Of course prices are higher during US holiday vacation periods- that’s supply and demand.
btw- I grew up with and raised son with Thanksgiving is just the four day long weekend despite it being the gun deer season all week.
Warnings to OOS parents- check your kid’s college schedule, they could have exams the day before Thanksgiving!
After a few Thanksgiving fiascos with the extended family, we now go on a cruise over Thanksgiving. No cooking, no cleaning, all sunshine and relaxing. It’s awesome. Every time we’re like, we wish we’d started this tradition earlier. The kids enjoy it because the ship tends to have a lot of kids their age, although if you’re looking to get away from kids there are lines that are much less kid friendly, even during thanksgiving.
I would second the recommendation for visiting Death Valley. It is an amazing place; the terrain is so varied, ranging from mountains to below sea-level. There is lots to see and do for an active vacation of hiking and biking. You can stay at places in the park.