10 Epic Thanksgiving Feasts Around the South
Your Thanksgiving travel plans start here! This year, leave the cooking and cleaning to someone else. From lavish mountain feasts to coastal celebrations, these Southern destinations are serving up holiday getaways worth traveling for. Image: Facebook / Sea Island Resort
Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, but who says that table has to be at home? Some of the South’s most beautiful destinations are pulling out all the stops for the holiday, with lavish feasts at luxury mountain resorts, coastal celebrations featuring fresh seafood and Southern favorites, and plenty of festive extras. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing getaway, a memorable meal, or an entire weekend of festivities, these Thanksgiving experiences are well worth packing your bags for. Best of all? Someone else handles the cooking and the dishes!
Blackberry Farm | Walland, TN
If your idea of the perfect Thanksgiving involves incredible food, gorgeous mountain views, and zero kitchen duties, Blackberry Farm is calling your name. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this celebrated luxury resort has built its reputation on exceptional hospitality and a culinary program that draws food enthusiasts from around the world.
The resort’s holiday programming spans several days and features a Taste of Turkey lunch, chef-driven dinners at its acclaimed restaurant, The Barn, and an evening of barbecue. You can look forward to carefully selected seasonal ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and the sort of attention to detail that will make your jaw drop.
Of course, there’s plenty to enjoy between meals. Family activities, games, and a Turkey Trot help balance out all of the indulgence, while the property’s peaceful surroundings make you feel worlds away from the holiday hustle and bustle. There’s even an ornament-making class to prep for Christmas!
High Hampton | Cashiers, NC
There’s something particularly compelling about spending Thanksgiving in the mountains, and High Hampton makes a pretty convincing case for it. This historic resort pairs classic mountain charm with beautiful accommodations, excellent dining, and a multi-day agenda that includes plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Thanksgiving dinner is the main event, of course, with a holiday buffet at The Tavern that features fan favorites and seasonal dishes, including Joyce Farms heritage turkey. The menu brings some luxe treatment to the familiar flavors we look forward to during this time of year, all served in a setting that feels wonderfully removed from the everyday chaos.
Beyond the table, you can enjoy the resort’s scenic surroundings, gather for family activities like decorating gingerbread men, or simply settle in for a few days of relaxation. With stunning views, a welcoming atmosphere, and an emphasis on spending time together, High Hampton is ideal for families looking to start a new Thanksgiving tradition.
Sea Island Resort | Sea Island, GA
Thanksgiving with a side of ocean breeze and some five-star Southern hospitality? Not too shabby! Georgia’s Sea Island has welcomed generations of families over the years, and the holiday season is the perfect time to experience this coastal retreat.
The resort’s Thanksgiving celebration spans several days, giving everyone plenty of opportunities to gather, dine, and spend time together. Sea Island is known for its impressive culinary offerings, so if you take your holiday meals seriously, this one is for you!
Of course, the setting is part of the magic. Between meals, you can explore the beach, enjoy outdoor activities, unwind at the spa, or settle in for some R&R.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Kiawah Island, SC
If fresh oysters, Lowcountry barbecue, and oceanfront luxury sound like your cup of tea, Kiawah Island Golf Resort has quite the Thanksgiving lineup. Located just outside Charleston, this beautiful coastal destination pulls out all the stops with an impressive selection of Thanksgiving dining experiences and a beloved culinary tradition.
On Thanksgiving Day, you can choose from several festive meals, including an elaborate banquet at The Sanctuary featuring seafood displays, chef-attended stations, holiday meats, and decadent desserts. Jasmine Porch also serves a holiday buffet, while The Ocean Room offers elevated Thanksgiving favorites alongside its signature steakhouse menu.
Even better, the celebration doesn’t end when the turkey is gone. On Friday, November 27, the resort hosts its annual Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ along the Kiawah River. Think freshly roasted oysters, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, Lowcountry boil, live music, and plenty of Southern sides. Yum! This event requires some serious advance planning — it’s already waitlisted for this year, but next year will be here before you know it!
Salamander Middleburg | Middleburg, VA
Thanksgiving in Virginia horse country comes with an extra helping of elegance at Salamander Middleburg. Surrounded by rolling hills and picturesque countryside, this luxury resort offers a beautiful setting for a holiday getaway, complete with exceptional dining, relaxing spa experiences, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
The culinary festivities take center stage on Thanksgiving Day, when the resort hosts its Grand Thanksgiving Buffet in the Middleburg Ballroom. Indulge in an impressive spread featuring oysters, snow crab, shrimp, artisan Virginia cheeses, roasted turkey, lobster mac and cheese, and a tempting assortment of desserts.
For a more intimate celebration, Harrimans offers a four-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner, available exclusively to overnight guests, with everything from Wagyu Beef Carpaccio to Harriman’s “Turducken.”
The holiday programming extends beyond the dining room, too. A Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, family activities, and festive experiences throughout the weekend make it easy to turn dinner into a full-fledged escape.
The Dunlin | Johns Island, SC
For a Thanksgiving celebration that feels elevated but also laid-back, head to The Dunlin, Auberge Collection, along South Carolina’s Kiawah River. This beautiful Lowcountry retreat pairs marsh views, Southern hospitality, and a thoughtful culinary program with a relaxed atmosphere.
On Thanksgiving Day, the resort’s signature restaurant, Linnette’s, serves a three-course, family-style feast highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients and the distinctive flavors of the Lowcountry. The holiday dinner offers a welcome opportunity to gather around the table without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
And there’s plenty more on the calendar. Enjoy live music overlooking the marsh, a holiday market featuring local artists and makers, and a Southern Sips cocktail workshop on Friday, November 27. The festivities also include family-friendly activities and a holiday tree-lighting celebration.
Jekyll Island Club Resort | Jekyll Island, GA
History, Southern hospitality, and a Thanksgiving feast take a coastal turn at Jekyll Island Club Resort, where the island offers a beautiful backdrop for a holiday getaway. Once a private retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families, this historic Georgia property combines Gilded Age elegance with some serious laid-back charm.
This Thanksgiving, guests have two distinct dining options. The resort’s elegant Grand Dining Room hosts a traditional holiday feast, complete with familiar favorites. For something a little different, Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar serves a four-course coastal-inspired dinner that blends Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry culinary traditions with Mediterranean influences.
The menu includes dishes such as roasted turkey breast, braised beef osso buco, and Atlantic salmon, followed by seasonal desserts including sweet potato-pumpkin cheesecake and warm apple cobbler.
Beyond the dining room, Jekyll Island’s beaches, historic architecture, and scenic surroundings offer plenty of reasons to stick around and explore.
Brennan’s | New Orleans, LA
Leave it to New Orleans to make Thanksgiving dinner an occasion worth traveling for! At Brennan’s, the beloved French Quarter restaurant’s holiday menu is filled with Louisiana flavors that go way beyond the classic turkey and dressing.
On Thanksgiving Day, Chef Kris Padalino serves a three-course prix fixe menu featuring a tempting lineup. Start with turtle soup, seafood filé gumbo loaded with crabmeat, oysters, and shrimp, or opt for sweet potato agnolotti with brown butter and candied pecans. Main courses range from buttermilk-brined turkey with cornbread dressing to redfish meunière, shrimp sauce piquante, and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.
And for dessert? You can hardly visit Brennan’s without considering its famous Bananas Foster, flambéed tableside. The Thanksgiving menu also features sweet potato pot de crème and a chocolate-orange tart.
At $80 per person, this is one of the more approachable culinary experiences on our list. Add a few days exploring the French Quarter, and you’ve got the makings of a Thanksgiving getaway that’s anything but ordinary.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort | Naples, FL
Admittedly, trading chilly November weather for sunshine, sandy beaches, and a Thanksgiving feast overlooking the Gulf sounds like a pretty wonderful holiday plan. At LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, FL, you can celebrate Thanksgiving with an indulgent brunch before spending the rest of the day enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
On Thursday, November 26, the resort’s signature restaurant, BALEEN, is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day Brunch in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot. The festive buffet combines holiday classics with upscale brunch favorites, including roasted turkey, chicken-apple-sage stuffing, marinated beef tenderloin, and an impressive cold and raw bar (think citrus-poached shrimp, Alaskan snow crab claws, and so much more). There’s also an omelet station and pumpkin pie to round out the offerings.
Live music adds to the celebration, and adult guests receive a welcome mimosa or zero-proof beverage.
Of course, Thanksgiving dinner is only part of the draw. LaPlaya’s private beach, inviting pools, spa, and gorgeous Gulf sunsets make it easy to consider swapping sweaters for sandals this year.
Biltmore Estate | Asheville, NC
We’d be remiss not to include Biltmore Estate on our list of Thanksgiving destinations, even if this year’s celebration is already sold out. After all, is there anything grander than spending the holiday on the grounds of one of the South’s most iconic estates? And with Christmas at Biltmore already underway, you can technically enjoy two holiday celebrations in one trip.
The Asheville estate’s Thanksgiving lodging packages feature chef-prepared, multicourse holiday dinners at its on-site restaurants. Depending on the package, guests can enjoy a festive meal at The Dining Room, Village Social, or Bistro, along with accommodations and breakfast.
But the holiday magic doesn’t stop at the dinner table. Biltmore House is beautifully decorated for Christmas, and select packages include the estate’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings experience, giving visitors a chance to see the historic mansion illuminated for the season.
This year’s Thanksgiving festivities may be fully booked, but consider this your inspiration to plan ahead for 2027!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
