Top 3 Best US Winter Sun Destinations in November

The fall can be a great time to travel. After the busy summer season, you can get lower prices and avoid large crowds. If you want to spend November in the warmer parts of the US, here are a few options.

These are the results from our survey where we asked our visitors for the top 3 best North American winter sun destinations in November.

San Antonio, Texas is the best US winter sun destination in November. The month begins with Dia De Muertos celebrations and ends with holiday lights along the River Walk. Key West, Florida hosts the Key West Film Festival every November, and there are not many crowds in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Read on to learn more about November in San Antonio, Key West, and Santa Fe.

1.   San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a great place to visit in November. Located in the southern part of Texas, there is so much to do in this vibrant city!

The diversity in San Antonio represents the melting pot that is America. You will be able to see the Mexican, German, Irish, and native Tejano influences throughout the city. Originally a part of Mexico, the Mexican influence seen throughout Texas is apparent in the city.

Fall is a beautiful time to visit San Antonio. By November the summer crowds are long gone, although the weekend of Thanksgiving can mean heavier crowds. On average, the temperature is between 49°F and 71°F, with less than 3 inches of rainfall all November.

Día De Muertos

Early November is Día de Muertos, a Mexican holiday that celebrates all of your family members who have passed. Día de Muertos is a very important holiday in San Antonio. The day is marked with colorful, floral decorations and lots of candles.

Every year, there are a variety of activities throughout the city as well as a large parade. If you don’t know much about Mexican culture, this is a great insight into the customs and culture.

The River Walk

The River Walk is one of the crown jewels of San Antonio. The walk is located along a fifteen-mile waterway

As you walk along the banks, there are lots of shops and restaurants to stop into. Enjoy a sit-down meal, or ice cream to go.  If you don’t want to walk, you can also take the barge down the river for a small fee.

The Walk has ADA-accessible paths as well to accommodate all guests. There are always changing events throughout the year at the River Walk, so keep an eye out for celebrations during your trip.

The River Walk is decorated with holiday lights after Thanksgiving, so if you visit later in the month you will get a truly magical experience.

Experiences

Whether you are spending a week or several months in San Antonio, you will never be bored! The city has a wide variety of activities and experiences for every interest. 

If you are spending time in San Antonio, you should take advantage of CityPass. The program allows you to purchase a ticket for admission to four different local attractions for a discounted price. It is a great way to get the most out of your visit for less!

San Antonio is home to a wide variety of museums that cover a wide variety of topics including:

• Briscoe Western Art Museum
• Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
• McNay Art Museum
• San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum
• San Antonio Fire Museum
• San Antonio Museum of Art
• Texas Air Museum
• Texas Transportation Museum
• The Texas Ranger Museum
• The Witte Museum
• US Army Medical Department Museum
• UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures

San Antonio has a vibrant art scene. In addition to the art museums, public sculptures, and murals can be seen all around the city. Stop by a glass-blowing studio to watch the masters work, or take a painting class.

SEA LIFE San Antonio is a new, state-of-the-art aquarium. Its claim to fame is a long ocean tunnel that allows you to walk through the bottom of ten different exhibits. Being completely surrounded by the water and watching fish swim above you is an unforgettable experience.

The San Antonio Zoo is another great place to spend a day. You can explore on your own, or select VIP experiences that let you interact with the animals. In the last week or two of November, the Zoo Lights event begins. After dark, thousands of light decorations and sculptures are on display.

Enjoy the performing arts at one of the many theatres around town, or catch a show at an outdoor amphitheater.

You can’t visit San Antonio without stopping by the Alamo. The site of a historic thirteen-day battle for Texas’ independence from Mexico, the fort is open for educational tours.

Nature

You cannot visit San Antonio without taking a stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden. The garden was built on an old quarry over 100 years ago and is a beautiful place to find tranquility in the middle of a bustling city. With koi ponds, waterfalls, and beautiful greenery, you can spend hours taking in every little detail. The Tea Garden is free for all to enjoy.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is another beautiful spot to enjoy nature. The garden is 38 acres and includes a lake, conservatory, and walking trails. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop on the property. Different events and exhibits cycle through during the year, so be sure to check out the current offerings.

The Natural Bridge Caverns is another landmark that I wouldn’t miss. There are a variety of guided tours to choose from, depending on how long you have and how adventurous you are feeling.

Culinary Scene

San Antonio is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, a rare designation for cities that have contributed to culinary innovation around the world. The city offers world-class dining as well as new experimental restaurants. It is also home to 5 of the 200 Michelin-Star restaurants in the United States. No matter what you are in the mood for, you can find it in San Antonio!

2.   Key West, Florida

Key West is as south as you can go in the continental United States, at the end of the chain of islands off the tip of Florida. With an average low of 71°F in November, you can leave your winter coats at home to explore this paradise on the water.

Key West Film Festival

The award-winning Key West Film Festival is held every November, and it is not to be missed! The mixture of popular movies, international films, and Florida-focused flicks provides a wide variety of options.

Panels with movie critics and writers as well as talks from movie experts provide an experience far beyond what you find at your local movie theatre. Check their website for a list of the featured movies each year.

On the Water

Warm waters year-round make Key West the perfect destination for all things water. Key West is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on the west, and the Florida Strait on the east.

One of the most popular activities in Key West is fishing, and it is a great place to catch many different types, including:

• Bonefish
• Marlin (blue and white)
• Permit
• Redfish
• Sailfish
• Snook
• Swordfish
• Tarpon

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Key West Marine Park are home to some beautiful coral reefs, which you can view by snorkeling or scuba diving. There is no experience required for snorkeling in the shallow reefs.

If you want to enjoy the water without getting in it, you will appreciate the many boating opportunities available. From sunset cruises to floating tiki bars, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The waters around Key West are also a popular spot for boat races, which are often open for the public to watch.

It’s unsurprising that a city built on the water features a lot of seafood in its local cuisine. Shrimp, snapper, and stone crabs are highlighted in many popular dishes.

3.   Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is a city for lifelong learners and art enthusiasts. The capital of New Mexico is a wonderful place to visit in November when crowds are low but there is still so much to do. In the fall, temperatures reach the low to mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but it does get cool at night.

Lifelong Learning

There are always classes happening around the city. Take lessons in art, fitness, cooking, spirituality, and more! Historical sites and museums are great places to learn the story of New Mexico, a former Spanish colony. New Mexico is also home to 23 different Native American tribes, so a lot of the educational resources in the city explore the native culture.

City of Art

Art enthusiasts will find inspiration in over a dozen art museums, galleries, and studios. Weekly artisan markets are a place for local artists to showcase their work as well. The performing arts are also represented in local theatres.

The architecture of Santa Fe is a unique blend of the styles of both the native people and Spanish colonists. Made primarily of earth and straw, the buildings are beautiful and strong enough to have withheld the test of time.

How this Top 3 list was made

The top 3 list was derived from a survey where we asked about their top destination for a particular month and region. From these results, we made each month a top 3 for North America, the Caribbean, Middle/South America, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). Sometimes, we have combined several individual destinations from a single country into the country itself.