Thanksgiving Away...
 

Has anyone ever spent Thanksgiving at a lodge or other getaway? With kids? Can you share the name and location? I would like to stay in the US. Looking for an interesting way to get away with a small group of family in the future.
Thanks,
Victorygarden
This was first posted on the Fodorite forum.

Where are you coming from? How far do you want to travel from there?

We did Thanksgiving at The Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad California with the kids. We all had a terrific time. The hotel prepared a nice Thanksgiving spread, we did Seaworld, Legoland and spent some time together. No dishes and beautiful surroundings. My DD enjoyed the kids club one day, while DH and I enjoyed quiet time with the baby and each had a little personal time at the spa. It was surprisingly relaxing.

We rented an cabin from Vacation Rentals By Owner in the Truckee, CA area fot the family. Spent time at Lake Tahoe, Reno, Virginia City.

Hi jtrandolph-
I am coming from the midwest and will travel anywhere in the 48.
Thanks!
Victorygarden

Every year...a house on the Outer Banks

For many years we took our children to the Appalachian Mountain Club lodge in Pinkham Notch, NH.

At the time the Lodge had rooms for four (two bunkbeds) with men's and women's bathrooms and toilets down the hall, just like being back at university. We never failed to have snow, and one had the choice of sitting before a vast fire in the library or spending the day hiking in a magical landscape. Breakfast and a vast dinner, served family style, were included and on Thanksgiving Day itself, there was square dancing.

It has been too many years since we did this, but tradition changes slowly in New England, and if this is too different for you, I would think that if you reserve fairly soon, you could find an inn or hotel with a similar program.

The Balsams Hotel in Dixville Notch, NH, might be a good place to start.

we used to go to Chicago for thanksgiving. No one lived there but our BIL was from there and his mom still lived there when we started this short lived tradtition. It was a good meeting place for DH's sister and family to meet our family. It seemed odd at first to eat in a restaurant for Thanksgiving, but we had great times doing this. No one had to work hard (and my SIL and I are both experienced, comfortable hostesses so that really wasnt the issue). We had some great dinners, trying different places each year. Several musuems were open on T-Day, and in later years there was a parade, so we had lots to do. The Mag Mile is all decorated and beautiful. Even hotels had great rates. One year the rate was so low we almost felt guilty. But it gave us that much more money to spend and help their economy. Now our kids are older and in college and want to be home for Thanksgiving to see their friends And the family we met there has moved to FL so its too far (maybe we should go to FL for T/Day!). I do recommend going away for Thanksgiving. ONe nce thing-there weren't many distractions so it really gave us some quality family time together.

Thanks everyone....
Sorry for the late thanks- I was Up North in Minnesota for a long weekend.
I will be continuing my search for a Thanksgiving away...
I know that right idea will come.
Thanks, Rachel for all of the details about Chicago. It is one beautiful city.
I love the idea of doing Thanksgiving in another region. The stuffing/dressing and all of the preparations can be so different across the country.
Victorygarden