Leave Seattle or Portland for a scenic Yakima Valley wine country Friendsgiving weekend — Photo courtesy of bpperry / iStock Via Getty Images
Thanksgiving often means spending way too much time in airports during the busiest travel season of year. Instead of dealing with all the holiday chaos, stay local and take a Friendsgiving road trip.
What is Friendsgiving? It's when you choose to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with your besties instead of family (i.e., friends who are family). That could mean hosting a potluck dinner at home or heading out for a fun weekend getaway. We suggest the latter to elevate your holiday to something special.
Pro tips: Go by car if you can, or bus or train if you must (those stations will be pretty crowded, as well), make your reservations ahead of time, and leave early or late to avoid the holiday traffic.
Here are 10 Friendsgiving ideas for easy holiday getaways from some of America's biggest cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, New York City, and more.
From Los Angeles: Plan a Friendsgiving getaway to Santa Barbara
Take a stroll along the beautiful streets of Santa Barbara with your besties on Friendsgiving weekend — Photo courtesy of PRImageFactory / iStock Via Getty Images
A quick escape from Los Angeles requires little more than a short drive north to beautiful Santa Barbara. Known as a sophisticated city with a small-town feel, there's plenty to do over the weekend, including exploring uncrowded beaches, visiting the fantastic zoo, or dipping in and out the wine tasting rooms, distilleries, restaurants, and boutiques in The Funk Zone.
With the weather so mild, a stroll through the Lotusland garden or any of the myriad hiking trails in the area is the perfect way to spend a holiday with your squad. Take a wine tour through Santa Barbara wine country and relive scenes from "Sideways."
The Steward Hotel makes a fine home base, with comfortable suites, a lush garden setting, and a full-service restaurant with outdoor tables set up under towering trees. At night, hang out by the fire pit with your favorite libation to cap off perfect days away from it all.
From New York City: Take a road trip to the Catskills
Spend the weekend at the Roscoe Mountain Club in the Catskills — Photo courtesy of The Roscoe Mountain Club
Today's Catskills experience is a far cry from the days of "Dirty Dancing" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."
For an outdoorsy spin on a Friendsgiving weekend, hole up at Roscoe Mountain Club, only about two hours from New York City. Make new holiday memories at the property's Frankel House, a four-bedroom home with a full kitchen, fireplace, and more.
Spend your days doing everything from golf and fishing to cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, hiking, and pickleball (depending on the November weather). At night, grab a bite at the Roscoe Mountain Grill, the on-site restaurant that's open daily. If you're craving a traditional Thanksgiving feast, the restaurant has four seatings available on Turkey Day.
Who was voted the best?: Best Gift for Road Trippers (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)
From Miami: Have a fun Friendsgiving in the Florida Keys
Sport fishing at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys — Photo courtesy of Hawks Cay Resort
Pop the top on your convertible for a Friendsgiving trip to remember in sunny Florida. This easy road trip down U.S. Highway 1 to Duck Key, one of the prettiest Keys found south of Miami, leads you to Hawks Cay Resort for whatever Friendsgiving plans you desire.
You'll find all sorts of adventure for the weekend, to include scuba diving, snorkeling with the dolphins, sport fishing, and paddling to secluded islands. Or just laze by the pool, have a spa treatment, sip a tropical rum drink at Pilar's Bar, and chill out with your chosen Thanksgiving family.
From Seattle or Portland: Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Yakima Valley wine country
Gather with friends in Washington's Yakima Valley wine country — Photo courtesy of Yakima Valley Wine Country
Start from either Seattle or Portland with all your wine-loving friends in tow, and in less than two hours, your Friendsgiving celebration can go into high gear in the Yakima Valley wine country. With more than 90 wineries featuring grapes grown in six different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), plus a craft beer trail, there's plenty to sip, and lots to do to take in the beauty of the area.
In addition to wine tasting, go hiking, horseback riding, biking, climbing, paddling, and fishing in this beautiful valley. On where to stay, rent a vacation home, soak up the charms of a local bed and breakfast, or camp. If you're more into sleeping in beds than sleeping bags, the centrally located Hotel Maison Yakima, a classic historical hotel built in 1911, has all the amenities for your Friendsgiving home base.
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From Chicago or Milwaukee: Have a countryside holiday in Galena, Illinois
Go hot-air ballooning around Lake Galena in Illinois — Photo courtesy of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
When it comes to Midwestern Friendsgiving weekend fun, there's an idyllic spot less than two hours away from Chicago or Milwaukee. The Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Illinois, has something for everyone in your group, especially if the late-fall weather has been mild.
Think horseback riding, fishing, hiking, bird watching, and golfing surrounded by fall foliage. If it's on the colder side, go ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, or snowboarding at nearby Chestnut Mountain. Take an adventurous hot-air balloon ride any time of year, or relax with spa treatments in the Stonedrift Spa.
And no worries about Thanksgiving dinner: The resort will deliver the full spread, whether to your room in the main lodge or a friend-filled villa.
Who was voted the best?: Best Gift for Outdoor Adventurers (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)
From Boston: Head for scenic western Massachusetts
Make the historical Red Lion Inn home base for a memorable Friendsgiving trip — Photo courtesy of Red Lion Inn
Take a Friendsgiving road trip from Boston to western Massachusetts, where the small-town vibe is strong and the American history runs deep. In the heart of the Berkshires, The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge is the perfect spot for any Friendsgiving gathering, especially for history buffs. (It's been around since 1773.)
Stay at the inn or choose one (or more) of the village guesthouses; all are furnished with classic and unique antiques. Enjoy crackling fires, a year-round heated pool, and live music in the speakeasy-esque pub.
Feel the historic vibes of Stockbridge at the Norman Rockwell Museum; a tour of Edith Wharton's home, The Mount; and the Ventfort Hall Mansion. If there's early season snow, head up to Jiminy Peak for some schussing. You'll find Thanksgiving dinner right at the inn's restaurant that specializes in farm-to-table fare.
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From Washington, D.C.: Have a seaside Friendsgiving in St. Michaels
Go sailing around the picturesque Chesapeake Bay from St. Michaels — Photo courtesy of ymn / iStock Via Getty Images
From Washington, D.C., Baltimore or Philadelphia, head to Maryland's Eastern Shore and the quaint waterfront town of St. Michaels. Settled in the 1600s, the small coastal town is steeped in history. Take a self-guided walking tour along the Miles River waterfront to see preserved 18th and 19th buildings and gorgeous views. Near the Chesapeake Bay, this protected inlet was once a shipbuilding center and witnessed a famous War of 1812 battle against the British.
After a sail out to the bay with your Friendsgiving group, settle in at The Wildset Hotel in the center of town. The property is comprised of four impeccably restored 19th century buildings, so there's room for everyone. Dive into fresh seafood specialties, local oysters, and historical lore at the Ruse Restaurant, which celebrates "the town that fooled the British" with unique, laid-back style. Make it a Thanksgiving by-the-shore to remember.
From Atlanta: Enjoy a small-town experience in the North Georgia Mountains
Soak up Dahlonega's small-town charm during a Friendsgiving getaway — Photo courtesy of Discover Dahlonega
If discovering gold is on your Friendsgiving weekend bucket list, then a trip to Dahlonega should be in your posse's plans. Just an hour out of Atlanta, this small town in the North Georgia Mountains had the largest gold deposits east of the Mississippi way back in 1828.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can explore gold mines, try panning for gold, or tour the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Take mountain hikes to gorgeous waterfalls, or visit the myriad wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area. If you really love the outdoors, stay in a cabin suite or eco-cabin at the Barefoot Hills Hotel for a woodsy Thanksgiving weekend.
From Houston and Austin: Giddy-up on a luxury ranch for Thanksgiving
Spend time in a private cabin at the idyllic BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch — Photo courtesy of BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch
Escape the Houston or Austin city hustle and bustle and take your crew to a totally Texan Friendsgiving-Thanksgiving celebration at a classic dude ranch. Tucked away on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch has everything a weekend cowboy or cowgirl could desire.
Ride horses, throw axes, shoot some trap, go fishing or hiking, and then cap it off with nighttime stargazing at the Milky Way and beyond. Sleep and relax in a beautiful cabin; many have full kitchens so you can cook your own holiday feast. And bring your swimsuits to soak in private hot tubs for a blissful ending to a great day.
From San Francisco: Spend a memorable Friendsgiving on the Sonoma Coast
Take a wild Friendsgiving escape to the Sonoma Coast at the Timber Cove Inn — Photo courtesy of Timber Cove Resort
Grab a few San Francisco pals and drive north along the incredibly beautiful coastline for a spectacular Friendsgiving ride. While on Highway 1, the longest state route in California, make your first stop at nearby Muir Woods National Monument for forest bathing in a majestic redwood preserve. Then meander up to Bodega Bay, which served as the set for Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie, "The Birds," and spend your Friendsgiving immersed in the wild landscape that unfolds along the Sonoma County coast.
Timber Cove Resort, perched out on a wild bluff looking out at the Pacific, features record players in every room — and records to borrow for any swinging holiday party. Make sure to spend a day in downtown Healdsburg, where the food and wine are world-class. Try the convivial Molti Amici in town for seasonal Italian fare and bocce ball, or splurge at SingleThread Farm for an exquisite Michelin three-star experience.
Don't forget the wine tasting: There are many Sonoma Coast wineries to visit — including Flowers Vineyards and Winery, which makes exceptional pinot noir — to toast your Friendsgiving adventure with panache.