Summer travel may be over, but just because the season is over doesn’t mean it’s time to put away your best carry-on bag for good. September bridges summer and fall, making it the perfect month to add some stamps to your passport or head out for a quiet weekend getaway from the city.
Travelers looking to stay in the sun can find relatively warm spots, while those seeking sweater weather can find cozy spots to welcome the season and enjoy the autumn vibes. With generally cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, popular spots are more comfortable and welcoming. All you have to do is decide where to go.
PS asked two travel experts for their thoughts on the best places to travel (both domestically and internationally) in September, and here are their picks.
Experts featured in this article
Mary Cropper is a travel expert at luxury travel agency Black Tomato.
Macy Phillips is the founder of boutique travel agency, The Personal Perspective.
Best places to travel in the USA in September
Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Massachusetts. Travel expert Macy Phillips says September is the best time to visit the typical East Coast beach towns that get crowded in the summer. The attractions and atmosphere are the same, but there are fewer people going to the beach. “All the kids are back in school, and summer is coming to an end, but it’s still very warm during the day and a little cooler at night,” she says. Providence and Newport, Rhode Island also fit this criteria. National Parks in Utah. Utah is home to five of the most beautiful national parks in the United States: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. It’s crowded and hot everywhere in the summer. Mid to late September is cooler and there are fewer crowds. “It’s easier to be outside, [people] “The trails are easier to walk and the lines to and from the parks are shorter,” says travel expert Mary Cropper. These parks are close enough together that you can see multiple parks in one trip and drive between them. Combine Bryce and Zion, or stay in Moab and explore both Canyonlands and Arches. Charleston, South Carolina. Travelers seek out Charleston year-round, but its stifling heat and humidity often make for a muggy trip. Phillips says September is one of the best months to visit, as the cooler weather makes it more bearable. In between beach trips, experience the city’s famous dining scene and architecture, and go to one of the major festivals the city hosts during this month, such as the Food & Wine Classic or the Lowcountry Jazz Festival. New England. If you’re ready to break out your swimsuit, we have good news for you. The autumn equinox on September 22 officially marks the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Peak foliage times vary by destination, but Cropper says, “September is when the leaves start to turn up.” “Fall leaf season” begins, with orange, red and yellow foliage appearing across much of the East Coast states in late September.
Best places to travel abroad in September
Borneo. September is the ideal time to see Borneo’s stunning landscapes and biodiversity, says Cropper. The end of the rainy season increases visitors’ chances of seeing wildlife such as orangutans, Bornean elephants, hornbills, pit vipers and proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat, as animals venture far from the forests to feed. Book a rainforest wildlife tour, stay at a lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan River and see the flora and fauna on a river safari. Amalfi Coast, Italy. The sun-drenched beaches and stunning scenery of the southern Italian coast attract large numbers of tourists from June to August. According to Phillips, September is the ideal time to visit places like Sorrento and Positano, which have everything a summer tourist wants, just fewer crowds and milder weather. “You can still enjoy an Italian beach holiday, but the crowds are only half what they are in the summer,” explains Phillips. Indonesia. September is the last month of the island nation’s dry season, making it the best time to visit, says Cropper. While it’s still hot, there’s less rain, making it easier to get to places like Bali. “September offers some pretty active, adventurous touring in Indonesia,” Cropper says. “It’s a good time to come see the dragons on Komodo Island, relax in Bali, or explore more of the countryside and mountain areas if you’re interested in wildlife.”
The cheapest places to travel in September
Cropper and Phillips say September offers some good options for budget travelers: Aim to book your trip during the low-peak, or off-season, period for your desired destination.
Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is a popular destination for nature and wellness enthusiasts, and Cropper says it’s even more accessible in September, when rates drop and the weather is much more pleasant. Stay in town and hike Castle Rock, Devil’s Bridge, and West Fork Trail to see Arizona’s famous red rock formations, or visit a local spa. Sedona is also a great base for trips to the Grand Canyon, Tucson, and Scottsdale. Puerto Rico. If you’re looking for great beaches and culture on a budget, consider Puerto Rico. September is one of the cheapest months to travel to Puerto Rico, as it coincides with the peak of hurricane season. “It’s still tropical, so you can find some pretty good deals before the holiday travel season kicks off,” Phillips says.
Helen Carefoot is a freelance lifestyle, culture and entertainment journalist based in Washington, D.C. She previously served as a lifestyle writer for Well+Good and worked on the lifestyle desk of The Washington Post’s features section.
