Thanksgiving Travel Trends: Las Vegas and New York City Lead the Way
As Thanksgiving approaches, Americans are setting their sights on unexpected holiday destinations, with Las Vegas emerging as the top choice for travelers this year. According to recent data from HotelPlanner, a travel tech company and hotel booking platform, Sin City has surpassed traditional family gathering spots to become the most popular Thanksgiving weekend destination. The company analyzed hotel bookings across five major U.S. cities—Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco—for the upcoming holiday season and discovered some interesting trends in how Americans are choosing to spend their turkey day celebrations.
Las Vegas has claimed the number one spot, attracting a remarkable 56% of holiday travelers and showing a 13% growth in popularity over the past year. New York City follows as the second most popular destination with a 7% increase in visitors, while Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston round out the top five respectively. This shift toward metropolitan getaways suggests many Americans are trading traditional home-cooked meals and family gatherings for the excitement of entertainment hubs and iconic city experiences. The appeal of watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade in person in Manhattan or enjoying a holiday feast at one of Vegas’s renowned buffets seems to be outweighing the charm of home for many travelers this year.
What makes Las Vegas’s top ranking particularly surprising is the widespread complaints about the city’s increasingly expensive prices. Hotel rates in Vegas have jumped 23% compared to last year, with travelers now paying an average of $218 per night for accommodations. Beyond lodging, visitors are experiencing sticker shock across all aspects of their stay. Katherine from College Station, Texas, expressed her astonishment to Fox News Digital about paying $14 for a coffee, saying, “I just wasn’t expecting that. It was just a latte with a few extra flavors.” Her daughter Cammie similarly noted spending $12 for a simple lemonade, adding that “water bottles are so expensive.” The sentiment has become so common that one TikTok user’s complaint that “price gouging in Las Vegas is out of control” quickly went viral, resonating with many travelers who feel the desert playground has become significantly less affordable.
Despite the high costs in Las Vegas, New York City remains even more expensive for holiday travelers. Hotel prices in the Big Apple have skyrocketed by a staggering 53% since 2024, according to HotelPlanner’s data. This dramatic increase hasn’t deterred visitors, though, as the city continues to be the second-most desirable Thanksgiving destination. There’s something undeniably magical about New York during the holiday season that seems to justify the premium prices for many travelers—from the spectacular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the early Christmas decorations that begin to appear throughout the city, creating a festive atmosphere that many find worth the splurge. The classic experience of ice skating at Rockefeller Center or watching the giant balloons inflate the night before the parade continues to draw crowds despite the increasing financial investment required.
The shift toward big-city Thanksgiving celebrations represents a changing attitude toward the holiday itself. What was once primarily a family-focused occasion centered around home and tradition is evolving into an opportunity for travel and new experiences. Younger generations, in particular, appear more willing to trade traditional turkey dinners around grandmother’s table for the excitement of exploring vibrant cities during the long weekend. Hotels and restaurants in these top destinations have responded by creating special Thanksgiving packages and elaborate holiday menus that promise all the comforts of a home-cooked meal without any of the preparation or cleanup. From Vegas buffets featuring every traditional Thanksgiving dish imaginable to elegant prix fixe menus at New York’s finest restaurants, these cities are making it easier than ever to enjoy the holiday away from home.
For those planning to join the millions heading to Las Vegas, New York, or other major cities this Thanksgiving, there’s an additional factor to consider beyond the high prices: potential travel disruptions due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) has warned that “airports will be flooded with flight cancellations and delays amid the busiest time to travel all year,” which could significantly impact holiday plans. The Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control systems may face staffing challenges during the shutdown, potentially leading to longer security lines and flight delays during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. Experts recommend that holiday travelers build extra time into their schedules, consider travel insurance, and remain flexible with their plans. Despite these challenges, the allure of spending Thanksgiving amid the bright lights of Las Vegas or the iconic skyline of New York City continues to draw Americans away from traditional celebrations and toward new holiday experiences—even if they come with higher price tags and potential travel headaches.
