Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, and for a lot of families around Stanwood and Camano Island, that means a full house. Maybe you’re flying into Seattle to see your parents, or driving up I-5 with the kids to join a big family dinner. Either way, the guest room is probably already spoken for.

If you’d like your own space this holiday, The Retro Willows is a cozy place to land, right in the middle of Old Town Stanwood.

Close to family, with a door you can close

Holidays are better when everyone gets a good night’s sleep. Staying nearby lets you show up for the turkey, the games and the long talks, then head back to a quiet place of your own at the end of the night.

The Retro Willows is a renovated 1-bedroom apartment on the second floor of an 1890 Victorian landmark. It’s a short drive to Camano Island and easy to reach from anywhere in Stanwood, so you’re never far from the family table.

What makes it work for a holiday visit

• A full kitchen: bake your pie, prep a side dish, or reheat leftovers on Friday
• A coffee bar for slow mornings before the family day starts
• A queen Lull mattress and room-darkening shades, sleeping up to 4
• A bathtub for a long soak after a day of cooking and cleanup
• Fast Wi-Fi and a workspace if you need to log in for a day or two around the holiday
• Keyless entry and free parking, so late arrivals are easy
• Laundry on site for longer holiday stays

A few things to know: the apartment is up one flight of stairs, it’s not pet-friendly, and it’s quiet after 9 PM, which suits a restful holiday visit.

Walk to Old Town Stanwood

One of the best parts of staying in Old Town is that you can walk to shops, cafes and the grocery store. Forgot the cranberry sauce or the whipped cream? It’s a quick walk, not a drive across town on the busiest cooking day of the year.

And the historic Victorian setting makes the whole trip feel a little more special, especially on a crisp late-November evening.

Ideas for the long weekend

Once the leftovers are packed away, there’s plenty to do with family in town:

• Take a walk along the water on Camano Island to work off the pie
• Drive north into the Skagit Valley and browse the small shops in La Conner or Mount Vernon
• Spend an evening at Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington with the grown-ups
• Stroll Old Town Stanwood and support local shops on the holiday weekend

Planning to come back in December too? See our guide to the Lights of Christmas in Stanwood.

Book your Thanksgiving stay

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel times of the year, so lock in your dates early. Booking direct means you deal with the host, not a middleman. Questions? Call or text 360-913-5965.