8 hr LAX layover on Thanksgiving day

Question

I have an 8 hour layover at LAX (flying back to Auckland NZ) on Thanksgiving. Does anyone know if there’s any restaurants nearby that are open that I can Uber to with my luggage to get out of the airport for a while? Or should I get a day pass at a nearby hotel for a few hours?

Thank you

Answer

An 8-hour layover at LAX on Thanksgiving can be a great opportunity to stretch your legs, grab a meal, and relax, but keep in mind that many restaurants may have limited hours due to the holiday. LAX is a large airport with several terminals, so leaving the airport with luggage requires planning to allow enough time for security on your next flight.

Option 1: Nearby restaurants reachable by Uber/Lyft

In-N-Out Burger (Westchester): About 5-10 minutes from LAX, open most holidays, casual fast food option popular with visitors and locals.
Truxton’s American Bistro: Located in Westchester, roughly 5-10 minutes away. Serves breakfast and lunch, casual sit-down dining.
Aliki’s Greek Taverna: Also in Westchester, casual Mediterranean food. Good option for a lighter meal.
Other nearby chain restaurants: Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, and Starbucks are also within a short ride from the airport; some may have limited holiday hours.

Make sure to check the opening hours for Thanksgiving in advance. Ubering with luggage is feasible, but factor in at least 45–60 minutes each way to leave the airport, eat, and return.

Option 2: Day Pass at a nearby hotel

Several LAX-adjacent hotels offer day-use rooms or lounges, such as the Hyatt Regency at LAX, Hilton Los Angeles Airport, or Sheraton Gateway. These can give you a quiet place to rest, shower, and have food or drinks without worrying about long transportation times.
Hotel restaurants are usually open on holidays and may serve breakfast/lunch, making it convenient if you prefer not to go far.
Booking a day room can also allow you to leave luggage safely while you relax, read, or nap.

Additional Tips:

Leave at least 2–3 hours before your international flight to get through security and customs again at LAX.
If you decide to go out, keep your luggage light or use a secure bag for easy transport.
Alternatively, Terminal lounges inside LAX may offer access for a fee and can be a quiet place to eat and rest without leaving the airport.

In summary, for a Thanksgiving layover, a hotel day pass or airport lounge may be the most stress-free option, but if you want to step out, a short Uber ride to nearby Westchester restaurants like In-N-Out, Truxton’s, or Aliki’s can work as long as you plan sufficient travel and security time.

8 hr LAX layover on Thanksgiving day

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