Whether you want to visit the most lively cities with great festivals and events, go somewhere with the most beautiful scenery, or go to a state with the right temperature for you – here is all the information you need!
Here, we will be looking at all the best places in the USA to visit during the chilly month of November. Check out the options below and find the city that best speaks to you!
Let’s start out with an easy choice – New York City. The city that never sleeps is a top destination for millions of people across the world and one of the best things about New York is that there’s always something going on, no matter what time of year you visit.
During November, your visit may coincide with the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which symbolizes the start of the shopping season in the run-up to Christmas.
It’s a huge event with giant character balloons, marching bands, floats, and musical entertainment that can last for hours. If you are not going to be able to make it to New York in time for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, then there are still plenty of amazing reasons to visit the city.
New York is home to dozens of museums and galleries including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Gagosian Gallery.
You can also visit Central Park with its own zoo and dozens of beautiful terraces, or iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or Rockefeller Center. Even in November, there are still a ton of different things to do in New York City!
If visiting bustling cities is not your idea of a vacation, then a great alternative that is near New York City is the Hudson Valley.
The Hudson Valley is one of the most beautiful nature destinations in New York State, with stunning rivers and forestry that stretches for miles.
During November, the scenery becomes a mixture of classic fall colors, making it the best time to visit and appreciate the beauty of the valley. It’s an ideal place to visit if you are looking for scenic fall views and plenty of nature trails to wander around for hours.
But the Hudson Valley also offers more than just rivers and trees. There’s also Sleepy Hollow, the iconic village located on the Hudson River’s east bank, where you can learn more about the haunting stories and folktales the village is well known for.
You can also find plenty of apple orchards where you can pick your own apples, make your own cider, and enjoy a range of traditional fall activities such as pumpkin carving or wandering through corn mazes.
As a National Heritage Area, Hudson Valley is also home to plenty of historical parks and museums you can visit and learn more about the history of this country.
Chicago is another one of the State’s most famous and iconic cities so it makes to swing by if you are visiting during November.
There are a ton of different things to do and sights to see – the Chicago Botanic Garden with its hundreds of acres of beautiful landscape (still alive and bright with color even deep into the fall season), the Art Institute of Chicago that holds centuries worth of art, or visit Chinatown to enjoy some authentic Chinese food.
The main attraction to visit during November is the Kuipers Family Farm. Although you will have just missed the Fall Harvest festival, the Kuipers Family Farm is an ideal place to visit in November if you want to experience all the classic American fall activities.
You can pick out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, drink some homemade apple cider, watch pig races, walk through the corn maze, and visit all the farm animals.
Alternatively, you can go ice skating at Millenium Park, drink quality crafted beer at the Rock Island Public House, or hide from the cold evenings by watching a play at the Steppenwolf Theatre.
Charleston, South Carolina, is easily one of the most vibrant and electric cities in the US and has a ton of rich history and charm that can be seen in its architecture.
It’s easily one of the most beautiful cities for travelers to visit with waterfronts, streets and streets with colorful houses, and beautiful gardens and vegetation.
The city is filled with museums and galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, where you can easily sample the city’s culture again and again.
You can join one of the many city tours which will guide you through the streets, taking you to some of the most important locations in the city.
There’s also great nightlife here with plenty of bars and clubs, and three public beaches nearby where you can enjoy sand and sun even in the middle of November. Overall, Charleston is a great November destination for those who want a lively trip filled with energy and character.
The Mall Of America is the ultimate shopping destination for travelers as it has so much to offer. There Mall features 520 stores of the biggest brands in the States, including 60 restaurants where you can choose from dozens of menus and delicacies.
It’s also a huge entertainment spot with its own theme park, an aquarium, mini and adventure golf courses, escape rooms, and more.
Basically, the Mall Of America is a crazy place where you can easily spend hours upon hours of time shopping, eating, and enjoying the range of entertainment on offer. Malls have become an iconic part of the image of America – so why not visit the biggest one we have to offer?
The Mall is a great location to visit at any time of the year, but why visit in November? Well, November is when most people start their Christmas shopping and want to get the best deals possible.
The Mall Of America is renowned for its amazing Black Friday deals so if you want to get the bulk of your Christmas shopping done, the Mall Of America is the ideal place.
For a destination with exciting nightlife, you can’t get any better than Las Vegas – but many people may struggle with the high temperatures that come with the summer season.
As a result, November is a great time to visit Las Vegas as the days are cooler and more enjoyable for all visitors. All of the city’s best sights and activities are still open and available so you can head to the same casinos, bars, clubs, and shows as you would during the summer.
Whether you stick to the Strip or head to Downtown Las Vegas, you are sure to find plenty of attractions to fill up your time. One of the most amazing attractions in Las Vegas is the range of entertaining shows available.
From comedy shows to tribute acts, Drag Queens to magical illusions, or even a Cirque de Soleil spectacle that is sure to blow your mind – your evenings will never be dull in Las Vegas, not even in November.
Florida is known for its high temperatures and sunshine but if you find that you can’t handle such heat, then November is the perfect time to visit Miami.
Not only is it a much cooler and more comfortable time to visit, but there are still a ton of events and activities for you to participate in. At the start of November, Miami has its annual Grovetoberfest – a festival where the best of Miami’s original craft beer is on for show.
You can check out the amazing light show over the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, visit the Color of the Year exhibit at the ARTECHOUSE art center, and catch the end celebrations of Dia De Los Muertos with food sampling, face painting, performers, and costumes.
So, although temperatures are lower in Florida during November, it’s still a great time to visit the city and enjoy the attractions on offer.
A beautiful city to visit all year round is San Franciso, California, but many people may benefit from visiting the city in November rather than the popular tourist season over the summer.
This is because a lot of the popular attractions of San Francisco are much quieter and easier to visit in November than in the summer, while temperatures remain pleasant and relatively warm.
So, if you ever want to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and take in the amazing views the bridge offers, November is a great time to do it. There are also plenty of other attractions to enjoy during November in San Franciso.
This includes visiting the infamous island prison of Alcatraz, checking out the various cable car bus tours, or heading to the Impossible Zoo where you can virtually pet or interact with legendary creatures like unicorns and dragons.
November is the ideal time to visit California if you prefer light breezes and cooler temperatures that are still warm and pleasant. It’s also a lot safer if you plan on visiting the beach and spending your vacation time relaxing in the sun.
This is because the lower temperatures reduce the chances of you getting heat stroke and you can spend more time comfortably in the sun. As a result, why not check out San Diego this November?
San Diego is well known for its stunning beaches and ocean views, with over 70 miles of shoreline! There are even pet-friendly beaches and nudist beaches so everyone can find the best stretch of sand for them.
This also means that there are plenty of beach and sea activities like surfing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, volleyball, and more.
If you also want fun away from the beach, then San Diego also has a great nightlife with plenty of fun clubs and bars, cool restaurants where you can try a range of different cuisines, and even amusement parks like Belmont Park or SeaWorld!
So, if you want some classic summer fun this November, San Diego has the right amount of sun and warm temperatures that you need!
Salem is an infamous city in Massachusetts, known widely for its Witchcraft Trials of 1692. While this supernatural history makes it a popular destination during October, there are still many reasons to visit the city during November.
Firstly, you still get to enjoy Salem during the fall season but avoid the crowds that pour in during October. By visiting in November, you can enjoy lower prices when it comes to hotel and travel, but still attend all the events and museums available here.
Some of the main attractions of Salem include its Salem Witch Trials Museum where you can pay your respects at the memorial and learn more about this historic chapter in American history.
There is also the House of the Seven Gables (also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, a haunting historic home built on Salem Harbor and is best known for being the setting in the famous 1851 novel of the same name.
Another popular attraction is Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery with its life-size statues of famous horror film characters. Overall, Salem is a great destination in November for those who love all things supernatural and spooky.
One of the biggest events in the Us during November is, of course, Thanksgiving.
As a result, you may want to visit some historic sites and museums related to this important holiday in American history – and one of the best places to go is the Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Massachusetts.
The Plimoth Patuxet Museums are a complex of museums and exhibits all built to replicate the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony. This includes homes, houses, gardens, mills, and more.
There is even a working reproduction of the original Mayflower ship (named the Mayflower II). If you love history and want to learn more about the early origins of modern America and Thanksgiving, the Plimoth Patuxet Museum is the place to go.
However, it’s worth noting that the museum is mainly focused on telling the story of the colonizers and pays very little attention to the side of the native Wampanoag tribe.
Leaf peeping is the name given to the tours and hikes people take purely to enjoy the color of foliage during the fall. This is when the trees turn bright red, amber, yellow, and lime green – and whole forests look as though they are caught ablaze!
A great place to go for late leaf peeping in November is Woodstock, Vermont. Woodstock is a quiet shire town in Vermont that frequently finds a place on lists for the best places to visit in the US.
It’s a quaint and charming little town with plenty of hiking trails and nature walks where you can leaf peep and enjoy the amazing sceneries of the season. Not only that but there are also plenty of other sights to see and places to visit in Woodstock.
Head to Sugarbush farm to sample their award-winning cheeses and syrups, a perfect location for artisans with an appreciation for good, hearty food.
Just a few miles away is the town of Quechee which features the Vermont Institute of Natural Science with a forest canopy walk, live bird programs, and reptile shows.
Woodstock is an ideal destination for leaf peepers and photographers alike as there’s plenty of New England charm in this little town.
Another great leaf peeping destination this November is Asheville in North Carolina. Asheville is the largest city in western North Carolina and can be found just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This gives it great mountain scenery and plenty of forestries that change color in the fall – and it’s the perfect place for hikes and photo opportunities. If you are a more indoorsy type of person, then there’s still plenty of reasons why you should visit Asheville in November.
The city decorates early for Christmas so you get to explore the streets while they are decked out with wreaths and lights, or visit the huge Biltmore estate with its historic mansion and gardens.
There’s also the Asheville Pinball Museum, the Folk Center, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial site. Ultimately, Asheville is the perfect place to visit in November if you want gorgeous scenery and architecture.
It’s better suited for outdoorsy people who love to wander and explore, and a must-visit on any leaf peeper’s list!
Sedona is easily one of the most iconic parts of Arizona but while it may be tempting to visit the beautiful red rock vistas during the summer, visiting in the cooler month of November may be the wiser choice for some.
It’s much easier to hike, cycle, and camp your way around the landscape in the cooler temperatures while still enjoying plenty of sunshine and fine weather.
Not only that but there’s the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival in November which includes bike demos and skill clinics which is perfect for hobbyists and expert mountain bikers alike.
Even if you are not that into mountain biking, you can still attend and enjoy the great food and live music on offer.
Sedona is also home to some clear night skies which are perfect for stargazing, and you can even take the stargazing tour which offers military-grade night vision goggles so you can learn astronomy and even search for UFOs!
Yellowstone National Park is an ideal travel destination for people who love the outdoors, nature, and a lot of peace and quiet. November is one of its least visited months so by visiting at this time, you can enjoy plenty of solitude and escape the hectic crowds of the summer.
Despite this, there are still plenty of things to do at Yellowstone during November. There are plenty of workshops available at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, ranging from photography to fly fishing and cocktail classes.
You can also visit the Yellowstone Hot Springs and enjoy a relaxing soak in its waters, or go wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley for wolves, bison, elk, and deer.
There are also plenty of hiking trails (or skiing and snowshoeing if it happens to snow during this time) where you can have the entire track to yourself due to the low numbers of visitors during this month.
So, nature lovers will have a wonderful, peaceful time at Yellowstone National Park in November.
The most famous canyon in the world is the Grand Canyon, formed by the Colorado River and found in the deserts of Arizona. It’s classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a result, is a popular destination for many travelers.
However, November is one of the best times to visit the Grand Canyon National Park. Why? November falls into what is known as one of the ‘shoulder’ seasons, which bookends the hectic summer months.
During this time, the daytime temperatures are a lot lower and thus, more comfortable for people who are not used to the average summer temperatures of Arizona (which can reach highs of 105 degrees Fahrenheit).
Not only that but the crowds are a lot thinner during the fall season as most people visit the Grand Canyon National Park during the summer – so it’s much more comfortable to walk around and avoid large crowds.
As for things to do, there are plenty of options still open to you in November. You can ride a mule or a train to enjoy the scenic views, or go hiking up one of the numerous trails around the canyon.
There are also options for rafting down the Colorado River or camping out under the stars at night. One main attraction is the Grand Canyon Skywalk – a glass walkway that extends over the canyon itself!
Another great national park in the US to visit in November is the Everglades National Park in Florida. Florida is known for its high temperatures and muggy humidity, making it an uncomfortable place to visit if you are not used to these kinds of conditions.
However, both temperatures and crowds die down in November so it’s one of the optimum months to visit this beautiful area.
The park is known for its dense vegetation that is teeming with wildlife, and you can enjoy all kinds of tours that will show you some of the most vibrant areas of the park.
You can spot many fascinating creatures that call the Everglades their home – turtles, manatees, birds, and alligators! The wildlife is more visible in November so this is the ideal time to go if you have your heart set on spotting as many species as you can!
You can explore the Everglades by foot, by boat, or in your own kayak. It’s an ideal location to visit for exploring but be warned – November is hurricane season in Florida so your visit may be interrupted by poor weather.
For bird-watchers and enthusiasts, November is the prime time to visit areas like New Mexico for a range of reasons.
Not only is the state home to dozens of interesting species of bird, but November happens to be when the Festival of Cranes takes place at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Range in the small town of Socorro.
The Festival of Cranes takes place in November when thousands of cranes and geese arrive following their migration north for the winter. It’s a breathtaking event that is sure to capture the admiration of any bird enthusiast and a rare sight to see anywhere else in the US.
But Socorro also has more to offer if you don’t want to spend your entire visit bird-watching. You can also hike the many trails in the area, tour and search for other wildlife including eagles and coyotes, and visit the many museums and restaurants in town.
November is a very important time in Maui as it’s the start of humpback whale season – meaning that this is one of the best times to visit Maui and hop on a boat to try and catch sight of these magnificent sea mammals.
Unfortunately, November is also the rainy season for Maui but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to spend a few days bathing on golden sands and under swaying palm trees.
The fact that it is the rainy season also means that crowds will be low, accommodation generally is more affordable, and all the main sights and attractions of the island will still be up and running.
As for activities, there are a ton of different things you can do if whale-watching isn’t for you. There are canoe tours, pineapple wine tasting, luaus, turkey trots, and more. Visit local native Hawaiian restaurants, buy locally made native Hawaiian souvenirs, and enjoy the island spirit!
Final Thoughts
Those were 19 amazing places in the US you can visit in November. Although it’s usually a cold and cruel month for many, you don’t have to stay indoors all through November.
There are plenty of great places to see and things to do including whale-watching, leaf peeping, pumpkin picking, ice skating, and more! So, check out the options listed above and pick out the destinations that best appeal to you.
Then, all that’s left to do is start booking your travel and accommodation! Good luck!
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
