Thanksgiving Getaways on a Budget

Forget grandma’s house, Americans may continue their over the river and through the woods trek but in this economy, it’s to a bed and breakfast they should go!

While the market struggles to make its comeback, many families continue to feel the pinch and cut costs, on everything from travel to turkey.

Sharing expenses and staying abreast of value-added deals are two ways to ensure a plentiful feast this Thanksgiving. Finding a centralized bed and breakfast within a reasonable distance to all travelers also helps to lower costs associated with holiday travel, in some cases, slicing expenses by more than half. In true merriment, an inn can offer an affordable refuse, plus all the trimmings, extra fringe, and no clean-up.

BnBFinder.com has put together a sampling of Thanksgiving getaways worthy of their fill:

Tipsy Turkey. The Alpenhorn Gasthaus in Hermann, Missouri begins its Thanksgiving festivities down in the cellar, surrounded by a welcoming ritual of fine wines, appetizers, and candlelight. Thanksgiving Day brings a plentiful feast where the innkeepers Kate Schandl and Adrian Sigrist whip up their famous turkey gravy and German sausage stuffing—both recipes that have been in the family for several generations. Another dinner-time tradition still in place is the reading of some popular quotations on gratitude. Each person takes a turn reading their favorite or coming up with their own words on gratitude. After dinner, thank yous abound as Kate and Adrian clear the table and the celebration moves outdoors to a cozy bonfire, where guests may spend time together, as they would at grandma’s. “We’re surrounded by larger cities so it does kind of feel like they’re going to grandmother’s house,” said Kate. “And we just do everything for them, which is even better.”

Rent a family. At The Holladay House in Orange, Virginia, there are trimmings all the way. In fact, if you don’t have a place to go or anyone specific to meet, the innkeepers have plenty of family members eager to welcome you. The all-inclusive dinner is just $39 per person, when you reserve a room. The annual Thanksgiving feast is served buffet-style with free-range turkey, several side dishes and desserts made with local ingredients, and paired with state wines or microbrews. Back by popular demand, are the inn’s Marscapone Chive Mashed Potatoes and Marshmallow Maple Swirl Sweet Potato Casserole. Festivities take place November 25-28.  Save 25% off your second consecutive night or 50 % off your third. Sharon Elswick, who runs the inn with her husband Sam, says they’re used to guests entering as strangers and leaving as friends, “We’ve always had guests at our thanksgiving table who were not able to visit their families. Maybe they were too far or they couldn’t get a flight. It’s just part of what we think Thanksgiving is,” she said.

Forest Bonfire. Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest amid stars, canyons, and streams is The Irish Inn. The Ozark, Illinois location serves as a gathering spot for families, an oasis for couples, and a plentiful hearth. This Thanksgiving the inn will be preparing the prerequisite turkey with several twists, like: an oyster and water chestnut stuffing; a side of locally produced sweet potatoes and apples simmered in a masala of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger; cranberry and Mandarin orange sauce; and pies made from locally picked pumpkins. At dinner, guests may take turns sharing what they are most thankful for. By sundown, the party moves toward the inn’s pond where a Native American spirit walker gives thanks and lights a bonfire. “A lot of Native American sites are around us, including prehistoric a Mississippian hilltop village and burial ground, and the Trail of Tears cut right through our county. We like to combine the pioneer and Native American elements to commemorate the first Thanksgiving, and also because I have both types of ancestors in my background,” explained innkeeper, Lynn Moore McCreery, who runs the inn with her husband, Brian.

For more information on budget-friendly Thanksgiving getaways visit BnBFinder.com’s holiday bed & breakfast specials page or contact Maria Coder at 212.480.0414  x 16 or email press@BnBFinder.com .

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