Labor Day may mark the end of summer, and summer vacations, but that can make it an excellent month for less-crowded vacations.
The weather is also more appealing in September in sweltering spots like Egypt, and you can eke out the last few weeks of summer in places like Madeira. It’s also the first chance to check out autumn foliage in a few states across the U.S. or head to Europe to join a quirky festival that’s taken place in the same city for more than seven centuries.
Consider these 11 spots to visit this September, and use some insider scoops from local experts to make the most of your trip.
Kick off fall foliage season in an unlikely place.
Photo by Michael Munster/Shutterstock
1. Branson, Missouri
September is great for: an alternative to New England’s crowded leaf-peeping routes.
Forget New England: What about looking at changing colors in the heart of the country? Consider a trip to Branson, Missouri, where maples, oaks, and ashes turn warm hues starting around mid-September, thanks to the higher elevation of the Ozark Mountains. Get on Highway 165 for a 22-mile scenic loop that offers superb views, including across Table Rock Lake. Or hop out of the car and go hiking around the more than 1,500-acre Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area.
Where to stay: The Ozarker Lounge
- Book now: theozarkerlodge.com
The 102-room boutique hotel opened last summer, offering a stylish, camp-themed alternative to the somewhat workaday accommodations that are common here.
Insider tip
Come to the Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City, which starts on September 12, says Ozarker general manager Chris Patrick. He says there are 30,000 pumpkins on display by day and a menu of pumpkin-spice–inspired food. At night, expect “non-scary family fun,” with dance parties on Pumpkin Plaza and dozens of fairground rides.
A September visit to Egypt doesn’t coincide with European school vacations, so crowds are typically thinner.
Photo by Melnikov Dmitriy/Shutterstock
2. Hurghada, Egypt
September is great for: top-notch diving in one of the world’s best spots.
Diving among the reefs of the Red Sea is epic for anyone PADI-certified. One of the best periods to hit the waters, when the weather will be balmy and visibility at its best, starts in September.
The area is home to more than 300 species of coral as well as 1,700 shallow-fish species. Choose between the marine reserve of Ras Muhammad or the two islands known as “the Brothers,” where you’re likely to have an up-close shark encounter. Also consider the SS Thistlegorm, a superb wreck dive that’s been here since German bombers sank it in 1941.
Where to stay: The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh
- Book now: oberoihotels.com
The 48-acre all-suite resort is the ideal base for divers, set across the bay from the somewhat over-trafficked Sharm el Sheikh. From the jetty here, you can easily access the best of the reef.
Insider tip
Oberoi general manager Ahmed Nagy says one of his personal favorites for dining out is Corallo Restaurant by the seaside: “I always recommend their seafood tagine—a rich, fragrant stew brimming with fresh Red Sea catch. Pair it with warm baladi bread to fully enjoy the local flavors.”
Custer State Park is home to a herd of 1,500 bison.
Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock
3. Custer State Park, South Dakota
September is great for: a glimpse into the enduring magic of Western culture.
Come here on September 26 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Buffalo Roundup, as skilled cowboys and cowgirls wrangle more than 1,300 bison through the park’s rugged landscape. There’s more than just spectacle to this event: The park can sustain only about 1,000 of the animals without grasslands becoming dangerously depleted, so the excess population will be auctioned off in the roundup’s wake.
Stick around for two more days, and you can join the 5- or 10-kilometer hike known as the Volksmarch at the Crazy Horse Memorial; this is the only day each year when you can access the face of the colossal sculpture up close.
Where to stay: The Bavarian Inn
- Book now: bavarianinn.com
The 64-room inn sits on five acres and was first opened by an expat German more than 50 years ago—hence the chalet-style architecture. A stay here is a great way to nod to the influx of immigrants from that region in the state’s early years.
Insider tip
Gina Konechne, who’s regional director of Custer State Park Resorts, recommends at least one meal at Blue Bell Lodge, which she calls “a comforting little dude ranch–style hideaway.” Specialties include fireside buffalo skillet, cashew walleye, and the house cornbread.
The mountains loom large over life in Breckenridge any time of year.
Courtesy of Breckenridge Tourism Office
4. Breckenridge, Colorado
September is great for: sneaking in some early leaf-peeping.
Thank Breckenridge’s high altitude—it sits at 9,600 feet above sea level—for the early peak of fall foliage, by late September, when the aspens so commonplace in the countryside here turn golden.
For a fantastic way to see the forests of aspen on foot, Eaglesmere Lake Trail is slightly more than seven miles and should take about three-and-a-half hours to hike. Or try the shorter, moderately exerting Aspen Alley, which is aptly named and runs for about two-and-a-half miles.
Where to stay: Hotel Alpenrock
- Book now: hotelalpenrock.com
This 205-room property opened last winter along the base of Peak 9, the ideal spot for newbie skiers. Make sure to duck into the town’s speakeasy-style bar, Canary, which was inspired by the town’s Prohibition-era dance halls.
Insider tip
Don’t think this is just a ski hub—Breckenridge is in cowboy country, too. “Head to Lace & Lariat, and create your own cowboy hat,” says Alpenrock general manager Meredith Ash. “And you’ll truly embody the spirit of this Western town.”
The history of winemaking in Madeira dates back hundreds of years to the 15th century, and locals take pride in their expertise and craftsmanship.
Photo by proslgn/Shutterstock
5. Madeira
September is great for: a snifter or two in one of the world’s oldest wine regions.
If you’d like to learn more about the archipelago’s famous wine, come for the Madeira Wine Festival, which runs from August 24 to September 14.
This festival is spread out across two main sites. One of them is the Wine Lounge at Praça do Povo in the capital, Funchal, where there are tastings and musical performances. The other is the hillside village of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. There, you’ll be surrounded by vineyards and can take part in that irresistible harvest tradition: stomping the grapes, accompanied by traditional folk musicians.
Where to stay: The Reserve at Savoy Palace
- Book now: savoysignature.com
This hotel-within-a-hotel sits in an enclave of 40 rooms and suites. The property has its own private infinity pool, rooftop bar, and lounge overlooking Funchal Bay.
Insider tip
Reserve manager Cristina Mata adds an extra stop to any oenophile’s itinerary this month: Blandy’s Wine Lodge. The 200-year-old building in the heart of Funchal is an immersive experience from the still-family-run winemaker. “You’ll learn about the unique estufagem and canteiro processes used only in Madeira wine,” Mata says. “Book a late-afternoon tour and then enjoy a glass of Bual in the vintage tasting room or wine bar.”
On September 21, 1981, this Central American nation, once known as British Honduras, gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Photo by JC Cuellar/Shutterstock
6. Belize City
September is great for: an off-season carnival.
Belize is best known for its Maldives-level fringing reefs near spots such as Placencia in the south, but consider instead a trip to the capital, Belize City, where Carnival celebrations commandeer the streets in September.
Carnival here reflects the cultures that comprise modern Belize, looping in Mayan as well as African elements. For two weeks starting September 6, plenty of events prime the country for its birthday. One of them includes the public holiday on September 10 for St. George’s Caye Day, which commemorates a key battle against the Spanish in the 1790s.
Where to stay: Fort George Hotel & Spa
- Book now: fortgeorgebelize.com
A reimagined former Radisson right on the waterfront, Fort George Hotel & Spa is housed in a building that first opened as a hotel in the 1950s. This is a grande dame of the capital city and undeniably the most luxurious hotel in town.
Insider tip
Take home some artwork from the Image Factory, says Fort George Hotel & Spa manager Edison Maxwell Trapp, which is “a hub for local creativity, where you’ll find handcrafted sculptures made from exotic woods like ziricote and mahogany.” Look for designs featuring either the toucan, the country’s national bird, or the tapir, the Belizean national mascot.
The Great Bear Rainforest is home to the remarkable Kermode, or spirit bear (where 1 in 10 or so cubs is white rather than black).
Photo by Lynn A/Shutterstock
7. Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
September is great for: glimpsing grizzlies more readily than ever.
The Great Bear Rainforest is in the northern reaches of Canada’s British Columbia, where dramatic fjords slice down into deep waters.
Grizzly bears hide out in the old-growth forests here, but you can amp up your chance of spotting them by booking a trip this month. That’s all thanks to the salmon run that takes place during this time, where thousands of sockeye and coho salmon lure bears to the water’s edge.
Where to stay: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge
- Book now: tweedsmuirparklodge.com
This cozy lodge has its own raised viewing platform and a raft of activities, including guided hikes during which you can learn how to spot signs of grizzly-bear activity in the forest.
Insider tip
Bella Coola Valley is in Nuxalk territory, so you can learn more about Indigenous traditions and history through cultural excursions such as a totem tour. “Copper Sun Journeys and Nan Adventures both offer insight into the rich history of the area and cultural traditions of the Nuxalk people,” Firvale Wilderness Camp owner Jen Sherlock says.
Frankfurt is the fifth-largest city in Germany.
Photo by Kiev Victor/Shutterstock
8. Frankfurt, Germany
September is great for: embracing Teutonic traditions dating back centuries.
Dippemess is a folk fair that goes back more than seven centuries, taking place twice yearly in spring and fall. The fest coalesces around itinerant pottery sellers, who would typically visit to sell their dippe or earthenware pots.
This month’s edition, running from September 12-28, takes place on Frankfurt’s main fairgrounds at the Ratsweg. It’s a more low-key and family-friendly affair than the springtime festival and effectively marks the end of summer, running from afternoon until late at night. Expect carousels, rollercoasters, and delicious treats, like cotton candy and bratwurst.
Where to stay: Gekko House
- Book now: marriott.com
This industrial-chic property—think raw concrete walls—is the ideal base to explore the Gallus district, a former industrial hub close to the main railway station that’s rapidly gentrifying.
Insider tip
Pick up a bembel to take home with you, says Gekko general manager Jeffrey Wieck. The clay pitcher historically served the area’s famous local hard cider made from sour apples. “Many people also use this pitcher at home as a vase or to serve water,” Wieck says.
Experience Prince Edward County in September for peak small town vibes.
Photo by Michael George
9. Prince Edward County, Canada
September is great for: squeezing out an extra few weeks of summertime.
If you haven’t yet made it to this gorgeous corner of Ontario that’s a must-see for this year, you can still prolong summer a few more weeks to plan a trip up here as the crowds thin out.
This corner of Canada resembles the Hamptons in the 1960s or 1970s, with vineyards, indie stores, and small town vibes. This month, you can see the creatives who call the county home, at work in almost 40 different studios, during the PEC Studio Tour program running September 19-21—it’s a juried program that’s free for visitors to enjoy.
Where to stay: The Drake Devonshire
- Book now: thedrake.ca
The arrival in 2014 of this outpost of the Toronto boutique property was so impactful on the area that locals refer to time here as “before the Drake” or “after the Drake.”. The 13-room property lured a younger, hipster-skewing crowd to the area, which gave it a jolt of much-needed energy.
Insider tip
If you want to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and trails of the renowned Sandbanks Provincial Park, remember to plan ahead, warns Scott Hart, regional general manager of The Drake. “The park has strict capacity limits, so if visiting on the weekend in September, it is best to book in advance. You can book online, and it’s the best way to secure your place to see the world’s largest baymouth dune formation,” Hart says.
The Sacramento River flows through Redding.
Photo by Cody Markhart/Shutterstock
10. Redding, California
September is great for: live music with an all-American accent.
The Gold Rush-era town of Redding is the anchor of Northern California’s Shasta Cascade. The rugged landscape is quilted with hiking trails and forest views at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, best known for its quartet of spectacular waterfalls.
If you time a visit this month from September 26 to 28, you can see a superb lineup of acts at the annual Redding Roots Revival festival. There are three stages featuring almost twenty different musicians, and this year’s headliners include Humboldt County-based soul and funk band Diggin’ Dirt and Bay Area rock’n’rollers The Stone Foxes.
Where to stay: Sheraton at Sundial Bridge
- Book now: marriott.com
This spot is handily located close to downtown and the botanical gardens of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. It’s also near the Sundial Bridge, a 2004 landmark designed by Spanish starchitect Santiago Calatrava.
Insider tip
Local event planner Tessa Borquez recommends roaming downtown Redding, which has just one of a handful officially designated cultural districts in the state. One standout? Capturing the Essence Salt Cave. “This immersive spa is filled with over two tons of pink Himalayan salt and features everything from heated salt tables and egg-shaped swing chairs to softly lit brick salt walls,” Borquez says.
Enjoy Hungarian wine by the Danube this September.
Courtesy of Ignat Kushanrev
11. Budapest, Hungary
September is great for: sampling some unexpected vintages.
Hungary is an overlooked wine producer, but there are world-class wine regions here, including Tokaj in the country’s northeast, and the tiny, 741-acre Nagy Somló just west of Budapest, where the terroir of dormant lava confers a deep smokiness to every white made there. Sample those and more this month during Budapest’s Wine Festival, held at historic Buda Castle September 12–15. Don’t miss the chance to take a few tipples at the famous ruin bars known as romkocsma in Pest, which squat in many abandoned buildings of District VII.
Where to stay: W Budapest
- Book now: W Budapest
The 151-room hotel sits in the Drechsler Palace, a neo-Renaissance wedding cake of a building constructed in the 1890s opposite the State Opera House. The decor is suitably maximalist—plenty of mirrors—and the location’s unbeatable, convenient for both sides of the river.
Insider tip
W Budapest chief concierge Peter Zimmerman recommends all the spas for which Budapest is renowned, but with a twist—come ready for a game of chess: “Hungarians love chess, and we were always in the top tier of chess competitions. Locals love to play in spas whether it is a floating chess board or a built-in one.”
