Much like a generous holiday plate, U.S. travelers know exactly what they crave when it comes to Thanksgiving getaways. An annual ranking from a leading travel protection provider shows only a few changes for 2025, which signals that beloved holiday hot spots continue to dominate plans. Below we keep the original structure and expand with useful, brand neutral tips so you can plan with confidence and avoid common travel snags.
Most Popular US Travel Destinations for Thanksgiving
New York City remains the ultimate Turkey Day destination for the fifth straight year, edging out busy West Coast cities including Seattle and Phoenix. The draw is simple, you get parade magic, storefront spectacles, and late fall performances that are easy to stack into a long weekend. To match your schedule and budget, compare arrivals at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International, then build a door to door plan that includes ground transit.
Other sought after Thanksgiving locales include Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles, while Orlando, Boston, Miami, and Chicago round out the top ten based on survey data from more than one thousand travelers. Each metro offers a different flavor, from warm weather parks and outdoor dining to historic districts and world class museums. For smoother journeys, check security wait times in advance, fly early in the day, and consider secondary airports when available, such as Dallas Love Field alongside Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago Midway alongside Chicago O Hare, and alternate New York area gateways.
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Top Thanksgiving 2025 US Travel Destinations
- New York
- Seattle
- Phoenix
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- Orlando
- Boston
- Miami
- Chicago
Most Popular International Travel Destinations for Thanksgiving
Like the Big Apple on the domestic list, Mexico remains a coveted pick for the holiday, with Cancun securing the top spot for the fifth consecutive year. San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta also hold steady among the top three, while the nation’s capital ranks eighth. When comparing flights, look at Cancun International, Los Cabos International, and Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International in addition to Mexico City International, and leave buffer time for immigration and customs on arrival.
Europe will be another popular region next month, with London ranking fourth and Paris appearing at number six. Late autumn often delivers festive lighting, early markets, and thinner museum lines, which can help you do more in fewer days. If you are crossing the Atlantic, compare London Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, and pre book airport transfers or rail options so you do not lose time on logistics.
The sun drenched Caribbean continues to be an in demand escape for the holiday season, with Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic ranking fifth and destinations such as Jamaica, Aruba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands rounding out the top ten. For beach heavy itineraries, morning departures and nonstop routes help reduce disruptions, and travel protection may add flexibility during weather shifts. Gateways like Punta Cana International, Sangster International in Montego Bay, Queen Beatrix International in Oranjestad, and Providenciales International handle most arrivals, so watch for schedule changes and confirm baggage allowances before you pack.
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Top Thanksgiving 2025 International Travel Destinations
- Cancun, Mexico
- San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- London, UK
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- Paris, France
- Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Oranjestad, Aruba
- Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Americans are once again making Thanksgiving travel a priority, and many are becoming more strategic about how they plan. More travelers are booking early, spending with a clear budget, and protecting trips so they can focus on what matters most, time with loved ones, instead of worrying about potential disruptions. If you choose to add a protection plan, compare coverage carefully, verify what counts as a covered reason, and check current terms before applying any specific advice.
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If you want help turning these destination ideas into a smooth, stress free trip, join our free TheMilesAcademy community. You will get traveler tested tips on airports, baggage strategy, and booking windows, plus real time advice from members who have just flown the same routes.
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