As the leaves begin to turn and the air starts to chill, Thanksgiving might seem like a world away, yet it’s never too soon to begin outlining your travel itinerary. Whether it’s arranging a getaway for your cherished friends or if the children are staying with their in-laws, the time has come to initiate the yearly debate over where to gather for our traditional Thanksgiving feast. If you’re in the market for new destinations, Google Flights has uncovered the most sought-after U.S. travel hotspots for Thanksgiving this year, with a Southern gem taking the crown: Columbia, South Carolina.
Columbia, renowned for its storied downtown, thrilling outdoor pursuits, esteemed museums, and picturesque riverfront, is also the heart of the state and a vibrant academic community for the University of South Carolina. If you’re a fan of the Gamecocks or relish in the thrill of college football, Thanksgiving offers the perfect occasion to indulge in a sumptuous feast in this enchanting Southern town, followed by the excitement of the Palmetto Bowl, set against archrival Clemson University over the holiday weekend. With this search trend on the rise, it seems many are considering the same route.
The Google Flights online search engine has pinpointed trending travel destinations for Thanksgiving by analyzing the most significant percentage boosts in searches for flights leaving between November 23rd and 30th from U.S. airports. Travel to mid-sized American cities is seeing a surge in popularity when compared to previous years. Southern cities such as Little Rock, Arkansas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, also grace the list.
Other popular destinations for Thanksgiving travel include:
- Bozeman, Montana
- Spokane, Washington
- Detroit, Michigan
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Panama City, Florida
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
Beyond the holiday season, Google has also delved into winter travel trends. Maybe your winter escapades are set to take you to a sun-soaked paradise? Searches for Christmas and New Year’s vacation spots indicate that travelers are eager to seek warmth in international destinations to escape the winter chill. Top international destinations for trips departing the U.S. between December 21st and January 4th are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; St. Lucia; Marrakech, Morocco; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Curaçao.
With holiday preparations in full swing, Google Flights has also shared insights on the optimal time to book flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a race against time, as the best deals for holiday travel can be secured up to 51 days before departure.
