With gas prices continuing to fall across the United States, more and more Americans are looking to get out of town this Thanksgiving.
According to an annual Thanksgiving travel survery conducted by TripAdvisor, the number of Americans planning to leave home for the November holiday is up seven percent from 2013. Of the more than 2,500 U.S. respondents, 43 percent said they plan to travel for Thanksgiving.
The survey also reveals that 60 percent of those travelers plan to drive to their destination, up three percent from last year. It's likely that declining gas prices are influencing travelers, considering that the national average for a gallon of regular gas is down 27 cents from this time last year, according to auto travel group AAA.
In the spirit of TripAdvisor's recent findings, here are the top five Thanksgiving towns worth visiting in honor of Turkey Day.
1. Turkey, Texas
Legend has it that this town, approximately five hours northwest of Dallas, was named for the countless wild turkeys found along one of its creeks. With a population of just over 400 at the time of the 2010 census, Turkey is sure to provide some peace and quiet for visitors.
If you're planning a trip to Dallas or anywhere in North Texas this fall, be sure to stop by the home of the late "King of Western Swing," Bob Wills.
2. Cranberry, Pennsylvania
A staple of a modern Thanksgiving dinner, cranberry sauce adds a much-needed dash of color to our plates. That same holiday hue can be found in the Western Pennsylvania town of Cranberry. Located roughly 30 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh, the town was named after the bitter red fruit found growing along nearby Brush Creek.
The tasty berries vanished mysteriously for roughly a century, but were recently replanted and can be found there today.
3. Pie Town, New Mexico
What's Thanksgiving without a slice of pie? If you're searching for a Thanksgiving destination with the best dessert options, look no further than Pie Town, New Mexico, a town situated on the Continental Divide, just three hours southwest of Albuquerque.
With a population of less than 200, Pie Town is for those travelers in search of reprieve. There's plenty of nature to experience, especially if you enjoy cycling or hiking.
4. Roll, Arizona
Whether you're buttering them up or using them as a means to transport mash potatoes and gravy to your mouth, rolls are essential to a top-flight Thanksgiving dinner. Roll, Arizona, founded by John Howard Roll in the late 19th century, isn't named after the popular doughy creation; however, it does feature some unique attractions, including the Gila River.
5. Corn, Oklahoma
If you still have room for vegetables, you'll definitely want to check out Corn, Oklahoma. Located roughly 90 minutes west of Oklahoma City, Corn is renowned for its "Turkey Red" wheat and received its name as a result of the corn field that surrounded the town's local post office.
According to the Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the name of the town was changed from "Korn" to Corn as a result of anti-German sentiment in America during World War I. And it's the "C" that makes Corn one of the top five Thanksiving towns in the country.
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