Things to Do in United States in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in United States
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Thanksgiving week (November 24-28, 2026) offers genuine cultural immersion - you'll experience America's most authentic family holiday with special menus, parades, and locals actually happy to explain traditions. Hotels outside major cities drop rates 20-30% the week AFTER Thanksgiving.
- Fall foliage peaks in southern states during early November - the Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Hill Country of Texas hit their color peak when northern states are already bare. You're catching the tail end of one of nature's best shows with fewer crowds than October.
- Shoulder season pricing except Thanksgiving week - domestic travelers haven't started holiday shopping trips yet, and international tourism is at yearly lows. Expect 15-25% lower rates on accommodations compared to summer, and shorter lines at major attractions like national parks.
- Comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities across most regions - it's actually the sweet spot for hiking, city walking, and exploring without summer's oppressive heat or winter's bitter cold. The South and Southwest are particularly pleasant, with daytime temps perfect for all-day exploration.
Considerations
- Thanksgiving week (November 24-28, 2026) creates the year's worst travel chaos - airports see 25-30% more passengers, rental cars sell out, and domestic flights cost 40-60% more than the weeks before or after. If you're visiting this week, book flights and cars by August or expect serious sticker shock.
- Daylight hours shrink significantly - sunset hits around 5:00-5:30pm across most of the country by late November, giving you roughly 10 hours of daylight versus summer's 14-15 hours. You'll lose 2-3 hours of sightseeing time per day, and outdoor attractions often close earlier.
- Weather unpredictability in the Midwest and Northeast - November sits in that awkward transition where you might get 18°C (65°F) and sunny one day, then 2°C (35°F) with snow flurries the next. Pack for a 15°C (30°F) temperature swing, which feels excessive but isn't.
Best Activities in November
Great Smoky Mountains hiking and scenic drives
Early November catches the last wave of fall colors at lower elevations in America's most-visited national park. The crowds thin out dramatically after Halloween - you'll actually find parking at Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove before 10am, which is unthinkable in October. Temperatures range 10-18°C (50-65°F), perfect for moderate hiking without overheating. Trails stay open, though some higher elevation roads might close after mid-November depending on early snow.
New York City walking tours and cultural experiences
November in NYC means crisp 10-15°C (50-60°F) days perfect for walking Manhattan without summer's humidity or winter's brutal cold. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 26, 2026) is iconic, but even if you skip it, the city decorates early - Rockefeller Center's tree goes up late November, holiday windows appear, and there's genuine energy. Museums are less crowded than summer, and you can actually enjoy Central Park without dodging tour groups every 10 meters (30 feet).
Route 66 road trips through the Southwest
November offers ideal conditions for driving through Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas - daytime temps hit 18-24°C (65-75°F), nights drop to 5-10°C (40-50°F), and you'll avoid summer's dangerous heat in desert sections. The classic route from Albuquerque to Flagstaff becomes genuinely pleasant instead of a sweaty endurance test. Visibility is excellent, gas stations aren't crowded, and quirky roadside attractions have owners who'll actually chat since business is slow.
San Francisco Bay Area wine country tours
November is crush season's end in Napa and Sonoma - wineries shift from hectic harvest mode to a more relaxed vibe, and you'll catch the last of fall colors in the vineyards. Temperatures run 12-20°C (55-68°F), perfect for outdoor tastings without summer's 35°C (95°F) scorchers. The rain hasn't started in earnest yet (that's December-January), so you'll get mostly clear days. Locals actually prefer visiting wine country in November over the summer tourist crush.
New Orleans food tours and cultural experiences
November brings perfect weather to New Orleans - 18-24°C (65-75°F) days with lower humidity than the oppressive summer months. You can actually walk the French Quarter and Garden District without melting. The city hasn't hit its Mardi Gras chaos yet, so restaurants are bookable, hotels are reasonable, and locals are friendlier. Live music venues in Frenchmen Street are less packed, and you'll find authentic experiences without fighting cruise ship crowds.
Grand Canyon South Rim hiking and viewpoints
November at the Grand Canyon means comfortable 7-15°C (45-60°F) daytime temperatures at the South Rim, perfect for hiking below the rim without the dangerous heat of summer months. You'll encounter maybe 30% of summer's crowds, making sunrise at Mather Point or Yavapai Point actually peaceful. The air is crisp and clear - visibility often exceeds 160 km (100 miles). Snow is possible but rare in early November, becoming more likely after mid-month, which actually makes the canyon stunning if you get lucky.
November Events & Festivals
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - New York City
The iconic parade runs November 26, 2026, from 9am-noon through Manhattan. Giant balloons, Broadway performances, and genuinely impressive floats make this worth experiencing once. Arrive by 6am for decent viewing spots along Central Park West, or watch balloon inflation the night before (November 25, 5-8pm) near the American Museum of Natural History - it's less crowded and more interactive.
Thanksgiving Day itself - nationwide cultural experience
November 27, 2026 is when America essentially shuts down - most businesses, attractions, and restaurants close so families can gather. This creates a unique opportunity if you're invited to someone's home (hotels sometimes arrange guest experiences), or a challenging day if you're not prepared. Major cities have a few restaurants open, usually hotels and Chinese restaurants, but book these weeks ahead. The day AFTER Thanksgiving (Black Friday, November 28) brings massive shopping sales and chaos.