West Michigan Celebrates Turkey Day with Activities Throughout the Region

Thanksgiving is November 24th this year, and West Michigan is ready to celebrate! We love this time surrounded by friends and family as we dine on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner together. Many local businesses are offering dinners of their own, meals to go, and Thanksgiving getaways to help you celebrate. No matter what you decide to do on Thanksgiving, make sure that you get together with loved ones and show thanks for the past year.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in West Michigan's South Region

Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo is hosting their Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 24th from 11am to 4pm. The 7-course menu includes Amuse-Bouche, House Salad, Soup du Jour-Roasted Butternut Squash and more. Choose an entree of prime rib, roasted turkey or smoked salmon. Eat well and enjoy the warming embrace of the castle with friends and family this Thanksgiving!

The perfect place to take kids over Thanksgiving weekend is Silver Beach Carousel in St. Joseph. Kids can go nose-to-nose with two live reindeer, and they can even have their photos taken with these North Pole animals by a professional photographer. When you're done hanging out with the reindeer, cross the boardwalk to the Carousel and take a ride on one of the 28 hand-carved and painted chariots. If you're visiting on Black Friday, the Brass Ring Gift Shop will be brimming with ideas for anyone still on your lists. Kids love visiting the Silver Beach Carousel, and with all the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, it's a great way to ensure that they have fun during this hectic weekend!

Silo Banquets & Catering in Allegan offers their Thanksgiving Dinner to Go every year. The Silo has the largest catering kitchen in West Michigan and each of the dinners that they prepare are ready to feed up to ten people. These dinners include everything that you need to have a family Thanksgiving meal including turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, pie and more. Make Thanksgiving dinner a breeze with these ready-to-serve meals!

Located in Shelbyville, the Bay Pointe Inn's signature restaurant, the Terrace Grill, is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet with seating times at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. There will be live music during dinner as well as seasonal drinks! Expect Thanksgiving staples including turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes as you eat to your heart's content. Ensure that your family will have seats at the table by booking today!

The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance knows that traditional turkey dinners are necessary for Thanksgiving. Luckily, they have two premier spots for you to visit. On November 24th, Schuler's Restaurantwill be serving their Thanksgiving dinner from 11am to 6pm. If you're hosting Thanksgiving at home, Schuler's has ready-to-serve dinners for carry out. Another popular spot for Thanksgiving is Cornwell's Turkeyville. They'll be serving a family-style Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 5pm on November 24th. Make reservations for your family by calling Turkeyville. The perfect Thanksgiving requires the perfect meal, and you can't go wrong with either of these two Thanksgiving spots.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in West Michigan's Central Region

Double JJ Resort in Rothbury is hosting their popular Thanksgiving Buffet at the Sundance Restaurant on Thanksgiving Day from 11am to 3pm. The annual buffet is a relaxing way to spend time with friends and family with the beautiful view from the Sundance. Look out and see Carpenter Lake and the Thoroughbred championship golf course. For those interested in a family reunion over Thanksgiving weekend, the Double JJ Resort is also offering a three-night Thanksgiving lodging package. Stay in one of the Loft Hotel rooms or a Family Cabin for two nights, and the third night is complimentary. Return for the annual Thanksgiving Buffet tradition or create a new one for you and your family at Double JJ Resort.

This year, Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant in Holland is serving a special Thanksgiving Day Buffet. They have a variety of dishes and tastes to suit every guest. Feast on marinated olives and house-smoked salmon, oysters, mussels, tilapia and, of course, turkey! They will be serving an herb-roasted, locally raised and all-natural turkey that is perfect for the Thanksgiving festivities. Boatwerks' Thanksgiving Buffet provides the perfect place to meet with friends and family, and avoid the headaches of dirty dishes, messy houses and burnt food.

The JW Marriott in Grand Rapids has their signature restaurant, six.one.six, which offers a breathtaking blend of sophisticated urban ambiance and palate-pleasing cuisine. Their food is going to be wonderfully showcased at their Thanksgiving Brunch on November 24th from 9am to 3pm. Feast on local and artisan cheeses, roasted herb brined otto's turkey breast, Dearborn ham, miniature pumpkin and pecan pies and more! In addition to their Thanksgiving menu, their traditional breakfast brunch items will still be available. Reservations are required, but you're not going to want to miss this Thanksgiving feast!

If you have family in town early for Thanksgiving, check out the Mecosta Area CVB's Festival of the Lights parade on November 19th at 6pm. The popular parade features about 30 floats and groups of walkers loaded with Christmas lights, live reindeer and there's even an appearance by Santa & Mrs. Claus! Get in a festive mood with Mecosta's favorite holiday parade!

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce invites you and your family to their Holiday Open House on November 18th and 19th. Prepare for both Thanksgiving and Christmas at this one event. There will be drawings, gifts, sales and all of the businesses will be decked out for the holiday season. Enjoy a wonderful shopping experience in downtown Rockford as you prepare for Thanksgiving and look forward to December's holiday festivities!

Muskegon County wants to help you celebrate Thanksgiving as well as begin celebrating future holidays with a series of events and celebrations. The Festival of Trees at the Muskegon Museum of Art runs from November 17th through November 27th. After your Thanksgiving meal, take a stroll through the holiday city scenes and the professionally designed trees. If you're looking for something to do once the dust has settled from Thanksgiving festivities, check out the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert on November 25th! Selling over 27 million albums, this is a concert that you don't want to miss! If you need something else after Thanksgiving to get you ready for next month's holiday goodness, the Lakeshore Museum Center is offering Holiday Tours via horse-drawn wagons from Hackley & Hume Historic Site to Hackley Park for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. This event is on Saturday, November 26th and is a major part of the city's Christmas celebration! Additional tours run on November 27th and December 26th and 27th. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and Muskegon County wants to ensure that you're celebrating properly (and preparing for December as well!).

Celebrate Thanksgiving in West Michigan's North Region

At Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, they've always had a knack for taking a good thing and making it a whole lot better. Guests can join their Thanksgiving Celebration where they've added a roster of activities and entertainment for this fan-favorite holiday! Of course, every Thanksgiving needs plenty of food. Choose between Everett's special holiday buffet, or have a complete meal delivered to your room! Fun-filled holiday activities include family movies, bonfire and s'mores, sleigh rides, waterpark fun, spa services and more! Whether your family is big or small, have a fun Thanksgiving together at Boyne Mountain Resort!

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is hosting their 12th Annual Turkey Vulture Trot 5k Run/Walk on November 24th at 9am. The paved and looped course takes you through the rolling terrain of Crystal Mountain. Top overall finishers receive a Crystal Premier Season Pass! After you're done with the run, enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner knowing that you earned it!

Treetops Resort in Gaylord wants to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving with a concert on Wednesday, November 23rd! The hottest Motown band in northern Michigan, The Cookies, will be performing. This group is certified to leave a smile on your face and keep you on your feet. The concert will also feature draft specials from Short's Brewing Company. This Motown concert will ensure that you're dancing until Thanksgiving morning!

Kicking off the holiday season right after Thanksgiving, the Ludington Area hosts the Aglow on the Avenue holiday parade to welcome Santa to town! Starting at 6pm in downtown Ludington on November 26th, the parade travels East along Ludington Avenue between Gaylord Avenue and Harrison Street. During the parade, Santa will stop at James Street Plaza for the Annual Lighting of the Tree. With Thanksgiving wrapped up, get in the Christmas mood and kick off the holiday celebrations in Ludington!

The Petoskey Area is ready to welcome you and your family into their home for Thanksgiving. With several hotels and resorts offering Thanksgiving packages, it's the perfect time to visit this northern Michigan gem. The historic Stafford's Bay View Inn, Stafford's Perry Hotel and Stafford's Crooked River Lodge are offering Thanksgiving holiday packages that include lodging, meals and a few fun extras. Leave the cooking to Stafford's with Thanksgiving buffets at the Perry Hotel, Bay View Inn, Weathervane Restaurant and Pier Restaurant.

Another Petoskey getaway is at the Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant. Your family can experience an old fashioned Thanksgiving, or you can use this time to take an early Christmas trip and pick out a tree. All of this plus two nights of lodging starting at $269 makes planning a trip to Petoskey just that much easier.

Make your way up to Traverse City for the 9th Annual Up North Media Downtown Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day! With both 5K and 5M race courses, this is the perfect place to get some exercise before the holiday festivities! All race participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and goodie bag. Earn your Thanksgiving dinner with this run/walk!

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