I would not go to Niagara Falls over Thanksgiving. Sounds cold, wet and MISERABLE. The falls mist, a lot. Go there when it's warm or hot.

OP, I'd get a cabin in Smokey Mountains in Tenn. It shouldn't be too cold, but will be a big change of scene from FL. If you want colder, go somewhere in the Pocanos.

Grove Park Inn in Asheville? I think most of the foliage is gone by mid-November, but not sure about that.

The coldest Thanksgiving I ever spent was in Chicago next to the lake.

Do you want to completely skip Thanksgiving or would you still want to eat a meal?

Skip Niagara Falls. It's more of a summer destination - if you are going all the way to Niagara Falls and with the ages of your kids, you will want to DO Niagara Falls. That means ride Maid of the Mist, do the touristy Clifton Hill and all the other attractions. Most of them will probably be closed.

I went to college in mid-northern PA. Our Autumn Leaf Festival was in early October (and sometimes was too late for the colors). In November you'll see dead trees, even in VA.

^^^ excellent choice! The Frontenac, right?

Old Quebec. Stay at the Fairmont.

Niagara Falls is overrated and the weather in late November is often awful. Cold and even snowy.