November is my sweet spot. Prices dip. Crowds thin out. The air feels new. I plan two weeks most years, toss a light jacket in my bag, and chase cozy weather and good food.
If you’re just window-shopping destinations, I pulled together an at-a-glance roundup of these and a few bonus picks—peek at the list whenever wanderlust strikes. You can also scan this curated gallery of the best holiday destinations in November for even more ideas.
For a handy way to bookmark all these November gems, I’ve plotted them on AddThisMark so you can spin the globe and pick.
Kyoto, Japan — red leaves and quiet mornings
I went for the maple trees and stayed for the calm. In Arashiyama, the bamboo groaned in the wind, and the hills burned red and gold. I woke before sunrise for Fushimi Inari. Fox shrines glowed, and the steps felt endless, but worth it.
- What I loved: warm tea from a vending machine; moss gardens at Saihō-ji; crispy katsu after long walks.
- What bugged me: midday crowds at Kiyomizu-dera. Go early or late.
Pack layers. You’ll sweat on the climbs and chill at night. It’s a good kind of tired.
Oaxaca, Mexico — color, candles, and pan de muerto
I landed right after Day of the Dead. The marigolds still lined the streets, and the air smelled like bread and copal. I joined a small family tour in Xoxocotlán. We brought flowers. We listened. We didn’t treat it like a set for photos, which mattered.
I ate memelas at a street stall so good I nearly cried. Then I bought too much mole paste and had to shuffle it between bags, which was funny later. Not then.
South Island, New Zealand — spring energy, big views
November is spring there. Everything pops. In Queenstown I hiked the Ben Lomond track. My legs were jelly, but that ridge? Wow. Milford Sound gave me rain, which made more waterfalls than I could count. I still got sandflies on my ankles. They are tiny, and they are bold.
- Good to know: daylight runs long; roads twist; sheep stare.
- Bring: a rain shell and snack bars. You’ll use both.
Jordan — Petra’s stone and Wadi Rum’s stars
Petra in November felt kind. Cool enough to climb, warm enough to sit and stare. I took the back trail to the Monastery, and a goat tried to eat my map. Fair play. At night in Wadi Rum, the sky looked like spilled sugar. I slept in a Bedouin camp, sipped sweet tea, and felt very small, in a good way.
One catch: the steps in Petra add up. My calves complained for two days. Worth it.
Marrakech and the Atlas — spice, noise, and fresh mountain air
I love the shock of it. The souks hum. The colors shout. Then, two hours away, you’re in the Atlas, where the light gets clean and sharp. I took a day trip to Imlil and hiked a gentle path. My guide poured mint tea like a small ceremony.
I haggled for a rug and lost. Or maybe I won. Hard to say. Either way, my living room looks great.
Bavaria, Germany — first sips of the season
Late November, the Christmas markets switch on. I split my time between Munich and Nuremberg. I burned my tongue on glühwein, and I didn’t even mind. The stalls sold nuts that snapped and gingerbread that stuck to my fingers. Cold? Yes. Cozy? Also yes.
Tip: markets open on different dates. I learned that the hard way in Rothenburg and had to settle for a bakery—and a slice of apple cake that still haunts me.
Stateside wine lovers, swap the steins for stemware—my spin through Paso Robles wineries might help you map a mellow fall tasting route.
Chiang Mai, Thailand — lanterns and gentle heat
I timed my visit around Yi Peng and Loy Krathong. The river glittered with little boats of flowers. In the old city, the air hummed. I ate mango sticky rice in a paper boat and took it slow—crowds swell fast that week.
One more thing: be mindful with lanterns. Some events control releases for safety. I paid for a managed spot. It felt right.
Iceland — dark skies, green lights
November gave me the aurora on my second night, just off the Ring Road near Vik. It waved like a curtain. I also learned that roads can ice in a blink. I booked a small group tour for the south coast, which kept me warm and less stressed.
Daylight is short. Plan like a Tetris game: one big sight, one hot soup, one hot pool. That rhythm works.
When solo nights stretch longer than daylight hours, I sometimes look for a friendly local to share a meal or show me a tucked-away bar; in those moments I open up PlanCul—the location-based filters make it easy to arrange a no-strings meetup that adds a spontaneous social spark to the trip.
If sub-zero winds aren’t your jam, flip the compass and chase sunburns instead—I ranked the very best beaches on Oahu after, yes, scorching my nose twice; skim the sand-by-sand breakdown right here.
Tenerife, Canary Islands — blue water, easy sun
I wanted warmth without a long haul from Europe. Tenerife came through. I drove up to Teide and felt like I’d landed on Mars. Then I had grilled octopus by the beach and napped. Simple day. Perfect day.
It’s busy by the water, quieter in the hills. I liked that split.
Craving a different kind of island hop? I once put every major Hawaiian island through its paces—here’s the candid verdict if you’re weighing aloha over Atlantic.
Zion National Park, USA — bold rocks, cool air
November turns Zion soft and clear. I did Angel’s Landing with a permit and knees that shook. The chains help. So does not looking down too much. The Narrows were cold, but a dry suit rental kept the fun high and the shivers low.
Rule of thumb: start early; bring snacks; don’t fight the wind, just walk with it.
A tiny wildcard: New York City for the parade
I snuck in one year for the Macy’s balloons. My toes went numb, and the cocoa saved me. I booked a room near Central Park South, watched the start, and ducked out before the crush. Then I ate a bagel the size of my face. Chaos, but happy chaos.
Planning a celebratory getaway? I road-tested a bunch of bachelorette-party hotspots—this rundown spills the wins and the eye-roll moments.
If your East Coast adventure includes a Dulles layover or a detour into Northern Virginia’s tech corridor, scoping the nightlife can feel like flying blind; a quick browse through Erotic Monkey Herndon delivers crowd-sourced ratings and no-nonsense reviews so you can separate the worthwhile spots from the time-wasters before you head out.
Quick packing notes I wish I’d had
- Wear layers. November swings.
- Good shoes beat cute shoes. Your feet vote.
- A small thermos changes a cold day.
- Offline maps save battery and nerves.
You know what? November keeps me curious. It’s shoulder season, sure, but it feels like open season for small joys—steam on a cup, crunch under boots, a long view after a short climb. When I'm torn between several itineraries, this no-nonsense list of the best places to travel in November gives me a quick gut check. If you’ve got a week, pick one place. If you’ve got two, stitch two spots together with a cheap regional flight. Either way, leave a little space in the plan. That’s where the best bits sneak in.