Thanksgiving getaway - where to go? (Seattle, Vancouver: hotels, homes, casino)

[saucewagon]

So the girlfriend and I are planning on getting out of town for a few days over Thanksgiving. We were thinking Leavenworth but the hotels seem quite expensive. We don't really have much in the way of criteria for things to do, but we liked the idea of the Christmas sleigh rides and the Thanksgiving buffet in Leavenworth.

We'd like to keep it within a three hour drive of Seattle, and an added bonus would be better weather than Seattle! But we realize that may be hard to find in the PNW in winter.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

[fnh]

We enjoy The Sleeping Lady in Leavenworth. Not cheap but actually pretty reasonable when you consider the included meals. We go most years just before Thanksgiving when the lights are up in town but not 'officially'. It is very quiet a couple of days BEFORE Thanksgiving.

I would love to spend Thanksgiving day there; alas the MIL would be affronted.

[Hemlock140]

Everything costs more on holidays. Check out the Red Caboose Getaway in Sequim. We found it to be a real treat to spend the night in a real classic caboose and the breakfast was amazing. If the weather is OK, you can do a day trip up to Hurricane Ridge.

Redcaboose Getaway a Sequim Bed and Breakfast Olympic Peninsula

You could also try the newest wine country around Benton City and stay in the less expensive tri-cities.

[DevanXL]

I recommend Victoria. Just a beautiful town and great getaway spot. The christmas lights over th old victorian buildings is gorgeous. I would go to leavenworth as more of a day trip.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by saucewagon

So the girlfriend and I are planning on getting out of town for a few days over Thanksgiving. We were thinking Leavenworth but the hotels seem quite expensive. We don't really have much in the way of criteria for things to do, but we liked the idea of the Christmas sleigh rides and the Thanksgiving buffet in Leavenworth.

We'd like to keep it within a three hour drive of Seattle, and an added bonus would be better weather than Seattle! But we realize that may be hard to find in the PNW in winter.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

Fly down to Vegas on Thanksgiving Day, early. There were fewer people at the airport in 2012; most fly day before I assume. First Class upgrade through Alaska was really cheap, dunno if it was a special or what for that day. Nice, on a short-hop flight however.

Saw Rush, day after Thanksgiving that year, at the MGM Grand. That was actually my impetus for the trip. Great arena! Point being there are always shows of some kind; it's Vegas. MGM Grand was a nice place to stay, but if ever there was a town with something for everyone, well, see previous.

Thanksgiving dinner was at Postrio, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant at the Venetian. They did a nice job, for not a lot of money. Flew out of there noonish on Saturday, having seen quite enough and wanting to (again) beat crowds at airports: I assumed Sunday afternoon/evening would be bad.

In fact none of it cost much. I don't gamble, and found walking through the casino(s) constantly to get anywhere vulgar, but that's how it's all set up. I'll never go there again for any reason other than a specific show, if-applicable.

[StealthRabbit]

for better weather but a bit more than 3 hrs, consider Columbia Gorge Wine weekend.
EVENTS* |* Columbia Gorge Wine Country

You can add Portland and some tax free Oregon Christmas shopping.

I usually go to San Antonio for the River Walk lighting, and Many nearby small towns have lighted parades.
~$150 RT air and great eats! I stay in hospitality Guest homes $10 / night worldwide (for last 25 yrs, Often in Victoria / Vancouver BC, this month in Philippines)
http://www.johnsoncity-texas.com/fes...ectacular.html

http://www.tex-fest.com/regional/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange

[flyingsaucermom]

[url=http://gonw.about.com/od/washingtongetaways/a/seattlegetaways.htm]Weekend Getaways Within a Short Drive from Seattle[/url]

Kinda more of the same recommendations.

I think fnh wrote about visiting Leavenworth early in the past (at least someone here posted about it) and I am personally considering it, especially since I'll be pet-sitting for various neighbors during prime holidays.

Sure doesn't seem like there are all that many great options though, once you've gone down to Oregon and up to Canada a few times, but I suppose that's typical after you lived in one place for many years, which we hadn't until now.

On the other hand, I'm still so in love with the Puget Sound (we visited Edmonds for the first time today... I'm smitten!) I don't often feel like I need to escape