November in Florida is the beginning of the holiday season and many families will be traveling to and from the state to see loved ones for the special Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you are visiting family or creating your own holiday on vacation, Florida has lots to accommodate guests this time of year.
No matter the occasion or adventure you find yourself on, this guide has everything you need to know to have the best time possible.
Florida Weather In November
Delnor-Wiggins State Park in Naples. SunflowerMomma / Shutterstock
November weather in Florida is usually cool and dry. Hurricane season is over by the end of the month, but that doesn’t mean chances are eradicated completely. Aside from big storms, daily rain showers and thunder storms are almost completely gone, making November one of the driest months of the Fall season.
November temperatures may not be cold, but they’ll usually be comfortable with less humidity. While it doesn’t drop too low too often, the humidity will be noticeably lower, making it easier to be outdoors for longer periods of time. This month tends to also be a bit breezy, but warm temperatures and random hot days are still frequent.
Florida is the only place in the United States that maintains a subtropical to tropical climate all year round. Based on where you’ll be traveling, temperatures are likely to vary, with the warmest temps farther South. Most of the state will average a high of about 77°F (25°C) in the month of November, and a low of 62°F (16.6°C) occurring at nighttime.
Florida Affordability And Crowds In November
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November crowds in Florida are beginning to grow again with the increasing number of snowbirds coming back to the state for the Winter. This is one of the last times you can get to the beach without it being overly crowded with winter guests. The Southern beaches, especially those on the Atlantic side, can still be very warm and more susceptible to bad storms, but these are infrequent.
Most travelers will experience moderate rates for Florida’s best hotels in November, with rates rising at the end of the month for Thanksgiving. The best accommodations in Orlando will range from $250 – $500 per night, hotels in Tampa will range from $150 – $300 per night, and the more populous city of Miami will see rates from $250 – $350 per night.
Best Things To Do In Florida In November
VISIT MELBOURNE
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Melbourne is often an afterthought when it comes to beach towns on the Space Coast, undermined by the likes of Daytona and Cocoa Beach which have been popular with the Spring Break crowd for decades. Melbourne is mostly a destination for snowbirds, but older audiences of all backgrounds will enjoy what this coastal city has to offer.
If relaxing on the sand at one of the many on-beach, private hotels and boutique resorts is not your vibe, due to the cooling water temperatures or colder wind beginning to roll through, there are many events and activities going on in town for your to partake in.
For instance, live music and professional orchestras can be enjoyed at the Melbourne Civic Theatre, as well as the Melbourne Community Orchestra and Space Coast Jazz Society. If you’re looking to laugh, there are several comedy clubs performing regularly in town. If you’re in for a thrill in the city, look no further than The Brevard Zoo’s Treetop Trek, Andretti Thrill Park and Melbourne Ballroom.
The outdoor adventurer has plenty to choose from, as well. Melbourne Air Boat tours will take you through the city’s waterways, while DolFun Tours hunts down the playful animals for you to see from the boat. Culture enthusiasts will love the Eau Gallie Arts District and historic area, and nightlife explorers will enjoy Downtown’s shopping and entertainment.
VISIT VENICE
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Venice is a small town in Florida, best known for Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach on the Gulf Coast. It’s located between the cities of Sarasota and Fort Myers and keeps a nice even temperature in the water this time of year. Venice boasts 14 miles of beaches and offers the ultimate Florida water recreational opportunities from boating and fishing to swimming and snorkeling.
Shelling is one unique form of recreation that you won’t find on other Florida beaches. You can find shells anywhere, but nothing beats Venice for it’s sheer amount of fossilized sharks teeth that wash ashore everyday. Service Club Park is also known to have sharks teeth and other types of fossils in abundance for anyone to pick up and take home.
On land, visitors will love the Italian architecture and design inspiration of Venice buildings and walkways. Astonishingly similar to the Italian city of Venice, Florida’s Venice is unlike any other coastal town in the United States. A guided walking tour can help you capture all the experiences that historic Venice has to offer. But you can also go it alone by taking the tree-lined downtown streets to the many shops, restaurants and historic sites. The historic district of East Venice Avenue also has lots to offer tourists, from the Venice Museum & Archives to the Venice Area Historical Society.
SWIM WITH THE MANATEES IN CRYSTAL RIVER
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Where else can you swim with real Florida manatees? These gentle creatures can only be found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Amazon, but Crystal River is the only place where you can legally swim with them. They are lovingly referred to as “sea cows” for their peaceful demeanor and slow-paced, vegetarian lifestyle.
Crystal River, located on Florida’s Nature Coast, is the Winter destination for manatees seeking warmer waters than the ocean. The river maintains an even 72°F (23.3°C) all year long, making it a comfortable environment for both manatees and people in the Winter months. Residents recommend staying at the Plantation on Crystal River, for the nicest amenities, beautiful white accommodations and old-school Southern charm.
While there are plenty of water adventures like kayaking and fishing, and dry land biking and exploring, no experience beats swimming with the manatees in Kings Bay. There are several outfitters that will take you on guided tours of the springs where these manatees refuge in the Winter. They’ll rent equipment and take you right into the water for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
EXPERIENCE WEEKI WACHEE
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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a local favorite almost year round, located in Hernando County. It’s claim to fame, other than the mermaids that frequent these waters, is the fact that the bottom of the springs has never been found. It’s so deep that even the most expert divers can’t reach the bottom. The currents are extremely strong in the springs, so the designated safe swimming area is in the Buccaneer Bay Waterpark.
Florida is filled with natural springs, but something completely unique to Weeki Wachee is the underwater shows performed daily. Weeki Wachee mermaids put these shows on for all ages, with themes from various movies and folklore. It’s a truly unique and magical experience for audiences to enjoy, before heading to the swim zone themselves.
Aside from watching the mermaids or splashing in the waterpark, guests can also rent paddleboards or kayaks, ride the river boat or take a ranger led tour of the springs.
CAMP IN BIG CYPRESS STATE PARK
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If you’re looking for an extremely natural environment that remains completely untouched for your camping or hunting trip to Florida, look no further than Big Cypress National Preserve. It’s located in the Western Everglades and has a huge variety of outdoor activities available, from swamp buggy tours to kayaking excursions and scenic driving trails.
There are a total of eight different campgrounds to choose from and should be reserved prior to your trip. Most will offer the same experience inside this swampland, with a unique nighttime opportunity to see a gorgeous starry sky. Big Cypress has been designated as an International Dark Sky Place, making it one of the most ideal places in Florida to see an unadulterated night sky.
Best Florida Beaches in November
Florida is surrounded by great beaches you can visit all year. Below we’ve listed the best beaches in each of Florida’s coasts and what the experience will be like in the month of November. November is the end of hurricane season and starts to see cooler weather and water temperatures.
GOLD COAST - BEST ALL-AROUND
View of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline from Virginia Key. and theocudrone / Shutterstock
The Gold Coast is one of the most famous parts of Florida, housing both Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic side. Miami has the highest temperatures in Florida all year, but also has the highest chance of being rattled with hurricanes as Florida’s first line of defense in most circumstances. However, November doesn’t typically bring too many storms and this is the time of year that Miami has more favorable water temperatures at 78.3°F (25.7°C).
Visitors can always expect Miami to be lively, especially in the bustling downtown area with a culturally diverse crowd. While November can still be hot and humid in Miami, the city remains a popular destination all year.
THE FLORIDA KEYS - BEST WEATHER
Higgs Beach on Key West in the Florida Keys. lunamarina / Shutterstock
The Keys are an extremely popular destination all year round. November will have fewer visitors due to the chance of hurricanes, but the storm chances really drop off in November. The water averages 78.3°F (25.7°C), making it a great time to keep on lobstering through the season. Our best recommendations for beaches are those on Key West, Key Largo and Marathon, as well as Bahia Honda State Park and the Dry Tortugas National Park.
The Keys are an extremely unique stretch of islands connected by the Overseas Highway. There are many historical landmarks and island tours to take, along with loads of inshore, offshore and on land recreational activities.
TREASURE COAST: UPSCALE VACATION
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The Treasure Coast is just above Miami and Fort Lauderdale and has a refined, luxurious atmosphere. It shares the same risk of bad storms and hurricanes with Miami, but with November bringing the hurricane season to a close, there usually won’t be a threat. It’s a beautiful place to vacation and November is starting to bustle with warmer waters at 78.6°F (25.9°C) during the holiday.
Our most highly recommended beach destinations on the Treasure Coast include West Palm, Delray, Pompano, Palm Beach, and Boca Raton. All feature slightly different styles, with West Palm and Palm Beach being the most popular. Pompano Beach has multiple diving sights, Boca Raton is great for recreational activities like golf and shopping and Delray has a booming cultural district.
SPACE COAST
Daytona Beach. Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
The Space Coast is the closest beach area to Orlando, located on the Atlantic side of the state. It’s known as the home of Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach and the International Speedway in Daytona. Both Cocoa and Daytona have been popular tourist spots for decades, but are usually not busy in November.
This month will have water temperatures averaging 77°F (25°C). Since the Space Coast is on the Atlantic side of Florida toward the center of the state, it always has a chance of hurricanes. However, November reports a lower number of storms, so they will be less likely as the season comes to a close.
PARADISE COAST
Marco Island. Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock
The Paradise Coast is on the Southwest side of Florida, comprised of well-known cities like Naples and Fort Myers, and it’s also closest to the Everglades. The area tends to appeal to an older audience whose families and children will visit for the warm Florida weather. November will have lots of snowbirds back to inhabit the Paradise Coast for the next half year, making the cities jive again.
The waters are typically warm in November, averaging 76.5°F (24.7°C). The top beaches on this coast are Marco Island, Naples, and Fort Myers. Hurricanes can be an issue for this area, though November doesn’t typically see too many come through.
SUN COAST
John’s Pass at Madeira Beach. UFOProductions / Shutterstock
The Sun Coast is a highly marketed area across the country, made up of Tampa Bay’s best beaches. It’s one of the most popular places to be on the Gulf with average water temperatures at 74.8°F (23.8°C) in November.
The busiest beaches include Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, but the Sun Coast also has beautiful state park islands off Clearwater and Dunedin. Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park are more secluded islands that are highly recommended by locals and shouldn’t be crowded in November.
CULTURAL COAST
The Cultural Coast is another great destination off the Gulf and is our personal favorite. In November, the water and weather will still be fairly warm with ocean temps at an average 74.8°F (23.8°C). The Cultural Coast offers a great in-between beach experience – not extremely quaint and not extremely ritzy, though certain accommodations can match these descriptions if you look hard enough.
Our best recommendation in this area is vacationing in Anna Maria Island, for the small, casual beach town vibe. But if you’re looking for a little more high-class Longboat Key, Sanibel Island and Captiva are great suggestions. Same as the Sun Coast, it’s less likely for hurricanes to make it this far, especially in November.
EMERALD COAST
The Emerald Coast is the entire Florida panhandle, spanning from Pensacola to Tallahassee. The nature of the towns in this area are a combination of the American South and the Florida Coastline. November water temperatures begin to cool off significantly, preparing for the incoming Winter weather. This month the ocean will average 72.3°F (22.4°C).
Pensacola, Destin and Panama City beaches are some of the most highly recommended vacation spots on the Emerald Coast. These beaches are ideal for families, couples and friend groups, with many activities and forms of recreation to accommodate all types of travelers. It’s very highly unlikely that hurricanes will come this way in November.
FIRST COAST
The First Coast is located on the top Northeast side of Florida’s Atlantic shores. It boasts Florida’s oldest cities of St. Augustine and Jacksonville. The water temperatures in the month of November will be cooling down with an average of 72.9°F (22.7°C). Visitors to this area will love the historical aspects of the region, along with the beautifully quiet shores. November doesn’t often see hurricanes, but it’s possible the First Coast could experience one this month.
St. Augustine is a great spot to visit all times of year with it’s historic tours and delicious many local restaurants and bars to enjoy. Nearby Flagler Beach offers a more secluded feeling with pristine, less crowded beaches and Jacksonville Beach is a nice getaway for the whole family. Amelia Island, part of the Georgia Sea Islands, is a luxurious spot for an upscale experience.
Top Florida Attractions In November
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World is the vacation capital of the world, therefore it’s Florida’s biggest attraction (with TONS to do) and remains busy most of the year. Walt Disney World is comprised of four different theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) and two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon). Disney is located outside of Orlando in Lake Buena Vista.
November has drier weather with mild temperatures. The parks and resorts are fairly crowded this month with moderate to high resort, ticket and food rates (which fluctuate with tourist volumes). Epcot’s popular Food & Wine Festival will close at the end of the month and Festival of the Holidays will begin after Thanksgiving.
In Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins on select nights. This is a separately ticketed nighttime event that anyone can attend to celebrate the season, meet special characters and eat exclusive meals and treats.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Universal Orlando is Disney’s biggest rival, featuring two different theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) along with one water park (Volcano Bay). It’s located on the outskirts of Orlando and has it’s own resort accommodations for guests to enjoy. The parks are known for movie-themed roller coasters, rides and attractions for all ages.
Weather in November will be dry and mild. Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort begin in the middle of the month, with the entire park decorated for Christmas. There are special shows, menu items and character meet and greets going on throughout the park for all attendees to experience.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
SeaWorld is most popular for it’s aquatic animals, shows and coasters. It’s very close to Universal Orlando and makes a great full day of entertainment. SeaWorld has recently added big roller coasters like Manta and Mako to up their thrill game for older audiences. There is plenty for people of all ages to enjoy inside this ocean-themed park.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration kicks off in November full of holiday traditions, special treats, live entertainment, and more for families and people of all ages.
BUSCH GARDENS
Busch Gardens is the biggest theme park in the Tampa Bay area, located in north Tampa. It’s a great option for a full day to add into your weeklong vacation in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Clearwater, about 15 miles from the Tampa International Airport. Howl-O-Scream, Tampa Bay’s Bier Fest
Busch Gardens is known for it’s big coasters, like Cheetah Hunt and Kumba, along with it’s African themed animal habitats where guests can see wildlife in designated areas. Busch Gardens Christmas Celebration starts this month, which includes a Winter Wonderland experience filled with Santa and friends, Christmas lights and holiday treats and entertainment.
LEGOLAND
Legoland is one of Florida’s newest theme parks located in Winter Haven, right in the middle of Central Florida. As you can imagine, Legoland is entirely themed after these popular little toy blocks which have inspired movies, roller coasters and water rides. There’s even a Lego resort where you can stay on vacation.
Holidays at Legoland begin in November, inviting guests to join in the Lego fun with festive decor, delicious food and special friends like Lego Santa, the Tin Man and the Gingerbread Man.
November Events In Florida
ICE! AT THE GAYLORD RESORT
This event held at the Gaylord Resort in Orlando every holiday season has been a popular experience that thousands of guests have thrilled to see. Ice! has a different theme each year, taking you on a walk through ice castles and sculptures inside the resort lobby. This huge display is kept up for over a month and visitors are given giant parkas upon entry.
NIGHTS OF LIGHTS
St. Augustine hosts this annual holiday event showcasing this city’s beautiful holiday light display, which adorns nearly every building with Spanish architecture in the downtown area. This enormous display can be seen for free every night from mid-November through early January.
“MERRY AND BRIGHT”
The Orlando Museum puts on this special showcase featuring the Festival of Trees. The trees are elegantly decorated with different themes and accompanied by various vignettes, gingerbread houses, Christmas wreaths and other accessories on display. Not only can you view these items at the museum – all of them are available for purchase so you can take the lovely decor home!
THANKSGIVING
All over the country, families and friends are gathering to celebrate this special national holiday to share meals together and reminisce on their blessings from the year. Select restaurants and food delivery services all over the state of Florida can help make your Thanksgiving special if you are traveling to the state for the holiday. A quick search on local restaurants and accommodations will help secure a festive holiday meal for your vacation.
Conclusion
Whether you are in Florida to celebrate Thanksgiving or simply to make a quick getaway before the holiday season hits, November is a lovely time of year to visit. The weather is beginning to cool down and the chance of hurricanes and thunderstorms has nearly vanished.
November may be a tad busier than other months with snowbirds coming back to roost for the Winter, but casual travels and family vacations are still possible and fun this month. Whether you choose to catch the last warmth on the beach or explore further inland, Florida will be a perfect host this time of year.
Credit to RoundTript.com website.
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