As the craze of the holiday season begins to creep up, prepare your Thanksgiving dinner early this year by reserving a dinner out in Traverse City. Sometimes all of the prepping, cooking, and hours spent in the kitchen can get to be too much and take away the joys of the holiday season. Take a break this Thanksgiving and enjoy a scrumptious feast, prepared by the pros, at one of these amazing Northern Michigan restaurants.

Check out these Turkey Day offers and spend your precious holiday hours with the family instead of the kitchen!

Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at the Grand Traverse Resort:

Gobble up this buffet from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day.

Adults: $29.95

Kids ages 5-10: $14.95

Kids 4 and under: FREE

Honey Dijon Roasted Bone in Dearbone Ham

Herb Butter Basted Turkey Breast

Vanilla Infused Roasted Sweet Potato Mash

Chilled Fish Platter

Pecan, Apple and Pumpkin Pie

Fall Flavored French Macaroons

Eggnog Spiced Panna Cotta and much more

Reservations are highly recommended. Call 231.534.6800.

Bluebird Restaurant and Bar in Leland:

Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 5pm on Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day.

Call 231.256.9081 or email for reservations and menu selections today!

Shanty Creek Resorts:

There’s no shame in second or third helpings. So dig in at Shanty Creek’s Lakeview Restaurant Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day.

Adults: $24

Seniors: $22

Children 9-12: $12

Children 5-8: $10

Children under 5: FREE

Call 231.533.8621 ext. 7100 for reservations and visit shantycreek.com for menu selections.

Then again, you can have the best of both worlds this Thanksgiving! Shanty Creek offers Turkey-To-Go on Thanksgiving Day so you can enjoy the convenience of a professionally prepared feast in the comfort of your home. A full order serves 10-12 at $130 while a half order serves 5-6 at $100.  Call 231.533.7084 to order your Turkey-To-Go meal, or visit shantycreek.com for an order form.

Jolly Pumpkin, Old Mission Peninsula:

Adults: $19.95

Children under 12: $12.95

Under 5: free

Local brined roast turkey, pan gravy and cranberry sauce

Penne pasta with butternut squash, crippolini onions and pancetta

Country mashed local redskin potatoes with bacon and sour cream

Roasted local root vegetables with butter braised onions

Roasted brussel sprouts with Asian vinaigrette

Werp farm greens cherry pecan salad

Mushroom, leek and sage stuffing

Werp farm beet and feta salad

Apple cake, pumpkin pie and other desserts

231.223.4333; jollypumpkin.com

Happy Eating!