Along with exotic locales including St. Lucia, Croatia, Costa Rica and Iceland, three locations in southern Alabama were included in HGTV’s list of the 21 “Favorite Thanksgiving Getaways 2023.”

Lynn Coulter, who penned the article for HGTV.com, noted that some of the selections are more laid back, while others are “packed with adventures.” Most can be done in 3-4 days, she wrote.

Some of the selections include chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, visiting a volcano in Costa Rica, seeing reefs, rainforests and ruins in Belize, and “finding your bliss in St. Lucia.”

But Coulter also recommends taking a family getaway to Mobile.

“Don’t skip Thanksgiving with Grandma,” Coulter wrote. “Take her with you to Mobile, where there’s something for everyone, from green spaces to rooftop restaurants to the Mobile Carnival Museum, which highlights Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions. Pop into other museums dedicated to history, art or maritime explorations or, weather and season permitting, kayak, canoe or fish in “America’s Amazon,” the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.”

Also noted, with photo included, is a visit to USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

But Mobile isn’t the only Alabama spot recommended.

Listed as one location, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are among the best Thanksgiving getaways, with Coulter writing that families love the two Alabama beaches.

“You’ll find 32 miles of white sand beaches on this 27,000-acre island on the northernmost coast of the Gulf of Mexico,” she wrote. “Head to Gulf Shores if you enjoy biking, nature and craft beers (adults only, of course). Visit Orange Beach if you’d rather boat, fish or shop. Take a sightseeing tiki cruise and hang out in a hammock or hit the links. Bring sand buckets for the kids.”

Here’s the complete list. For details on each, visit HGTV.com:

• Lake Tahoe, Nev.
• Costa Rica
• Iceland
• Mobile, Ala.
• Greer, S.C.
• Ocala, Fla.
• Coastal Louisiana
• Macon, Ga.
• Hot Springs, Ark.
• Amelia Island, Fla.
• Milwaukee, Wis.
• Belize
• Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Ala.
• Spartanburg, S.C.
• Bermuda
• Western Montana
• Adirondacks of New York
• Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe, Mo.
• Croatia
• St. Lucia
• Williamsburg, Va.