United States, North America

Austin in November

Our favorite secret: fall at its most comfortable, prices easing, patios still full. Thanksgiving week is quiet as students leave.

BestPleasant, highs near 71F (22C), crisp mornings

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Austin. Our favorite secret: fall at its most comfortable, prices easing, patios still full. Thanksgiving week is quiet as students leave.

Weather: Pleasant, highs near 71F (22C), crisp mornings
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What November is like in Austin

November is fall in Austin at its most comfortable. Highs sit near 71F (22C), mornings are crisp, and afternoons are sunny and mild. The big festival weekends are over, so hotel prices ease, though football Saturdays can still push rates up. Patios stay full, and Thanksgiving week is quiet as students head home.

This month suits almost everyone, and it is an especially good pick for families and homeschool trips. The only thing you will miss is swimming for most people, since the air cools off. For bluebonnets and warm water, come back in April or May.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Austin this month.

Hill Country hiking weather

Cool, dry days are ideal for Enchanted Rock, Pedernales Falls, and McKinney Falls.

A quiet Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November. The city empties as students leave, so it is a relaxed holiday trip.

Texas history on weekday mornings

The Capitol, the Bullock Museum, and the LBJ Library are calm and easy on November weekdays.

What to pack for November

A light jacket for crisp mornings
Sturdy shoes for Hill Country trails
Layers for mild afternoons
Sunglasses

Our timing tip

Stay Sunday through Wednesday and avoid home football weekends for the best rates in the best weather month.

Book Austin for November.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Texas Longhorns home football

Saturdays, September through November

More than 100,000 fans at the stadium on campus. Game days jam I-35 and push up hotel rates citywide.

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.

Austin in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Austin?

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Austin. Our favorite secret: fall at its most comfortable, prices easing, patios still full. Thanksgiving week is quiet as students leave.

What is the weather like in Austin in November?

Pleasant, highs near 71F (22C), crisp mornings.

Is Austin crowded in November?

Crowds in Austin are moderate in November; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Austin in November?

Texas Longhorns home football (saturdays, september through november).