Minnesota Named Most Affordable Thanksgiving Destination

Are you a Thanksgiving traveler? Or do you prefer staying home in your comfy pants to enjoy your well-deserved food coma?

Well, you might want to rethink your holiday routine, because Travel + Leisure just put our the list of the most affordable places in the country to visit for Thanksgiving this year, and honestly, it's a win-win whether you're hosting the fam or wanting to get out of town.

Forget the chaos of December travel, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is quietly becoming one of the best (and most underrated) times to sneak in a trip. It offers a perfect little travel sweet spot - long enough for a real trip but short enough to avoid those mid-December airport meltdowns.

And this year, travelers have even more reason to be thankful. Based on new data from Kayak, travel costs are actually trending down compared to last year - across the board, in fact. Flights are averaging about 2% less, hotels are down 3%, and rental cars have dropped 8%.

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Kayak analyzed millions of flight and hotel searches for trips between November 21st and 30th, 2025 to find the absolute best deals. Nearly every destination on the list came in under $600 total for roundtrip flights and hotel stays.

Here are the 5 most affordable places to travel to over Thanksgiving break:

#5 San Francisco - Combined average flight + hotel cost: $571

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Taking the 5th slot on Travel + Leisure’s list is San Francisco, where travelers can soak up mild temps and scenic views without the big holiday crowds. Wander the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll through Muir Woods, or hit the Botanical Garden. And if you want to keep things traditional, Tommy’s Joynt has turkey, gravy, and nostalgia covered.

#4 Atlanta - Combined average flight + hotel cost: $570

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Travel + Leisure says there’s no shortage of things to do in Atlanta. From the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon to the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, and the dazzling Garden Lights display at the Botanical Garden, the city’s got major holiday energy.

#3 Denver - Combined average flight + hotel cost: $543

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The Mile High City is another affordable (and festive) spot to spend the holiday weekend. Between the massive Mile High Tree, Cherry Creek’s Winter Wanderland, and the Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light, there’s no shortage of glow, according to Travel + Leisure. Want to escape the city? Breckenridge and Keystone kick off ski season just an hour away.

#2 Seattle - Combined average flight + hotel cost: $519

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Coming in second on Travel + Leisure’s list is Seattle, where Thanksgiving feels like something out of a postcard. Pike Place Market’s “Magic in the Market” event brings out the lights, Santa, and plenty of cozy vibes. And if you’re swapping turkey for seafood this year, local spots like The Crab Pot or Local Tide will absolutely hit the spot.

#1 Minnesota (Minneapolis) - Combined average flight + hotel cost: $432

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According to Travel + Leisure, Minnesota came in at the very top of the list for affordable Thanksgiving destinations. The holiday season kicks off with twinkling lights at the Mall of America, skating at Loring Park, and festive shopping at the Minneapolis Christkindl Market. When you’re ready to warm up, grab dinner at Spoon and Stable or spend an afternoon exploring the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

So, what are you thinking? Are you hosting this year or jumping on a plane for a little getaway?