I like to think of November as the sweet spot between fall foliage and the beginning of winter. With crisp air, cities start to gear up for the festive season. Lights make their way onto the streets, and the air fills with undeniable excitement. It’s a month of Thanksgiving celebrations, where families gather to celebrate good food and gratitude.
With thin crowds, and lower prices, November is one of my favorite times to travel in the US. You’ll still get a chance to do some ‘leaf peeping’, explore the best cities without the traffic, and experience the cabin vibe before the eerie chill of full-on winter.
San Antonio, Texas
If you thought San Antonio was all about historic missions, you’d be wrong. While much of the country’s trees have lost their leaves by November, the region around the city experiences a late peak Fall foliage. This brings tons of yellow and red colors into the Texas Hill Country for cool fall hikes and winery visits.
With a rich Mexican-American heritage, November brings the Dia de los Muertos celebrations to life (mind the pun). Throughout the month, colorful shrines, parades, and decorative skulls scatter the city in every direction.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the definition of Southern Charm. Its historic streets, lined with moss-draped trees, give it an appropriately spooky edge. The city’s cooler temperatures make November the perfect time to stroll through historic squares and Forsyth Park.
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. Around this time, light shows and holiday-themed performances start to take the city by storm. But what I really love is that prices drop between summer and Thanksgiving, allowing a short window of budget-friendly travel in this otherwise pricey city.
San Diego, California
Every season is a good time to visit California. Sun and surf in November, who would have thought? While the rest of the country layers up and stocks up on firewood, the weather is constantly pleasant in San Diego.
November brings a slight chill – enough for a light jacket but still doable in a t-shirt most days. With manageable weather, fall is perfect for Balboa Park, beaches, or even catching the sunset in La Jolla. Being so close to the Mexican border, San Diego is another spot to catch the Dia de los Muertos celebrations – California style. It’s also the start of the whale-watching season.
Austin, Texas
No matter the time of year, Austin is all about live music and good vibes. The live music capital of the world, you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time whenever you visit. But for fewer crowds and milder weather, November proves to be one of the best months to visit this happening city.
It’s the perfect time to dive into the local BBQ food scene and experience the city’s multitude of food trucks. The weather is finally cool enough to hike around Zilker Park. There’s something on every day of November here: BBQ festivals, wine festivals, art bazaars, book festivals, and, of course, Thanksgiving events — you name it, they have it.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Famous for its antebellum mansions and antique shops, Beaufort is a smaller South Carolina city across the river from Hilton Head. Wildly popular with families over the summer months, the city welcomes a more relaxed ‘bed and breakfast’ clientele during fall.
As the leaves start to fall from the oak trees, the city is blanketed in the crunch synonymous with the start of the festive season. Beaufort advertises November as the month for outdoor adventures, with the perfect weather for camping, hiking, biking, and kayaking. The tidal marshes in particular, come to life in late fall. You might even spot an American Oyster Catcher hiding in the golden sea grass.
Nashville, Tennessee
Known as the birthplace of country music, Nashville is one of the most quintessentially American cities to visit during the fall. Nashville’s high season ends in August, which means that as tourists thin out, prices drop.
With few crowds to deal with, November is an epic time to wander down Music Row. For those who love food as much as music, this is also the season when farm-to-table fare shines (just visit the Nashville Farmers Market for a taste). Markets light up with fresh produce, pumpkin patches come to life, and corn mazes offer endless fun for kids.
The iconic Christmas Village opens its doors as early as mid-November, too!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for a place to spend Thanksgiving, Philadelphia might be the most festive place. The Thanksgiving spirit is impenetrable, with parades and events highlighting the city’s colonial past held just about every day.
November also brings cooler weather, which goes hand in hand with seasonal treats like warm pretzels and Philly cheesesteaks. If you’re a fan of a function, the Franklin Square Holiday Festival kicks off in mid-November. With plenty of food, shops, a light show spectacle, and child-friendly activities, the festival will gear you up for winter.
Los Angeles, California
If you want a few final days of sunshine before starting your winter hibernation, Los Angeles is the perfect fall destination. The sun shines nearly 300 days of the year here, even when the weather cools down for winter. November is quiet (by LA standards). Without the photo-obsessed tourists, you can experience a more local LA vibe.
It’s cool enough to hike to the Hollywood sign and walk through Griffith Park. But what I love most are the festive lights and decorations that fill LA’s malls, beachfronts, and hotels.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Just a short distance from the warm Caribbean Sea, Fort Lauderdale is your gateway to a tropical escape without the summer crowds (or long-haul flight). The weather sits at a comfortable 70 degrees, so you can enjoy the long stretch of beaches without the sweltering heat.
Underwater visibility is also at its best. So, this is a great time for divers and snorkelers. The city also has a legendary beach bar and club scene. If you’re seeking out the classic Floridian vibe, it’s not hard to find. The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival takes place in November, too. This attracts a fair share of cultural vultures to the city.
Sedona, Arizona
There is something exciting about the abstract and unusual landscapes of Arizona. At any time of the year, Sedona feels like another planet. By the time November rolls around, the weather cools off and the air clears. It’s one of the best times to hike without feeling like you’re about to self-combust. Check out the Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock trails for some incredible views.
If spiritual vortexes are your vibe, you’ll already know that Sedona is known for its spiritual energy convergences. Whether you buy into the spiritual energy of a vortex or not, Sedona is swirling with good vibes and happy people. It’s the perfect place to relax and reflect on the year that has passed.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Flannel is the national outfit in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I’m all for it. Cool temperatures make it a great month to explore Freedom Park or hike through the Crowders Mountain State Park.
The state is notoriously quiet, which just makes for a cozier fall season. That said, there are a few interesting events, including a drive-in movie theatre, a festival about sheepdogs, and, of course, a pumpkin festival. Holiday festivities like the Speedway Christmas Lights and the Charlotte Christmas Village also open their doors in November.
Salt Lake City, Utah
If you ask me, Fall never lasts long enough. If you want to milk the last of leaf-peeping, Salt Lake City is the place to do it. Surrounded by alpine mountains and ski resorts, it is the gateway to outdoor fall adventures.
Depending on the snowfall, you could luck into a few days of early skiing. Opening weekends at the ski resorts come with their own festivities — late-night events, concerts, and fireworks. If skiing isn’t your thing, hiking Deer Valley or just indulging in the city’s cozy food scene is worth the trip.
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