Things to Do in Richmond in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Richmond
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to summer peak, with restaurants and attractions operating at full capacity but without the summer crowds - you'll actually get reservations at popular spots with just a few days notice
- Cool mornings (5-8°C or 41-46°F) are perfect for the James River Park System trails and Belle Isle walks, while afternoons warm enough (12-15°C or 54-59°F) that you can comfortably explore neighborhoods like Carytown and the Fan District without overheating or freezing
- Fall colors peak in early November along the Blue Ridge Parkway (90 minutes west) and throughout Richmond's tree-lined streets - Monument Avenue's ginkgos and maples create that classic Virginia autumn look that's basically gone by Thanksgiving
- Local food scene shifts into comfort mode with oyster season in full swing, craft breweries releasing their best fall batches, and farmers markets still operating with late-season produce - you're hitting Richmond's culinary sweet spot before winter slowdown
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings wildly in November - you might get a 20°C (68°F) sunny day followed by a 7°C (45°F) drizzly one, which makes packing annoying and means you need to check forecasts daily rather than assuming conditions
- Daylight ends around 5:15pm by late November, cutting your outdoor exploration time short and meaning those evening riverside walks need to happen right after lunch if you want decent light
- Ten rainy days sounds manageable until you realize Richmond's rain tends to settle in for full days rather than quick showers - when it rains, it often means indoor-only plans, and the city doesn't have endless museum options like larger destinations
Best Activities in November
James River Park System hiking and kayaking
November's lower water levels and cooler temps (5-15°C or 41-59°F) make the 600+ acres of trails and rapids actually pleasant to navigate - summer's heat and crowds are gone, but the river hasn't gotten dangerously cold yet. The Belle Isle loop (2.4 km or 1.5 miles) shows off fall colors without requiring serious fitness. Kayak rentals typically run through mid-November depending on weather, with calmer water than spring's rapids.
Historic neighborhood walking tours in the Fan District and Church Hill
The 10-15°C (50-59°F) afternoon temps are ideal for the 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) of walking these architecture-heavy tours involve - you won't overheat like in July or freeze like in January. Church Hill's cobblestones and the Fan's Victorian rowhouses look particularly good under November's softer light. St. John's Church (where Patrick Henry gave his liberty-or-death speech) and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum are indoors when those rainy days hit.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and museum district exploration
VMFA is free (seriously, no admission charge for the permanent collection) and perfect for those 10 rainy November days when outdoor plans collapse. The museum's large enough to fill 3-4 hours, and the surrounding Museum District neighborhood has cafes and shops within 0.5 km (0.3 miles) for a full day indoors. November typically sees lighter crowds than school field trip season in spring.
Craft brewery tours in Scott's Addition district
Richmond's brewery scene concentrates in Scott's Addition (about 15 breweries within 1.6 km or 1 mile), and November's cool weather makes the walking-between-breweries thing actually pleasant rather than sweaty. Fall seasonal releases peak in November - think pumpkin stouts, Oktoberfest lagers, and fresh-hopped IPAs. Most breweries have indoor seating for rainy days, plus food trucks or kitchens.
Civil War battlefield sites at Richmond National Battlefield Park
The 10+ sites around Richmond (Gaines' Mill, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison) are outdoor history experiences that work perfectly in November's 5-15°C (41-59°F) temps - summer's heat makes these exposed field walks miserable, while November's cooler air and thinner vegetation actually let you see the terrain as soldiers would have. Visitor centers provide indoor backup when weather turns.
Carytown shopping and dining district
This 1.5 km (0.9 mile) stretch of independent shops, vintage stores, and restaurants is Richmond's most walkable commercial district - November's mild afternoons (12-15°C or 54-59°F) make the outdoor window shopping comfortable, while the indoor shops provide rain shelter. The Byrd Theatre (1928 movie palace) still shows second-run films for 4 USD with its original Wurlitzer organ played before weekend shows.
November Events & Festivals
Richmond Folk Festival weekend
This massive free festival typically happens the second weekend of October, so it JUST misses November - worth noting because if you're flexible on dates, shifting your trip back a week or two might catch it. Mentioning this because travelers often ask about fall festivals and this is Richmond's biggest.
Thanksgiving holiday weekend activities
Late November (Thanksgiving week) brings local holiday events - the Dominion Energy Christmas Parade typically happens the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and many historic sites like Maymont mansion do holiday decorating tours. Hotels and restaurants get noticeably busier during this four-day weekend, so book further ahead if you're visiting November 22-26.