The Best American Thanksgiving Getaways

Thanksgiving is the time of year when Americans get together with their families for delicious food and fun. While there is no arguing that many people enjoy spending the holiday at private family homes, Thanksgiving vacations and getaways are becoming much more common place. After all, there are some amazing sights to see that only happen this time of the year. Here are four of the best American Thanksgiving getaways.

New York City, NY- Probably at the top of every Thanksgiving travel list, a Thanksgiving in New York is one to be remembered. Check out the world famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for some of the most exciting performances, floats, and balloons. It's the perfect beginning of Thanksgiving Day for many Americans nationwide, so don't miss the chance to see it live.

Later, enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner at one of New York's fabulous dining establishments. For example, Session 73, a casual restaurant near the parade route, offers a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 1pm to 6pm. If you're not up for traditional Thanksgiving dining, don't worry. New York City is known for its wide variety of foods.

If you're looking for a different Thanksgiving experience, book a spot on the Yacht Manhattan, the lead boat in the New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade occurring Thanksgiving evening. The trip is 2.5 hours long, and guests can take photos of such sights as the New York skyline, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and more, all from the boat's heated observatory.

And the next morning is Black Friday. Where else would shopping fanatics rather be than 5^th Avenue, New York's fantastic shopping district?

Chicago, IL- Macy's isn't the only Thanksgiving Day parade out there. Chicago's largest parade, the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade, now in its 77^th anniversary, is also fun and fantastic. What began as a depression era attempt to cheer up the people of Chicago has grown and prospered into a beloved holiday tradition enjoyed by the young and old alike. Settle anywhere along State Street from Congress to Randolph to view the festivities that begin at 8 am Thanksgiving Day.

Plymouth, MA- Have a traditional Thanksgiving celebration in the place where it all started. The weekend before Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Plymouth's America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration. The celebration mixes history and education about the first Thanksgiving with concerts to honor military service, food festivals, parades and more. The celebration offers a quaint, small-town atmosphere in which visitors can enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and their American heritage.

Lake Tahoe, CA-Thanksgiving in Lake Tahoe means more than just Turkey and parades. This holiday marks the beginning of ski season, a much-anticipated time of year for visitors to this beautiful region. Book a Lake Tahoe Thanksgiving vacation for your family and enjoy the fresh powder on the slopes, enough for traditional alpine skiing and modern snowboarding (up to 100 inches of snow even this early in the season). Aside from winter sports, Lake Tahoe offers excellent choices in shopping and dining, both perfect for the Thanksgiving season.