15 Best Places to Visit in November, According to Travel Experts
Make this the year you travel to these top spots in the U.S., Europe and beyond.
If you're on the hunt for a travel deal, November will be your ticket to fun. During the first two to three weeks of the month, prices are low and attractions are usually far less crowded than normal. We even found some flights from New York to Phoenix for under $200 roundtrip — a bargain compared to summer fares. Even airfare to Europe has come back to down to earth, with some roundtrip flights from Chicago to Paris in the $500 range.
Our advice: Secure your PTO, and go, go, go. Our staff members have been traveling all around the world in order to find the best destinations and hotels for GH's annual Family Travel Awards, and they provided a handful of awesome fall-focused picks for this list. We added in some suggestions from travel experts, and, voila, here's a list of 15 budget-friendly vacation spots for November.
Some picks, like Seattle and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are awesome destinations for all ages. Places like Gaylord National Harbor outside of Washington, D.C., will wow the kids in particular. Or ask the grandparents to babysit and take a couples trip. We included a few choices for grownups-only getaways.
It's a lot to take in, for sure, so set aside some time over the weekend to explore the possibilities. A break now may be exactly what you need to get through the holidays.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Temperatures are finally cooling down in Scottsdale, making November a fantastic time to visit this adventure-filled destination. Fall marks the return of sunset horseback rides at the 30,500-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a protected desert habitat that is serious cacti goals.
Besides riding, the preserve rocks for its mountain biking and guided hiking. The Bajada Nature Trail is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly while the Gateway Loop Trail, a 4.4-mile loop, offers a moderately challenging experience for families with tweens. And perhaps coolest of all, hot air balloon rides allow families to see the desert from a different vantage point.
When your crew is ready for some water fun, hop from the city center to Saguaro Lake or the Lower Salt River, for kayaking, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding. Stay at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, which is just wrapping up a huge renovation.
Orlando, Florida
It's your last chance to sample all the incredible eats and drinks at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, running through November 18, 2023, at Walt Disney World.
"My favorite dish is the Spicy Githeri [an African meal with beans and quinoa] at the Refreshment Outpost," says Len Testa, founder of TouringPlans.com. His other must-tries include Pickle Fries with Dill Ranch and Orange-Cardamom Wings. In between bites, head over to the much-anticipated Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, which is scheduled to open at Epcot on October 16, 2023.
For the easiest access to the park, consider staying at a hotel within walking distance. Good Housekeeping faves in that area include Disney's Beach Club Resort and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
One of the last places for leaves to reach peak color, eastern Tennessee will be ablaze in yellow, orange and red in late October and early November. Who's ready for a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for some leaf-peeping?
This time of year, "the Abrams Fall Hike in Cades Cove will be a stunner," says Jeremy Puglisi, co-author of Where Should We Camp Next? National Parks. "The Alum Cave hike would also be better during fall foliage." Puglisi notes that the new campground, Roamstead, is getting a lot of buzz. Located near Gatlinburg, Roamstead offers an array of lodging options, including cabins, yurts and RV sites — plus a heated saltwater pool!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also very close to Dollywood. The theme park's Dollywood HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which has Family Suites with bunk beds, will open this fall.
Seabrook, Washington
The number of families booking a vacation rental to celebrate Thanksgiving has been on the rise. After all, it's tempting to avoid the mess at your house! If you want to jump in on the trend, we found the perfect place: Seabrook, Washington.
This oceanfront coastal community about two and a half hours west of Seattle boasts more than 500 homes — many of them for rent. All of them are walkable to the beach, playground, shops, restaurants and — most important for any Thanksgiving gathering — the grocery store.
All built within the last 20 years (and many much newer), the rentals boast state-of-the-art kitchens and plenty of space for everyone to sleep. Some rentals can fit up to 20 people!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
For a culture-filled Midwestern getaway, look no further than Milwaukee. While the city is known for its cheese curds and beer, it offers way more than that.
"The overall vibe is fantastic," says a Good Housekeeping staff member who recently visited. "Everyone knows Milwaukee for beer but every single cup of coffee I had there was fantastic. The food was really solid all around too." Visitors can dine at prominent spots like Sanford, a critically acclaimed restaurant that features a surprise tasting menu with seven courses.
Also check out ARIA, which is housed on the second floor of the cool and contemporary Saint-Kate: The Arts Hotel, for artisanal Midwest cuisine. Our staffer also stayed at the hotel, which has art exhibits on the first floor. She says, "There were crayons and rolls of butcher paper in our room for drawing, which I thought was a neat touch in an art-themed hotel."
Bangkok, Thailand
With the monsoon season coming to an end, travelers visiting Thailand’s capital can enjoy pleasant weather with less humidity. Comfortable temperatures are key for sightseeing and taste-testing mouth-watering dishes like roti gluay and fried rice from the city’s plentiful street food vendors.
After indulging in delicious, budget-friendly bites, visitors can check out ornate historical sites and religious temples like Wat Phra Sri Rattanasamaram and Wat Arun Ratchawararam to marvel at the impeccable architecture. Shop for premium goods in the city’s buzzing Siam Square with prominent retailers throughout.
Out-of-towners who crave top-notch service tend to stay in luxury hotels like Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or Park Hyatt Bangkok for high-end aesthetics and can’t-miss amenities.
Turks and Caicos
White sand beaches with warm, crystal-clear waters in November are hard to pass up especially when the temperatures at home are plummeting.
That’s why so many from the Midwest and the East Coast flock to Turks and Caicos for a reprieve. A good bet is The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos located on a white sand beach in Grace Bay. You can rent a cute bike and fill its wicker basket with snacks for a picnic. Or learn how to sail from a pro. Of course, the pool vibes are immaculate!
If you've got little ones in tow, the Ritz Kids Club can provide you with a few hours of alone time so you can have a spa treatment, a romantic meal or even just read a good book at the beach. Even better: There are several promotions available for stays in November.
Paris, France
It’s always a good time to visit Paris, but November is one of the best. With fewer crowds due to the upcoming holidays, this month is a wonderful time to take in the city’s wondrous, one-of-a-kind sights and partake in its world-class shopping.
After checking must-see tourist attractions like The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower off your list, venture into less popular territory. Go on a unique cultural experience to discover the rich legacy of Black people in France with Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tour. Explore the lively Little Africa area and learn little-known facts about African, Caribbean and American history in the City of Lights.
Centrally located, the newly renovated Hilton Paris Opera is a fab place to stay.
Seattle, Washington
Fall is in the air at Pike Place Market, a tourist and local favorite with 500+ businesses on the Seattle Waterfront. Pumpkin pie lattes, pear crème brûlée Danish and handcrafted pottery for the Thanksgiving table are among the fall market finds while year-round faves include the famous fish toss and the OG Starbucks location. (Yes, this is where Pike Place Coffee got its name.) For a special dinner, the market also boasts Aerlume, a design-forward, waterfront restaurant with a seasonally focused menu.
Stay at the Thompson Hotel Seattle, which is just a block or so from the market. As a guest, you'll receive priority access to the Nest, a rooftop bar that's extremely popular with locals for fab views and delish cocktails. The Thompson Hotel Seattle is also within walking distance of other iconic attractions, such as the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens and Glass, plus it offers cookies at check-in.
Antigua and Barbuda
Discover what the West Indies has to offer with a visit to Antigua and Barbuda. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, these sister islands are known for their reef-lined beaches, rainforests and first-rate resorts. Vacationers can swim with stingrays, dive, fish, kayak or kite surf.
A Good Housekeeping staffer and her sister recently stayed at Carlisle Bay Antigua and opted for the all-inclusive plan, which includes meals and most activities. "The staff was the real highlight," she says. "They were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating." She also noted that if you're bringing children, the resort has "a wonderful kids' program."
Reykjavík, Iceland
Although “ice” is literally in the name of this Nordic Island nation, it’s not as chilly as one might think. The average high in November is a surprising 40 degrees — that’s balmy if you’re comparing it to Midwest winters. So, remember to pack your bathing suits. In fact, swimming is one of the most popular things to do — even during the winter thanks to heated pools around the city.
Dubbed the Land of Fire and Ice, visitors can admire the beauty of frozen landscapes and of course, try to see the elusive, colorful Northern Lights. Due to its manageable size, it’s easy to chill out and explore on foot. And there’s much to see. With natural wonders like glaciers and ice-capped terrain at every turn, a trek to Iceland is a must.
New York City
The week before Thanksgiving is the sweet spot to visit NYC for the holidays: You can shop at the seasonal markets and marvel over the department store windows when it's still fairly mild (averages are in the upper 50s) and far less crowded than later in the season.
Your must-dos include tickets to see one of the first Christmas Spectacular performances of the season; the Radio City Rockettes kick off on November 17. And the Winter Village in Bryant Park will be in full swing; the shops open on October 27 and starting on November 9, you can even eat in one of the park's cozy igloos. The twinkling walk-through Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden begins on November 17.
Stay at ModernHaus Soho, which is in a great neighborhood for shopping and dining.
National Harbor, Maryland
November 19 marks the return of ICE! to Gaylord National Resort, located in National Harbor just outside of Washington, DC. This year's theme is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and kids will lose their minds over the 20,000-square-foot frozen version!
They'll also love going down the two-story ice slides and traversing ice tunnels and arches (don't worry about the cold — everyone gets a parka when they enter!). Aside from ICE!, National Harbor entertains families with with a fun (and free!) holiday light show every half hour, starting at sunset, plus fireworks every Saturday at 5:30pm; both run from November 11 to December 30.
The destination is also packed with stores (including outlets) for holiday shopping, restaurants, and a giant wheel that the kids will want to take a spin on. One 6-year-old tester who recently visited told us, "This was the best day of my life!"
Charleston, South Carolina
November is a wonderful time to stroll around Charleston — and there are plenty of special events to enjoy.
The Preservation Society of Charleston holds its annual garden and home tours from October 11 to November 4. A citywide literacy festival takes place from November 3 to 12 at various spots around the city. And the famed Farmers' Market runs on Saturdays in November. Highly recommended indoor options include the South Carolina Aquarium and the new International African American Museum.
The historic HarbourView Inn, an indigo cotton warehouse turned boutique hotel, is a fantastic place to stay, especially for couples. They have the only private rooftop in town with 360-degree city views of Charleston’s famed steeple-lined skyline and historic harbor. It's where the hotel hosts a complimentary wine and cheese hour every afternoon, featuring local Southern favorites.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Skiing season kicks off in Jackson Hole in November. After a banner 2022-23 season that brought nearly 600 inches of snow, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort re-opens for its 58th season on November 25.
No matter when you're planning your trip, you should book early. A Good Housekeeping staff member recently stayed at The Virginian Lodge. "The hotel is actually an old motel that was recently renovated, so everything felt fresh and new," she says. "The decor felt very 'lodge meets mid-century modern.'"
For skiers, the hotel boasts a center for gear rental, a shuttle to the slopes and fire pits and hot tubs for your apres-ski enjoyment.
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