USA Travel Guide

Keeping it small this Thanksgiving? Got no big to-do to look forward to? Live in Texas? Well, don’t spend this Thanksgiving moping around. Liven up your holiday with an impromptu Texas Hill Country vacation to the Canyon of the Eagles.

The rustic lodge and nature preserve in the heart of central Texas is throwing a major Thanksgiving feast, and if you act fast, you can make sure you get a seat at the table. Imagine it: retuning from a day amidst the scenic beauty and outdoorsy freedom of the Texas Hill Country to a bustling Thanksgiving buffet overflowing with more than twenty traditional favorites.

Moist turkey, roasted or deep-fried (yum), succulent Prime Rib, garlicky mashed taters, the classic green been casserole, stuffing, bread and lots more will tempt you to rise for one plate after another. Just save room for dessert. The dessert buffet is loaded with holiday staples like pumpkin pie, apple pie, chocolate cake and, my favorite, pecan pie. (Though nobody makes it good as my father’s).

If letting someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner for once wasn’t good enough, afterwards you’ll have a cool place to crash. The rooms at Canyon of the Eagles resemble 1920s Texas Hill Country lodging from the bed boards to the use of native stone. Grab a rocking chair on one of the community porches, make a friend with a story or two, and don’t be afraid to doze off.

Canyon of the Eagles Texas Hill Country Resort will serve its Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, November 27, 2009. There are four seatings – 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 – and reservations are required. Cost is $37.99 per adult, $16.95 per child (ages 4-12). To make dinner reservations, call 1-800-977-0081, or view the menu for more information.

For reservations at Canyon of the Eagles, start here.

Have a fun and unusual Thanksgiving getaway this year!