Skipping Thanksgiving....where should we go?
 

My dh and I were discussing skipping the whole family circus and going somewhere!

Hmmm....

We love cold and maybe snow, so I was thinking Colorado and getting a condo with
a fireplace and seeing if the lifts were open. If they aren't...more time to relax!

Or, I was thinking of a place on Cape Cod,
a nod to our Plymouth forebearers, and have
Tday dinner at a great inn. We are NOT b&b
types...we like big resorts and all that, but I am sure there is nothing big on Cape Cod.

I have been to Plymouth, Mass.
in 1976, and it seemed quaint, but I was only 15, and don't remember much except the cute boy driving the boat! I still have a picture of us on the beach, his hair blonde, blowing in the wind....oops, sorry!

So, any ideas? Maine? Colorado? Mass?
Utah?

We are thinking of using FFlyer miles and just renting a condo or place for about $200 per nite.

We don't have to ski! AND we love the ocean, but not a hot vacation, more fireplace and reading!

Any ideas?

I have to laugh at your post as I'm trying to talk my DH into heading to Jamaica with the kids over thanksgiving to skip the madness. Colorado or Utah sounds great. Where are you from as a point of reference? Cape Cod could also be nice. I love heading to the beach in the winter...it's so peaceful.

Or how about Santa Fe?

Lee Ann

1. Help me out please I relatively new to these travel posts ... what is a DH?

2. How about the Outer Banks in NC? I haven't been in late Fall but I know a few folks who have and said it was so nice just to walk around on the craggy beach and watch the surf. And the rentals around there are so nice -- I'm sure you could find a great place over Thanksgiving.

Actually, Cape Cod has some lovely larger resorts. Try the Chatham Bars Inn at http://www.chathambarsinn.com and the Ocean’s Edge at http://www.oceanedge.com.

There are also many very nice larger resorts in New England and upstate New York. They have spas, room service, and all the amenities. Three to consider would be The Wheatley in Lenox Massachusetts (wheatleigh.com or lhw.com),
The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont (equinox.rockresorts.com or lhw.com) and the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown NY (http://www.otesaga.com). You would most likely not have snow at Thanksgiving, it will all be a matter of chance. The Cooperstown area is where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located, and there are art galleries, etc in town. Lenox and Manchester are lovely little towns and there are numerous outlet shops there now too.

Concerns with advice:
1. flying (even to Jamaica) is awful at Thanksgiving
2. traffic to and from Nag's Head at Thanksgiving is awful
3. Plymouth isn't much and no resorts of the type you like. Chatham Bars Inn is a very good suggestion
4. For many years, my family and I went to the White Mountains in NH every Thanksgiving to get a jump on the snow season. There was never enough to ski, but we always had enough snow to make the trip worthwhile. What about Jackson, NH?

We go to Colorado every year and attempt to ski at Thanksgiving. It's nice because it's not too crowded yet. The really great skiers don't like it because the snow is not great, but that's ok by me. I like it because it puts me in the 'winter' mood.

Definately make sure you look at the opening dates of the various resorts if you go. We always go to Breckenridge as it generally opens in early to mid November.

It's a fun town, even if you don't ski. You could go sledding or take a snowmobile tour. Last year, my son and his girlfriend went dog-sledding. Plus, there are a few full service condo resorts.

Have fun with your research!
H

I forgot about Santa Fe! That sounds great! Also, The outter banks sound great too...along with all of the suggestions!

Thanks! I will look at all of the places suggested and run them by dh.

Hey, Jamaica bound: That sounds good! VERY relaxing!!

:)

As Ackislander pointed out, flying around Thanksgiving can be a nightmare...but last Thanksgiving a friend and I went to London (Wed-Sun) from Boston and we were worried about traffic in/out of the airport as well as lines, but we drove right in and then checked in, got through security, and were sitting at our gate in less than 45 mins. It was a dream. If you look at going international, the craziness of holiday travel might be limited...depending on your destination of course. (I imagine warmer destinations might be more intense)

Hi beachkomer,

As far as ski areas go, the areas in the Rockies always plan to be open by Thanksgiving. Usually the weekend before.

Snow is normally enough and OK, if necessary and weather has allowed they make it!

Flying into SLC would be one of your easiest destinations. Our airport is a breeze.

Yes, Salt Lake Airport IS a breeze!

I love Park City, maybe that is an option...

BUT, we chatted today and we both want to go somewhere that we've never been.

The search continues!

DH and I go to San Francisco every year for T Day weekend.

We stay at the Grand Hyatt on Union Square..and go shopping on the Friday after TDay

We go to Rodeo beach Marin ocean side of the Golden GAte Bridge and picnic and hike (usually so windy but really refreshing air and wildlife)

We do a day spa at the Flagship Nordstroms, go to a play have lots of wine and dinners out..

and drive to Napa Sonoma..1 day

tmontauk, DH is dear husband, darling husband, damned husband. Whichever seems right at the moment.

I would definitely look at the NC beaches at Thanksgiving. Beautiful time to visit there.

We rented a cottage in Asheville, NC and had an incredible time. Felt very "thanksgivingy" without the family drama! Great city.

I have been on www.vrbo.com looking at condos in Colorado.

I found a few for around $200/nt in Aspen, which would be somewhere we've never been and would feel special. I have been to Vail.

Has anyone rented a condo in Aspen?
I know, if I narrow it down to there, I need to post a new question.

NC seems great too. I will go to vrbo for there too.

THANKS!

:)

Why not head up north to Canada? Since it won't be a holiday there, everything will be open. You could try Vancouver, BC, with plenty to do on its own and then go up to Whistler IF there is snow (or just to look around if there isn't).
Or how about Lake Louise? Better chances of snow there.

Wow! Canada! I hadn't thought that 'far' out, but it would be cool to see Vancouver. I will do some FF mile checks. Maybe fly into Seattle, and drive up...?

hmm.

Sedona, Enchantment Resort
Taos, El Monte Sagrado
Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau
Telluride, Peaks Resort
Deer Valley, Stein Erickson Lodge

Telluride CO and stay at Hotel Telluride or a number of other fine places either in town or in Mountain Village. [Note to TahitiTams - The Peaks was sold and last I heard was tired and shabby; not sure if they have had a re-do.]

Durango CO and stay at the Strater or General Palmer in town or Apple Orchard Inn just out of town on the way to ski resort.

Santa Fe or Taos are also wonderful.

Debi

Sedona cannot be beat. But I would also point you to Portland, OR if you've never been. (No..I live in TX, but will never forget how lovely Portland was, discovered on a busines trip, no less!) It is SO incredibly beautiful.

Where is it you reside beachkomer?

We love Portland too. But around Thanksgiving it can be kind of...drippy. Grey, drizzly, and you won't be able to see Mount Hood. Which is not a problem for the locals, as any Oregonian worth his slugbait should be able to point out the location of several volcanoes on the cloudiest days.
However, if the possibility (or probability) of damp, cloudy weather doesn't bother you, then it's a great choice. And you may get lucky and have brilliant sunshine.
To get to Vancouver, if you can't fly to the city, then fly into Seattle. But as been discussed on another thread, you might prefer to Amtrak it instead, saves car rental hassles (you won't really need a car in Vancouver) and lines at border control.

Might skip Portland because we have family there! (i.e. skipping the family this year!)

We live in Missouri. We could fly to denver in about 2 hrs. (and then rent a car).

I know I've been saying "snow" but I saw some beautiful houses that are vacation rentals on the Outer banks in NC that have attractive rates for a week.

Thanks for that suggestion! I will look at all of the places listed....Taos and Santa Fe are great choices, but I've been to both...I would like to see a new place. Never been to Telluride!

:)

Hi Beachk,
My DH and I spend every Thanksgiving at our cottage in Truro, Cape cod and love it. We tell our family who would rather us come them "that this is after all where the Pilgrims landed" so it's appropos that we not go elsewhere.

Things in Provincetown (very close by) are still open and many things go on sale before low season. prices for rentals are low for that weekend as well. If viable option for you, you could rent a house on the water at an off season rate - try cyberental.com

Last year we kayaked, hiked corn hill (first place the Pilgrims found food),walked the beach, took in a movie, climbed the Pilgrim Monument and ate turkey in peace.

Have you been to Lake Tahoe? Beautiful area, but probably not enough snow for for skiing that early. A great time to go though.

We did this very thing a few years back and spent 4 days between Phoenix, Sedona and Flagstaff. It was a perfect time of year to be in that part of the country. Took the wife and kids on a 5 hour hike on Thanksgiving morning through the Sedona rocks - it was beautiful and one of my best Thanksgiving memories!

Maybe we'll start a trend...skipping the big ordeal to relax!

Thanks for the Cape Cod nod, I was going to look at that.

All of the suggestions sound perfect!
Now...more research!

Yikes, I reveiwed our FF miles, we have enough in our "kitty" for a future Kauai trip, but not enough for Thanksgiving!

So, I am now looking at driving somewhere that will be "off season".

I know, I know, I'm just in the planning stages....

I have my eye on a condo on the beach in Destin, which would be about 14-15 hr. drive.

I guess I need to keep diggin!

Thanks everyone!

We will be skipping Thanksgiving at home and enjoying whatever is on the menu of the main dining room or our cruise ship as we ply the coast of Greece. Beats cooking and cleaning up that is for sure.

Hi, we will also be skipping Thanksgiving this yr and going to the BVI's and staying at Little Dix Bay.
Our First Thanksgiving away from the
family circus.

OMG, let's start a trend:

Why? Well, it's not Christmas,
hullo...but it is stressful!

AND, most of us get Thur and Fri
off from work, hence, less vacation
time needed.

AND, most people are at home suffering
over a 23 lb. turkey and the in-laws.

Finally- in the Caribbean, it's still Hurricane season, so rates are lower for another week. (tail end of the season).

AND, some Colorado resorts have lifts already open,

SO:

Caribbean: Not in season (cheaper)
Colorado: Just opening (cheaper)

Family circus: AVOID

I am so excited to do our "own" thing, and chill in Colorado.

Keep thinking ahead people! LOL
:)