Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving 2023
With consumers spending hundreds of dollars on Thanksgiving travel and celebrations each year, the personal finance website WalletHub released its report on the Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving 2023.
According to the new report, queer-favorite San Francisco is the best place to go for Thanksgiving, followed by San Jose, California; San Diego, California; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
The report compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across five key dimensions: Thanksgiving celebrations and traditions, affordability, safety, and accessibility, giving thanks through charitable donations and volunteering, and the Thanksgiving weather forecast.
“Surprisingly, San Francisco is the place to be if you’re looking for highly-rated yet affordable restaurants for celebrating Thanksgiving this year,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst. “The city also has pretty good weather this time of year and offers lots of opportunities for sightseeing and other outdoor fun that won’t require spending a ton of money.”
Top 20 Cities for Thanksgiving
| 1. San Francisco, California | 11. Mesa, Arizona |
| 2. San Jose, California | 12. Gilbert, Arizona |
| 3. San Diego, California | 13. Los Angeles, California |
| 4. Scottsdale, Arizona | 14. San Antonio, Texas |
| 5. Raleigh, North Carolina | 15. Orlando, Florida |
| 6. Atlanta, Georgia | 16. Chesapeake, Virginia |
| 7. Phoenix, Arizona | 17. Dallas, Texas |
| 8. Las Vegas, Nevada | 18. Louisville, Kentucky |
| 9. Greensboro, North Carolina | 19. Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 10. Virginia Beach, Virginia | 20. Tucson, Arizona |
San Francisco was one of three cities in California to rank in the top five for this report, and its neighbors aren’t far behind.
“Spending Thanksgiving in San Jose can help you feel the holiday spirit, as the city is highly ranked when it comes to things like the number of pumpkin patches and decoration stores per capita,” noted Happe. “Thanksgiving in San Diego offers similar perks, with better scenery and the chance to easily spread thanks to the military community.”
No matter where you live, Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and delicious food. With the high cost of inflation, that delicious feast may fill your belly while leaving your wallet relatively empty. “The average person spends a few hundred dollars over the long Thanksgiving weekend, between food for family feasts and the mad dash to score Black Friday deals,” Happe stated. “It is important for consumers to keep an eye on their bank accounts throughout the holiday shopping season to ensure that spreading holiday cheer doesn’t spread them too thin as they head into the new year.”
Click here to check out WalletHub’s full report, which also includes money-saving tips for your upcoming Thanksgiving celebration.
