Sure, Halloween is a holiday that comes with bags of candy. Literally. Bags of candy. Christmas brings with it plenty of cookies and cakes and sweets and treats. But Thanksgiving Day. Oh, Thanksgiving Day. Any holiday where the central celebration is a big, ol’ meal is the best kind of holiday.

But not everyone can or wants to cook a meal of all the classic Thanksgiving dinner staples, or not everyone has a place to go where they’re serving up all the T-Day favorites. Easy enough. There are a few places to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in Durango.

Mahogany Grille

The Mahogany Grille at the historic Strater Hotel in downtown Durango will once again be serving up its famous Thanksgiving Day buffet. The restaurant’s legendary spread includes  the must-haves: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes and more. But it also features some less-traditional deliciousness, such a fresh fruit display with pineapple and papaya, and even a children’s station with chicken fingers and PB&Js. Reservations are a must for this Durango Thanksgiving dinner tradition. Make your reservations online today or call 970-247-4433 to secure your spot in the buffet line and at the dinner table.

Durango Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Durango has a strong and proud Thanksgiving tradition. For 30 years, the Durango Community Thanksgiving Dinner has provided Thanksgiving Day food and fellowship to all who come — free of charge. Last year, volunteers served more than 1,200 meals at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and delivered more than 100 meals to individuals’ homes. The Durango Community Thanksgiving Dinner is possible solely because of people’s generosity: both generosity with their money and their time. The meal is funded entirely by donations and prepared, cooked and served entirely by volunteers. The Durango Thanksgiving meal organizers are now accepting volunteers; call 970-259-4061 to volunteer. To make a donation, mail a check payable to Durango Shared Ecumenical Ministries to Tonya Wales, Thanksgiving Dinner c/o FUMC, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango CO 81301. To enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Day meal in Durango? Just show up to the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Food will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until it runs out.

Sky Ute Casino

In nearby Ignacio — about a 30-minute drive southeast of Durango — Sky Ute Casino will be hosting a Thanksgiving Day buffet starting at 11 a.m. The spread will include roast turkey and honey-glazed ham, shrimp and salmon, mac ‘n’ cheese, yams, stuffing, sweet potatoes and classic desserts such as pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Reservation are required. Call 888-842-4180 to reserve your spot today.

If you’ll be visiting Durango for Thanksgiving, or if you need a place to stash your in-laws while they’ll be visiting you for Thanksgiving, Durango Quality Inn is the place for you. Come stay with us at the Quality Inn Durango, just a couple blocks from the La Plata County Fairgrounds and only a couple miles north of downtown Durango. You’ll be thankful you did!