10 Must-Visit Towns With Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving dates back to the early 17th century, rooted in the Pilgrims’ 1621 harvest feast with the Wampanoag people. Today, it’s celebrated by over 90% of Americans as a cherished national holiday, symbolizing gratitude, family, and togetherness. Known for its traditional turkey dinners, parades, and football games, Thanksgiving also inspires road trips and reunions as families gather across the country to share this special occasion.

However, aside from the festive dinners and modern traditions, many towns in the US preserve the rich history of Thanksgiving. Some trace their roots to colonial times, hosting historical reenactments, festivals, and community gatherings. Others have developed unique traditions over generations and created vibrant celebrations that bring the holiday to life in meaningful and memorable ways. Below are ten towns that truly embody the Thanksgiving tradition.

This beautiful historic town in Massachusetts was the landing site of the Mayflower in 1620. The Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony here, marking one of the earliest European settlements in North America. In the autumn of 1621, after a successful harvest, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a feast, an event widely regarded as the first Thanksgiving. Today, Plymouth keeps this history alive with its annual America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, featuring a parade, historical reenactments, and food festivals.

The town offers you a rich tapestry of historical sites. The Plimoth Patuxet Museums provide immersive experiences of 17th-century colonial and Indigenous life. The Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship, is docked nearby, allowing exploration of the Pilgrims’ transatlantic journey. Plymouth Rock, though modest in size, symbolizes the Pilgrims’ arrival and is a focal point of Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Additionally, Burial Hill offers panoramic views and serves as the final resting place for many early settlers.

2. Charles City, Virginia (Berkeley Plantation)

Located in Charles City, Virginia, Berkeley Plantation holds a significant place in American history as the site of the first official English Thanksgiving. On December 4, 1619, Captain John Woodlief and 35 settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred and, following their charter’s directive, held a service of Thanksgiving to God. This event predates the more commonly recognized 1621 Plymouth feast.

Berkeley Plantation commemorates this historic occasion with the annual Virginia Thanksgiving Festival, typically held on the first Sunday of November. The festival features a reenactment of the 1619 landing, colonial period demonstrations, traditional music, and a formal program honoring the original Thanksgiving.

When visiting, don’t forget to explore the plantation’s Georgian mansion, built in 1726, and its expansive gardens overlooking the James River. The site also offers insights into other historical events, such as being the birthplace of President William Henry Harrison, famous for serving the shortest time in office, and the location where “Taps” was composed during the Civil War.

This town was established in the 17th century, and the heart of its Thanksgiving observances is Historic Deerfield, a museum encompassing an authentic 18th-century village. During the Thanksgiving season, the museum hosts special events, including open-hearth cooking demonstrations that showcase traditional Thanksgiving dishes. This will allow you to experience the culinary practices of early New England settlers.

For a traditional Thanksgiving meal, Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern at the Deerfield Inn offers a special Thanksgiving dinner featuring classic dishes in a historic setting. Reservations are recommended to enjoy this festive dining experience.

Other notable historic sites include the Deerfield Academy Campus, which is rich in architectural beauty, and the Old Burying Ground, where early settlers are interred. Walking tours often recount the history of the 1704 Deerfield Raid, which helps you learn more about the history of this charming Massachusetts town.

4. Mendocino, California

Originally a logging community, 1852-established Mendocino has evolved into a haven for artists and nature enthusiasts.

Nestled along the rugged Northern California coastline, this coastal village offers a peaceful celebration of community and nature during Thanksgiving. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens showcase vibrant fall foliage and seasonal blooms, often hosting events like the Festival of Lights. At Mendocino Grove, visitors can enjoy a unique Thanksgiving experience with nature walks, holiday crafts, storytelling sessions, live music, and cozy movie nights. Local restaurants serve Thanksgiving feasts featuring fresh, coastal ingredients, adding a farm-to-table twist to holiday dining.

For history buffs, the Kelley House Museum provides a glimpse into Mendocino’s 19th-century roots, while the Point Cabrillo Light Station offers stunning ocean views and a peek into maritime history.

This picturesque desert town is renowned for its vibrant Thanksgiving Day Parade, the only one of its kind in Arizona. Established in 1984, this annual event, also known as the “Parada de Los Cerros,” features themed floats, marching bands, and festive balloons, drawing spectators from across the region.

Founded in the early 1970s, Fountain Hills is home to one of the world’s tallest fountains, which propels water up to 560 feet into the air, serving as a central landmark. You can explore the River of Time Museum, which offers insights into the area’s cultural and natural history, including exhibits on Native American heritage and the development of the Lower Verde Valley.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy numerous hiking and biking trails in the surrounding McDowell Mountains.

6. Elk Horn, Iowa

This Iowa town is famous for its rich Danish heritage, and it offers a unique post-Thanksgiving celebration known as Julefest. Held annually on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, this festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season with traditional Danish customs.
During Julefest, the town transforms with festive decorations, and local businesses and organizations participate in various activities. You can explore the Danish Windmill, a historic 1848 windmill brought from Denmark, which offers free tours during the festival.

The Museum of Danish America invites guests to enjoy home-baked cookies, gløgg (a warm spiced wine), and coffee in a cozy Christmas setting known as “hyggelig julestue.”

The festival also features traditional Danish foods, craft fairs, and unique shopping opportunities. Events like the Naughty or Nisse 5K Polar Run add a fun, active element to the festivities.

Sturbridge, Massachusetts, is renowned for its rich historical heritage, particularly showcased at Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum that recreates rural New England life from the 1790s to the 1830s. During the Thanksgiving season, the village offers immersive experiences that highlight early American holiday traditions.

You can explore over 40 original buildings, including homes, a meetinghouse, and a working farm, all staffed by costumed interpreters demonstrating period crafts and daily activities.

Special Thanksgiving events often feature traditional cooking demonstrations, where guests can learn about 19th-century recipes and dining customs.

Additionally, the Oliver Wight Tavern, located within the village, typically hosts a Thanksgiving buffet, offering a menu inspired by historical dishes.

8. Williamsburg, Virginia

As a pivotal site in colonial America, Williamsburg allows you to experience 18th-century life, especially during the Thanksgiving season. Colonial Williamsburg, the nation’s largest living history museum, hosts a variety of events during Thanksgiving week. Guests can enjoy festive decorations, historical reenactments, and special programs that showcase colonial-era celebrations. Traditional Thanksgiving meals are served in historic taverns, offering dishes inspired by 18th-century recipes.

Also, Williamsburg’s historic sites provide a year-round glimpse into America’s past. The Governor’s Palace, Capitol Building, and numerous restored homes and shops allow visitors to explore colonial architecture and daily life. Engaging with costumed interpreters and participating in hands-on activities makes the experience even richer.

9. Duxbury, Massachusetts

This historic seaside town, located approximately 35 miles south of Boston, was settled by Pilgrims from Plymouth Colony, including notable figures such as Myles Standish, William Brewster, and John Alden. These individuals were instrumental in the survival of the colony and the 1621 harvest feast, which became the foundation for Thanksgiving traditions.

The town’s name is believed to honor Duxbury Hall in Lancashire, England, the ancestral home of the Standish family.

In the 19th century, Duxbury became a prominent center for shipbuilding, boasting about 20 shipyards by the 1840s and becoming the largest producer of sailing vessels on the South Shore.

Visitors can explore the Myles Standish Burial Ground, the oldest maintained cemetery in the United States, where Standish and other Pilgrims are buried. The Alden House Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, preserves the home of John and Priscilla Alden, offering insights into the lives of those who lived through the first Thanksgiving era.

This town was established in 1637 and is one of the oldest towns in the United States. It holds a significant place in early American history. Sandwich was founded by settlers from Saugus, Massachusetts, including figures like Edmund Freeman, who sought religious freedom and new opportunities.

These early settlers shared similar experiences to the Pilgrims of Plymouth, facing hardships and relying on communal gatherings to celebrate successful harvests, which were precursors to the Thanksgiving tradition.

When visiting Sandwich, make sure to explore its historic sites, such as the Hoxie House, one of the oldest surviving houses in Massachusetts, offering insights into 17th-century colonial life. The Dexter Grist Mill, an operational mill from 1654, showcases early American agricultural practices.