14 Best Places to Travel in September

The calendar might say that summer ends in September, but it doesn't mean vacations have to be over. In fact, when crowds head back to school and work, it's a perfect time for a trip, even a weekend getaway, if that's all your schedule can manage. We have some suggestions ranging from small U.S. towns to faraway places and events from Oktoberfest to music festivals.

Perhaps you'll be inspired to extend those summer vibes by planning a September trip. If so, we hope some of these destinations will offer that inspiration. Here are 14 of the best places to travel in September.

Cincinnati, Ohio

This town celebrates Oktoberfest with events from late August through October. Locations and dates vary, but without going too far, you could enjoy beer, wurst, and the chicken dance every weekend for nearly two months. Named by Food & Wine as one of America's Next Great Food Cities, Cincinnati offers more than strudel and pretzels. Visit the Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Nature Center, the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Taft Museum for a start. Stay at The Lytle Park Hotel, set in a 1909 building in the heart of the historic district.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by German settlers. Visit the area for authentic German food, and learn about its heritage at the Pioneer Museum. Naturally, they celebrate that history with a special Oktoberfest, a waltz, polka, and yodel contest, music, artisans, and, of course, beer. Shop for antiques, crafts, candles, clothing, jewelry, and more on the monthly Fredericksburg Trade Days, September 16-18. Taste some Hill Country wines, or stop into one of the local breweries. Stay at the luxurious 13,000-acre JL Bar Ranch.

Taos, New Mexico

Set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos offers daytime temperatures in the 70s with cool evenings in September. Visit for the September 8-10 Big Barn Dance Music Festival or come for The Paseo, September 16-17, with art installations from all over the world. Spend time in town at Taos Plaza in the center of the Historic District. Explore the area's natural beauty with a trip to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and see it from a hot air balloon or on horseback. Lodging ranges from camping to hotels and resorts.

Ibiza, Spain

The third largest of Spain's Balearic Islands, Ibiza is known for beaches, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Archaeological sites and a UNESCO-designated old town are also attractions. In September, things quiet down a bit, and the weather is in the pleasant 70s. Ibiza's culinary scene is gaining a reputation, and the Ibiza Gran Hotel's restaurant, La Gaia by Óscar Molina, was awarded a Michelin star in 2021. The hotel also offers other superb dining spots and clubs. Consider a stay in the new Beach Caves at the plush Six Senses Ibiza or W Ibiza on Santa Eulalia beach.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia's capital is an ancient city with architecture ranging from Art Nouveau to traditional wood houses and abandoned factories repurposed as hotels to accommodate growing tourism in this fascinating destination. It's the first stop on the way to wine country for the annual September Rtveli harvest festival, a tradition dating back thousands of years. In the Kakheti region, where more than 200 indigenous varietals are grown, vineyard owners invite visitors to participate in the harvest and the festivities. For a unique and authentic experience, visit Georgia in September, stay at the newly renovated Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, and learn about — and taste, of course — Georgian wines.

Mammoth Lakes, California

Located in the Eastern Sierras, the community of Mammoth Lakes is beautiful as summer turns to fall during September. Temperatures drop into the 60s with cooler nights, ideal weather for hiking, backpacking, or mountain biking on the many trails throughout the Inyo National Forest. Boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding are more ways to enjoy the lakes. At the higher elevations, leaves start turning to their fall colors in mid-to-late September, so visit Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, and Green Creek or head to Mammoth Lakes in late September for the show. The reds, oranges, and gold colors continue through October in the Eastern Sierra.

Bentonville, Arkansas

It's time to get to know Bentonville, and September's FORMAT (For Music, Art, and Technology) Festival, September 23-25, is the perfect opportunity. Stay a while and visit the Momentary, the city's home for visual, performing, and culinary arts with events throughout the year. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — much more than a museum, with 120 acres of Ozark forest, streams, and trails — should also be on your Bentonville itinerary. Known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, Bentonville features miles of trails for riders from novice to expert. Stay at the stylish boutique hotel, 21c Bentonville, filled with contemporary art, spacious guestrooms, and dining at The Hive.

Maui, Hawaii

September is a great time to visit Maui, with fewer summer tourists and warm, dry weather. The "Valley Isle" is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and travelers can choose its stunning beaches or head Upcountry to farms, ranches, and wineries. The road to Hana on Maui's east coast is a thrilling adventure, and in September, the traffic is lighter. Or you can fly to the tranquil Hana Maui Resort on the resort's private plane. On the sunny southwestern coast, the elegant Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea welcomes the Four Seasons Maui Wine & Food Classic from September 1-4, featuring celebrated chefs and extraordinary winemakers.

Munich, Germany

The city of Munich, set in the Bavarian Alps, is well known for Oktoberfest, its nearly 200-year-old tradition of biergartens, pretzels, sausage, and fun. This year's events will be held from September 17-October 3, and visitors will see traditional lederhosen and dirndls during the festivities. Explore the quaint city's main square, Marienplatz, and take in the view from the New City Town Hall with its famous glockenspiel. Browse the open-air market, Viktualienmarkt, for food, drinks, souvenirs, and local delicacies.

Bristol, Virginia

Recognized by Congress as "The Birthplace of Country Music," this small city in Southern Appalachia will host the 21st Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival from September 9-11 with more than a hundred bands on indoor and outdoor stages. Enjoy the early autumn weather at one of the city's parks including Steele Creek Park with more than 2,100 acres of hiking trails, a nature center, and a golf course. Stay at The Bristol Hotel, a boutique property featuring a rooftop bar with views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Bermuda

Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean about 650 miles east of North Carolina. In September, the waters have been warmed by summer weather, and temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s, perfect for the beach or exploring Bermuda's 21 square miles. Once known for its major export — Bermuda onions — Bermuda is now a popular vacation destination for golf, resorts, and its famous cocktail, the Dark 'n Stormy. Stay at the elegant Rosewood Bermuda on the Castle Harbour coastline. There's also The Loren at Pink Beach, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, the Bermudian cottage-style Cambridge Beaches, and a range of lodging.

Breckenridge, Colorado

The historic mining town of Breckenridge, located at 9,600 feet above sea level, is among the first places in the country to see colorful fall foliage when groves of aspen trees turn to gold throughout September. Other reasons to travel there in fall are the Breckenridge Wine Classic (September 15-17), Strings, Ciders & Sours (September 16-18), Oktoberfest(September 23-25), and the Breck Film Festival (September 15-18). Explore the outdoors with a guided nature hike led by Summit Nature Guides, or find one of the many scenic trails on your own.

Bawah Reserve, Indonesia

Located 160 miles northeast of Singapore in the Anambas Archipelago, Bawah Reserve is reopening in September after a two-year closure and refurbishment with a new adults-only private island and accommodations that include two and three-bedroom villas. Accessible only by private seaplane, the reserve consists of six islands, 13 beaches, and three lagoons, with a beachside restaurant and bar, spa, and salt water infinity pool complete with a water slide. Guests can spend days snorkeling among untouched coral reefs, paddle boarding, or exploring in see-through kayaks. Committed to ensuring the area's conservation, the Reserve launched a foundation to protect the Indonesian Ocean surrounding the remote Anambas Archipelago.

Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Summer's crowds have left the popular resort town, and the weather is in the comfortable 70s with water temperatures around 77 degrees. Taormina's beaches are gorgeous, and most are rocky, so pack some water shoes. In town, stroll among locals along Corso Umberto, browsing the shops and stopping for gelato or the best cannoli at Roberto's, the self-proclaimed "mago" (magician) of the ricotta-filled pastry. Don't miss the ancient Greek theater where opera continues through September. Stay near the beach at the elegant Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea or steps from the center of town at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. The Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, once a 14th-century convent, combines its history with luxurious modern amenities and stunning views of Mt. Etna and the ancient theater.