11 Things to Do in Washington DC in November

There are many things to see and do in Washington DC during November. Its parks and green spaces still retain the reddish charm of autumn, making it a pleasure to explore the city on foot. This month the Black Friday spirit is driving everyone crazy and, in addition to Thanksgiving, there are several events and festivals in the city that you can't miss. Stay with me as I'll tell you the 10 best things to do in DC this November. Here we go!

The traditional Thanksgiving Day is, without a doubt, one of Americans' favourite holidays, where everyone is thankful for what they have.

Thanksgiving traditionally takes place on the last Thursday in November, but the city starts preparing for the celebration a few weeks earlier. It is a very special time to be in the United States.

While it's traditionally a family holiday (don't expect to find too many shops and restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day), some cities have major parades. In Washington you can enjoy the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, a colourful parade held a week before Thanksgiving.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, comes one of the new American "classics" that has taken the world by storm. Of course I'm talking about Black Friday or, if you prefer, Black Friday, the day when the prices of almost everything are rock bottom and there's no one who won't jump at the chance to get their hands on anything.

One of the places where you can find a good number of shops is Georgetown. Here, in addition to great bargains, you can enjoy a stroll through one of DC's most traditional neighbourhoods.

Listed as a National Historic Landmark, Georgetown is a charming place with its Georgian architecture and quaint appearance. If you want to learn a little more about this jewel on the Potomac River, take one of the Georgetown tours, which will give you interesting insights into its history, or book a food tour of Georgetown. Delicious!

If you're a basketball fan, you'll definitely want to see the Washington Wizards play at the Capital One Arena, a 20,000-capacity sports hall where the Wizards play their home games.

The season is practically starting in November (it begins in mid-November), so with this great plan you'll have an unforgettable experience and get an adrenaline rush.

However, I recommend that you book your tickets to see the Washington Wizards as early as possible because they fly and the price increases as the date of the game gets closer. Don't let the opportunity pass you by!

November is a great time to visit DC, not least because you won't find too many crowds at the city's attractions. You'll be able to enjoy the sights, restaurants, bars and cafes to the fullest. The temperature is also great.

One of the must-sees is the Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC. If you already know them, take my advice and try to visit them in November. You will see that, as there are not so many people, you will enjoy it as if it were a private visit. And if you've never been, book a guided tour of the Smithsonian National Museum so you won't miss any of these gems of the city.

November 11th is Veteran's Day in the United States. With events, parades, live music and tributes in different parts of the city, people salute those who served their country in the various conflicts in which the United States was involved.

It's a great opportunity to join in one of the most moving ceremonies in Washington. The Parade of Heroes begins on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

At Arlington Military Cemetery you can visit John F. Kennedy's grave, and see how an entire town pays tribute to its war heroes.

Washington DC is the city with the largest number of monuments to those presidents who have left their mark on this nation's history. Always included in Washington city tours, the memorials are an essential visit to understand the past and present of the United States:

• If you visit the beautiful circular Thomas Jefferson Memorial, located in the Tidal Basin, you can then walk along the Potomac and enjoy some of the best views of Washington DC

• Another must-see is the memorial to President Lincoln, one of the country's undisputed Founding Fathers and the man responsible for the abolition of slavery in the country.

Here's a tip? Combine sport, outdoors and culture by booking a bike tour of Washington DC that will take you past some of the city's most important memorials.

If you are one of those who only reach nirvana with a cold beer in your hand, you are in luck, because every year, at the beginning of November, one of the most important celebrations in Washington DC for beer lovers takes place: the DC Beer Festival.

The DC Beer Festival takes place at the stadium of the Washington Nationals, the city's baseball team, and brings together more than 80 craft beer producers from the region. In addition, you can enjoy live music shows, DJ's, food-trucks with the best fast food, and a tasting of different styles of special seasonal beers.

And if beer is one of your main interests, I recommend booking a brewery tour in Washington DC. Great!

If you visit Washington DC in November, you can witness the celebration of one of the most important Jewish holidays next to Yom Kippur: Hanukkah.

It's a family-friendly event, with speeches, performances and live military band music, and everyone is invited. You'll be amazed when Rabbi Levi Shemtov lights the National Menorah in front of the White House on the Ellipse.

Regardless of your religious beliefs, witnessing the Hanukkah celebration in Washington is one of those experiences that touches you to the core. Please note that you do not have to be Jewish to participate in this celebration.

Visiting the classic National Mall in November is a pleasure, as you won't find the crowds that tend to gather here at other times of the year.

Strategically located in the centre of it all, from here you can visit Washington DC's best monuments, such as the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Martin Luther King and Roosevelt Memorials, as well as several of DC's most important and must-see museums.

With beautiful green spaces and gorgeous architecture, walking around this amazing place will definitely make an impact.

Located in the middle of the city, Rock Creek Park has been a favourite spot for many of its presidents over the years. This immense natural lung has more than 20 kilometres of trails, a planetarium, 24 tennis courts, a major equestrian centre, a golf course, delicate stone bridges and an amphitheatre.

A perfect place to visit in November, as you can still enjoy the reddish hue of its vegetation, its carpets of dry leaves and an impromptu picnic anywhere, given that the temperature is ideal for it.

If you're interested in healthy living and fresh air, Rock Creek Park has everything you need to have a great time surrounded by nature, and the sound of the creek is a natural relaxant. Take my advice, you won't regret it. Another free visit you can make in this amazing city.

Every year in November the amazing Trabants festival takes place at the Spy Museum. Trabants**(German for "satellite"**) are collector's cars, popularised during the Communist era in Germany. Seeing hundreds of these beautiful German cars driving around the city of Washington is a spectacle in itself.

Small, simple and extremely picturesque, Trabants are highly sought after by collectors from all over the world. Although when they first made their debut they stood out as an economical vehicle, over the years they have become one of the most sought after cars, and their prices today can leave you open-mouthed.

A good opportunity to see them up close and learn all about them. The annual Trabant Festival takes place at the Spy Museum, another must-see on your visit to DC in November.

Here are some of my tips for you to consider when finalising the details of your trip to DC in November.

What is the weather like in Washington in November?

November is a great month to visit Washington DC, especially because the weather is quite pleasant, if a bit cool. It doesn't tend to be a month with too much rain and temperatures hover around 15 degrees during the day, making it perfect for walking around the city.

Is it more expensive to stay in DC at this time of year?

Quite the opposite! During Thanksgiving week there are no conferences or business meetings in DC, so you can get some great deals on accommodation.

What should I consider when packing my suitcase?

As I said, temperatures in DC in November are quite pleasant, so comfortable clothes, jumpers and a light jacket should keep you comfortable during the day.

However, keep in mind that it gets dark around 5pm this time of year, so if you want to make the most of the day, you should start early in the morning and after sunset you'll need some warm clothes.