6 Thanksgiving travel ideas from Salt Lake City

Where to travel for Thanksgiving 2026, from easy warm-weather escapes to a full week in Europe

Lately I've been helping so many clients book their Christmas trips. But this is your reminder to not forget about another great holiday week to travel: Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving travel usually starts with one question:

Are you traveling for Thanksgiving, or are you using Thanksgiving as an excuse to travel?

Maybe you're flying across the country to squeeze around Grandma's table with 17 relatives, three pies and a folding chair nobody trusts.

Maybe you'd rather gather the family somewhere nobody has to host.

Or maybe that four-day weekend is looking suspiciously like the beginning of a very good vacation.

This year, Thanksgiving is on November 26, 2026. And if you're flying from Salt Lake City, there are some smart ways to use the holiday, whether you are visiting family, heading somewhere warm, or turning three vacation days into a multi-day international trip.

The key is choosing a destination that makes sense from SLC. So what DOES make sense?

If you're flying to see family for Thanksgiving

Sometimes the destination isn't negotiable. If your kids live in Chicago or your parents are in Florida, that's where Thanksgiving is happening.

In that case, focus less on where you're going and more on when you're traveling.

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. If you can, leave a day or two earlier, fly on Thanksgiving Day itself, or stay through Monday or Tuesday rather than joining the Sunday rush home.

And look at the whole trip cost. Occasionally an extra hotel night costs less than choosing the most popular return flight.

Most importantly, if you already know where you're going, don't wait until November to start looking. Book it now!

1. San Diego: a favorite easy Thanksgiving getaway

For Utah families who want warmer weather without committing to a major trip, San Diego is hard to beat.

You can visit the San Diego Zoo, explore Balboa Park, see the sea lions in La Jolla, spend time on Coronado Island, or just slow down for a few days staying at a resort.

It's especially good for multigenerational families because everyone can enjoy San Diego differently. Grandparents don't have to keep up with a theme-park marathon, but kids and teens still have plenty to do.

And with nonstop flights from Salt Lake City, you don't waste half of your Thanksgiving travel time getting there.

Best for: Families, couples and multigenerational groups who want an easy, warmer-weather escape.

2. Palm Springs: trade the snow shovel for a swimming pool

If you're more about slowing down for the holiday, you might want to think about staying in Palm Springs.

November brings comfortable desert weather for hiking, golf, patios and resort pools. You can visit Joshua Tree National Park, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, book a spa treatment or I can help you rent a large home where the family can gather.

Palm Springs is great for adult families who want to spend time together without filling every hour with activities.

Best for: Couples, adult families, girlfriends' getaways and multigenerational groups looking for downtime.

3. New Orleans: skip the turkey and eat something better

Not every Thanksgiving getaway needs a beach.

With New Orleans, you get history, architecture, live music, interesting neighborhoods and food that makes skipping the traditional Thanksgiving menu pretty easy.

Late November is also totally comfortable for exploring, rather than during the heat and humidity of summer.

I'd especially consider New Orleans for couples, friends, empty nesters or families with older teens and adult children.

Best for: Food lovers and people who want culture, history and plenty to explore.

4. Mexico: the easiest international Thanksgiving escape

If what you're craving is sunshine, a beach and somebody else making dinner, Mexico may be the best international Thanksgiving option from Salt Lake City!

Nonstop flights from SLC make Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta great choices, even if you only have five or six nights.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya

This is my pick for families who want all-inclusive resorts, beaches, pools and plenty of activities.

You can also get away from the resort to swim in a cenote, visit Mayan ruins, snorkel or spend a day at one of the Xcaret parks.

Cabo San Lucas

Choose Cabo if you want dramatic desert-meets-ocean scenery, beautiful resorts, spa time and a slightly more upscale, laid-back getaway.

It's perfect for couples and adults traveling together.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta offers a nice middle ground: resort time, and also get out and experience the town, local restaurants, markets and Mexican culture.

Best for: Families, couples and multigenerational groups who want warm weather and an easy international vacation.

And for the person who normally hosts Thanksgiving? A resort where someone else cooks, serves and cleans up might be the best Thanksgiving gift of all.

5. London: turn three vacation days into nine

This is the Thanksgiving option I think many people overlook.

If you take Monday through Wednesday off before Thanksgiving, then probably Thanksgiving Day and Friday may already be holidays for you. That can potentially turn three vacation days into nine days away from home: from Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, November 29.

Suddenly Europe becomes much more realistic.

And Salt Lake City has nonstop flights to London!

By late November, London is moving into the Christmas season. Holiday lights and decorations are appearing, seasonal events are beginning and the city takes on a cozy winter atmosphere.

Spend your days exploring history, museums and markets, take afternoon tea, see a West End show, or add a few nights elsewhere in England.

Will it be chilly? Yes.

Might it rain? Also yes. (It is London, after all.)

But if your Thanksgiving vision involves history, Christmas lights and absolutely no obligation to cook a turkey, this is a very interesting week to go.

Best for: Couples, friends, empty nesters and families with older kids who want a bigger adventure.

6. Paris or Amsterdam: Thanksgiving without the Thanksgiving crowds

Salt Lake City also has nonstop service to Paris and Amsterdam, and they are both worth considering if you have a full week off.

Let's be clear: you aren't going to Europe in late November for warm weather.

You're going for museums, cafés, food, history and neighborhoods that can be easier to enjoy without peak summer crowds. You're also arriving as Europe starts shifting into Christmas season.

A trip to Paris can easily fill a week with museums, markets, neighborhoods, day trips and very good reasons to stop at another bakery.

Amsterdam is compact and easy to explore, with canals, museums and excellent rail connections if you want to add another nearby city.

And because Thanksgiving is an American holiday, Thursday is just a normal day in Europe.

Best for: Travelers who value culture, food and experiences more than sunshine.

Is Thanksgiving a good time to travel?

It can be, but I wouldn't call Thanksgiving a bargain travel week (just so we're clear).

Domestic airfare can be expensive because millions of Americans are trying to travel at roughly the same time. Popular resorts can fill quickly. And if you have to leave Wednesday evening and return Sunday afternoon, you definitely won't be booking the least expensive flights.

But Thanksgiving can be an excellent week to use strategically.

If you're visiting family, changing your travel dates may help.

If you're taking a shorter getaway, choosing somewhere with a nonstop flight from Salt Lake City gives you more actual vacation time.

And if you're willing to use a few vacation days, Thanksgiving can become a surprisingly substantial international trip.

My Thanksgiving travel rule

Don't start with somebody else's list of the "best Thanksgiving destinations."

Start with three questions:

Who do you want to spend Thanksgiving with?

How many days do you realistically have?

What do you want those days to feel like?

Then I can help you look at flight schedules, hotels and resorts, weather, activities and the total trip cost to find the destination that actually makes sense.

Because a lower airfare isn't much of a bargain if it comes with two connections, a terrible schedule, and a family ready to mutiny before you've even arrived.

Sometimes the best value is getting somewhere wonderful without making the journey harder than it needs to be.

And having someone else wash the Thanksgiving dishes is a perfectly legitimate vacation goal.

Thanksgiving travel from Salt Lake City: FAQs

Where can I fly nonstop from Salt Lake City for a Thanksgiving vacation?

Good Thanksgiving options with nonstop service from SLC include San Diego, Palm Springs, New Orleans, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, London, Paris and Amsterdam. Flight schedules can be seasonal and may vary, so availability should always be checked for your actual travel dates.

Where is warm at Thanksgiving from Salt Lake City?

Go south, of course. Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are strong choices. San Diego and Palm Springs can also provide a welcome break from Utah's late-November temperatures, although they aren't guaranteed swimming-weather destinations.

Is Mexico a good Thanksgiving vacation?

Yes. Mexico is one of my favorite Thanksgiving options for Utah travelers, because several great resort + beach destinations have nonstop flights from Salt Lake City. All-inclusive resorts are especially great for families who want to spend the holiday together without shopping, cooking and cleaning.

Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit Europe?

It can be. Thanksgiving isn't a holiday in Europe, and late November generally brings fewer visitors than peak summer. London, Paris and Amsterdam are strong draws from Salt Lake City because of nonstop flight options. Expect cool weather and shorter days, but you'll also catch the beginning of Europe's holiday season.

When should I book Thanksgiving 2026 travel?

If you already know you want to travel for Thanksgiving, now is not too early to start planning! Holiday flights and popular resorts become harder to find as the dates get closer, especially for families who need specific room configurations or travelers with limited flexibility on travel dates.