Whether you want to be in the middle of some of the world’s most spectacular festivals or embedded deep in tranquil nature, these are some of the best places to visit in November.
November is a month of transition. After recovering from Halloween, you only have a few weeks until the holiday season gets into full swing. It’s the perfect month to catch up on the autumn travel plans you didn’t get to in October or get out of town one last time before the craziness of December.
To help you make your plans, we’ve got some of the best places in the world to book a spontaneous vacation this November.
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New York City
New York is dazzling in November. If you’re lucky, you might still catch some nice weather. (Although New York is unpredictable this time of year, so be sure to check the forecast when packing.)
There are several reasons November is the perfect month to visit Myanmar. Not only is the weather ideal (outside of rainy season and the temperatures range from 70-90°F), but the country comes alive. The Tazaungdine Festival, or Festival of Lights, celebrates the month’s full moon and is a national holiday.
On that day—it changes each year—people gather to set off paper lanterns and take part in robe-weaving competitions. The festivities are particularly lively in Yangon.
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Cayman Islands
Travelers who prefer to escape to tropical environments come November should consider the Cayman islands. From November 2 through November 18, the islands pay homage to their history of pirating with the Pirates Week Festival.
Before descending into the depth of winter, Reykjavik hosts one great hurrah: the Iceland Airwaves festival. The music event has one of the most interesting line-ups out there, with about 240 acts from more than 25 different countries.
This year’s lineup includes acts like Blood Orange, Natalie Prass, and Snail Mail, alongside Icelandic artists. The festival is a great way to get to know the city as downtown venues from record stores to art museums to nightclubs get involved in the action.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston has the tendency to settle into dreamy weather come November. Daytime temperatures tend to stay in the 70s and fall only to about 50 degrees at night. With near-perfect autumnal weather, a November day is a perfect excuse to wander around the Charleston City Market, partake in a Harvest Festival bluegrass jam session, or stop by one of the city’s many food festivals.
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The Bahamas
November is a sweet spot to visit the Bahamas. You will get to experience the country just as hurricane season is winding down but right before tourists bombard the place in December. Temperatures are likely to stay in the high ‘70s without much rain—so plan on spending as much time on the beach as you can.
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Sydney, Australia
Sydney comes alive in November with the bloom of the jacaranda trees. The temperature starts to heat up again but you’ll likely miss the peak of tourist season. But the real reason Aussies get excited about November in Sydney is the Melbourne Cup. If you can get into the country’s most prestigious horse race, you’re guaranteed a treat.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Although the weather cools off by November in the Smoky Mountains, the national park begins to don a new style, which is worth braving colder temperatures to see. The trails are less crowded, which means you might be able to imagine that you have the park entirely to yourself. Plus, if you’re lucky, the leaves will be all shades of gorgeous colors, a meaningful draw for any leaf peepers.