I am not one for the big meal (that’s really the last thing I need). I hate that school vacations are timed for Thanksgiving and Christmas (excuse me Winter Break) when airfares are sky high, travel is difficult weather wise and airports are jammed.
So any ideas? Got to be U. S. Adventure travel, outdoors.
I’ve been everywhere, literally. All 50 states. Some more than others and I can’t come up with anything fresh or new that would be a good choice in November.
Are you flying or driving? And if driving, where from? Budget constraints?
Sedona, Key West, Austin/Texas Hill country, Santa Fe, Oregon coast are a few that come to mind. The benefit to most of these destination would be little chance of severe weather on the receiving end (snowstorms and such).
I have lots of frequent flyer miles, but hotel costs are a constraint.
Also, no skiing trips.
I’m thinking Arizona, maybe. Sedona area.
What about San Antonio? Betting the Riverwalk would be a good place for Thanksgiving dinner.
Or how about Savannah? Or Charleston?
Another option would be St. Augustine/Jacksonville area.
Hiking the Kalalau trail and camping on the beach at the trail’s end for a couple of nights? This will take care of 3 days… Spend the rest of the break at a nice hotel. 
Moab Utah? Arches and Canyonland National Parks.
I’d pick anywhere south of Tennessee-ish, where it would still be nice fall weather. I could be wrong about where I’m drawing the line, but it’s not northern Indiana Should insurance deign to wave its magical wand, my daughter will be having surgery that week so it’s probably hospital food for me.
We used to go away every Thanksgiving, but we travelled outside of US because we got better deals. Some of our best trips were to Europe and some all inclusive trips to a Caribbean island. I think traveling within US would just be crowded and expensive.
We were in Palm Springs last Thanksgivibg, and had a good time hiking at Joshua Tree.
If you are thinking Sedona, red rocks of AZ, to go cheaper, and maybe less crowded, think Kanab Utah, Cedar Breaks, perhaps St George, UT; Page or Flagstaff, AZ, Bryce & Moab & Zion and generally the grand circle. A lot of those options will depend on that particular week’s weather. I have seen it hot & seen it snow and many of those places are about 4000 feet.
I know the lodge at Bryce closes before Thanksgiving. The weather becomes too iffy. I’ve been to all those parks. Mthey are great. It would all depend on weather.
Death Valley is incredible and Thanksgiving is a good time to go. Infinitely less civilized than Sedona (which I also adore) – but definitely more remote and adventurous.
You could fly to Jacksonville and sea kayak around Amelia Island and Cumberland Island, GA.
How about a Pueblo ruins trifecta? Start at Mesa Verde National Park in the north, then head south to Aztec Ruins, NM, then south again to Chaco Canyon.
The lodge in Mesa Verde is closed by that late in the year, but there are plenty of places to stay in nearby Cortez, CO.
We’ve visited those three places in the middle of winter and that was wonderful. Mesa Verde closes much of the park because they can’t plow all the roads but the main attractions are open. We walked through spruce tree house in the snow and it was magical. The park ranger said that winter is a great time to visit since so few people come and summer can be bumper to bumper traffic.
Chaco can be tricky depending on the road conditions. We had to give up on one road once since it was so muddy and we had 4 wheel drive. Going to the better road was a 60+ mile detour. But worth it!!
All I can say is that I’m envious you’ve been to all these places.
We did a houseboat rental on Lake Powell a few years ago during Thanksgiving and it was a freaking blast! A bit pricey, but the experience was amazing.
Weather in Southern California is usually gorgeous at Thanksgiving. San Diego is a good choice as is Palm Springs and Death Valley.
My sister takes that week as she’s a teacher and has it off, her son has a full week at Thanksgiving. They’ve been to France, London/Paris, and this year it is Rome. Travel is very cheap in non-Thanksgiving celebrating countries during Thanksgiving week.