Shoppers stroll through a city market decorated with Christmas displays

City Market in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by John Alexander

Top Thanksgiving Getaways in Georgia

Not only is Thanksgiving a time to get together with family and friends and express gratitude for the good things in life, but it’s also the perfect opportunity for a festive getaway. Why not start the holidays with a long weekend in Georgia that includes Thanksgiving traditions as well as holiday festivities? 

Start your holiday season with a weekend of memorable experiences like soul-satisfying meals, awe-inspiring light displays, outdoor adventures, and shopping for gifts. Head to these eight Georgia cities and towns for everything you need to start the holidays right.

Jump to:

1. Athens

2. Atlanta

3. Blue Ridge

4. Dahlonega

5. Greensboro

6. Jekyll Island

7. Savannah

8. Thomasville

Couple holding hands walking by colorfully lit Christmas trees

Winter WonderLights in Athens, Georgia. Photo by @visitathensga

1. Athens

Escape to this charming college town just an hour northeast of Atlanta for a festive weekend packed with holiday cheer and football rivalry. Stay at Rivet House, a new boutique hotel located in the historic Southern Mill development, featuring a luxurious spa and the Southern-inspired Italian restaurant Osteria Olio

Kick off the holiday festivities on Wednesday evening with drinks at Creature Comforts, Athentic Brewing, or one of the many downtown bars and restaurants. On Thanksgiving Day, enjoy a gospel performance at Weaver D’s Fine Foods, a beloved institution famous for its fried chicken and soul food, followed by a hearty feast. 

New this year, the UGA v. Georgia Tech football game takes place on Friday night. Support Small Business Saturday by exploring the Holiday Artist Market at Bishop Park and the Beechwood Shopping Center Holiday Market. For some family fun, purchase tickets in advance for Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

Aerial view of holiday lights and a city skyline

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

2. Atlanta

Georgia's capital city is the best place to kick start your holidays if you want to pack your weekend full of great food, world-class sightseeing, and shopping. Stay at The St. Regis for impeccable hospitality, a spa, restaurants, and stunning holiday decor. Start your getaway on Wednesday evening with cocktails overlooking the city on the roof of Ponce City Market

Wake up early on Thanksgiving to run the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon or 5K, and then celebrate with lunch at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, filling up on Southern favorites like fried chicken, greens, mashed potatoes, and peach cobbler. On Friday, hit the stores at Phipps Plaza and the Westside, including Atlantic Station, where you can also go ice skating. Soak up the holiday shopping vibes at Atlanta Christkindl Market while you sip hot cocoa, and then head to one of many pop-up bars around the city for holiday-themed cocktails and over-the-top decor. Be sure to get tickets in advance for the spectacular Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden, winner of ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2023.

A train glowing with Christmas lights

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Photo by @visitblueridgega

3. Blue Ridge

Getting away for a cozy weekend in the North Georgia mountains is the perfect way to start the holidays, and Blue Ridge has everything you need to celebrate. Choose a cabin rental from Escape to Blue Ridge complete with a fireplace, hot tub, scenic views, and all the comforts of home. On Wednesday evening, visit a local winery or brewery to toast the start of a great weekend. 

On Thanksgiving, make reservations at Southern Charm for a cozy, homestyle feast that brings all the warmth and flavors of the holiday to your table. Then, spend the afternoon hiking to area waterfalls, taking in the fall scenery. On Friday, start your holiday shopping at downtown stores, and be sure to be in town that evening for Light Up Blue Ridge. Get tickets to take a special holiday train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and visit with Santa on board.

A crowd surrounds a large Chistrmas tree in a downtown market square

Old Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega. Photo by Discover Dahlonega

4. Dahlonega

Fans of wine country will love a getaway to Dahlonega in the North Georgia mountains, home to more than 10 wineries, all crafting exceptional varieties. Rent a mountain cabin with a fireplace and scenic porch so you can sit back and sip wines you collect at local vineyards.

On Thanksgiving, fill up on Southern cooking at The Smith House, widely known for its fried chicken and comfort foods. Or, make reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard. Then, you can spend the rest of the afternoon hiking to your heart’s content, perhaps completing a stretch on the Appalachian Trail.

On Friday, shop the stores in downtown Dahlonega, like Giggle Monkey Toys and Dahlonega General Store, for items you won’t find anywhere else. Friday evening, be downtown for the dramatic Lighting the Square, a crowd-pleasing display of holiday lights, part of the town’s Old Fashioned Christmas festivities.

View of a lake at dusk from a fireside suite

Gingerbread house at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. Photo by The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

5. Greensboro

For a memorable lakeside resort getaway, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee goes above and beyond to create magical holiday experiences for guests. Retreat to a Fireside Suite or Cottage to celebrate the arrival of the holidays with friends and family. The holiday season begins on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, with the annual Lighting at the Lake and the opening of The Winter Forest ice skating rink. Registered resort guests can indulge in a lavish Thanksgiving brunch along with an array of seasonal activities and fun for all ages. 

On Friday, stroll through the streets of charming downtown Greensboro, where you’ll discover artisan crafts, boutique fashions, and one-of-a-kind locally made treasures. Unwind with a handcrafted pint at the renowned Oconee Brewing Company, where you can enjoy games of darts and cornhole all while mingling with fellow craft beer enthusiasts in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.

Holiday decorations in the courtyard at a resort

Jekyll Island Club Resort on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Photo by @goldenisles

6. Jekyll Island

You’ve never seen a holiday wonderland quite like Jekyll Island, which gets decked out from the seashells to the palm trees in glittering lights and festive decor. Stay near the water at The Westin Jekyll Island Beach Resort so you can watch the sunrise each morning and wake up with the sea birds playing in the surf.

On Thanksgiving, make reservations for the buffet at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, where you can feast on all the traditional foods and relax in upscale surroundings. The rest of the afternoon, set out to explore the island by bike, cruising through the historic district to see the cottages and to Driftwood Beach to see the stunning landscape.

Friday kicks off Holly Jolly Jekyll, a multi-week holiday experience that includes a parade, fireworks, and nearly 2 million lights across the island. Saturday, join the daring crowd to take a plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean at the Cold-Stunned Plunge in support of sea turtles and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Holiday shoppers at a Christmas market at night

Savannah Christmas Market. Photo by Plant Riverside District

7. Savannah

You’ll be forever grateful for the chance to spend Thanksgiving in Savannah. On Wednesday evening, start with a toast to a great weekend at Bar Julian, the rooftop bar on the Thompson Hotel overlooking the Savannah River. Take in the nightlife at Plant Riverside District, and turn in for a luxurious night’s rest just steps away at the JW Marriott.

On Thanksgiving, spend the day strolling through the historic squares to admire homes and buildings decked out for the holidays. Be sure to reserve tickets for a traditional holiday meal on a Savannah Riverboat Cruise

Spend Friday shopping at the Savannah Christmas Market, in City Market, and on Broughton Street, taking a trolley tour, and visiting local attractions like the Savannah History Museum. On Saturday, head to Tybee Island for shopping, kids activities, and music at the Tybee Island Holiday Market, and cap off the day at the Tybee Island Christmas tree lighting.

A church decorated for the holidays

Holiday decorations in Thomasville, Georgia. Photo by @robbiecaponetto

8. Thomasville

For a picture-perfect, small-town Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with a getaway to Thomasville in South Georgia. You’ll be a few weeks early for the town’s famous Victorian Christmas celebration, but that just means you can beat the crowds on shopping for great gifts! Start with a toast to a great weekend at Tvelo Brewing Company, and retreat for a cozy stay at Courtyard by Marriott downtown.

On Thanksgiving, treat yourself to a great meal at The Plaza Restaurant, and stroll around downtown hunting the lost quail. On Friday, hit the downtown boutiques for great gifts like handmade leather bags from Southlife Supply Company, and take a Taste of Thomasville Food Tour to sample treats from some of the town’s famous eateries. That night, drive through the Flowers Foods holiday light display for a jolly good time. Spend the rest of the weekend visiting local attractions like the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, Lapham-Patterson House, and Pebble Hill.

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