The 8 best places to visit in the U.S. in November

Thanksgiving may be the highlight of November for many in the U.S. But visiting family for Turkey Day doesn’t have to be the only trip you take this month. 

In parts of the country, you’ll enjoy cool, crisp air and the last displays of spectacular fall foliage. Not interested in the classic autumnal experience? It’s also a great month to explore beach towns, which may offer milder temperatures this time of year, or even The Most Magical Place on Earth (that’s Disney World, if you didn’t know) for special events ahead of the holiday rush. 

And if you’re really interested in making Thanksgiving the star of your travels, there’s plenty to do on that front too, including the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and another, smaller parade that prides itself on historical accuracy. Here are eight excellent destinations to check out this November. 

New York City, N.Y.

Go for: a trip that truly embraces the holidays.  

November is an ideal time to visit the Big Apple. While temperatures can swing significantly (generally, though, highs range from the 50s to 40s), you’ll avoid the bitter cold of winter and can still crunch through leaves as you stroll around Central Park while sipping a warm beverage. 

While Broadway shows — including the still-popular Wicked and special effects-heavy Stranger Things: The First Shadow — are always fun options, November also marks the beginning of Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes. The latest edition of the annual show opens on Nov. 4, 2026.

If you’re sticking around for Thanksgiving, make sure you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is celebrating its 100th event this year. The 2.5-mile parade begins at the intersection of West 77th Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side and ends around Herald Square in Midtown. Your best bet for a spot in the middle of all the action is on 6th Avenue between 59th and 38th Streets.

Or, better yet, book a hotel room that lets you watch all the action from above: The Mandarin Oriental, New York, in Columbus Circle and the New York Hilton Midtown both offer elevated (and chaos-free) rooms with parade views.

Death Valley National Park, Calif. and Nev. 

Go for: great views and even better temperatures. 

Death Valley holds the record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth, which is why this is one hiking location to absolutely skip in the summer. But November brings much milder temperatures (an average high of 77 degrees in parts), making must-dos like watching the sunrise at Dantes View, seeing the vibrant hues of Artists Palette and exploring the sand dunes much more comfortable. 

Take advantage of the pleasant weather by completing the Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch and Badlands hiking trail, a nearly 8-mile-long, 4.5-hour strenuous loop that includes a visit to the Red Cathedral (a red, fluted cliff amphitheater) and a stop at Zabriskie Point, the most popular vantage point in the park. 

While camping is an option in Death Valley, nighttime temperatures average in the 40s. If you prefer a real bed, a roof and a few walls, consider The Oasis at Death Valley, which boasts two hotels: The Inn and The Ranch.

Just note: Recent rainfall has caused road closures in Death Valley, so check the conditions page for access updates and warnings.

St. Augustine, Fla. 

Go for: excellent shopping and a festival to get you into the festive spirit.

Located on the northeast Atlantic coast of Florida, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States. Today, its Spanish-inspired architecture makes it one of the more unique places to visit in a state known for its many beach towns. 

And November is a great time to check it out, as cooler temperatures (think: an average high of 73) make walking around the pedestrian-friendly streets — including the car-free shopping area of St. George Street — far more comfortable than in the humid heat of summer. Get your mix of history and sightseeing by visiting the Castillo de San Marcos, climbing to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse or cycling along the route in Anastasia State Park. 

Travelers visiting in the back half of the month can also enjoy a taste of the holidays: Nov. 21 marks the start of the Nights of Lights, an annual festival in which some 3 million white lights illuminate the city to kick off the Christmas season. The event honors the Spanish tradition of placing a lit white candle in a window; eagle-eyed visitors can also look for the single red light among the millions. Find it somewhere in the Plaza de la Constitución.

Atlanta, Ga. 

Go for: bluegrass music and botanical walks. 

Hotlanta? Not so much in November, when temperatures cool off significantly, with highs generally in the mid-60s. But there’s still much to do. Visitors in town on Nov. 7 can experience the annual “Chomp and Stomp,” a festival in Cabbagetown featuring bluegrass music, an artist market and a highly competitive chili cook-off. 

Seeking fall foliage? Take a stroll around Piedmont Park, a sprawling area in midtown, to view the changing leaves, which typically peak around early November. From Nov. 14, visitors can pop over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which borders Piedmont Park, for its famous light display Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Since this event requires timed tickets, be sure to book ahead.    

If you’re seeking a place to stay near Piedmont Park, try The Starling, a stylish option with a terrace pool and great city views. Or, if you’re looking to splurge on a stay with a spa and fine dining, go for the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. Both hotels are also steps from the High Museum of Art. 

Plymouth, Mass. 

Go for: a seasonal dose of U.S. history. 

Located just 40 miles south of Boston, Plymouth is famous for the 17th-century arrival of the Mayflower, which carried English settlers, the Pilgrims, to the region. 

History buffs can visit Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II (a replica of the original ship) and the historic Burial Hill cemetery. Nature fans can also explore the Myles Standish State Forest in nearby Carver, Mass. Just make sure to dress warmly, as November can be chilly and windy, with highs in the mid-50s.

But anyone visiting Plymouth in November should make sure to do so in time for Nov. 21. That’s the date of Plymouth’s biggest event of the year: a historically accurate chronological parade that takes viewers on a journey through history from the 17th through the 21st centuries. After watching the parade, continue back in time with an immersive culinary event at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. During their dinner theater experiences, which feature performers and history educators, guests enjoy a classic New England meal while learning about the town’s history. 

Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla. 

Go for: an international food and wine festival, plus plenty of holiday celebrations. 

Walt Disney World is a major destination for tourists during the summer months. Visiting in November sometimes means you can avoid long lines (and at least you won’t wait in them while enduring Florida’s sweltering heat and humidity). Just skip the parks during Thanksgiving week, which is one of the busiest times of the entire year. 

This month also features special events happening across different parks. Foodies can still catch the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which features booths with unique, multicultural fare throughout the theme park and runs through Nov. 21. 

Visitors seeking to kick off the Christmas season can do so at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Disney Jollywood Nights, a separately ticketed event that begins on Nov. 7 and runs on select nights. This nighttime holiday party features themed shows, dancing and special character meet-and-greets. And in November, all four Disney World theme parks transform for the holidays, with special decor and lights. You can even ride the “Jingle Cruise” in the Magic Kingdom, when the Jungle Cruise gets a holiday makeover.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas

Go for: incredible fall foliage and outdoorsy hotel stays.

If your idea of a perfect November trip involves excellent fall foliage, you can’t beat Lost Maples, located in Texas Hill Country, about 80 miles northwest of San Antonio. Thanks to its bigtooth maple trees, the park features spectacular colors during peak season, which generally occurs through November. Just make sure to secure a reservation as soon as possible, as leaf lovers rush to this area, which can lead to sold-out day passes. Day-use reservations become available 30 days before a visit.

While the foliage may be the biggest draw of the park, hikers should also check out the East Trail to visit Monkey Rock, a limestone formation that resembles its namesake.

Bed down in one of the two-bedroom log cabins at FoxFire Cabins, about a mile from the park. After a fall day spent sightseeing, there’s no better place to end the night than around a campfire for making s’mores. Or, consider Treehouse Utopia, which has four treehouses built into Bald Cypress trees on the banks of the Sabinal River. 

Napa Valley, Calif. 

Go for: some of the best wine tasting in the country — at a value.

November is an excellent time to visit Napa Valley, home to some of California’s best wineries. You’ll see unique yellow and golden foliage in the vineyards at this time of year, and you might find it’s easier to score wine tasting, restaurant and hotel reservations than during more popular seasons. Plus, you’ll likely score a deal on hotel rooms during this time of year, as November to mid-February tends to offer the lowest rates. 

The mild weather at this time of year (think: mostly sunny days from the 50s to upper 60s) is great for sightseeing by bike too. Take a cycling tour on the Napa Valley Vine Trail, where you’ll pass vineyards and can stop for a pastry at Bouchon Bakery in Yountville. (The line starts early for these baked goods, so plan accordingly!) It’s also a great time for golf enthusiasts, who can enjoy low crowds at popular courses in the area.