Payless Car Rental Blog

If laboring in the kitchen over a hot stove does not sound like your ideal Thanksgiving, why not take advantage of the long weekend break and head for Phoenix, Arizona? The arid climate and mild temperatures make it a great place to escape to for a Thanksgiving weekend break with great restaurants, hiking, fishing, golf and some very special events for all the family.

Fountain Hills, just 30 miles from Phoenix Airport in the McDowell Hills, hosts one of the best Thanksgiving parades in North America. Parada de los Cerros has colorful floats, marching bands and marines to get visitors in a great party mood.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Phoenix

For a memorable turkey dinner with a difference (and absolutely no hot stove in sight) book dinner at the Revolving Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency’s Compass Arizona Grill. It serves à la carte and buffet fare throughout the day including carved roast turkey, baked ham and an appetizing seafood bar along with 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline.

For a taste of decadence at the “Jewel of the Desert”, book a long weekend at the Arizona Biltmore which has been offering fabulous Thanksgiving specials since it opened in 1929. As well as serving superb Thanksgiving meals in its three top restaurants, it offers two 18-hole golf courses, 8 heated swimming pools and a 92-foot waterslide to make Thanksgiving in Phoenix truly memorable for kids, golfers and food-lovers.

Things to Do in Phoenix at Thanksgiving

Phoenix Zoo with its 1,300 animals and 2½ miles of trails is popular at any time of year. In late November, the zoo show puts on an elaborate display of animal-themed lights which offer great entertainment after dark. The 2.5 million lights and 500 sculptures showcase bats hanging in trees, alligators, rhinos, ladybugs and more. With carousel rides and holiday music, it is a great way to celebrate a fun-filled, family Thanksgiving in Phoenix.

Black Friday bargains are plentiful in Phoenix’s stores and malls for shoppers prepared to get up extra early, or maybe not go to bed at all! In the Westcor Midnight Madness Event, many of the area malls and town centers open for business at midnight and most other stores open well before 7am.

To sum it up, Phoenix offers warm sunshine, great food and plenty of family entertainment to make it a truly memorable Thanksgiving vacation for all the family.

If Phoenix is in your travel plans this Thanksgiving, we would like to help you enjoy your Phoenix trip on a budget. Payless Car Rental, your discount rent-a-car company, is conveniently located at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Check our Phoenix value offers to save even more!