Thanksgiving Vacation Homes
Looking for a home where your entire family can stay at Thanksgiving? If you’re in need of extra space and an Instagrammable view of the lake for the big day, you’re in good company.
Discover some amazing destinations to celebrate the gifts of family, and of course, food.
Blue Ridge Mountains Comfort
Every Thanksgiving, the DeMott family returns to the same cabin in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville to experience the undeniable delight of tradition, where consistency beats constant change.
Seemingly slowing the passage of time, the tranquility of the mountain backdrop befits a holiday where giving thanks is savored as familiar aromas pipe from the oven, gradually wafting throughout the entire house.
Paul DeMott, CTO of Helium SEO, relates, “I like that every year I get to rent the same cabin because it echoes a constant experience.
“Cooking in the same kitchen, drinking wine and relaxing by the same fireplace and watching the leaves change from the same porch creates the rhythm of tradition that a new cabin or location could not create.
“That repetition helps make our trip feel more like a homecoming rather than a vacation.”
While Paul acknowledges the numerous benefits of visiting new locations, he enjoys familiarity on Thanksgiving.
“The groceries store is ten minutes away, the hiking trail is two miles down the road and taking the drive into town is twenty minutes. Knowing the answer to these common logistics questions allows me to spend time thinking about the people at the table, rather than logistics.
“Thanksgiving is less about exploring and more about where we come together year after year,” Paul shares.
Ozarks Outdoor Adventures
Sunny Treadway, Marketing Manager at Rent One, secures a Thanksgiving holiday property by early fall, with her family often beginning their search two to three months in advance.
Sunny’s family usually checks in about five days earlier to give themselves plenty of time to relax and spend time with each other during the Thanksgiving holiday.
She offers, “We prefer the home with a cosy vibe, cute decoration, and the must-have part is having a huge dining table where we can gather all of our family for the Thanksgiving meals. Comfort is really important as well, and the little decorations are the cherry on top.”
Sunny also looks for:
- a fireplace
- fully functional kitchen
- areas that are kid-friendly
“We adore houses that are close to lakes, hiking trails, or other open spaces where the dog and children may run off steam. Thanksgiving is less stressful and more memorable when spent in close proximity to nature.”
The combination of comfortable cottages, lake views, and neighboring trails makes the Ozarks one of her family’s favorite travel destinations.
Sunny confirms, “Traditionally, we go back to the same location some years, but occasionally we like to try something new by visiting a different location. In any case, we make an effort to choose a location where we can disconnect and take in the scenery.”
Smoky Mountain Grandeur
Kira Byrd, founder and strategist at Curl Centric, normally begins her search for a holiday home three to four months in advance of Thanksgiving, closing the booking by late summer.
Staying about four to five days, Kira’s family usually arrives on the Wednesday of Thanksgiving week (or Thanksgiving Eve) and departs on Sunday. On average, eight to ten people join in the festivities as well as a dog.
She ensures there are four or five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Planning for enough living space is important, especially with a group of that size!
Naturally, this consideration extends to dinner prep and gathering to eat.
With the kitchen being the heart of the home, Kira acknowledges another prerequisite, being a big functional kitchen and dining area, stating, “When a home does not comfortably accommodate group cooking and eating, it is a dealbreaker.”
Other amenities Kira’s Thanksgiving holiday homes include are:
- Big dining table
- Cozy fireplace
- Family-friendly possessions such as play areas are the must-haves
She notes these elements set the stage for comfort and tradition.
You may have observed a bit of a theme developing!
The table you eat this cherished holiday meal around matters, as does the glow of a fire in the hearth, fully functional kitchen and child-friendly amenities.
While the Smokies are hard to beat, Kira’s family does change it up every now and then.
“We do adore going back to the Smoky Mountains, but we even go to new cabins. New places make a difference from settling at places we already know.
“The most valued ones are mountain views and walking trails that would combine holiday food with outdoor activities. The closeness with nature helps to increase the spirit of gratitude and unity.”
Like most families who rent a holiday home for big family celebrations, Kira books a vacation rental for Thanksgiving to eliminate the pressure of accommodating a large number of people in her home while providing ‘the ground level of meeting that is a neutral and open space,’ enabling every guest to enjoy the holiday equally.
She notes, “We also have family get-together cooking, undertaking gratitude, playing games or hiking. The vacation homes give the ideal setting of such a way to naturally pass by those moments.”
Ideal Holiday Home Qualities
There are certain amenities that everyone loves to see when they rent a Thanksgiving vacation rental.
What should you look for?
- More than enough room to seat everyone for the Thanksgiving meal
- A sizeable space to cook the wide variety of courses (turkey included!)
- Areas where your family can cozy up and enjoy the warmth of a glowing fire
Depending on the weather, you might still be able to roast marshmallows outside and go for hikes!
Bundle up in more northerly climes and remember to bring your favorite sweater, fuzzy socks, and a hat to retain heat and keep the chillier temperatures at bay.
Thanksgiving Vacation Rentals for Your Family
More than parades, football, and continuous eating, the Thanksgiving holiday is about family, giving thanks to God for the blessings we’ve been given, and sharing in the rich tradition of a celebratory meal going back hundreds of years in North America.
If you’re still looking for somewhere to spend Thanksgiving, consider these beautiful vacation homes in New Hampshire, still available from Wednesday, November 26th through Sunday, November 30th, 2025.
Modify the search to meet your needs, as these homes are suited to groups of 15 people (8 adults, 6 children, 1 infant, and a pet).
Imagine you and your family experiencing the great outdoors and autumn’s splendor before it turns to snow!
This covered bridge in New Hampshire beckons, does it not?
Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?
If you’re looking for a place big enough to hold everyone, find your Thanksgiving vacation rental at Lake.com!
Be refreshed in nature with your family, giving thanks for the bountiful harvest, blessings received, and each other.
