The year-round sun and warmth of Florida make it the ideal destination any time of year you need a break, and the Thanksgiving holiday is a great opportunity to take a break and enjoy a long weekend that’s also the unofficial end of summer. Enjoy a vacation full of sand, water, sun, and fun with loved ones before fall arrives. The Sarasota and Bradenton area are mainland Florida destinations that provide the ultimate experience in beach vacations for Thanksgiving in Florida. Not only do they have their own beaches, but they’re also close to several barrier islands that offer a different beach vibe for your Thanksgiving respite.
Dinner
Turn to the fully equipped kitchen of your vacation rental in Bradenton or Sarasota! It has all the basics for preparing and serving the delicious holiday meal. If you’ve decided to take a break from everything, including cooking, this year, the area has some delicious eats, too. Michael’s on East is preparing the meal with dine-in and pick up options. Also, the Ritz-Carlton will be hosting a Thanksgiving brunch in the grand ballroom. Other restaurants serving up the feast may include the three Mattison’s locations, Bevardi’s Salute Restaurant, and others. Make sure to call first to check availability and to make reservations if necessary.
Ditch the Beach, Dig the Grass
After the big meal, get some exercise. Restoration Church of Sarasota will be hosting its annual volleyball tournament. The day starts with “pool” play to qualify to play in the gold and silver division bracket play. Teams of four players each MUST be co-ed. Register through their Facebook page by Thursday, November 23rd. Gold bracket champs win a $1,000 cash prize! The event takes place Saturday, November 25, 2023. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. with play beginning at 8 a.m.
Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries
Set aside some “adults only” time during your Thanksgiving retreat and visit the area’s wineries and distilleries. There are several breweries and distilleries that call Bradenton and the surrounding area home, including Naughty Monk Brewery, Darwin Brewing Company, Loaded Cannon Distillery, and more. Wine lovers will want to add a stop at Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard, where the wines are made from grapes grown at the on-site vineyard. Enjoy a tasting or tour or book a special private event. Once you’ve tasted the offerings, choose your favorite wines, beers, or spirits to take back to your rental to pair with your Thanksgiving feast, or another home-cooked meal.
Beaches
An escape to beach locations like Bradenton and Sarasota over the Thanksgiving holiday means spending plenty of time on the beach. With the warmer weather of Florida in the fall, you and your loved ones can spend a little extra time out in the sun and in the water, with a less-intense sun. Sunbathe, change up your exercise routine with a walk or run on the beach, or brave the cooler waters for a swim, snorkel, or SCUBA adventure in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Boat Tours
A great way to get to know the area you’ve decided to call home for the Thanksgiving holiday is to get out and explore on land and on water. While exploring on land is easy – just hop in your rental car, take a walk or bike around, you’ll want to get familiar with the waters of the area too. There are several companies that offer tours on the waters surrounding Bradenton and Sarasota. Guides are full of fun information about the area’s history and ecology, so you’ll learn some fun and interesting trivia while enjoying time at sea. Keep your camera ready and your eyes peeled for sea life like dolphins, manatees, rays, and more! Book a private tour for you and your loved ones and pack a picnic of Thanksgiving leftovers, including your favorite alcoholic beverages.
The Keys
Give your Thanksgiving break an island twist. Off the coast of Sarasota, Bradenton, and the surrounding area is a group of barrier islands that protect Sarasota Bay from the sometimes harsh waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Choose a destination like Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, or Siesta Key this Thanksgiving for a fun day trip. Each island has its own unique flair as well as plenty of Florida fun like parasailing, boat tours, plus some Thanksgiving fun, without the traffic of the mainland.
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Florida
Enhance your Thanksgiving retreat to Bradenton and Sarasota with a private vacation rental provided by Anchor Down Vacation Rentals. We offer units as small as 1-bedroom for a solo or sweetheart excursion, all the way up to 8-bedrooms for a Thanksgiving gathering that includes all your loved ones! After a long day of activities, make a home-cooked meal in your unit’s fully equipped kitchen, and enjoy it in the spacious living/dining areas of your unit, or a private outdoor space. Relax in a private bedroom or gather the group and watch your favorite holiday movies or TV show episodes.
Contact us today!
People get together with those close to them every year to celebrate Thanksgiving. Are you preparing for this holiday and want to make things different and special this year? You can create new traditions for celebrating this fantastic season away from home by heading to Florida and reserving your stay with our magnificent Anchor Down Vacation Rentals. Boasting the best kitchens for Thanksgiving, you can be sure to create new memories and make this haven your holiday destination. Whether you are a small family, a large group of buddies, or traveling with your canine friend, there is something for everyone to feel at home. Consider staying at our holiday rentals for that unique Thanksgiving in Florida you have always desired.
Enjoy Thanksgiving in Style
Finding accommodation with luxurious amenities is one of the best ways to have a perfect Thanksgiving in Florida. The good news is that when staying at our vacation rentals, you can have an extraordinary experience that will make this holiday the best you have ever had. As you drive through the palm trees into any of our premises that you select, one of the things that will put you into the holiday spirit is the tranquil atmosphere. And that’s just the beginning.
Sometimes, you may feel like going out isn’t an option; when that happens, you don’t have to worry about getting bored. Many of our holiday houses boast spacious outdoors, providing you with the opportunity to have endless fun. With inviting private swimming pools begging to cool you in a portfolio of our vacation abodes, you can enjoy connecting with your friends or family that you’re traveling with as you play in the water. Alternatively, you can relax on the loungers and enjoy a tan as you admire the breathtaking scenery. Even better, the pools are heated at an extra fee during the colder days to ensure no one misses out.
Food is one of the things that makes Thanksgiving complete. At many Anchor Down Vacation Rentals, you will find outdoor barbecue grills perfect for that outdoor cooking you have been looking forward to trying. You can converse with your companions as you cook and breathe fresh air. When the meal is ready, you can relish it from the generously spacious decks or balconies in many of our charming homes.
The interior of our stunning holiday homes takes you to a new world of comfort and style. As the deluxe sofas await to give you the rest you need, the large flat screen is ready to take you to the world of imagination. Thanks to the availability of fast internet, you can stream your favorite show or catch up with the headlines whenever you desire. On the other hand, the expansive windows let in plenty of light while also enabling you to admire the mind-blowing views from the comfort of your chair. With these rooms having ample space, you can play games, take turns creating and telling stories or try out karaoke; after all, Thanksgiving is all about having a good time with those dear to you.
After spending the whole day engaging in different activities, all you want to do is have a refreshing shower. Our rentals have immaculate bathrooms you can use and freshen up. To add convenience to your stay, many of these bathrooms have clean, soft linens and other essential toiletries that you can utilize. If having a quick shower is something you don’t fancy on holidays, you can soak into the soothing bathtubs found in many of these bathrooms. There is more. When staying in our inviting holiday abodes, carrying dirty clothes back is not an option. You will find laundry areas fitted with a washer and dryer, ensuring you leave this area clean!
Besides dining and wining, rest is another thing that most look forward to when planning a Thanksgiving getaway. When it’s time to sleep after a long day of limitless fun, the bedrooms in our rentals have everything to ensure you get a good night of sleep. From the high-quality mattresses to the soft pillows and bedding, you will be able to wake up rejuvenated and ready to face a new day. Many of these rooms also have large-screen TVs. You can watch a film as you slowly drift into a deep sleep. The expansive windows, on the other hand, can’t go unnoticed. Including letting in enough light and fresh air, some let you enjoy the dramatic views from the comfort of your bed.
We can’t talk about our exquisite Anchor Down Vacation Rentals without mentioning the welcoming kitchens they have, especially during Thanksgiving. Fully equipped with first-rate appliances, cookware, five-star dishes, a coffee maker, and everything else a chef needs to prepare a delectable meal, you can be sure to have an extraordinary holiday. With the generous space, your traveling partners can help wash the fruits as you put your holiday recipe into use. Most of the windows in these kitchens are broad to let you view the vista as you prepare that special dinner. When the food is ready, the dining rooms await to give you a five-star experience as you dine together, passing gratitude to each other.
Book a Comfortable Place to Stay for Thanksgiving in Florida
If creating new Thanksgiving traditions is in your plans, we’ve got you covered. Our Anchor Down Vacation Rentals are the perfect place to stay for a Thanksgiving holiday. Call us today, and we will help turn your imagination into reality.