Posted on November 8, 2025
Chicago joins New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and other leading cities as Americans reshape their Thanksgiving travel plans, favoring dynamic urban centers, tropical retreats, and world-famous international hotspots. The growing appeal of vibrant city life, stunning beaches and culturally rich destinations is encouraging travelers to go beyond traditional country holidays. Key factors influencing these choices include proximity to family, favorable weather, and the pursuit of memorable vacation experiences.
This year, New York City still reigns supreme as the most popular Thanksgiving destination in the United States. Known for its legendary Thanksgiving parade, the city ranked first for the fifth year in a row, according to a detailed study analyzing domestic and international travel trends.
The research, conducted by Allianz Partners, examined more than 700,000 round-trip flight routes, departing from November 22 to 27 and returning from November 28 to December 2, 2025. The results highlight a clear shift in American vacation preferences, with travelers increasingly drawn to the skyline of big cities, warm-weather escapes, and experiences that go beyond the traditional turkey vacation in the countryside.
Seattle takes second place on the local list, offering a mix of scenic waterfronts and urban culture, while Phoenix takes third place, attracting visitors with its dramatic desert scenery and vibrant city environment. Atlanta and Dallas rounded out the top five, reflecting the growing interest in Southern cities in traveling for Thanksgiving. The rest of the local top 10 includes Los Angeles, Orlando, Boston, Miami, and Chicago, offering a mix of coastal attractions, cultural attractions, and family-friendly centers.
Internationally, Mexico continues to dominate the Thanksgiving travel scene. Cancun leads the pack, luring travelers with its upscale resorts and pristine beaches, closely followed by San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. European and Caribbean destinations remain very popular, with London, Paris, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Montego Bay in Jamaica, Mexico City, Oranjestad in Aruba, and Providenciales Island in Turks and Caicos rounding out the top ten globally. These sites reflect a strong appetite for cultural exploration and tropical entertainment among vacationers.
A separate survey of 1,200 travelers provided additional insight into current travel habits. Domestic trips represent 82% of planned itineraries, while 18% of Americans head abroad for vacation. Flying remains the preferred means of transportation, with 74% of participants taking to the skies. Smaller numbers will rent cars (8 percent), drive their own car (2 percent), travel by train (6 percent), or use other means (10 percent).
Destination choices are shaped by a combination of personal and practical factors. Proximity to family and friends is the first consideration for 59% of travelers, followed by cost at 17% and suitable weather at 10%. These priorities underscore how Americans balance tradition and convenience when planning Thanksgiving trips.
Thanksgiving travel has grown significantly over recent years. In 2019, nearly 55 million Americans traveled for vacation, a number that rises to 80 million in 2024. However, this year, travel volumes may ease slightly due to flight reductions associated with the government shutdown, which is expected to affect major airports in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and 37 other major travel hubs nationwide.
Chicago joins New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and more as Americans embrace the best domestic and international destinations for Thanksgiving, flocking to vibrant cities, sunny beaches and world-famous destinations for unforgettable holiday experiences.
Despite these potential disruptions, Americans remain eager to explore a wide range of destinations. Urban skylines, cultural cities and tropical resorts are drawing travelers away from the traditions of traditional Turkish times, signaling a broader shift towards experiences that combine relaxation, adventure and discovery. This trend reflects an evolving holiday mindset, where memorable trips and unique experiences increasingly define how Americans spend Thanksgiving.
