Alternative Thanksgiving Getaways in Opal Destinations
Dreaming of a stress-free Thanksgiving away, where there’s no cooking and no cleaning involved? Here are a few top alternative turkey-day dinners and events in Opal destinations to shape a last-minute stay around.
Forget lines at the grocery store and picky family members. This November, consider throwing tradition out the (airplane) window and heading to an Opal destination (in the Northeast or Florida, depending on your tastes) to partake in a Thanksgiving vacation away from home.
Family-Style Thanksgiving in the Adirondacks [Bolton Landing, NY]
Not looking to do the cooking yourself, but still want a high-quality home-style meal with all the fixings? Head to The Sagamore Resort. From 1 to 8 p.m. in their ballroom on Thanksgiving Day, a veritable turkey dinner smorgasbord – think homemade garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy galore, and, of course, a beautifully carved bird – is spread out buffet-style across white-linen tables overlooking Lake George. Better yet, make a long weekend out of it by booking the resort’s special multi-night Thanksgiving package, which helped earned the property the top spot on Town & Country‘s recent article “19 Places to Spend Thanksgiving.” It includes a family movie night on Thanksgiving eve; a broadcast of the Macy’s Parade in the Rec Center and football in Mister Brown’s Pub; and gingerbread-house-making, a mini-golf invitational, and a tree lighting on Friday.
Where to Stay The Sagamore Resort
Turkey with a Touch of Art [Delray Beach, FL]
On the weekend after Thanksgiving, Pineapple Grove Arts District – a charming enclave of boutiques, bistros, and art galleries right off Atlantic Ave – hosts the Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival. The annual juried art fest draws more than 100 exhibitors, who set up shop on the sidewalks of the district and include everything from painting, mixed media, fiber art, jewelry and more – allowing you to get that head start on your holiday gift list.
Where to Stay Opal Grand Resort | Delray Sands Resort
Giving Thanks over Seafood [Rockport, ME]
Not beholden to turkey? The Thanksgiving dinner at Samoset Resort’s La Bella Vita gives you some different options to choose from in their four-course menu, including Maine salmon, local scallops, and filet of beef. (But don’t worry, there is an option for a roasted Maine turkey if you like tradition). Pair your meal with the resort’s special two-night package, which includes additional holiday-themed activities, like movie screenings in the evening, crafts, and toasting s’mores around the outdoor bonfire.
Where to Stay Samoset Resort
Thanksgiving-Themed Bar Crawl [Tampa, FL]
If you love turkey and craft beer, then Tampa has a great way you can combine both. On Thanksgiving Eve from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Tampa’s Downtown Crawlers offers a special turkey-themed party bus that escorts riders to four different area bars. In addition to sampling flights at each location, there’s also organized games, such a corn hole, beer pong, and flip cup, as well as Thanksgiving-themed eats and treats to soak up the suds as your hop from location to location.
Where to Stay Opal Sands Resort | Sandpearl Resort
An All-Day Eating Affair [Key West, FL]
Key West locals joke that there’s no restaurant that takes their Thanksgiving buffet as seriously as Bistro 245. That’s because, for $48 per head, you get access to an eating affair that lasts all day. It all starts at 11 a.m. with their breakfast bar buffet, featuring omelets made-to-order, bacon and sausage, French toast, fried potatoes, frittata, and more. We then suggest spending an hour in between strolling around town to burn off that breakfast because round two at the marina-based restaurant located a short walk away from Mallory Square includes appetizers, entrees, and dessert. Think prosciutto wrapped poached pears, butternut squash and sweet potato bisque, and even sushi to start; herb-roasted Vermont turkey, crab stuffed yellow tail roulade, and rosemary and Dijon-crusted rack of lamb for entrees; and pumpkin crème brulee, chocolate chip cannoli, and assorted holiday truffles for dessert. And there are bottomless mimosas to boot.
Where to Stay The Laureate Key West | Sunset Key Cottages
