Things to Do in Oklahoma City in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Oklahoma City
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable autumn weather with highs around 15-18°C (59-64°F) and lows near 4-7°C (39-45°F) - perfect for walking the Bricktown Canal or exploring the Myriad Botanical Gardens without the brutal summer heat that hits 38°C (100°F) regularly
- Low rainfall month with only 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) expected across 10 days - these are usually brief morning drizzles rather than all-day washouts, so outdoor plans rarely get derailed
- Shoulder season pricing means hotel rates drop 25-35% compared to summer rodeo season and December holiday rush - you'll find quality downtown properties for $90-120/night instead of $150-180
- November brings genuine local culture with the Festival of the Arts planning season, Western Heritage Museum events, and Thunder NBA basketball starting up - you're experiencing the city when residents are actually out enjoying it, not tourist-focused programming
Considerations
- Weather can genuinely swing 20°C (36°F) in a single day - that morning might start at 2°C (36°F) and hit 22°C (72°F) by afternoon, making packing a nightmare since you need layers for both extremes
- Wind is relentless and often hits 30-40 km/h (19-25 mph) sustained with gusts to 65 km/h (40 mph) - this isn't a gentle breeze, it's the kind that makes outdoor dining uncomfortable and messes with your hair constantly
- Daylight ends by 5:30pm after the time change, which cuts into afternoon exploration time and means many outdoor attractions like the Oklahoma City Zoo close earlier at 5pm instead of summer's 7pm hours
Best Activities in November
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum exploration
November weather makes this indoor museum perfect when afternoon winds pick up or those brief drizzly mornings hit. The museum spans 200,000 square feet with genuine artifacts from frontier life, and the climate-controlled galleries are ideal when outdoor conditions turn. The Prosperity Junction exhibit recreates an entire 1900s cattle town indoors. With low tourist season, you'll actually have space to read the plaques and spend time with the Remington sculptures without crowds pushing through.
Bricktown Canal walking and entertainment district
The 1.6 km (1 mile) canal loop is actually pleasant in November with temps in the 10-15°C (50-59°F) range - not the sweaty 35°C (95°F) summer nightmare. Water taxi rides run when temps stay above 10°C (50°F), and the open-air boats let you see the murals and architecture without the summer sun beating down. Evening walks work well since the district lights up at dusk around 5:30pm, and the wind typically dies down after 6pm. Lower crowds mean the breweries and restaurants along the canal have actual seating available without 45-minute waits.
Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge conservatory
The outdoor gardens are actually worth visiting in November when summer heat isn't forcing everyone indoors by 11am. The 6.8-hectare (17-acre) park has walking paths that are comfortable in 15°C (59°F) weather, and the Crystal Bridge tropical conservatory provides warm refuge when those windy days hit. The conservatory stays 24°C (75°F) year-round with 70% humidity - a preview of what Oklahoma summer feels like. November means the gardens are less crowded, and you can actually sit on the lawn or benches without competing for shade.
Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball games
November marks the start of NBA season, and Thunder games provide genuine local culture - this is what Oklahoma City residents actually do for entertainment November through April. The Paycom Center downtown creates an energetic atmosphere with 18,000+ fans, and November games are easier to get tickets for compared to January-February when the season heats up. Games typically run 7pm start times, perfect since it's dark and windy outside anyway. The arena is climate-controlled, making it ideal for those unpredictable November weather days.
Stockyards City historic district and western outfitters
This is the real working stockyards district where actual cattle auctions happen Monday and Tuesday mornings at 8am. November weather makes walking the historic brick streets comfortable, and the district's western wear stores, boot makers, and saddleries are indoors when wind picks up. Cattlemen's Steakhouse has operated since 1910, and watching ranchers in working gear having breakfast tells you this isn't a tourist recreation - it's functional cowboy culture. The district sits 6.4 km (4 miles) southwest of downtown and sees minimal tourist traffic compared to Bricktown.
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
The outdoor memorial with its reflecting pool and field of empty chairs is actually more powerful in November's cooler weather when you can spend time reading inscriptions without summer heat exhaustion. The indoor museum provides detailed context about the 1995 bombing, and November's lower tourist traffic means you can move through exhibits at your own pace. The combination indoor-outdoor experience works perfectly for variable November weather - start outside if conditions are calm, then move indoors if wind picks up. Budget 2-3 hours minimum for both memorial grounds and museum.
November Events & Festivals
Opening weeks of Oklahoma City Thunder NBA season
The Thunder typically play 6-8 home games throughout November as the NBA season launches. Games create genuine local energy downtown with pre-game crowds filling Bricktown restaurants and bars. This is when season ticket holders are still excited and attendance is strong. The team's schedule varies yearly, but November always includes multiple home games at Paycom Center.
Cattlemen's Stockyards cattle auctions
Every Monday and Tuesday at 8am, working cattle auctions happen at the Oklahoma National Stockyards with real ranchers buying and selling livestock. This isn't a tourist show - it's functional agricultural business that's happened since 1910. Visitors can watch from the gallery for free. The auctioneers call bids so fast you'll barely understand them, but watching ranchers in dusty boots and working gear conducting actual business gives you the real Oklahoma experience guidebooks miss.