The hardest thing you’ll do this Thanksgiving will not be convincing yourself that it’s okay to eat that second piece of pie (because isn’t pie the reason you go to Pilates 5 days a week?!), but rather deciding where you’re going to celebrate our favorite foodie holiday of the year.
With all the incredibly fabulous places to celebrate Thanksgiving 2017, you are going to be hard pressed to pick your fave place to chow down on some truly tasty eats, and enjoy some additional festivities.
To help you narrow your options down a bit, we’ve rounded up the best places to celebrate your Thanksgiving this year.
Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving This Year
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa | Phoenix, AZ
One of our fave Valley staples is throwing quite the Thanksgiving feast this year, and we’ve got all the deets for you.
Not just for guests but also for locals, Thanksgiving dinner at elements is sure to be a winner. Executive Chef (and Food Network Star!) Beau MacMillan will be cooking up a four-course prix-fixe menu filled with traditional favorites, as well as some new faves.
Here’s the breakdown:
ENTREES
- Traditional Turkey Dinner | chestnut stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry apple relish and giblet gravy
- Duck Confit Raviolis | braised Swiss chard, candied fennel, parmesan cream and tomato jam
- Citris Grilled Swordfish | green onion and mushroom farro, smoked eggplant, avocado and harissa butter
- Honey Hoisin Glazed Short Ribs | Chinese broccoli, candied root vegetables, and parsnip puree
DESSERT
- Ginger Pumpkin Tart | maple cook crust and toasted bourbon marshmallow
- Cinnamon Cheesecake | autumn fruit compote, warm rum toffee sauce, and almond crumble
- And more!
Thanksgiving dinner at elements will be served from noon until 8 p.m., and is priced at $95 per person.
Sanctuary will also have available a Thanksgiving buffet at the resort’s The Views Ballroom, served from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., priced at $85 per person
Thanksgiving Stay Package
If you’re looking for the perfect home to serve up your own Thanksgiving dinner, Sanctuary is offering a great package for its eight private homes that have plenty of space for entertaining. When you book one of these houses for Thanksgiving, you’ll get a harvest welcome basket as well as a $500 resort credit that you can use at the resort’s spa or any of Sanctuary’s dining venues.
This package starts at $2,650 per night and is based on a two-night minimum stay.
For more information on this package, and the other Thanksgiving offerings at Sanctuary, please visit here.
Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa | Gateway, CO
If you’re looking to feel Thanksgiving in all of its fall glory, then head up north to Gateway, Colorado where Gateway Canyons Resort awaits you with festive eats and celebrations.
The resort is hosting a Thanksgiving Feast full of your festive favorites including:
ENTREES
- Carved Herb Roasted Turkey
- Crispy Smoked Ham
SIDE DISHES
- Corn Bread & Sausage Stuffing
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
DESSERT
- Apple Crumble
- Mixed Berry Cheesecake
If you’re not a guest of the resort, then don’t worry — the resort is running a shuttle service that day to deliver you to the Thanksgiving feast. The shuttle will leave from Grand Junction at 11:30 a.m., and return by 4:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinner at Gateway Canyons is priced at $45 per person, and the cost for the shuttle service is $100 (includes dinner, shuttle and Gateway Canyons Auto Museum entry).
Black Friday Wine Tour
Following the feast, the resort will be hosting a wine tour that takes guests through the Unaweep Canyon and Grand Valley. This fun-filled and educational 5 hour tour will stop at three of the area’s top wineries.
This wine tour is priced at $150 per person, with a two person minimum
Complimentary Tours
In addition to the wine tour, guests can also enjoy a complimentary tour of Gateway Canyon’s Curator of Curiosity to the Hanging Flume and Dinosaur Tracks on November 24 and 25.
For more information on the Thanksgiving happenings at Gateway Canyons Resort, visit here.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain | Marana, AZ
With not one, not two, but three Thanksgiving feast options, you’ll likely find yourself indulging in at least a couple different feasts.
Thanksgiving Lunch and Dinner @ CORE Kitchen
For both lunch and dinner, CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar will be serving up a three-course. For dinner, there will be an expanded menu with some additional festive offerings.
Here are just some of the delights you’ll find on the menu.
ENTREES
- Roasted Turkey
- Pan-Seared Halibut
- Roasted Sirloin Cap
- Pumpkin Gnocci
DESSERT
- Traditional home-made pumpkin pie
- And much more!
For dinner, you’ll find the additional entrees of Lobster Ravioli and Duck Leg.
Lunch is served from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m., and is priced at $75 for adults, $4o for children under 12. Dinner is served from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., and is priced at $98 for adults, $40 for children under 12.
Thanksgiving Brunch @ Cayton’s Burger Bistro
If you’re thinking brunching is how you want to spend your Thanksgiving, then you are in luck. Cayon’s Burger Bistro is offering a fab brunch that includes:
- Appetizers and salads
- Smoked seafood and a raw bar
- Fruits and veggies
- Cheese and charcuterie
- Soup
- Holiday sides
- Fresh turkey and prime rib carveries
- Ribs
- Loads of dessert options
Brunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is priced at $69 for adults, $35 for children under 12.
And if that’s not enough for you, Dove Mountain has some fab festive happenings.
The Core Wine Experience
Embark on a Sommelier-guided tour through some of the areas best wineries and enjoy notes, food pairing suggestions, and samples of delicious wine. This event will take place on Friday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The wine experience is priced at $20 per person.
Ignite Lounge Sushi Bar
Fresh maki rolls and sashimi paired perfectly with saki will be something you’ll love enjoying Thursday – Saturday nights at the resort.
Ignite Bar Mixology Demonstration
At 4:00 every afternoon, partake in a demonstration of one of the resort’s signature cocktails and get the tips and tricks on how to make them at home.
For more information on the Thanksgiving happenings at Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, visit here.
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch | Scottsdale, AZ
How about a tasty Thanksgiving brunch? You can def count us in! One our fave neighborhood resorts, The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is giving buffets a whole new meaning with its fanciful feast.
Here’s a sneak peak at some of the things you’ll be digging into Thanksgiving Day:
ENTREES
- Butter Basted Turkey | with shallot gravy
- Aged Angus Prime Rib
- Baked Virginia Ham
- Alaskan Cod Fillet
STARTERS
- Duncan Farms Kale Green Leaf Salad
- Pernod Poached Mussels
- Smoked Scottish Salmon
DESSERT
- Pumpkin, Apple, Pecan, and Cherry Pie
- Tortes, Truffles, Eclairs, and other pastry treats
Served from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the resort’s Vista Verde Dining Room, Thanksgiving at the resort is priced at $58 for adults, $20 for kids aged 5-12.
For more information on the Thanksgiving buffet at The Scottsdale, visit here.
Monarch Beach Resort | Dana Point, CA
Not only will you be able to enjoy some truly tasty meals at Monarch Beach Resort this Thanksgiving, you’ll find yourself loving far more than just the turkey.
Dana Point Turkey Trot
Start the day off right by participating in the Dana Point Turkey Trot, an event sponsored by Monarch Beach Resort.
Hop on down to the Dana Point harbor and get your workout in before you spend the day indulging in your fave foods. Featuring a 10k, 5k and a Kids Gobble Wobble, there is something for everyone at this event.
The races begin at 6:00 a.m., and go until 11:00 a.m.
Eats
Monarch Beach Resort is offering a couple of different fab options for your Thanksgiving meal.
Thanksgiving Brunch @ AVEO Table + Bar
This brunch full of Turkey Day faves will be served from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and is priced at $125 per person.
Thanksgiving Dinner @ Stonehill Tavern
Post-Turkey Trot you’re going to be ready for a full and delicious dinner. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at Stonehill Tavern. Enjoy dinner from 4 – 8 p.m.
For more information on the Thanksgiving happenings at Monarch Beach Resort, visit here.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North | Scottsdale, AZ
You can expect nothing but luxurious and lust-worthy eats during your Thanksgiving at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.
Thanksgiving Dinner @ Proof
The resort’s signature restaurant, Proof will be serving up a three-course dinner that includes mouth-watering food such as:
ENTREES
- Traditional Turkey
- Applewood-Smoked Maple Pork Shoulder
DESSERT
- Pumpkin Spice Molten Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Dinner begins at 4:00 p.m. and is priced at $55 per person.
Thanksgiving Buffet @ Talavera
If buffets are more your style, then you are in luck: Talavera is hosting an incredible one.
This buffet will have you digging into:
- Raw seafood bar
- Carving station with maple-brined smoked turkey and slow-roasted prime rib
- Sweet potato gnocchi cooked to order
- Cheese and charcuterie
- Farmers’ market salads
- Your fave traditional Thanksgiving sides and trimmings
- Chocolate bourbon pecan pie
- Cranberry-orange panna cotta
- Traditional pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream
Dinner will be served from noon until 6:00 p.m., and is priced at $110 per person for adults, and $48 for kids aged 5-12.
Pies ‘n’ Sides
If you’re serving Thanksgiving at home, you can still bring a piece of the resort with you in the form of the incredible pies and sides available to go.
Each order must be placed 48 hours in advance.
To learn more about Thanksgiving at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, visit here.
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa | Scottsdale, AZ
Now is a great time to set a new tradition — Thanksgiving Day at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa.
The resort’s Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen will be the ultimate host with its Thanksgiving Day feast featuring a buffet as well as a la carte options.
And what would Thanksgiving be without your favorite sides and tasty desserts? Andaz will have those too, of course.
To match dinner, the resort will be serving Thanksgiving-inspired drinks.
The feast’s first seating begins at 11:00 a.m., and the last is at 3:00 p.m., and is priced at $65 per person.
To learn more about this fabulous feast, and to see the menu, visit the resort’s website here.
Mountain Shadows | Paradise Valley, AZ
At this new favorite Valley resort, the Thanksgiving festivities begin the day before.
Come in on Wednesday from 4 – 8 p.m. for a happy hour that offers great deals on drinks and a lounge menu as well as live music from The Mike Eldred Trio.
Wednesday Night Stay Package
Rather than spend the day before Thanksgiving working hard in the kitchen, book a stay at Mountain Shadows for Wednesday night. This pre-Thanksgiving package is available for $119/night, and includes complimentary valet parking.
Thanksgiving Brunch & Dinner
The resort’s signature restaurant, Hearth ’61 will be serving up its regular brunch and dinner menus, but with a little somethin’ special for Thanksgiving.
Executive Chef Charles Wiley will be serving up these additional delights:
- Butternut squash soup with sage brioche croutons & coriander creme fraiche
- Slow-roasted Red Bird Farms Turkey, mashed potatoes, chorizo cornbread stuffing, local organic vegetables, cranberry orange relish and country gravy
- Pumpkin pie with cinnamon sweet cream
- Bourbon pecan pie with vanilla ice cream
Thanksgiving brunch is available from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., with the Thanksgiving dishes starting at 11 a.m., and dinner from 3:00 – 9:30 p.m.
To reserve your spot at Mountain Shadows’ Heart ’61 for Thanksgiving, please visit the resort’s website here.
Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach | Huntington Beach, CA
If your Thanksgiving travels take you up to California, be sure to make Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach your stop.
Thanksgiving at this fab hotel means a feast full of flavors that will rock your world.
With a menu boasting 25 items, there will be no shortage of options when you’re having Thanksgiving at the hotel’s new restaurant, Pacific Hideaway. Here’s a sneak peak at what you can enjoy there:
- Bacon and Cornbread Stuffed Roast Pork Loin
- Her Cheese Mashed Yukon Potatoes
- Brown Sugar Roasted Fall Squashes with Cipollini Onions
- Apple Pie with Donut Crumb Topping
Whatever is on your plate, you’re sure to love it even more with the stunning views of the ocean right there with you.
For more information about the hotel, visit its website here.