Lehi

Twenty-five miles south of Salt Lake City is Thanksgiving, a cozy desert enclave nestled at the foot of the Traverse Mountain range. This neighborhood centers around Thanksgiving Point, an attraction that features a farm, garden and museum complex with a focus on exploring and enjoying the beauty of the natural world. “It’s a great little neighborhood,” says Realtor Pamela Clark, who has a listing in Thanksgiving. “There's a ton of seasonal activity at Thanksgiving Point. You also get really easy access to I-15— north and south bound.” The town center also features an array of dining options, all just a stone’s throw away from resident’s front doors. <br><br>Thanksgiving can be split into two subdivisions, with one residential area in the north and another overlooking the Jordan River to the southwest. Both subdivisions are planned developments with sidewalks and broad streets, making the neighborhood very walkable. Though street parking is plentiful, many homes also come with carports and attached garages. The lawns are compact and manicured, with enough space for decorative gardens and bordering trees. The majority of the houses are single-family contemporary-style homes, with a few ramblers sprinkled throughout. Prices for homes in the northern subdivision range from $400,000 to $525,000, with the average price being $450,000. Houses near the river tend to go for a bit more, selling for between $450,000 and $800,000, with the average price being $650,000.<br><br>The Alpine School District serves the residents of Thanksgiving. Students can begin their education at Belmont School and Mountain Ridge Junior High School, both of which earned an A-minus on Niche. Students can finish their education at Skyridge High School, which ranks No. 5 in Best Public High Schools in Utah County, earning itself an A-Minus on Niche. <br><br>From spring to fall, the Ashton Gardens are in bloom. Seated in the heart of Thanksgiving Point, the Ashton Gardens sprawl with over 50 acres of lawns and ornate, themed gardens. Ashton Gardens also features the largest manufactured waterfall in America. Golfers can head to Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, a Johnny Miller signature layout course spanning over 200 acres of green. Cradled by the Jordan River and set against the backdrop of Latimer Point, this venue offers beautiful views of Utah’s characteristic mountain desert landscape. For fun indoors, check out the Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point. This unique attraction houses more than 400 science and nature-themed interactive exhibits.<br><br>“One of the major highlights of Thanksgiving is the great access to retail and food,” says Clark. “You get such a diverse range of different cuisine.” For casual dining, Padeli's Street Greek is an option for classic Greek food, serving gyros, wraps and salads. For a more upscale dining experience, Harvest Restaurant offers locally sourced American comfort food classics with a modern twist. Located in Water Tower Plaza at Thanksgiving Point, this unique restaurant offers an elegant yet homey atmosphere characterized by the hand-painted galleries of sweeping country estates. For grocery shopping, head east on Utah State Route 92 and stop at Harmons Grocery. For clothing, head to the Outlets at Traverse Mountain on North Cabelas Boulevard. <br><br>When December comes around, the Santa Parade is in full swing. Running from Lehi High School to the Main Street Plaza, this event includes visits with Santa, a tree-lighting ceremony and free hot chocolate and cookies.<br><br>Though most residents commute by car, public transportation is also available through The Lehi Train Station and the Lehi Bus Station off Garden Drive. <br>The Salt Lake City International Airport is just 30 miles north of Thanksgiving.