If the thought of another Thanksgiving at home is driving you batty, you have options. Though it may seem as if the rest of the world shuts down over the holiday, there are actually plenty of things for you and your family to do throughout the Southeast.
So instead of the same old family drama playing out before the tryptophan from the turkey kicks in, run these ideas up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes. All it takes is consensus and a motorized vehicle. There just may be a new Thanksgiving family tradition waiting somewhere within an afternoon's drive.
National Gingerbread House Competition and Display, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, N.C.
If you’ve ever marveled at an elaborate model train set or dollhouse, this is along the same lines, except that everything is made out of gingerbread. A miniature world constructed out of sugar and spice, flour and food coloring, this traditional holiday destination has one major caveat: You are not allowed to eat the edible artwork. The competition takes place Nov. 16, but the display will remain up throughout the holiday season.
Stay: Grove Park Inn. Historic inn and resort. $240-$725. 290 Macon Ave., Asheville. 800-438-5800, www.groveparkinn.com
Eat: Jack of the Wood. A European-style pub with handcrafted ales and live Celtic and acoustic music to complement an eclectic menu that focuses on Irish dishes. Entrees $9 to $12. 95 Patton Ave., Asheville. 828-252-5445, www.jackofthewood.com
Tourist info: Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. 828-258-6101, www.exploreasheville.com
South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, Nov. 26-28, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Turning 33 years old this Thanksgiving, the annual festival features only traditional bluegrass music. This is a true grass-roots festival that showcases the best of this original American art form. Headliners at this year’s fest include bluegrass legends Ralph Stanley and Rhonda Vincent. The location is the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. For ticket info, visit www.aandabluegrass.com
Stay: Dayton House Resort. Affordable oceanfront accommodations within walking distance of the festival. $45 to $90. 2400 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach. 877-605-3359, www.daytonhouse.com
Eat: The Original Mr. Fish Restaurant. Seafood sandwiches and platters. Entrees $8 to $13. 3401 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. 843-839-3474, www.mrfish.com
Tourist info: Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach. 843-626-7444, www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
Riverboat Dinner Cruise, Thanksgiving Day, Savannah
Take a two-hour cruise on the Savannah River and enjoy the view as you dine on roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, praline topped sweet potatoes and more. The ship is designed so it looks like a riverboat that might be carrying the ghost of Mark Twain. Cruises are at 2 and 6 p.m. $53.95 for adults, $33.95 for children. For reservations and more info, visit www.savannahriverboat. com
Stay: East Bay Inn. Historic inn is steps away from the waterfront. $119 to $159. 225 East Bay St., Savannah. 800-500-1225, www.eastbayinn.com
Eat: Olympia Cafe. Authentic Greek cuisine. Entrees $9.95 to $23.95. 5 E. River St., Savannah. 912-233-3131, www.olympiacafe.us
Tourist info: Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. 101 E. Bay St., Savannah. 912-644-6401, www.savannahvisit.com
Alabama-Auburn Game, Auburn, Ala.
It’s called the Iron Bowl because it used to be played in the former steel capital of Birmingham every year and the name stuck. Now this intrastate college football rivalry alternates each season between the campuses of the University of Alabama and Auburn University. This year the Iron Bowl takes place Nov. 27 in Auburn, an east Alabama college town that still retains much of the charm that earned it the moniker of “the Loveliest Village on the Plains.” The game also marks the return of this storied rivalry to the Thanksgiving holidays after a long stretch at the previous weekend on the calendar. Check classifieds or Web re-sellers for available tickets.
Stay: Heart of Auburn Inn. Downtown location, a few blocks from the stadium. Rates start at $192 on home-game weekends. 333 S. College St., Auburn. 800-843-5634, www.realpages.com/sites/heartofauburnmotel
Eat: Momma Goldberg's. Popular locally owned deli near the stadium. Entrees $10 and under. 500 W. Magnolia Ave., Auburn. 334-821-0185, www.mommagoldbergs.com
Tourist info: Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau. 714 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn. 334-887-8747, www/aotourism.com
Thanksgiving Day Buffet, Glen-Ella Springs Inn and Meeting Place, Clarkesville
An award-winning restaurant in a rural mountain setting, this Thanksgiving buffet is open to the public as well as guests of the inn. Reservations are required. The field next to the inn (where the actual Glen-Ella spring is located) is spacious, surrounded by woods and worthy of a post-dinner stroll. Tallulah Gorge State Park‚ with its waterfalls, deep canyon and scenic overlooks‚ is just a short drive away from Glen-Ella.
Stay: Glen-Ella Springs Inn and Meeting Place. $175 to $265. 1789 Bear Gap Road, Clarkesville. 706-754-7295, www.glenella.com
Eat: Glen-Ella Springs Inn and Meeting Place. Regular menu entrees $11 to $29. To inquire about and make reservations for the Thanksgiving Day Buffet, call the inn toll-free at 877-456-7527.
Tourist info: Habersham County Chamber of Commerce. 668 Historic Highway 441, Cornelia. 706-778-4654, www.habershamchamber.com
Provided by Demand Studios
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