To grandmother's house we go? Top 5 Thanksgiving destinations

Sunday, November 20, 2016
Traveling this holiday season? You're not alone! The Orbitz 2016 holiday survey says 72 percent of Americans are planning to travel at least once between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Where is everyone going? Not always grandma's house. Orbitz.com found that travelers would be in a "New York state of mind" this Thanksgiving.

  1. New York City, NY

  2. When it comes to world-famous Thanksgiving events, it doesn't get any bigger than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade is always one of the reasons why New York is the most famous tourist destination for the holiday.

    RELATED: Tips to survive, even conquer Thankgiving

  3. Las Vegas, NV

  4. After breaking the wishbone, it looks like some travelers want to try their luck at the poker table.

    Additionally, Las Vegas is home to many world-renowned chefs and restaurants, so visitors can get a delicious, classic Thanksgiving meal without all the stress. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

    RELATED: Free hotel rooms for holiday visits to sick loved ones

  5. Dallas, TX


  6. This Thanksgiving -- as ever -- the Dallas Cowboys will forgo family meals, instead taking to the gridiron. Since 1966, the Cowboys have missed hosting Thanksgiving games only twice. "America's Team" always draws big crowds on this American holiday.

    The most frequent opponent for the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day is the Washington Redskins with 7 turkey day meetings. This year the Cowboys will play the Washington Redskins for the 8th time on Thanksgiving.

    RELATED: Thanksgiving options in Houston? You name it!

  7. Chicago, IL

  8. Not to be outdone by New York, Chicago has its own Thanksgiving Day celebration - the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade. It brings thousands of spectators to Downtown Chicago with its larger-than-life floats and marching bands.

    Besides the parade, visitors can also make the most of the festive holiday spirit with a visit to Chicago's Christkindlmarket, which opens Thanksgiving week and is currently the largest German Christmas outside of Europe.

  9. Washington, DC

  10. Plenty of people are going to the root of the holiday this Thanksgiving.

    We tend to think of Thanksgiving as being rooted in Pilgrim traditions from colonial New England. But did you know that the official Thanksgiving holiday was actually created by our first President, George Washington?

    Visit Washington's home and library at Mount Vernon to see where this original proclamation is stored (you can actually download a copy in advance from the website if you'd like), and see what life was like when Washington first asked the country to give thanks.

    This will also be the last time President Obama is the one pardoning a turkey. This interesting White House tradition dates back to the 1940s, with presidents occasionally sparing the bird presented to them; since 1989, during George H. W. Bush's first Thanksgiving as president, it has been an annual tradition for the president to "pardon" the turkey.


Copyright © 2024 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.