 

Things to Do 

Whether you want to learn more about the country’s past, or simply want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city, there is so much to do in Washington D.C. over Thanksgiving weekend: 

• Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which was the first President’s home and library. Since he was the one to create the official Thanksgiving holiday, this activity is a must-do
• Check out the holiday parade, which is followed by the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony 
• Explore the festive gardens at the United States Botanic Garden, complete with live music on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 
• Visit the German-style Christmas Village, where you will find shops, food, drink and plenty of Christmas entertainment 
• Walk or run the Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger, or the Cranberry Crawl Run and Race Walk, with both 5K and 10K options available 
• Take a tour around a few of the city’s many museums
• Take your children to see the Holiday in the Park event at Six Flags America 
• Pay a visit to ICE!, which is a winter wonderland that has been created from more than two million pounds-worth of hand-sculpted ice – definitely an impressive sight 

Where to Stay

The Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C. is always a popular choice over Thanksgiving weekend, meaning that you will need to book yourself a room as soon as possible. 

Why is this hotel especially popular for the holidays? 

Due to the many Thanksgiving celebrations that they host, including: 

• An annual Mayflower event that is celebrated with firefighters, police, EMTs and other public servants. The event is held on a 53-foot Mayflower Truck, with both staff and guests dressing up to serve meals
• A Thanksgiving Brunch, complete with over 30 Thanksgiving sweet treats 
• A three course Thanksgiving meal at the hotel’s Bourbon Steak restaurant, featuring heritage turkey, lobster pot pie, and many other mouthwatering delicacies 

While spending Thanksgiving at home can be fun, there is no denying the huge amount of stress that often accompanies this. If you want to avoid all of that for this year, and focus on ensuring that you have a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend instead, these holiday getaways are definitely worth considering. Be sure to book soon, as there isn’t that much time left!