The Best U.S. Cities to Visit This November

Wondering where to go in November? Whether you crave ocean views; stunning displays of red, orange and yellow leaves; or retail therapy, you’ll find a destination that has exactly what you’re looking for on our list of the best places to visit in November in the U.S.

Go west to Los Angeles for cutting-edge culture, beaches and Hollywood stars

You can search for celebrities and tour the coast in the near-perfect November L.A. weather.

For near perfect November weather, people-watching and Instagram-worthy beachside eats, head to the L.A. coast and make your way along the 19-mile stretch from Malibu to Santa Monica Pier, where you can ride an oceanside Ferris wheel at Pacific Park. Or grab a traditional Angeleno street taco, and then work it off with a bike ride south down The Strand, a 22-mile beach path. A short drive down Santa Monica Boulevard will bring you to Beverly Hills, where you can watch for celebrities on the famed Rodeo Drive. For more classic celebrity sightseeing, check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just a couple miles west of the happening restaurants and nightlife of the historic Sunset Strip.

Choice Hotels near Los Angeles, CA: 53

For awesome natural beauty, explore Mammoth Lakes, California

The late-fall activities of Mammoth Lakes prove you can still enjoy the water long after summer fades.

Looking for cool weather, nature and adventure? The still-golden leaves of late fall in the Eastern Sierra provide a colorful backdrop for horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking or floating on a lake. It’s also less crowded and more affordable in the later months of the year. Just remember to check the weather and wear an extra layer or two. Plus, Mammoth Lakes has some of the best trout fishing in the world! The official ski season also begins every November atop Mammoth Mountain.

Choice Hotels near Mammoth Lakes, CA: 2

Visit Houston, Texas for diverse dining and spectacular museums

November temperatures and plenty of sun make Houston one of the most walkable cities in the U.S.

America’s fourth-largest metropolis, Houston is one of the best places to visit in November, when the weather is crisp and sunny in this highly walkable city. Fans of the arts and science can wander the Museum District (there are 19, including a children’s museum) and then fuel up with local comfort food at The French Fry House. For late-night eats, try True Dog—people say they have the best hot dogs in town. Then, check out Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and Houston’s number one attraction.

Choice Hotels near Houston, TX: 65

Enjoy golf, shopping and sunshine in Scottsdale, Arizona

The difference between climates in Scottsdale’s desert and mountain areas will please late fall golfers and hikers alike.

Whether you seek boutiques, desert-themed art or a round at one of the 50 golf courses in the area, this Sonoran Desert city is one of the best places to travel in November, with temperatures cool in the mountains and warm in the desert. Tee off at Grayhawk Golf Club, a 36-hole public course with stunning views at every turn. Adventurists should check out the rock climbing at McDowell Sonoran Preserve, plus more than 200 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to be explored.

Choice Hotels near Scottsdale, AZ: 65

Experience Chesapeake culture, brewing and watersports in Salisbury, Maryland

Known for its numerous waterways and boating culture, Salisbury is also a great place for you and your friends to grab a local craft beer.

With dozens of waterways surrounding the city, including the Wicomico River downtown, this is nirvana for fishing, boating or kayaking from the launch pad at the Port of Salisbury Marina. Expect great local breweries like the Evolution Craft Brewing & Public House, which serves brews and grub, and Tall Tales Brewing, which offers an outdoor garden.

Choice Hotels near Salisbury, MD: 4

Jump-start your holiday in Orlando, Florida

Discover sharks, sea turtles and jellyfish at the Sea Life Aquarium in Orlando.

Kids of all ages will find indoor and outdoor entertainment in the city Disney built. Visiting Disney during November gets you early access to holiday special events, like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom and the International Festival of the Holidays in Epcot. Orlando is also the epicenter of Florida golf and home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA tour. Other things to do besides Disney include walking around Lake Eola Park in the heart of downtown, visiting the Sea Life Aquarium or blasting off at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, which is celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.

Choice Hotels near Orlando, FL: 42

Revel in music, barbecue and history in Memphis, Tennessee

Music, history and great food combine for fun in Memphis, a lively destination for groups, families and couples.

This historical U.S. city is a lively destination for family, pals or a romantic getaway. Graceland, Elvis Presley ’s former estate, is worthy of bucket lists, but other great landmarks await like the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Sip suds at Wiseacre Brewing Co. in the burgeoning Broad Avenue Arts District, hit The Cove for live bands and devour famous ribs at The Rendezvous.

Choice Hotels near Memphis, TN: 31

Visit Harrisonburg, Virginia, for fall foliage, scenic vistas and apple-picking

A variety of performing arts venues in Harrisonburg provides you with numerous opportunities to see plays, classic films and live music.

Harrisonburg is one of the best places to visit in November in the U.S., especially for the beautiful fall foliage and the Blue Ridge Mountains, an iconic slice of the American landscape. Take a scenic boat or train ride, or visit the local farms for apple-picking and cider-tasting. You can even catch a show at one of the city’s performing arts venues—this can include touring the student productions at James Madison University’s Forbes Center, film and community theater at the Court Square Theater, and enjoying live music at Clementine Café.

Choice Hotels near Harrisonburg, VA: 9

Discover a hidden swimming spot in Durham, North Carolina

At Eno River State Park in Durham, you can hike trails, explore historic mills sites and even discover a swimming hole with a rope swing.

This post-industrial town is gaining notice for its hip local music and restaurant scene—visit Luna for Latin-Southern cuisine, Arcana Bar and Lounge for cocktails and live music, and the Blue Note Grill for blues. There’s also majestic Duke University Chapel (stop at nearby Cocoa Cinnamon, Durham’s favorite coffee shop) and Duke Gardens. Whatever you do in Durham, don’t miss Eno River State Park, where you can take the plunge off a rope swing at the secluded swimming spot, Turtle Hole.

Choice Hotels near Durham, NC: 9

Savor art, music and good eats in Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston’s state capital is a mountain oasis with art galleries, concerts and local cafés.

The state capital is one of the best places to visit in November in the U.S. It’s welcoming and walkable with pretty parks so visitors can easily find hip art galleries, boutiques and independent cafés like Bluegrass Kitchen, with farm-to-table fare and live jazz. Kids adore the Clay Center for the Arts, and make sure to check out the weekly free concert at the Haddad Riverfront Park.

Choice Hotels near Charleston, WV: 6

Head to Naples, Florida, for white beaches, pristine golf courses and Mediterranean mansions

You can find unique restaurants and shopping on a breezy walk downtown, just one of the highlights of Naples in the fall.

Called Florida’s Paradise Coast, this city on the Gulf of Mexico is known for golfing and shopping. Golfers should head for Hibiscus Golf Club, a great public course that won’t break your bank. Shoppers can explore the streets of downtown, which are lined with eclectic restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

Choice Hotels near Naples, FL: 2

Elevate your outdoor adventure in Manchester, New Hampshire

A short drive east from Manchester, New Hampshire, is the historic seaport of Portsmouth, where you can admire riverside gardens and colonial architecture.

From climbing scenic mountains to surfing the coast, anticipate endless adventures in the Granite State, one of the best places to visit in November in the U.S. Take the Auto Road to the summit of Mount Washington or hop a train to ogle the famous foliage at its peak. Visit the homes of Robert Frost and E. E. Cummings, then hit the beach town of Portsmouth to enjoy lobster rolls and admire colonial architecture.

Choice Hotels near Manchester, NH: 2