6 Outdoorsy Alternatives to This Year’s Turkey Trot
After all the fun of first helpings, plan an active excursion in the great outdoors to get that much-needed second wind.
For many, turkey trots have become a classic part of the annual Thanksgiving festivities. And while it can be fun to bring family and friends along for these communal runs, they aren’t the only option for outdoor activity come Thanksgiving. This year, switch up your routine and plan an outdoorsy adventure with these alternatives — from national park visits to tours of your local holiday lights, there are plenty of ways to get outside, stretch your legs, and start brainstorming what to do with all those leftovers.
Go for an urban hike
Lace up your sneakers and head into the city.
Attending Thanksgiving dinner in the middle of the city? Don’t worry — you can still take advantage of the great outdoors after your feast. To help forestall the tryptophan coma, lace up your walking shoes and set off on an urban hike. Whether you trade sidewalks for elevated train lines on New York City’s High Line; soak up blustery waterfront views along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail; wander the East Coast Greenway in Washington DC; or hop on the California Coastal Trail in the Bay Area, a metropolitan ramble is the perfect antidote to feeling a little too stuffed with stuffing.
Visit your local national park
Make the most of the beauty on your doorstep.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a national park, consider visiting on Thanksgiving weekend. Crowds are sure to be reduced from their summer peak and parks are typically open to visitors during the holiday. November is a good time to explore the likes of Yosemite National Park before the winter snow really beds in, while the often scorching-hot Death Valley National Park is more comfortable to explore once cooler weather begins. Hotels and restaurants in certain parks — like Olympic National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Arches National Park — have even hosted Thanksgiving meals and festivities in previous years.
Want more turkey trot alternatives? Head to Viator for the full article.
Author: Claire Bullen
Claire Bullen is an award-winning food, drinks, and travel writer and editor who has lived and worked in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Paris, and London. She is the author of The Beer Lover’s Table: Seasonal Recipes and Modern Beer Pairings, and the editor at GoodBeerHunting.com. Her writing has also appeared in Time Out New York, The Daily Meal, Pellicle Magazine, and beyond.
