Our top ways to make a family getaway more affordable over Thanksgiving break
If you’d like to get away with the family over the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m right there with you. This year, my kids have Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off during Thanksgiving week; throw in the weekend, and we’ve got five days of possible family fun!
Of course, airlines and hotels know this, too, and pricing reflects it. However, it’s still possible to grab some coveted family time on a vacation over the holidays, if you think a little outside the box.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re the parent of a non-school-aged child, I implore you to travel during non-holiday periods while you can! Once your kids get to about third or fourth grade, it’s not really advisable to miss school. And if your child is a junior in high school, forget about missing any school at all!
1. Visit a national or state park
Camping for Thanksgiving? You may not think of a national or state park as a destination in November, but why not? Some parks – Death Valley and Joshua Tree come to mind – are actually better visited during cooler periods of the year. At other parks, you’ll just need to bundle up. Two years ago, my family and I camped 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean at Kalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park in Washington. Not wanting to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in our RV, we walked down the trail to Kalaloch Lodge which was celebrating the holiday with an all-you-could-eat spread. Don’t have an RV? You’ll find many park lodges to be affordably priced during this time of year.
KidTripster Tip: Call ahead to determine if area restaurants will be serving on Thanksgiving Day and then make a reservation.
Looking to get out into the Great Outdoors? Consider renting an RV or camper with our friends at Outdoorsy. It’s the Airbnb of RVs, matching RV owners with would-be renters. Use this link and get an extra $50 off your booking just for being a KidTripster fan! In addition, KidTripster will get some coffee money from Outdoorsy at no cost to you.
2. Take an intentional city staycation
In an attempt to avoid the headaches and expense of flying during the Thanksgiving holiday, opt to stay in your own city- but not on your couch! Really explore everything your area has to offer families.
If you live in a major metropolitan area, check out KidTripster’s 10/10/10 city guides. These guides include our top 10 picks for family-friendly PLAYS, STAYS, and EATS in cities across the country. Click here to find yours.
3. Drive to a local resort
If you’re looking to have a 5-star experience over the holiday, consider a resort within driving distance. That way, you’ll still feel like you’re on vacation without the exorbitant airfare. Even in the fall, many resorts have recreational activities to keep the whole family busy. And you’re practically guaranteed to have a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner where you don’t have to cook or clean up! Check out our KidTripster’s Beaches or Escapes for properties that have been kid-tested by our parent writers.
And don’t forget about ski resorts! Even without snow, you’ll find that they’re perfect gateways to the Great Outdoors.
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