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10 Best November Destinations
A Dose of Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina
November marks the start of summer in South America, and if you want the European experience without the biting cold, Argentina's capital city has you covered. High season won't start until December, but the blooming jacaranda trees make this month the most beautiful time to visit the city. Stroll through parks and past architectural marvels, learn the tango or stand beneath the balcony in Plaza de Mayo where Evita once stood.
Photo courtesy of Sitio oficial de turismo. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Surf's Up in Honolulu, Hawaii
There's not really a bad time to visit Hawaii's tropical paradise, though you could do much worse than November. Busy season on the island of Oahu doesn't kick in until mid-December, and fall and spring enjoy the best – and most reliable – weather. Trek into the crater of the Diamond Head volcanic cone, laze in the sand or head up to the island's North Shore for some gnarly surf.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
Music and History in Nashville, Tennessee
With a long autumn, Music City enjoys pleasant weather throughout November, so whether you're touring plantations and battlefields or catching some tunes at the Grand Ole Opry, you should be comfortable. On cooler nights, you can always warm up with a tour of the Jack Daniels Distillery to see firsthand how the earthy whiskey is made.
Catch a Game in Chicago, Illinois
Snow doesn't fall in Chicago until the end of November and the summer crowds are long gone. If you can handle a little bracing wind, you'll have the city's cultural attractions largely to yourself. Catch a Bears game in Soldier Field, or if you can't score tickets to a live game, get in on all the action in the dozens of sports bars in Wrigleyville.
Clear Skies in San Francisco, California
Winters in coastal San Francisco are mild, and while it may be too cold for those flowers in your hair, it's just right for a stroll through festive downtown or a night out at the opera. October and November tend to see more sun and less fog than the summer months, so you're more likely to get a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz Island.
Castle Hop in Munich, Germany
After the Oktoberfest crowds have dispersed, Munich begins preparing for the holiday season, and by the end of November, the city's excellent Christmas markets are in full swing. Temperatures are cold, but November is one of Munich's driest months, so you'll be able to explore Bavaria under blue skies with plenty of sunshine. Should your visit coincide with an early snowfall, you'll be lucky. The area's castles and palaces appear magical in the snow.
Relax on the Shore in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
You don't have to cross any international borders to enjoy a winter beach vacation. In Fort Lauderdale, you'll have more than 23 miles of beach to enjoy after the threat of the fall hurricane season has passed. While the city is already cheaper and more relaxed than some of the more prestigious Florida beach towns, you'll enjoy even bigger discounts during this off-season month.
Get in the Holdiay Spirit in New York City, New York
When it comes to New York City's thriving performing arts scene – both on and off Broadway – winter is when things are at their peak. While prices may be generally higher than during New York's slow season in early spring, the city makes up for the cost with a charming sense of holiday festivity unlike anywhere else on earth.
Soak up the Sun in Acapulco, Mexico
November is the perfect month for traveling if you want to avoid high season crowds and hot, humid weather. Acapulco, the town that put Mexico on the luxury beach resort map, remains warm enough in November for swimming and watersports, but you'll likely have resort pools and quiet expanses of white sand all to yourself.
Retail Therapy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Pack your sweater – it's cold in Copenhagen in November – but well worth it for the off-season discounts, empty museums and shopping to your heart's delight along the high end Strøget. In mid November, you can get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the Tivoli Christmas Markets before the holiday season tourists descend.
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About Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Read more about Lydia Schrandt here.
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