November can be a tricky month for travel planning. Situated right between the cool autumn months and the frigid winter months, November is the month that bed and breakfast owners across the nation try to plan for but never seem to be able to. Here are a few ideas for some fun vacation destinations and travel tips.
Along the mid-Atlantic region, November brings red trees and apple-picking opportunities. Especially in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, keep your eyes and noses open for cider festivals.
In rural communities, entire towns will bring out their wares to celebrate the apple harvesting season, pressing the fruits into juices and filling pie-plates with sweet tarts. Take a picnic (and an extra blanket to help keep you warm) and plan to spend the day wandering the small town craft shows during the festivals. Duck into roadside churches and shops – you never know what hidden treasures you’ll find.
In the Midwest, farming communities begin the process of gearing up for winter. Plan to spend a long weekend at an out-of the way B&B, where you can spend all day driving through the fields just after they’ve had their last harvest of the season. Just for kicks, grab a pumpkin and make real, homemade pumpkin pie for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
As you head further to the West, take a look at mountain adventures. The weather is perfect in November for embarking on an afternoon (or weekend long) hike into the mountains. Beware: the nights are cold and, in some places, even beginning to snow! Take along a nature book and watch as the final flock of birds heads south for the winter season.
Pack up your tent and hit that mountain campsite you’ve been dying to visit all summer and autumn long – it’s not too late yet! Away from the city lights, you’ll be able to see ample meteor showers and dynamite constellations. Give your travel companions a lesson in fire-making. If you have younger travelers with you, try out that scary story you’ve been milling around in your head on them or pose a thought-provoking riddle.
If you’re thinking coastal state is more in line with your travel plans, head over to Northern California for a tour of the vineyards. Stay at a local hotel or B&B and spend some time taking the real winery tour. Be sure to stop into the vineyard giftshops and loading your car with cases that will last you all holiday season long. (Wine makes great holiday gifts as well – especially when there’s a great story attached – like your adventures in California.)
Perhaps, even, you are a city-person looking to spend some quality time in a new or unfamiliar city. If you hit the city at the right time, you’ll have an opportunity to see it decorated in holiday lights (usually you will have to count on the last week of November for these decorations.) Plan to spend an afternoon (or two) shopping in those massive malls or outdoor markets you’ve read about. Take a trip up the highest building (the crisp November skies will offer the opportunity to see further towards the horizon than most other times of the year.)
Whatever your travel goals for your November holiday, one thing’s for certain: you’ll be hitting your destination at a time of change. Take a journal and plot your thoughts, delve into that introspection you’ve been meaning to catch up on (and that you need just before that busy holiday season.) Most importantly: take pictures!
