Top 10 Thanksgiving Getaways for 2026, and How to Time Your Flights

2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana has some of the longest stretches of resort beach in the Caribbean and a wide choice of all-inclusive resorts, many with kids' clubs and family suites. Its airport has direct flights from many US East Coast and Midwest cities.

• Weather: warm, with the end of hurricane season on November 30.
• Best for: families and multigenerational groups.
• Good to know: a US passport is required.

See our Punta Cana vacation packages, or compare the two most popular choices in Cancun vs Punta Cana for families.

3. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a US territory, so US citizens do not need a passport to visit. That makes it the easiest Caribbean option for families with a child whose passport has expired, or for a last-minute plan.

• What to do: Old San Juan's colorful streets and forts, the El Yunque rainforest, beaches and bioluminescent bays.
• Best for: families, first-time Caribbean travelers and short trips.
• Good to know: holiday-week flights from the Northeast and Florida fill early.

See our Puerto Rico vacation packages.

4. Hawaii

Thanksgiving week is a popular time for Hawaii, especially from the West Coast, where flights are around five to six hours. From the East Coast it works best if you can take the whole week.

• Weather: warm, with some winter rain on the windward sides of the islands.
• Best for: West Coast families and couples, and anyone taking the full week.
• Good to know: Maui, Oahu and the Big Island suit different trips. Ask us which fits your group.

See our Hawaii vacation packages.

5. New York City and the 100th Macy's Parade

2026 is a special year to spend Thanksgiving in New York. The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, stepping off at 8:30 a.m. from 77th Street and Central Park West. It follows a route of about 2.5 miles down to Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street, and draws crowds estimated at more than three million people.

• The day before: the giant balloons are inflated on Wednesday afternoon and evening near the American Museum of Natural History, a favorite with families.
• The rest of the weekend: holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, ice skating, Broadway shows and the start of the holiday markets.
• Good to know: hotels near the parade route book out early for the 100th parade, and the city is cold in late November, so pack layers.

6. Orlando, Florida

Orlando's theme parks are already in their holiday season by Thanksgiving, with decorations, seasonal shows and evening events. The weather is usually mild, and the city has nonstop flights from almost everywhere in the United States.

• Best for: families with children of almost any age.
• Good to know: Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at the parks, so plan rides and reservations ahead and arrive early each day.

7. Arizona: Scottsdale and Sedona

Late November is one of the most comfortable times of year in Arizona's desert, with warm days and cool evenings. Scottsdale offers resorts, golf and spas. Sedona, about two hours north, adds red-rock hiking and scenic drives, and the Grand Canyon is within reach for a longer trip.

• Best for: couples, active families and anyone who prefers hiking to a beach.
• Good to know: nights in Sedona can be cold, so pack a warm layer.

8. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is an easy Thanksgiving weekend for adults, with shows, restaurants and holiday displays, and flights from most US cities. Many hotels serve a full Thanksgiving dinner, which takes the cooking off your hands.

• Best for: couples and groups of adult friends.
• Good to know: book popular shows early, and add a day trip to Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam.

9. New Orleans

New Orleans makes Thanksgiving weekend a celebration. The Bayou Classic college football game between Grambling State and Southern University is played at the Caesars Superdome on Thanksgiving weekend, with a parade and events around it. The Fair Grounds Race Course traditionally races on Thanksgiving Day.

• Best for: food lovers, music lovers and groups of friends.
• Good to know: hotels near the French Quarter fill fast on Bayou Classic weekend.

10. A Caribbean cruise

A short Caribbean cruise from Florida over Thanksgiving week packs several islands into a few days. Meals and entertainment are included, and the ship takes care of the Thanksgiving dinner.

• Best for: families and multigenerational groups who want everyone in one place.
• Good to know: fly into the port city the day before sailing. A delayed flight on embarkation day is the most common way to miss a ship.

See our Caribbean cruise packages.

When to book your Thanksgiving flights

Google published its flight-price analysis for the 2026 holidays in October. Based on five years of Google Flights data:

• Thanksgiving fares are usually at their best about 34 days before departure, within a window of roughly 21 to 57 days.
• For a Wednesday, November 25 departure, that window runs from early October to early November. If you have not booked yet, book now rather than wait.
• The day of the week you buy makes little difference. Google found that Sunday is marginally the most expensive day to buy.
• The days you fly make a real difference. Google found that flying out on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday can save around 14 percent compared with weekend travel.
• Nonstop flights cost more on average, around 20 percent according to Google. A well-timed connection can be worth it, but not on the tightest days of the holiday.

The smartest days to fly

• Out: Monday, November 23 or Tuesday, November 24. Wednesday is the crush.
• On the day itself: flying on Thanksgiving morning is often quieter and can be good value. It works well for a short trip to family.
• Back: Saturday, November 28, or Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1. Avoid Sunday, November 29 if you can, as the travel booking app Hopper also advises.
• Early flights: morning departures are less likely to be delayed by problems building up during the day, and leave more options if something goes wrong.

Practical tips for a smooth holiday trip

• Check passports now. Every destination outside the United States and its territories needs one for each traveler, children included, and processing takes weeks.
• Use carry-on only on short trips, which avoids the longest airport lines and lost-bag risk.
• Arrive early. On the busiest days, allow extra time for parking, bag drop and security.
• Watch the weather. Late-November storms in the Northeast, Midwest and Rockies cause most holiday disruption. Keep the airline app on your phone for rebooking.
• Book the resort and the flights together where you can, so a schedule change on one is handled with the other in mind.
• Know your refund rights. If an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel. See our guide to airline cancellation and refund rules.

If you are still deciding

How Fond Travels can help

Fond Travels is an independent travel agency in Woodbridge, Virginia, planning holiday trips for families across the United States. For Thanksgiving, we:

• Compare flights for the less crowded days, so you fly when it is easier and better value.
• Book flights and resorts together in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Florida. See our Thanksgiving all-inclusive vacations for 2026.
• Keep families together on one booking, with seats and rooms that work for everyone.
• Help when plans change, with a travel expert available any hour during the holiday rush.

To plan your Thanksgiving getaway, call +1 (323) 800 6001. A travel expert answers any hour.