20 Best Places in the World to Visit in November, According to Travel Experts
Couples, solo vacationers, and families should check out these warm and cheap places in the U.S., Europe and beyond.
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If you're looking for a solid travel deal, November will be your ticket to fun. During the first two weeks of the month, prices plummet and crowds thin out. We searched flight prices and turned up lots of deals, including airfare from LA to New York for less than $250 roundtrip. Even airfare to Europe has come back to down, with some roundtrip flights from New York to Rome under $500. That's half or even a third of summer rates!
In other words, secure that PTO and buy your budget-friendly tickets ASAP. Our Good Housekeeping staffers have been exploring resorts, destinations, and attractions for Good Housekeeping's 2025 Family Travel Awards both here in the USA and abroad. Our travel team passed along their fall faves, and then we tossed in suggestions from travel experts to create this list of 20 vacation spots for November.
They've come up with something for everyone, including a wellness-inspired retreat, a scenic road trip for last-minute leaf-peeping, the perfect location for a Thanksgiving family gathering, a romantic long weekend spot or a place ideal for a warm-weather beach trip with the kids.
It's a lot to consider, so carve out time over the weekend to explore the possibilities. A getaway now may be just what you need to make it through the hectic holiday season.
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.
Lānaʻi, Hawaii
Cleanse your mind and body before the holidays at the Sensei Lānaʻi, a Four Seasons Resort. This wellness-focused gem is holding its Hiking Retreat from November 7-12. Participants will traverse Lānaʻi’s lush landscapes led by a guide that will share the Hawaiian island’s history and culture.
That's in addition to hikes on your own plus participation in the resort's exceptional wellness program. Just picture yourself doing restorative aerial yoga, taking a sound bath and getting pampered in the spa. If you can't swing these dates, the resort's Palm Springs, California, location is hosting a hiking retreat in 2025.
Nashville, Tennessee
Can't score tickets to the Eras Tour this fall? Same. The next best thing: Take a Swift-cation in Nashville for the price the resellers are asking for a single seat! The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has a friendship bracelet installation, some of Swift's costumes on display, a replica Eras Tour bus plus the official Taylor Swift Education Center with programming for kids and families.
Swifties may want tickets to a show featuring up-and-coming artists at Bluebird Cafe, where Tay Tay performed when she was just 14 and made a surprise appearance at in 2018. Music fans should also check out the lineup at the Grand Ole Opry. "My Swiftie loved the show, which included several acts," said a Good Housekeeping editor.
For a budget-friendly place to stay near vinyl record shops, thrift stores and non-chain coffee spots (basically the Swiftie love language), zero in on the city's East Nashville neighborhood. Waymore's, a boutique hotel with a breakfast so good that it draws locals, offer a number of room configurations that work especially well for families traveling with teens or young adults. It even has bunk-bed rooms that sleep 4 and connect to a king room. After all, the more Swifties, the merrier!
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 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, recently opened. The family-friendly Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is another place to stay in the area.
Turks & Caicos
Hello sunshine and Sesame Street! Beaches Turks & Caicos, where kids can hang with the Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the gang, is the all-inclusive vacation dream for under 12-crowd (and their parents). Families can sign up for activities together (like the pictured yoga sess on the beach) or enroll their kids in the complimentary club, where they'll meet the characters, learn the "letter of the day," and chill on mini plush loungers at their own pool.
While they're having fun, you can plop on a plush lounger of your own at glorious Grace Bay beach, have a peaceful breakfast at one of the many restaurants or get a spa treatment. "We met so many repeat guests who said it was their best vacation experience with the kids," said a Good Housekeeping editor who visited recently.
Orlando, Florida
It's your last chance to sample all the incredible eats and drinks at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, running from August 29 to November 23, 2024, at Walt Disney World.
"My favorite dish last year was 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 newly-opened Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
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. If you're interested in a Disney villa, you can usually score a good deal through David's Vacation Club Rentals.
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."
London, England
Experience British Christmas magic! London's Oxford Street (shown) is glimmering with lights and decorations in November. “Thanksgiving in America is the perfect time to visit London," says Renee Olson, a Fora travel advisor. "Unlike Christmas, New Year's Eve or summer break, there's low competition so it feels like you have the place to yourself." Pack light because there are 96 stores on Oxford Street alone — and you'll want to treat yourself or pick up holiday gifts. Stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Bond Street to be in the heart of all the holiday action.
Houston, Texas
With 150 museums and a burgeoning food scene, Houston is establishing itself as the place to go for a long weekend getaway. Be among the first guests to stay at the Hotel Saint Augustine, which is slated to open in November in the city's museum district. The boutique property features a circular courtyard pool. lobby bar, listening room — and much to the delight of foodies — restaurant helmed by one of Houston's most beloved chefs.
Paris, France
If the recent Summer Olympics cemented the fact that you must visit Paris, plan a trip for November when it's really gold-medal worthy thanks to sparse crowds at popular attractions like The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. But be sure to consider into lesser-known experiences as well. On Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tour, you can 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.
To save money on airfare, look into budget-friendly carrier French Bee, which flies from New York, LA, San Francisco and Miami to Paris, utilizing the city's closer and less crowded Orly airport. We found some November fares for the New York to Paris route starting at less than $400 roundtrip. Mais oui!
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 8. The Winter Village in Bryant Park typically opens in October.
Take in a Broadway show — Wicked will be a hot ticket with the movie version expected to be released around Thanksgiving. For adults, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is an entertaining and immersive experience. Have a pre-show dinner at The Alderman—the vibe is fantastic and the food is some of the best in Times Square.
For more great food in the lively Seaport neighborhood — and a chance to buy gifts for your friends who love to cook — visit the Tin Building Food Hall by Jean-Georges. Pick up one of the best sammies of your life at the market or have a relaxing lunch at T.Brasserie — the burger is the bomb!
Stay at a recently renovated hotel in the heart of Midtown: The Royal Sonesta Benjamin New York is well-known for its fantastic pillow selection and owl mascot!
New Orleans, Lousiaina
Let the good times roll on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. The fun cruise ship sails from roundtrip from NOLA to the Western Caribbean on week-long voyages starting in November. Fora Travel Advisor Gillian Spatz recommends staying a few extra nights in New Orleans before or after the cruise. "In November, holiday lights and decorations start popping up in the French Quarter and around town," she says. "Plus, November weather is perfect, usually ranging from the low 50s to low 70s. You can explore without breaking a sweat!" In New Orleans, stay at the historic Vovo St. James Hotel in the French Quarter, which has a dipping pool, courtyard and restaurants.
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National Harbor, Maryland
November 15 marks the return of ICE! to Gaylord National Resort, located in National Harbor just outside of Washington, DC. This year's theme is A Charlie Brown Christmas 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 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 9 to November 2. A citywide literacy festival takes place from November 1 to 10 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 an above-average 2023-24 season that brought about 360 inches of snow, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort re-opens for its 59th season on November 29. Earlier this year, Good Housekeeping named it one of the 10 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. and Canada.
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.
Barcelona, Spain
You'll fall in love with Barcelona in November. Bring a light jacket as you explore the splendid Park Güell and its gingerbread-like house, tapas restaurants, food markets, Picasso museum and other can't-miss sites. "Barcelona's Mediterranean climate makes it perfect for a day on a boat or wine tasting in the nearby Alella, with long tapas dinners outside," says Renee Olson, a Fora Travel Advisor. She adds that Christmas Markets in most European cities are up by mid-November. The Hyatt boasts two fantastic places to stay in the city — the new Grand Hyatt Barcelona in the heart of downtown and the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, which is ideal for families who need more space. It offers family rooms, several restaurants and is just a short taxi ride to the popular tourist attractions.
Karen is a seasoned journalist who specializes in travel, book, lifestyle and food coverage. Cicero has visited almost every state with her family (look out Wyoming, she’s coming for you next!). She has spoken at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA and the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance and was previously the senior editor at Parents. A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, Cicero lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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