Thanksgiving In Orange Beach: Why We Keep Coming Back To Turquoise Place

For years, Thanksgiving looked a little different for our family. We often celebrated in New York City, but it had been more than a decade since we’d planned a holiday getaway together. With my parents spending December with us in Florida that year, we decided to do something different and celebrate Thanksgiving in Orange Beach. We loaded the car, headed west on Interstate 10, and made the six-hour drive to Turquoise Place, one of our favorite resorts on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

Colorful sunset over the Gulf of Mexico viewed from a high-floor balcony at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Sunset views like this are one of the biggest reasons we keep coming back to Turquoise Place. Watching the sky change colors from our Gulf-front balcony never gets old.

At the time, my parents lived in Nevada, so opportunities to spend quality time together didn’t happen nearly as often as we’d have liked. When we were finally able to get everyone together, we wanted more than just a hotel—we wanted a destination where three generations could relax, reconnect, and still have plenty of room to spread out.

I’ve visited Orange Beach more times than I can count, but spending Thanksgiving in Orange Beach remains one of my favorite recent family get-togethers. Between peaceful beaches, fewer crowds, delicious holiday meal options, and spacious accommodations, it reminded me that some of the best trips aren’t about going somewhere new—they’re about spending meaningful time with the people you love.

Collage featuring Turquoise Place resort, beach chairs on Orange Beach, and seagulls flying over Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Thanksgiving Getaway at a Glance

Best For: Families and multigenerational travel

Stay: Turquoise Place

Holiday Meal Options: Cook, order takeout, or dine out

Trip Length: 3–5 days

Would I Do It Again? Without hesitation.

Private hot tub on the Gulf-front balcony of a Turquoise Place condo overlooking Orange Beach at sunset. — Every Turquoise Place condo includes a private Gulf-front hot tub. It quickly became our favorite place for morning coffee, evening conversations, and soaking in spectacular sunsets.

Why Spend Thanksgiving in Orange Beach?

Orange Beach has always held a special place in our hearts. After living in Mississippi for ten years, trips to Alabama’s Beaches became a family tradition. Once we discovered Orange Beach, we found ourselves returning again and again for its sugar-white sand, welcoming atmosphere, and relaxed pace.

Aerial view looking down from a high-floor balcony at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, showing the resort's outdoor swimming pool, beachfront boardwalk, and Gulf Coast dunes. — The higher the floor, the better the perspective. Looking down from our Turquoise Place balcony gave us a whole new appreciation for the resort’s stunning pools, beautiful beachfront setting, and direct access to Orange Beach’s sugar-white sand.

While summer is the area’s busiest season, I honestly think November is one of the best times to visit. Restaurants are easier to get into, traffic is lighter, and the beaches feel wonderfully peaceful. The weather is cool enough for long walks along the Gulf while still being comfortable enough to enjoy spectacular sunsets. A few water activities slow down in late fall, but for our family, the quieter atmosphere is well worth the trade-off.

If you’re looking to spend Thanksgiving without the crowds—and somewhere that truly feels like a vacation rather than another busy holiday—Orange Beach deserves a spot on your list.

Two beach chairs set up on the white-sand beach at Orange Beach, Alabama, overlooking gentle Gulf waves. — Some of our favorite Thanksgiving memories were as simple as relaxing in beach chairs with our toes in the sand and nowhere we had to be.

Why Turquoise Place Is Perfect for Multigenerational Families

One of the biggest reasons we keep choosing Turquoise Place is the space. These aren’t typical vacation condos—they’re expansive residences where everyone can stay together comfortably without feeling crowded.

Every bedroom has its own private bathroom, a luxury you’ll especially appreciate when traveling with multiple generations. The oversized kitchen became our gathering place throughout the day, while the spacious living room gave everyone room to relax. Someone could watch football, another work on a puzzle, while someone else enjoyed coffee at the kitchen island, all without feeling on top of one another.

Collage showing spacious bedrooms inside a luxury multi-bedroom condo at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Our favorite feature, though, was the Gulf-front balcony. Every condo includes a private hot tub overlooking the beach, and many of our favorite Thanksgiving memories happened there—from morning coffee at sunrise to evening conversations after dinner.

Private Gulf-front balcony with comfortable outdoor seating and a hot tub at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach overlooking the beach at sunset.

Why Turquoise Place Works So Well for Families

Spacious multi-bedroom luxury condominiums
Private bathroom for every bedroom
Fully equipped gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances
Large dining table perfect for holiday meals
Expansive Gulf-front balcony with a private hot tub
Plenty of room for everyone to gather without feeling crowded

For our family, that combination of togetherness and personal space is exactly what makes Turquoise Place so special.

The twin towers of Turquoise Place beachfront resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. — Turquoise Place has become our family’s favorite Gulf Coast getaway thanks to its luxury condos, unbeatable beachfront location, and incredible amenities.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Orange Beach: Three Great Options

One of the first questions people ask when planning a Thanksgiving beach vacation is, “What do we do about dinner?”

Fortunately, Orange Beach offers several excellent choices, whether cooking Thanksgiving dinner is part of your family tradition or you’d rather let someone else handle the work.

Sunset view overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and white-sand beach from Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Alabama.

1. Cook Thanksgiving Dinner in Your Condo

If preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal is part of your holiday, Turquoise Place makes it easy. Every condo features a gourmet kitchen complete with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, generous counter space, quality cookware, and a dining table large enough for the whole family.

A quick grocery stop after arriving is really all you need to recreate Thanksgiving dinner with a Gulf view.

Spacious gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, Wolf appliances, and Sub-Zero refrigerator inside a Turquoise Place condominium. — The fully equipped kitchen made Thanksgiving easy, whether we wanted to cook, heat up a prepared holiday meal, or simply gather together between beach outings.

2. Order a Complete Thanksgiving Meal To-Go

Several local restaurants and catering companies typically offer fully prepared Thanksgiving dinners for pickup. During our visit, families simply picked up their meals, returned to their condos, and reheated everything in the kitchen.

It’s a wonderful option if you’d rather spend your holiday at the beach than cooking all day.

Spacious dining area inside a luxury Turquoise Place condo in Orange Beach featuring a large table with seating for family Thanksgiving meals and gatherings.

3. Enjoy Thanksgiving at a Local Restaurant

This is the option we chose, and honestly, it couldn’t have been easier.

We reserved Thanksgiving lunch at The Hangout, where everything from the turkey to dessert was taken care of for us. There was no cooking, no dishes, and no cleanup—just time spent enjoying each other’s company. If this sounds appealing, make reservations well in advance because restaurants fill quickly during the holiday.

Traditional Thanksgiving meal featuring sliced turkey, ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, and stuffing at The Hangout in Orange Beach, Alabama. — One of the easiest ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in Orange Beach? Leave the cooking to someone else. We enjoyed a classic holiday feast at The Hangout, complete with turkey, ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, and plenty of gravy—all without the cleanup.

Things to Do During Thanksgiving Weekend in Orange Beach

One of the reasons we love spending Thanksgiving in Orange Beach is that there’s as much—or as little—to do as you want. Some days we barely left Turquoise Place, while other days we ventured out to enjoy some of our favorite attractions.

If you’re staying at Turquoise Place, don’t miss:

Relaxing on the beach just steps from the resort
Floating the lazy river or swimming in the indoor pools
Shopping, dining, and entertainment at The Wharf
Family fun at The Track and Fat Daddy’s Arcade
A day at OWA Parks & Resort
Shopping at Tanger Outlets Foley
A relaxing spa treatment at The Beach Club Resort & Spa

Colorful entrance to Fat Daddy's Arcade, a popular family-friendly attraction in Orange Beach, Alabama.

I’ve put together a much more comprehensive guide covering the best things to do in Orange Beach, including restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems, if you’re planning to extend your holiday weekend.

Bumper boats at The Track Family Fun Park, one of the top family attractions near Turquoise Place in Orange Beach.

Why We Keep Coming Back to Turquoise Place

These days, I’m much more intentional about how I spend my vacation time, especially during the holidays. Thanksgiving gives our family a rare chance to slow down, reconnect, and simply enjoy being together, and Turquoise Place provided the perfect setting.

From the spacious condo and private balcony to Thanksgiving lunch at The Hangout and peaceful walks along the beach, every part of the trip felt relaxed and unhurried. Our seven-year-old stayed entertained, my parents were comfortable, and the adults appreciated having plenty of room to spread out while still spending time together.

If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving getaway that combines Gulf Coast beauty, spacious accommodations, and quality family time, I can’t think of many places I’d recommend more. It’s a vacation we still talk about years later—and to me, that’s the true sign of a trip worth taking.

Spacious private balcony at a Spectrum Resorts beachfront condo featuring cushioned wicker seating, a coffee table, built-in gas grill, and outdoor kitchenette with panoramic Gulf views at Orange Beach, Alabama.

Tips for Booking Turquoise Place for Thanksgiving

If you’re thinking about spending Thanksgiving in Orange Beach, my biggest piece of advice is simple: book early. Holiday weeks are popular, and the best condos tend to fill well in advance.

I also recommend booking directly through Spectrum Resorts rather than a third-party website. Besides excellent customer service, booking direct includes several exclusive perks:

Cashless charging and keyless room entry with your Spectrum wristband
10% savings at participating dining and retail outlets when charging purchases to your wristband
Consistent housekeeping standards
Convenient mobile check-in and check-out through the Spectrum Resorts app

Spectrum Resorts welcome sign displayed in the lobby with white orchids, the management company for Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Alabama.

One unexpected surprise during our visit was arriving to find Turquoise Place already decorated for Christmas. If you’ve only visited during the summer months, seeing the property dressed up for the holidays adds another layer of magic to the experience.

Festive holiday decorations inside Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, featuring a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, elegant reindeer displays, and the beachfront resort lobby decorated for the Christmas season.

Pro Tip: Book directly through Spectrum Resorts and use promo code MAYROAM to receive 10% off your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spending Thanksgiving in Orange Beach

Are restaurants open in Orange Beach on Thanksgiving?

Yes. Several restaurants throughout Orange Beach and Gulf Shores traditionally serve Thanksgiving meals, but reservations are strongly recommended because holiday dining fills quickly.

Is Turquoise Place good for large families?

Yes. Turquoise Place is one of my favorite resorts for multigenerational travel because the spacious condos feature multiple bedrooms, private bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and oversized Gulf-front balconies.

Spacious living room at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach featuring a fireplace, large TV, floor-to-ceiling windows, and panoramic Gulf of Mexico views.

Can you cook Thanksgiving dinner at Turquoise Place?

Definitely. Every condo includes a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, making it easy to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal if that’s part of your family’s holiday tradition.

Is November a good time to visit Orange Beach?

Absolutely. November offers cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, easier restaurant reservations, and beautiful sunsets. It’s one of my favorite times of year to visit.

Should you book Turquoise Place directly?

I always recommend booking directly through Spectrum Resorts whenever possible. Booking direct includes additional guest benefits, exclusive discounts, and the smoothest check-in experience.

Four-story waterslide and outdoor swimming pool at Turquoise Place resort in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Turquoise Place Is Where Thanksgiving Belongs

Spending Thanksgiving in Orange Beach at Turquoise Place was everything we needed. It was a true vacation that checked every box for every member of our multi-generational family. From our seven-year-old to my parents, everyone left happy, rested, and already talking about when we could do it again. At the end of the day, Turquoise Place is always the star of our Orange Beach trips, and the holidays only made it more special.