Make the most of Thanksgiving weekend in Southern Indiana! We’ve rounded up the top five ways to spend the holiday in SoIN! Whether you are home for the holidays, visiting family or looking for a weekend getaway, keep reading to plan your SoIN Thanksgiving festivities.

Drinksgiving

Have friends and family coming in from out of town? Celebrate their arrival with a Thanksgiving pregame at one of our local bars! In downtown Jeffersonville, try The Alcove or O’Sheas for a festive time. Visit The Earl in downtown New Albany for beautiful hand-crafted cocktails or check out what’s on tap. Explore more options in our “Southern Indiana After Dark: Late Night Spots to Check Out” blog.

For non-alcoholic beverage seekers, catch up with friends and family at one of our local coffee shops for delicious coffee, tea and other delightful drinks.

Opt Outside

Need to recharge? Opt Outside on Black Friday. The movement #OptOutside, started by outdoor retailer REI in 2015, encourages shoppers to spend time outdoors rather than Black Friday shopping. Enjoy the crisp autumn air in SoIN with a hike at Charlestown State Park or Clark State Forest. Or take it easy with a stroll along the Ohio River Greenway or the new Monon South Trail. For more ideas for a relaxing getaway, read “Sip Savor Saunter: A Slowcation in Southern Indiana.”

Shop Local

If you’re itching to knock out the holiday shopping, shop local on Small Business Saturday! SoIN is home to an array of shops that are perfect for holiday gifts. In New Albany, find unique, quirky gifts at The Wildflower, thrift your heart out at Mariposa, or peruse holiday décor at Madhouse. In Jeffersonville, stop by Schimpff’s for stocking stuffers (and if you’re lucky, a live candy-making demonstration) and Mood for second-hand finds.

More SoIN Gift Guides:

Gift Guide: Staff’s Holiday Picks
Unique Gifts Ideas for Your Unique Friends

Light Up Events

‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, parades and visits from Santa! Charlestown, New Albany and Jeffersonville will host their annual Light Up events around Thanksgiving. Read our Light Up blog for details on each event.

Taste Your Way Through SoIN

Spend the long weekend exploring SoIN’s culinary scene. Enjoy a hearty meal at Red Yeti, savor Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors at Petra’s, or grab a burger and beer at Upland Brewing Co. Check out more SoIN restaurants—and be sure to call or check social media for holiday hours.

Kitchen-Free Turkey Day

Looking for ways to have an easy, mess-free Thanksgiving? There's no need to spend hours in the kitchen cooking up Thanksgiving dinner and all the trimmings. Leave it to creative chefs in Southern Indiana to whip up a gobble-worthy feast for your guests! Check out the list below for an easy turkey day.

• Have Thanksgiving dinner at Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant. 
• Bayou Butcher Shop is accepting Thanksgiving orders. Holiday entrée options include Turducken, Cajun turkey, prime rib, smoked turkey and multiple sides. 
• Let The Chicken House handle your Thanksgiving feast with half pans of chicken and dumplings, classic sides, homemade cobblers, banana pudding, and more holiday favorites available to order. Text or call 502-299-7240 to place your holiday order. Sides must be picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday (Nov. 25 or 26) before closing time. Visit their Facebook page for more details. 
• Visit Wine Shop in downtown New Albany to find the perfect pairing for your meal. 
• MESA, A Live Dining Show is hosting multiple events this season, including a Friendsgiving dinner. Visit their website to view more events and to purchase tickets! 
• Grab a delectable dessert (or two!) from Sweets by Morgan. 
• Leaven Bakery & Bistro is offering à la carte holiday dishes and homemade desserts, all made from scratch, to make your holiday gathering unforgettable. Visit their Facebook page for more details.
• Order a Fall Charcuterie Board or “Get Together” Board from Board & You Custom Charcuterie.

Bonus Idea

Explore Southern Indiana like never before with our SoIN Digital Passports! With four year-round passports to choose from, there’s always something new to discover.

The Scenic SoIN passport highlights the area’s best outdoor spots, while the Inspired SoIN passport guides you through local public art. Dive into the quirky and eccentric with the Stranger Things of SoIN passport, or uncover spooky stories on the Haunted History Jeffersonville: A Boo 812 Experience self-guided video tour passport.

Learn more and sign up today on our digital passport page!