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Thanksgiving Weekend 2009

By Teresa Plowright, About.com

Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, in NYC. Photo courtesy of NYC & Co.

Many ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend 2009 - getaways and festivities.

Thanksgiving in the US is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and is a big occasion for family get-togethers: legions of people fly across the country to share turkey dinner. Thanksgiving also marks the start of the "Holiday Season" that continues to New Year's: Christmas decorations, for example, are up at Disney World for Thanksgiving weekend, and many resorts stage an appearance by Santa as part of their Thanksgiving weekend festivities.

On the next pages you'll find many ideas for Thanksgiving 2009 Weekend, starting with the northeast US.

--Thanksgiving in 2009 falls on Thursday November 26th--

Thanksgiving Weekend Packages - at ten resorts: turkey feasts, "Light Up" nights, Santa photo ops, special fun such as "turkey trots".

Thanksgiving Weekends at Country Inns
If the idea of a family-friendly country getaway --where someone else cooks the turkey-- appeals, head to Bedandbreakfast.com.

New England Thanksgiving Planner
About's Web site for New England covers all the bases, including historic places to visit & special lodgings packages, and Plymouth Rock.

New York City: Thanksgiving 2009 Macy's Parade
This annual tradition was started in the 1920's by immigrant employees of Macy's department store who wanted a festival. About's Guide for NYC for Visitors tells how to get the best viewing spot for the parade. (For interesting old photos, see NYCTourist.)

New York City: Thanksgiving - Dinners
Parade-goers will want a turkey feast, afterwards: About's Guide for NYC for Visitors lists many dinners with kids' prices.

New York State: Otesaga Resort Hotel
This grand lakeside hotel near historic Cooperstown. Thanksgiving Weekend Package typically includes dinners and breakfasts; tour of Cooperstown and tix to National Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Art Museum and 19th century village at The Farmers’ Museum; live entertainment; and family activities such as holiday movies, hay rides, bingo... A visit from Santa, too.

New York State - Rocking Horse Ranch, Thanksgiving Weekend
90 minutes from New York City, Rocking Horse Ranch has 500 acres in the Shawangunk Mountains, with horseback riding, hay rides, indoor pool, archery, teen club, two children's centers, music, entertainers, shows, climbing walls, and more. All inclusive pricing includes meals and activities.

New York State - Catskills: Villa Roma, Thanksgiving Package
Thanksgiving weekend package typically includes meals, kids programs; activities on the property include kids camp, rock-climbing wall, bowling alleys, horseback riding, paintballing... Be sure to read recent visitors' comments.

Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
Thanksgiving weekend at his National Historic Landmark property includes harvest feast plus family turkey-trot, flag football, ornament workshop, kids camp, tree-lighting, Storytelling with Santa, gingerbread cookie decorating, and lots more.

New Hampshire: Dana Place Inn, Jackson NH
In the White Mountains, Traditional Thanksgiving Package includes full country breakfasts, afternoon tea with hot mulled cider, Traditional Thanksgiving Afternoon dinner; dinner by candelight on other evenings; box lunch for day of sightseeing. Dana Place Inn -- built in the 1890's-- has family suites; no charge for children in room with parents, just a small food charge based on age and plan.

* Always check web sites for updates!

continue to lots more Thanksgiving 2009 vacations -- Pennsylvania, DC, Orlando, more

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