2019's Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated:: 6:00 AM ET, Sat November 9, 2019

A Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. (photo via Rawpixel / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Minneapolis skyline with US Bank Stadium on the left. (photo via Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Old Town, Scottsdale, Arizona. (photo via PaulMcKinnon / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

Virginia Beach boardwalk and oceanfront. (Photo via DenisTangneyJr/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort at sunset. (photo via Jonathan Novack/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Denver skyline across City Park during autumn. (photo via dbvirago / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Louisville, Kentucky skyline (Photo via Davel5957 / iStock / Getty Images Plus) (Davel5957/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Raleigh, North Carolina downtown and George Washington Monument as viewed from the Capitol Building grounds. (photo via SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus) (SeanPavonePhoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Christmas decorations in Miami Beach. (photo via NikkiWatarz/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Downtown Atlanta, Georgia on a cloudy day. (photo via AndreyKrav / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Las Vegas, Nevada. (photo via Corey Donohue/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Autumn in Washington, DC. (Photo via sborisov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Beach in San Diego, California (Photo via dancestrokes / iStock / Getty Images Plus) (dancestrokes/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Portland, Oregon. (photo via Chris Anson / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Saint Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square in New Orleans. (photo via Davel5957/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Where Will You Give Thanks?

1/15

More than 54 million Americans were projected to travel for Thanksgiving last year, according to AAA, and that number will likely remain equally as remarkable this year. But what destinations should travelers be targeting this Turkey Day? WalletHub recently compared the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 20 key metrics across five different categories-including celebrations and traditions; affordability; safety and accessibility; giving thanks and weather forecast-analzying things like the cost of Thanksgiving dinner, share of delayed flights and volunteer opportunities per capita to determine the best cities in America to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2019.

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota

2/15

Did you know that the Twin Cities tie for first in terms of the highest number of turkey trots per capita? Specifically, St. Paul ranks number one overall on WalletHub's list, checking at sixth for Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions and seventh for safety and accessibility. Nearby Minneapolis ranks 14th overall, but better than St. Paul in terms of affordability and opportunities to give back.

Scottsdale, Arizona

3/15

A phenomenal Thanksgiving weather forecast helps propel Scottsdale to second overall. The Arizona city ranks 29th for Turkey Day celebrations and traditions, but sixth out of 100 cities for weather forecast. Nearby Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa, Arizona rank sixth, 11th and 13th, respectively.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

4/15

Safety and accessibility (sixth) and affordability (17th) enhance Virginia Beach's appeal this holiday season. This seaside destination in the Mid-Atlantic also ties for first in terms of the most total volunteer hours per residents 16 years and over, matching places like Baltimore, Portland and Milwaukee.

Orlando, Florida

5/15

Family-friendly Orlando ranks first for Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions, according to WalletHub's research, tying for first in terms of both the highest number of Thanksgiving events and holiday decorations shops per capita.

Denver, Colorado

6/15

The Mile High City is certainly known for its winter chill. It ranks 24th in the country for Thanksgiving weather forecast this year and an impressive seventh in terms of Turkey Day celebrations and traditions. Fun and sometimes free events include holiday light displays, Polar Express train rides, ice skating and much more.

Louisville, Kentucky

7/15

Ranking third for affordability and 21st for Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions, Louisville is home to the fourth-highest number of holiday decorations shops per capita, meaning it'll be easy for visitors to get in the spirit this November.

Raleigh, North Carolina

8/15

Only three other U.S. cities beat Raleigh in terms of Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions. After all, the North Carolina capital is tied for first when it comes to hosting the highest number of Thanksgiving-related events per capita, WalletHub found.

Miami, Florida

9/15

If you seek a Thanksgiving getaway filled with plenty of warmth, sunshine and sea, Miami is an easy choice. The South Florida metropolis ranks tops in the nation for most pumpkin patches per capita and the highest number of Thanksgiving events per capita.

Atlanta, Georgia

10/15

Not only is the ATL home to the world's busiest airport, but it's also WalletHub's fifth-top city in terms of the highest number of holiday decorations shops per capita and is tied for third for highest giving ratio, trailing only Memphis and Birmingham.

Las Vegas, Nevada

11/15

One of the country's top Thanksgiving weather forecasts helps Las Vegas climb WalletHub's list of the best places to celebrate in 2019. While Sin City ranks 30th overall, nearby Henderson, Nevada ranks 12th nationwide while North Las Vegas checks in at number 22.

Washington, DC

12/15

The nation's capital is certainly worth a mention for its stellar Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions (14th) and opportunities for visitors to give thanks this season (fourth). It's definitely hard to beat Washington, D.C. when it comes to a memorable Thanksgiving Day dinner followed by a satisfying day of Black Friday shopping.

San Diego, California

13/15

San Diego's eighth-ranked Thanksgiving weather forecast is a big reason why so many Turkey Day travelers will flock to the Southern California hotspot this November. America's Finest City also fares extremely well when it comes to safety and accessibility, ranking 15th out of the 100 cities WalletHub examined.

Portland, Oregon

14/15

Portland's plethora of pumpkin patches-it's tied for the highest number of pumpkin patches per capita-and numerous volunteer opportunities and charity organizations help set it apart from any other destination in the Pacific Northwest this Thanksgiving.

New Orleans, Louisiana

15/15

The Big Easy is renowned for its festivals, celebrations and lively events, so it's likely no surprise that it comes out on top in terms of the highest number of Thanksgiving events per capita, tying cities like Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh and Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher