When to go · United States
United States in November
Mixed month. Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States
- Prices
- Medium
- United States
Verdict
Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.
Weather in November
- Northeast · New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Mainefine
Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 30 °C+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.
- Southeast and Florida · Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charlestonbest weather
Winter is dry and warm in South Florida; summer brings daily storms and heat; hurricane risk June–November, peak August–October.
- Gulf and Deep South · New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlantabest weather
Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is hot and humid; hurricanes reach the Gulf coast.
- Midwest and Great Lakes · Chicago, Detroit, Minneapoliscool
Hard winters (−15 °C cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.
- Rockies and national parks · Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Denvercool
High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.
- Desert Southwest · Las Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valleybest weather
Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 40–45 °C in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.
- California coast · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surbest weather
Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
- Pacific Northwest · Seattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount Rainierrainy
Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.
- Alaska · Anchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside Passagecool
The visitor season is roughly mid-May to mid-September; winter is for northern lights in Fairbanks.
- Hawaii · Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauaʻifine
Warm all year; winter brings big north-shore surf and more rain on windward coasts.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Veterans Day
11 Nov
Federal offices and banks closed.
Thanksgiving big impact
4th Thursday of November
Busiest travel days of the year; many shops and restaurants close on the day. Black Friday shopping follows.
NYC Marathon
First Sunday of November · New York
Roads close across the boroughs; hotels fill.
Thanksgiving parade
Fourth Thursday of November · New York
Midtown streets close in the morning; many shops close later.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States
- Medium
- Prices · United States
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in November
Rated best or good this month
Southeast and Florida
Best weather of the year (Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charleston)
Gulf and Deep South
Best weather of the year (New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlanta)
Desert Southwest
Best weather of the year (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valley)
California coast
Best weather of the year (San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Sur)
Cool; Thanksgiving and Marathon weekends are crowded.