Places to Go for the Holidays
A road trip vacation for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a great way to enjoy the holiday season with your family or friends.
There are many reasons to go on a road trip for the holidays, here are just a few that we came up with. 1) You can explore new places such as national parks, historical landmarks, or scenic routes. 2) You can bond with family and friends with uninterrupted time while traveling; include games to play together, listen to music, tell stories, and laugh together. 3) A road trip is more than the destination, it’s the journey. Include stops at interesting places and historic sites.
A road trip can be a memorable adventure that you can share with your loved ones that deepen your relationships.
These are some of the reasons to go on a road trip vacation for Thanksgiving. If you are looking for some inspiration, you can check out some of the recommendations we’ve listed below.
Sun Valley ID
Sun Valley Idaho, in the town of Ketchum is a magical destination for spending Thanksgiving with your family or friends. It is America’s first ski resort and also home to the world’s first chair lift. You can enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding mountains, the cozy atmosphere of the town, and the variety of activities that suit your preferences. Ernest Hemingway called Sun Valley home as have many celebrities over the years.
Here are some of the highlights of things to do with the family.
– Ski, ice skate, sleigh ride, or relax in the lodge at Sun Valley Resort. The resort has trails for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as a Nordic center for cross-country skiing. You can also enjoy the outdoor ice rink, which is open year-round, or book a sleigh ride to the historic Trail Creek Cabin. If you prefer to stay indoors, you can pamper yourself at the spa or the heated pool or watch a movie at the opera house.
– Enjoy the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which is the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the U.S. and one of the 12 in the world. You can marvel at the stars and planets in the night sky, which are visible with the naked eye or with a telescope.
– Shopping in Ketchum and Sun Valley – With a variety of shops and boutiques for all tastes and budgets, you can find clothing, jewelry, art, books, souvenirs, and more. You can also visit the Sun Valley Museum of History, which displays exhibits and artifacts related to the history and culture of the area.
Treat the family to a lavish Thanksgiving Buffet at the Limelight room in the historic lodge at Sun Valley Resort, serving all your favorite seasonal dishes and delights. Reservations for the Thanksgiving Buffet can be made by calling 208-622-2270. Reservations are required.
Sun Valley Resort is scheduled to open on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23) for their 88th winter ski season at the River Run Base area of Bald Mountain.
For more information visit www.sunvalley.com or www.visitsunvalley.com.
Glenwood Springs CO
Glenwood Springs Colorado during the holidays is like taking a step into a Hallmark Christmas movie. You may not bump into an old flame and rekindle a romance, but you will feel like you’ve landed in Christmas town and with all the trimmings. Here are a few of the things you can do in Glenwood Springs Colorado on Thanksgiving Day:
– Winter on the Mountain begins November 10 at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park – America’s only Mountaintop Theme Park. www.glenwoodcaverns.com
– Glenwood Hot Springs Resort – Soak in the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool – www.hotspringspool.com
– Glenwood Escape Rooms – Enjoy the adventure of this family-friendly room called Christmas Chaos – www.glenwoodescape.com
– Vaudeville Revue – Kicking off this month is the family-friendly Vaudeville Revue. This dinner-theater comedy show is a hilarious Vaudeville-style show performed by a cast of professionally trained actors, singers and musicians. Glenwood Vaudeville Revue.
The most festive and exciting event that happens over the Thanksgiving weekend is the lighting at the historic Hotel Colorado where the likes of Al Capone, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Doc Holliday once frequented. The event is the Friday after Thanksgiving and includes a line-up of live entertainment that culminates in the holiday lighting and fireworks. www.hotelcolorado.com
There is a fun public art scavenger hunt called Find Your Wings in Glenwood Springs. Maps with the wings are available at the Glenwood Springs Visitor Center, 802 Grand Avenue.
Here are a couple of restaurant suggestions that will be open Thanksgiving Day and serving dinner.
For more information visit www.visitglenwood.com
Big Rock Candy Mountain UT
We’re sure you’ve heard the song made famous by Burl Ives, at least you older folks, but did you know that the famous Big Rock Candy Mountain is in Utah?
“Oh, the buzzin’ of the bees and the cigarette trees
The soda water fountain
Where the lemonade springs and the bluebird sings
In that Big Rock Candy Mountain”
Now that I’ve got the song stuck in your head, let’s take a trip to this big yellow mountain in central Utah.
Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Ricahfield Utah on Highway 89, Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort is a place where you can have fun and adventure in central Utah. You can stay in a cozy cabin, a unique caboose, or a comfortable RV site. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy activities like river rafting, zip-lining, ATV riding, and more at the resort.
Train Cars
Vintage train cars were transported to this unique resort and converted into tiny houses. Each car is equipped with heating, A/C, TV, Bathrooms, and more!
Sleeping capacity ranges from 3-8 depending on the train car with prices ranging from $199/Night to $299/night.
The collection of historic train cars includes a 1940’s passenger car, vintage cabooses, and box cars with each car decorated inside for Christmas that include a copy of the polar express to watch. After you watch the movie, there is a present from Santa for your family to open.
Santa!
Santa Claus himself will be making an appearance at the on-site restaurant Friday and Saturday nights from 6-8pm.
The resort offers many fun options for fun things to do including board games at the restaurant lounge and lodge, bike trail, hiking, river fishing, ATV trails, local hot springs, and more.
You can book at www.Bigrockcandymountain.com
Brian Head UT
If you are looking for a winter wonderland to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, you might want to consider Brian Head Resort in Utah. Located at 9,600 ft., Brian Head Resort is at Utah’s highest base elevation of all mountain resorts and offers winter and summer activities including downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, hiking, and ATV riding.
One of the highlights of Brian Head Resort is the Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet, which is held at the Brian Head Lodge on November 23 from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm. You can enjoy a delicious meal of turkey, ham, prime rib, and assorted side dishes, as well as pumpkin pie or cheesecake for dessert.
Another highlight of Brian Head Resort is the Christmas celebration, which starts on December 16 and lasts until January 7. You can join the festive activities, such as the tree lighting ceremony, the Santa Claus visit, the torchlight parade, and the fireworks show. You can also enjoy the live music, the hot chocolate bar, and the gingerbread house contest.
The ski area is tentatively scheduled to open November 17, 2023.
For more information visit www.brianhead.com
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort UT
If you are looking for a unique and memorable way to celebrate Thanksgiving, you might want to consider Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is a 4,000-acre resort on the eastern border of Zion National Park, that offers lodging, recreation, and dining. You can enjoy the natural beauty, the cozy atmosphere, and the variety of activities that suit your preferences. Here are some of the reasons to visit Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort at Thanksgiving:
– You can choose from eight different lodging options, ranging from vacation homes, cabin suites, deluxe glamping, Conestoga wagons, cowboy cabins, glamping, RV camping, and tent camping. Each option has its own charm and comfort, and some of them include access to the shower house, laundry room, wireless internet, grill, and picnic table. You can also enjoy the amenities of the resort, such as the swimming pool, hot tub, spa, fitness center, and game room.
– You can explore the stunning scenery and wildlife of Zion National Park and the surrounding area from the resort. You can hike, bike, horseback ride, or ATV on the trails that are framed by a vast forest and an almost reachable sky. You can also join the guided tours and adventures, such as jeep tours, canyoneering, rappelling, and zip-lining. You can also admire the stars and planets in the night sky, which are visible with the naked eye or with a telescope.
– You can relax and unwind in the rustic and peaceful setting of the resort. You can enjoy the solitude and silence of the beautiful Zion Ponderosa property, away from the hustle and bustle of city life and city lights. You can also cozy up by the fireplace, watch a movie, read a book, or play a game in your lodging option. You can also pamper yourself with a massage, a facial, or a body treatment at the spa.
These are some of the reasons to visit Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort at Thanksgiving. You can book your stay online or by phone, and check out the event calendar for more details and options. We suggest calling soon as rooms and Thanksgiving Dinner is selling out quickly.
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