I’ve found that one of the best months to travel is November, at least outside of Thanksgiving week. There are many destinations that enjoy pleasant, or at least decent, weather this time of year, and often, you can enjoy off-season accommodation rates, cheaper airfare, and fewer crowds, too. Whether you want to enjoy wine tasting, hiking, historical landmarks, or a beach getaway, these are some of the best places to consider for a November trip.
Napa Valley, California
November in Napa Valley is a great time to enjoy touring and tasting in one of the most spectacular California wine regions, with only about half the number of visitors arriving this month as compared to October. The weather is ideal now, too, with temperatures averaging in the mid-60s, and it’s when the vineyards are filled with vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. In addition to wine tours, you might enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the colorful landscape below by taking a hot-air balloon ride or a trip with a gourmet meal on the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. Just a few of the other options include scenic walks and bike rides and soaking in hot springs. In between, don’t miss the delicious eats that can be enjoyed with a cold beer and aguas frescas at Mother’s Tacos, a Mexico City-style taqueria in Napa with an outdoor patio and cornhole.
Sedona, Arizona
While many come to Sedona in summer to escape the brutal heat in Phoenix and places further south, November is a fabulous time to come, with the average high temperature of 68 degrees. You’ll be able to hit the trails on foot or mountain bike and enjoy breathtaking views of the red rock formations with weather that’s much more comfortable for outdoor activities. Jeep tours, mystical vortexes, hot-air balloon rides, and drives on the Red Rock Scenic Byway, which features many lookout points, are just a few of the other possibilities. There are even wineries and vineyards throughout the area for tasting and touring, and in town, there are lots of fun shops to browse, an abundance of art galleries, and a wealth of delicious eats.
Asheville, North Carolina
If you visit Asheville in early November, you’ll get to see peak fall color that can be enjoyed with a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or by hiking a myriad of trails like Mount Pisgah and Mount Mitchell. The average temperature is 60 degrees, and the days are typically dry and sunny, ideal for getting outside. It’s also a good time to tour Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home with 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and a bowling alley. It gets decked out for the Christmas holidays in early November, so you can see the spectacular decor just about any time this month. Exploring downtown is always fun, too, with many art galleries, a fantastic shopping scene, craft breweries, cafes, and restaurants.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
November In Joshua Tree National Park is an ideal time to hike the trails that wind through all sorts of unusual plant life, including countless Joshua trees, along with unique rock formations. The high temperature averages around 69 degrees, and after dark, you can enjoy some of the darkest skies in the world for epic stargazing, with the area almost always experiencing clear nights thanks to the absence of light pollution and low humidity. In the town itself, there’s a great farmer’s market every Saturday, along with lots of quirky works of art to explore, while nearby Pioneertown is fun to visit, offering the chance to step back into the Old West. It was built in the 1940s as a film and TV set; today, the unincorporated village offers a variety of Western entertainment.
Taos, New Mexico
While Taos will be on the chilly side, with temperatures averaging in the 50s in November, the abundant sunshine makes it feel a lot warmer, and the tourist crowds will be thin. It’s an ideal time to visit the Taos Pueblo, a National Historic Landmark that’s home to a Native American community. Some of the buildings date as far back as the early 11th century, and guided tours are available throughout the year. In town, you can visit the Taos Art Museum, enjoy a wealth of shops and fantastic eateries, and marvel at the Native American pueblo and Spanish colonial architecture.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth is where the pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower, and it’s where one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations was held with the colonists and Wampanoag Indians sharing an autumn harvest feast in 1621. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the holiday, but you can enjoy the history here at any time by visiting Plimoth Patuxet Museums. It’s a complex of living history museums that include a 17th-century English village, the Mayflower II, the Wampanoag Homesite, and the Plimoth Grist Mill. Of course, you can see the famous Plymouth Rock nearby, too. If you want to enjoy some city attractions, Boston is less than an hour’s drive away.
Key West, Florida
Key West in November is ideal, with the hurricane season winding down and big storms rare this month, while high temperatures average around 79 degrees and the winter crowds have yet to arrive. It can be a lot more enjoyable to explore the attractions and simply wander around the infamous Duval Street. Around the second week of November, you can watch the powerboats race at the Race World Offshore Championships from Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Soon after, the Key West Film Festival takes place, complete with talks by the actors and producers. Of course, there’s always the usual fun in the sun, with the opportunity to enjoy everything from swimming and snorkeling to paddleboarding and sunset cruises.
Kauai, Hawaii
While Kauai enjoys warm, tropical weather year-round, November is one of the quietest months in terms of tourism, making it an ideal time to enjoy more tranquility along with the island’s stunning beauty and attractions. On the North Shore, you won’t find any big resorts, but there are some spectacular places to visit, like Hanalei Bay with its gorgeous crescent-shaped beach, stretching more than two miles along the water, providing a perfect spot for swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. Poipu Beach along the south shore offers some luxury resorts, opportunities for snorkeling and other water sports, and the chance to spot Hawaiian monk seals. You won’t want to miss the island’s many waterfalls either, from Waipoo Falls in Waimea Canyon to Wailua Falls, featured in the opening credits for the TV series “Fantasy Island.”
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston enjoys mild weather in November, with the high temperature averaging 70 degrees. It’s a wonderfully tranquil time for strolls along cobbled alleyways and gaslit paths in the historic district with its many beautiful 18th- and 19th-century homes. You might visit The Aiken-Rhett House Museum for a taste of the Antebellum life or Drayton Hall, the oldest preserved plantation house in the country that’s open to the public, dating back to 1738. Check out the Charleston City Market, enjoy views of the harbor from Charleston’s Waterfront Park, and marvel at the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi in Angel Oak Park, estimated to be 300 to 400 years old. Don’t miss the chance to walk through White Point Garden, surrounded by gorgeous Antebellum mansions and huge oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and if you want a kick start on your holiday fun, the annual Holiday Festival of Lights begins in mid-November.
Savannah, Georgia
The oldest city in Georgia, Savannah was established in 1733 and is jam-packed with historic sites. November is when its fall colors peak, so you can enjoy its landscapes splashed with yellows, oranges, and reds too. The temperatures are mild now, with an average high of 70 degrees, and it will be a lot more peaceful than the summer months. You might take a walking tour through the Victorian District with its spectacular Victorian homes, while the wider Historic District is filled with classic Antebellum and Colonial-era architecture. Learn more about the city’s history at Old Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski, and perhaps embark on a relaxing ferry ride along the Savannah River. River Street is a picturesque waterfront area, fun to stroll with an array of galleries, shops, pubs, and top-rated restaurants.
San Diego, California
San Diego offers sunshine all year long, with November temperatures right around 70 degrees. If you visit early in the month, you can join the Day of the Dead celebration, Dia de los Muertos, held in the historic Old Town. It’s one of the biggest in the country, with more than 40 traditional and contemporary altars, and on the plaza, there will be music, food, traditional crafts, and face-painting booths. Of course, there are always the beaches, with countless beautiful stretches to enjoy, along with great surfing. In Balboa Park, you’ll find multiple attractions, including the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
Arches National Park, Utah
It does get chilly at Arches National Park, with the average high temperatures in the upper 50s, but under the frequent sunny skies, it will be much more comfortable than the summer for hiking the park’s trails and viewing the incredible stone arches, with over 2,000 of them here. This is one of the quieter months to visit too, so you’re unlikely to have to wait in line just to capture a photo of one of Utah’s most beautiful parks. If you’d rather enjoy a relaxed drive than spend too much time on your feet, driving through the park will allow you to see many of the arches, stone spires, fins, towers, and columns that were created through millions of years of erosion. There are many short walks just off the main road for a closer look too.
Las Vegas and Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
November is a great time for a trip to Vegas that includes not only time to take in the shows, enjoy the attractions, and test your luck at gambling but also to immerse yourself in the spectacular nature nearby. The high temperature this time of year is right around 70 degrees, perfect for exploring the Valley of Fire, the oldest and largest state park in Nevada. Hike the trails to see red rock formations that look as if they’re spewing fire from the desert sand. There are also ancient trees and 3,000-year-old petroglyphs, providing the perfect opportunity to get away from the neon lights and crowds for the day, just an hour’s drive from the city.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
With 72-degree weather, powdered sugar-like white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and a long list of happenings, Gulf Shores is a great place to be in November for a getaway and is home to some of Alabama’s best beaches. Plus, early in November, you can watch the Blue Angels Air Show, one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Over the second weekend in November, the Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival takes place, offering live music, lawn, games, and lots of tasty food and drink, including over 30 regional and national craft beers. Dolphin cruises run year-round if you want a chance to get an up-close look at the animals, too.
