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15 Vacations for Thanksgiving Weekend

Looking ahead to your next Thanksgiving vacation? The ultimate preparation guide for your long weekend trip is here. Once you have your vacation sorted, it’s a good idea to pre-book your airport parking. ParkSleepFly can do all the extra work for you and find you the best lot for the best price.

Whether you are looking to spend a few days with the family or travel to an idyllic spot as a couple, here are 15 vacations for Thanksgiving in 2023.


1. Chicago, IL

Big cities are beautiful during the holidays and the “windy city” is no exception. If you need constant buzz and activities to keep you happy, Thanksgiving in Chicago may be just the place for you.

Much like New York City, The Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade brings an exciting atmosphere to the city for all to enjoy on the long weekend. With the addition of floats, music, and entertainment, it’s sure to work up your appetite for the afternoon of celebrations! Just make sure to arrive early, as the parade takes place from 8am until 11am on State Street.  

Other events include the German Christkindl market and outdoor ice skating. Don’t forget to pre-book your Thanksgiving dinner at the Walnut Room too, located on the 7th floor of Macy’s State Street.


2. Hawaii

If you’re looking to get some winter sun for Thanksgiving this year, we highly recommend none other than a trip to Hawaii. With beautiful white sandy beaches, marching bands, and luau, many of the resorts offer the perfect Thanksgiving package.

Hawaii tends to be quieter around this time of year, so if you want to unwind and relax, this is the perfect vacation location this year.

Given Hawaii celebrates Thanksgiving in a very similar way to the mainland U.S., you can guarantee a delicious Turkey dinner, just with a different scenic backdrop to enjoy. Hawaiians usually give thanks to Lono, the god of agriculture and often pause familial conflicts, practice gratitude and exchange gifts.

The sprawling beaches of this one-of-a-kind state mean you can also pass the time by participating in many different activities over the course of your trip, including snorkeling, surfing, and hiking.


3. Keystone Resort, CO

For the thrill-seekers this Thanksgiving, we recommend a visit to the sprawling mountains at Keystone Resort, Colorado. The beautiful rocky mountain backdrop against a warm fireplace with hot chocolates after a long day of snowboarding and skiing is a particular draw to Keystone Resort, and the promises of a Thanksgiving feast at the River Run Village restaurant means you can fully kick back and relax for this long weekend.

If traveling in late November, Keystone also offers a Welcome Winter Family carnival, full of cocoa, cookies and Salida circus. Why not combine your 2023 Thanksgiving trip with fun in the snowy mountains this year?


4. Lake Tahoe, CA

For a relaxing Thanksgiving by the water, why not consider visiting Lake Tahoe? From lakeside to mountain views, this peaceful destination in California is perfect if you want to escape from the cold.

Local restaurants at Lake Tahoe offer a variation of Thanksgiving dinner by the lakeside, with the offer of a beach stroll in the evening to enjoy the sunset. Heavenly Mountain Resort is at your disposal for exploration too, offering a myriad of hiking trails for you to enjoy by day.

Dining options include Jimmy’s at The Landing, Riva Grill on the Lake, The Beacon Bar + Grill and Edgewood Tahoe. Alongside these great restaurant options lies the Luxurious Casino which also offers a range of eateries.

If you would prefer to explore the lake and cook your own meal, this is also possible with the rental of a vacation home on Lake Tahoe.


5. Las Vegas, NV

Where better in the world than to celebrate Thanksgiving in Vegas? If you’re wanting an all-adult vacation, this is the place to be, with the addition of lasting heat from the summer. This makes Vegas a great winter sun option, especially for those traveling as a couple.
The Las Vegas strip is well known for its sprawling Casinos, but also for the Michelin-star celebrity restaurants that reside inside. If you fancy a twist on Gordon Ramsay’s Wellington, we highly suggest stopping by Hell’s Kitchen located at Caesars Palace.


If you feel more like a relaxed dining experience, there are plenty of other options available such as a Las Vegas buffet at Wicked Spoon, The Cosmopolitan and Bacchanal Buffet.


Vegas isn’t just about the food options however, there’s plenty to see and do for entertainment and shopping too, including the famous Gondola ride or the beautiful Bellagio fountain display that occurs every 30 minutes.


6. New Orleans, LA

If you’re looking for a party this year, look no further than a vibrant (and often outrageous) Thanksgiving in New Orleans. You’ll find plenty to do in the “Big Easy”, even when it’s Thanksgiving and not Mardi Gras.

Dining out in New Orleans for Thanksgiving is easy, as a lot of the local restaurants stay open during this holiday. Round up the family and enjoy a mouth-watering sit-down meal in the city of Jazz and Blues and soak up the culture of the deep South.

Visiting New Orleans this Thanksgiving and haven’t booked parking? Don’t worry, ParkSleepFly offers hotel and parking packages to make sure your travel is as stress-free as possible. Book now!


7. New York, NY

The big apple is well-known for its extravagant décor and events throughout November and December, making it the perfect place to spend the holiday. No one does Thanksgiving like New York!

The biggest event to see in the city is Macy’s New York Thanksgiving parade. This year’s display is expected from 9am until 12 noon, with a plethora of balloons, floats, and elaborate entertainment for all.

After watching the famous parade, why not stroll through Central Park and have a go at skating at the Central Park ice rink? Or even explore the traditional ‘tourist’ spots that remain open for the day? If stopping on a longer layover in New York, we highly recommend shopping the Black Friday sales the next day!


8. Orlando, FL

Another warm destination to consider is Thanksgiving in Orlando, Florida. The winter sun will keep you toasty and more than entertained with its myriad of theme parks and fun activities.

If you’re looking to make Thanksgiving as fun as possible, Orlando may be just your ticket. This year promises a plethora of tastes, with the addition of Fusion Fest. A fun and bright festival that will have your mouth watering at every turn, this event is sure to have something for everyone.

If you feel like experimenting with your tastebuds this Thanksgiving, don’t miss out on this unique cultural celebration in the heart of Downtown Orlando.


9. Park City, UT

If you picture your perfect Park City Thanksgiving spent outside in soft, powdery snow and flying down amazing ski slopes, you need to research a trip to this particular destination. This city is renowned for its winter activities, but also for its splendor so you’ll have plenty to be thankful for this year.

There’s also a fantastic feast to be had at Flanagan’s on Main, Irish Pub and Restaurant. Located in the heart of Park City, this dine-in pub is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends.


10. Phoenix, AZ

This warmer destination still incorporates cold elements to really set the scene for Thanksgiving every year! Skate Westgate is back this year, with a 3,500 square-foot rink as an addition to the Plaza in Fountain Park.

Phoenix is an excellent destination for those wanting to soak up the winter sun and partake in off-season sunbathing. After spending the day out and about in the city, join Blue Hound Kitchen for a delicious three-course Thanksgiving dinner in Phoenix with friends and family.


11. Plymouth, MA

What better time to experience genuine southern charm than at Thanksgiving in Savannah? Enjoy Savannah’s beautiful green parks and a nice cool climate in this welcoming southern hot spot.

Savannah at Thanksgiving isn’t just about enjoying food and watching football too, it is known for its annual Turkey Trot, which is perfect for those who like to get up and go and be active on Turkey Day! This event takes place just before your Thanksgiving dinner, so why not work up an appetite and join in? Located at Daffin Park, this year marks the 14th year for the Turkey Trot.


12. Savannah, GA

What better time to experience genuine Southern charm than at Thanksgiving? Enjoy Savannah’s beautiful green parks and a nice cool climate in this welcoming southern hot spot.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about enjoying food and watching football too, Savannah is known for its annual Turkey Trot, which is perfect for those who like to get up and go and be active on Turkey Day! This event takes place just before your Thanksgiving dinner, so why not work up an appetite and join in? Located at Daffin Park, this year marks the 14th year for the Turkey Trot.

Itching to get away to Savannah for Thanksgiving but don’t have your airport parking lot space booked? Pre-book now with ParkSleepFly!


13. Toronto, CA

Hopping over the border to Canada, Thanksgiving in Toronto is a great city to visit if you’re looking for a non-traditional day. This city will impress you with its diverse culture and high-end cuisine, offering another view for your Thanksgiving weekend.

The hustle and bustle of this city won’t end for you this US Thanksgiving, as Canada celebrates theirs in early October, meaning you can also get any last-minute Christmas gifts whilst you visit.

Dine in the city’s heart after a long day of shopping and exploring, and relax, surrounded by fallen Maple leaves and Canadian culture this Thanksgiving.


14. Washington, D.C.

If you’re feeling extra patriotic during the holiday season, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better destination than our nation’s great capital. Thanksgiving in Washington DC allows you to feel thankful as you enjoy the beautiful decorations while taking in some American history. There’s also the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Silver Spring!

Washington DC for Thanksgiving is also the hotspot for Turkey-to-go this year, with plenty of city restaurants offering this option if you want a quiet night in! If you would prefer to feast the night away, however, we highly recommend the Waldorf Astoria Thanksgiving buffet, the perfect place to indulge to your heart’s content with friends and family.


15. Williamsburg, VA

For another traditional Thanksgiving, Colonial Williamsburg is a place worth visiting in 2023. Thanksgiving marks the kick-off to Christmas and alongside Thanksgiving activities, you can also expect to enjoy a few festive-themed delights too.

Colonial Williamsburg has a plethora of attractions available, including Premium shopping outlets for those well-needed Christmas gifts, the official Jamestown settlement, and the Historic area. All these activities run on normal operating hours, apart from the outlets which have a longer opening time.

For restaurant choices, Williamsburg has a variety of both sit-down and buffet-style eateries, including King’s Arms Tavern, Campbell’s Tavern, and Colonial Williamsburg Lodge which offers a holiday buffet. All perfect after a day of exploring the city’s history and partaking in light shopping.


Why book with ParkSleepFly?

No matter where you decide to travel to, have a stress-free Thanksgiving vacation in 2023 by pre-booking your hotel + parking package with ParkSleepFly this holiday season.

Global Surfing Spots

Global Surfing Spots Header

The best surfing locations to catch a wave in the USA, and across the world

Our world is made up of 71% water, so what better way to experience it than riding a wave? Surfing can be the perfect way to connect with nature allowing us to view our oceans from a completely different perspective.

From the likes of Montauk, New York, to La Jolla, San Diego, for those dreaming of taking on the adrenaline rush that surfing brings, the surfing spot options are endless.

If you are not sure where to start your surfing adventure, and you need a little inspiration, then keep reading as we reveal the most popular surfing spots across the USA and the world.

The USA’s top surfing spots

USA Top 3 Surfing Spots

1. Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA – Surfing Spot Score 8.32

Located in the sunshine state of Florida, Cocoa Beach is a popular destination for surfers and sunbathers alike. The beach is an iconic and busy surfing hub with an extensive surfing history dating back to the 1950s. Cocoa Beach is particularly popular on social with over 3,000 surfing-related Instagram hashtags. The sea temperatures are also favorable, averaging 27°C, so whether you are looking to surf or to swim, it’s going to be a great place to take to the sea.

2. Waikiki, Oahu, USA – Surfing Spot Score 7.69

Hawaii is well-known for its gorgeous beaches and warm seas so it’s no surprise that Waikiki in Oahu ranks in second position. Oahu offers 122 surf breaks and a coastline of 3.8km to explore. Similarly to Cocoa Beach in Florida, surfers are in for a warm ride with average sea temperatures of 27°C.

3. Huntington Beach, Orange County, California, USA – Surfing Spot Score 6.67

Huntington Beach is located in the popular surfing area of Orange County, California. The surfing spot ranked well for the number of surfing breaks at 51, and on average the spot is searched 1,770 times per month across the globe. The seas appear to be slightly cooler here than in Florida and Oahu though, averaging at 21°C.

USA Top Surfing Spots Table

The world’s top surfing spots

World Top 3 Surfing Spots

1. Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico – Surfing Spot Score 7.50

Puerto Escondido is a laid-back coastal region, yet it is home to one of the world’s most thrilling waves, making the surfing spot perfect for expert surfers. The thrillseekers paradise is also highly sought after online, with over 3,000 tags on Instagram, and 6,120 monthly Google searches.

2. Noosa, Queensland, Australia – Surfing Spot Score 6.38

In second position is Noosa, Queensland, Australia. Located on the sunshine coast, this is the perfect spot to take to the waves. This resort has waves for all levels, and the best time to surf is during April when sea temperatures average 21C. According to the research, Noosa has a total of 69 surf breaks, and it is also highly popular on Instagram with over 16,000 tags.

3. Tofino, Vancouver Island, Canada – Surfing Spot Score 5.76

Ranking in third place is Tofino, Canada. Tofino offers a range of surf breaks with varying difficulty levels, perfect for beginners and avid surfers alike. The best time to surf Tofino is in January when the weather and atmosphere are most ideal. During this time waves begin to increase due to fluctuations in wind activity providing perfect surfing conditions. Interestingly, surfing in Tofino has been tagged more than 700,000 times on Instagram.

World Top Surfing Spots Table

The most searched for surf spot

Most Searched For Surf Spot

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia – 10,000 total searches

Located on the southern tip of Bali, Uluwatu offers an abundance of fast and powerful waves for thrillseekers. With 10,000 combined average monthly Google searches over the last 12 months for ‘surfing in Bali’ and ‘surfing Uluwatu’, this is the most searched surfing location on our list.

The most popular surf spot according to Instagram

Most Popular Surf Spot Instagram

Noosa, Queensland, Australia – 16,036 total tags

Noosa, Australia is the most popular surfing spot according to Instagram, with a total of 16,036 tagged posts. This surfing spot is great for those in search of smaller swells, whilst big swells do appear they are inconsistent. The area is well known for its gorgeous golden sands and clear waters, making it ideal for surfing.

The surf spot with the most breaks

Surf Spot with the Most Breaks

Waikiki, Oahu, USA – 122 total breaks

A surf break is an obstruction in the sea or ocean that causes a break in the tide to create a barrel wave – perfect for surfing. In Oahu, Hawaii there are 122 breaks, creating several surfing options. Some of the surfing breaks along Waikiki are Canoes – which provide perfect conditions for beginners, Queens – home to plenty of surfing competitions, and The Wall – perfect for practicing on smaller waves.

The surf spot with the longest coastline

Surf Spot with the Longest Coastline

Reunion, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – 600km

The surf spot of Reunion is located in Durban, and it is home to a total of 600km of beaches on its coastline to explore. The extensive coastline and glorious weather year-round make this the spot ideal for surfers and beach lovers alike.

The surf spot with the highest sea temperatures

Surf Spot with the Highest Sea Temperatures

Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico – 30.67° C

Although there’s no optimum surfing temperature, warmer climates can make the experience much more comfortable. With average sea temperatures of 30.67°C, Puerto Escondido, therefore, ranks in first place. This surfing spot is one of the most famous in Mexico, offering plenty of waves in its warm waters.

The best global surf spots for each month of the year

Best Global Surf Spots Monthly

Methodology

Initially, ranking lists of surfing spots for the terms ‘top surfing spots around the world and ‘the world’s best surfing spots’ were analyzed to create a list of 150 key surfing locations.

This list of over 150 surfing locations was then narrowed down to 30 focusing only on those with the highest search volume.

From here any surfing locations that were not surf breaks were reviewed using the quality rating from Surf Forecast. The surf breaks with the highest ratings were selected.

Using this list we then undertook research into the following factors to identify the best surfing spots across the world.

Google Searches

Using Keyword Planner, average search volumes for the keyphrases that contain the location name and surfing term [example, ‘surfing in Bali’] were analyzed to reveal the overall search volume for each surfing spot. All terms searched included the word surf or surfing to ensure the intent was relatable to the concept.

Instagram Tags

Social data was gathered by analyzing the number of times each surfing spot was tagged on Instagram along with the word surf or surfing e.g. waikikisurf and waikikisurfing. The number of tags per hashtag was then added together to provide a total number of tags for that destination.

Coastline Length

To determine coastline length details a combination of tourist boards and surfing publications were used.

Average Sea Temperatures

Finding the lowest and highest sea temperatures in each location were completed using seatemperatures.net, and lowpressure.co.uk for Mentawai Island.

Best Month to Surf

To identify the best month to surf in each location Surf Forecast was used, for the locations where the best surfing month was unavailable alternative surfing publication sources were used, mywavefinder and surfline.