• November 23, 2010

Pepto-Bismol & Sperling's BestPlaces announced study findings that identified the 10 best places for celebrating Thanksgiving.

Akron, Ohio tops the list because the population lives by "the more, the merrier" ideal, with lots of mouths to feed and lots of pies to feed them.  

The No. 2-ranked West Palm Beach, Fla., had the highest percentage increase of in-bound airport traffic and a high use per capita of Pepto-Bismol to relieve stomach issues after polishing off their Thanksgiving feast.

The rest of the top 10, in order, are: Columbus, Ohio; Fort Worth/Arlington, Texas; Las Vegas; Rochester, N.Y.; Salt Lake City; Minneapolist/St. Paul; Philadelphia and Warren/Troy/Farmington Hils, Mich.

In addition to the specific cities' findings, the study found overall that celebrating Thanksgiving in the Midwest is a bigger deal than it is in the rest of the country.  Midwesterners host traditional celebrations that include larger parties and healthier appetites as well as unique group activities that go beyond the food-family-football stereotype.

The study ranked America's 100 most populated metro areas based on the following criteria: increase in in-bound airport traffic, amount of turkey consumption and tracked Pepto-Bismol sales. Also weighed into the study findings were results from a consumer poll of 4,800 Americans which inquired about the number of people attending Thanksgiving, the number of dishes served and ways people intended to celebrate.--Tanya Irwin