Thanksgiving in Maine Vacations

When thinking about Maine vacations, November is probably NOT the first month the comes to mind. However, spending Thanksgiving in Maine can actually be fun.

By November, summer crowds are long gone, as are the fall foliage "leaf peepers", allowing for an atmosphere of total relaxation...

...just perfect for romantic getaways, laid back family vacations, or personal "quite time".

And although the Maine weather forecast in November often predicts gray skies and chilly temperatures...

...local business owners offer an exceptionally warm welcome to guests joining them for Maine Thanksgiving celebrations. Because of this...

...Maine Thanksgiving vacations have become increasingly popular. Vacationland will NOT be desolate during your Thanksgiving holiday!

Read reviews of places to stay in Maine, bed and breakfasts, inns, motels, hotels - all written by travelers who have been there themselves...

...or, find a great Maine vacation home for your Thanksgiving in Maine.

Maine Thanksgiving Events and Activities

November is certainly not the height of Maine's tourist season, but regardless, there are many fun things to do in Maine in November, including a variety of activities and events on Thanksgiving weekend.

With Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's following soon after, most people consider Thanksgiving to be the official start of the holiday season. And the Thanksgiving events in Maine are certainly geared toward getting visitors, and locals alike, into a holiday spirit.

On the calendar of events for the long holiday weekend are Christmas craft fairs, art shows, holiday parades, Santa visits (by land and by sea!), living Nativity sets...

...and just in time for the December Winter Solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year), the appearance of hundreds of beautiful, holiday light displays.

One of Maine's favorite lighthouses, the Nubble Light, and it's adjacent buildings...

...will be adorned with twinkling white lights during Thanksgiving weekend, and all across Maine, tree lighting ceremonies will take place.

Thanksgiving in Maine also means that the Maine ski season has begun, with some ski areas opening as early as late October or early November.

In addition to skiing and boarding, some ski resorts in Maine offer tubing, winter hiking, live entertainment, and special holiday activities for the whole family, making a ski vacation another wonderful way to spend a Thanksgiving in Maine.

Maine Thanksgiving Vacation Packages

Another advantage to a Thanksgiving in Maine is that you will be visiting during off season (low season) when it will be easy to find cheap Maine hotel deals...

...Thanksgiving vacation packages at Maine bed and breakfasts and inns...

...and excellent Maine vacation rentals that can be extremely cost effective for a Thanksgiving in Maine, with family or a large group of friends.

Although some lodging accommodations in Maine (primarily in the smaller coastal towns) are seasonal, most hotels, motels, inns and bed and breakfasts in Maine are year round.

If the purpose of your Thanksgiving trip to Maine is to spend time visiting someone else, at their home, a hotel in Maine may make the best lodging accommodations.

On the other hand, you may prefer the charm of an intimate Maine inn or B&B at Thanksgiving, many of which serve Thanksgiving dinner in their own dining room.

Or, one of the best places to stay for Thanksgiving in Maine...

...may be at your own home away from home, at a Maine oceanfront vacation house, at one of many Sunday River vacation rentals...

...or at one of hundreds of other rental homes, chalets, cabins, cottages or condos in prime Maine vacation spots. All of which will provide you with the space you need to do your own holiday entertaining.

Maine Thanksgiving Restaurants

Just as in many communities across the country, the cities, villages and towns in Maine will have a mix of restaurants that are open for Thanksgiving and those that are closed for the holiday.

My suggestion, is to do your homework well in advance...

Once you decide where you would like to stay in Maine for Thanksgiving, most likely the hotel, B&B, inn or motel (or a property owner, if you are considering a rental) will be able to let you know what local restaurants are open.

Another resource when deciding where to eat could be a local Maine Chamber of Commerce...

...as they might have a listing of Members that will be open for the holiday. The Maine Restaurant Association also provides a list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day at: www.mainerestaurant.com

However, the Maine Restaurant Association list is very short and does not include dozens of other Maine restaurants that will be serving Thanksgiving dinner.

If you are spending Thanksgiving in Maine, please keep in mind...

...that many restaurants either require (or strongly recommend) reservations for Thanksgiving dinner. Particularly if you are planning on enjoying a Thanksgiving meal at a small bed and breakfast or inn.

And, if you will be cooking your own Turkey dinner, be sure to have groceries ahead of time. Many stores will be closed for the holiday, or operating with limited hours.

Regardless of your plans, I am sure you will enjoy a Thanksgiving in Maine!

You may also be interested in:
Activities and Events in Maine
Best Time to Visit Maine
Christmas in Maine
Maine Weather Forecast