November can be a great time to travel. The excitement of summer vacation seems long past, and the busyness of the Christmas and New Year season isn’t quite upon us. Also, much of the country becomes a bit dreary during this time of year, causing many to look for a break from grey skies and chilly temperatures. November is a fantastic time to escape the dreary weather that much of North America experiences this time of year.
Algarve
Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region and is an area noted for its beautiful beaches and golf resorts. What was once only tiny fishing villages perched on the cliffside overlooking the sandy shore, the central section between Faro and Lagos is now is a world-class tourist destination with luxury resorts, hotels, more villas than you could count, nightlife, and delicious restaurants.
If you’d like to get away from the hustle and bustle of this area, check out the western coast or the less-developed interior of the region for a look at the real Portugal. The Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a protected region of the coast that also allows you to enjoy untouched nature. Algarve Map
Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs is a city located in the mountains of Colorado’s Yampa Valley. The city is a popular wintertime skiing destination. The mountain views are gorgeous year round, but the world-class skiing is why many travelers come here in November.
Two ski areas are located here, including the Steamboat Ski Resort and Howelsen Hill Ski Area. After a day spent on the slopes, warm up and soak your sore muscles in the city’s geothermal hot springs, which are thought to have therapeutic effects. The Old Town Hot Springs has long been a choice destination and offers swimming pools, hot springs for soaking, and water slides for endless fun. Map
Austin, TX
The state capital of Texas, Austin is a city near the Texas Hill Country. It is known as the home to the University of Texas as well as for its vibrant live music scene. Here you’ll find a rich representation of country, rock, and blues music, and plenty of venues to hear a live band perform.
The city has many wonderful parks and year-round mild weather, giving you plenty of options for outdoor enjoyment whenever you choose to visit. Go for a run at Lady Bird Park, stroll around Zilker Park, or take a dip at the Barton Springs Pool for an enjoyable day outside in Austin. Map
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys is a string of islands that stretch off the tip of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. The Keys are known as a popular place to go snorkeling and scuba diving and there are also plenty of opportunities to go fishing and boating. The southernmost city in the United States, Key West is famous for its raucous nightlife along the many bars of Duval Street and the nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.
Key West was also the home of author Ernest Hemingway, whose home is now preserved as a museum. The average high temperature in November is 80°F, making it a delightful escape from the chilly temperatures in most of the rest of the USA. Map
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation located in the Caribbean and is characterized by lush mountains covered in rainforests and a coastline with many beautiful beaches and a reef just offshore. The country was a British colony and as such still retains vestiges of colonial architecture in its capital. It is also known around the world as the birthplace of reggae music and the home of Bob Marley.
Jamaica gets quite a bit of rain year round, but November is one of their drier months; hurricane season is also starting to taper off and the island is not yet experiencing the holiday rush that comes in December, making it a popular time of year to visit. Map
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is a large park in Southern California known for its rugged and stark landscape with rock formations, deserts, and its namesake, the twisted Joshua Trees.
The park occupies parts of both the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, birdwatching, rock climbing, stargazing, and nature photography are all popular activities here. Visiting in late fall means that you will avoid the harsh summer temperatures and can enjoy the soft autumn light, which makes for especially beautiful photographs. There are also several festivals that happen nearby in October and November, which draw many visitors to the area. Map
74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Phone: 760-367-5500
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a massive city in Southern California. Perhaps most famous around the world as the home of the country’s film and television industry, the city is home to several recording studios, many of which offer tours, as well as the iconic Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame honoring many of the country’s most revered stars.
However, the city isn’t just glitz and glamour. Disneyland is a popular reason for family travelers to flock to the city, as is the Santa Monica Pier, which offers rides and numerous places to grab a bite to eat. There’s so much more to do in this huge city that you’re sure to find something for every type of traveler. It’s warm year-round, so November is a great time to visit.
Malta
Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean. Set between Sicily and the coast of North Africa, the nation is known for its historic sites. Throughout history, Malta was ruled by many different groups, giving it a varied history and interesting architecture.
There are numerous large fortresses, interesting temples, and remnants from ancient history such as the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground burial complex that is thought to have been constructed around 4000 B.C. The coast is beautiful and scuba diving is nice in this area. The weather in November is mild but can be a bit cool at times, meaning that you may find a good deal on hotels. Map, Video
Memphis
Memphis is a city in southwestern Tennessee set on the banks of the Mississippi River. The city is most famous as the home for the different strains of blues, soul, and rock n’ roll music that had their start here. Musicians such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and B.B. King all recorded albums at Sun Studio, which has now been turned into a museum.
Elvis Presley’s impressive Graceland mansion is also popular among Elvis fans and music lovers of all sorts. Other attractions include the Beale Street Historic District, known for its nightlife, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Blues Hall of Fame. Memphis Map
Oahu
Oahu is one of the islands that make up the US state of Hawaii. The island is home to the state’s capital city, Honolulu, as well as the iconic stretch of beach known as Waikiki. Just to the west of the capital is Pearl Harbor, which was the site of the 1941 bombing attack during World War II.
The USS Arizona Memorial is also located here. Other attractions include a range of dining and nightlife options, a nice historic Chinatown, and the Diamond Head crater. November falls in the shoulder season which means comfortable daily temperatures but less crowds than during the summer months.
Plymouth, MA
Plymouth is set just south of Boston on the Massachusetts coast. The city is famously the location of the first Pilgrim settlement, which was established in 1620. A large boulder known as Plymouth Rock is located in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park and marks the location where it is thought that the pilgrims first landed in what is now the United States.
A full-sized replica of the original Mayflower known as the Mayflower II is typically anchored here at the park. Plimoth Plantation located nearby is a re-created village that depicts how the Pilgrims may have lived in the 1620s. Map
San Diego
San Diego is a city set on California’s Pacific coastline and is known for its beautiful beaches, fun-filled parks, and year-round warm weather. The San Diego Zoo inside the immense green space of Balboa Park is a popular family attraction, as is SeaWorld San Diego.
For beach lovers, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Silver Strand State Beach are all nice places to spend a day in the sand while Coronado Beach with its grand, circa 1888 resort offers visitors a chance to imagine what the city was like more than a century ago. Weather is nice year round, making San Diego a great vacation destination for your November travels.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the capital city of the US state of New Mexico. The city sits in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is known around the country and the world as a haven for creative arts. The unique Pueblo-style architecture makes the city an enjoyable one to have a stroll in and take in the picturesque sights.
The historic district houses a number of interesting sites, including the New Mexico History Museum, which occupies the Palace of Governors, and the Loretto Chapel with its legendary staircase. The weather is cool in November and much less busy than during the summer months, making it an ideal time to visit and perhaps get a good hotel deal.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is an oceanfront town on the coast just west of downtown L.A. The town’s most iconic landmark is the Santa Monica Pier, which features rides and numerous dining establishments. The beach is sandy and while it can be busy, offers mountain views and is a nice place to spend the day. Family visitors love Pacific Park Amusement Park as well as the Hippodrome Carousel and the aquarium at the pier.
Muscle Beach is just nearby, which is just as popular with gawkers and onlookers as it is with exercise enthusiasts. The reasonably warm weather in November makes it a popular place to visit when the temperatures are icy in the rest of the country, although the water may be too cold for swimming. Map
Taos
Taos is a northern New Mexico town set in the high desert near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The town is most famous for its unique architecture consisting of historical adobe buildings such as the famous Taos Pueblo.
Taos Pueblo was a multistory residence constructed from adobe that housed Native Americans for many years. The city has long had a strong tradition in the arts, with many museums and galleries displaying art from the region with the Taos Art Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art standing out as great places to start. Many come to ski in the winter time, making November a great time to come visit if you enjoy the powder. Map
