Yes, we know that official vacation season concludes on Labor Day (even if it’s a canard that white pants must be instantly packed away then, too). But the shoulder season in fall is often an ideal time to squeeze in a trip when the crowds have thinned, the weather’s still reliable, and the prices deliver much more value. We’ve scoured the world for less hurricane-prone beaches, early foliage showstoppers, and still-warm destinations to visit this season, each of which is nearly tailor-made for a fail-safe fall trip.
Imagine seeing a giraffe while running a marathon.
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Serengeti, Tanzania
Fancy running a marathon with a spectacular backdrop that more than bests any city’s skyscrapers? Come to the Serengeti National Park on November 15 to start the race from Butiama village, birthplace of the first president of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. The route then snakes through the landscape near Ndabaka Gate in the national park; expect gravel roads and gently paved tarmac, as well as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. Entry fees from the 2,000 or so runners last year supported conservation and anti-poaching efforts here. Just make sure to train for altitude, as it takes place around 3,800 feet above sea level.
Where to stay: Singita Sabora Tented Camp
- Book now: Singita Sabora Tented Camp
Bookend the race with a safari stay in the Grumeti Reserve on the western border of Serengeti National Park, where conservation efforts brought back the eastern black rhino and large elephant and buffalo herds. In 2020, Singita rebuilt this longtime favorite, swapping romantic 1920s-era antique furnishings with a chic minimalism that blends into the grassy plains.
Insider tip: Shaun Stanley, tour operator at Stanley Safaris, recommends picking up traditional Maasai beaded jewelry on any visit, saying it’s “always a winner, especially if bought directly from the local women who make it, so you support the local communities.”
Visit Tahiti, the biggest island of French Polynesia, after the summer crowds leave and before the winter rain arrives.
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French Polynesia
Summertime in Tahiti is glorious, with near-perfect weather offering a postcard-perfect tropical getaway—and the high rates almost everywhere reflect that. Wintertime is cheaper but risks being rainy, a drag if your goal is beaches and outdoor fun. If you sneak in between those two windows, though, you can hit a sweet spot: quieter than the peak of summer, with lower rates to match and scant chance of rain. Alongside August, September is the driest month on the main island of Tahiti, with only one inch of rain on average, and October is not much wetter. Book during this window and you’ve hacked the tropical destination for the best value it can offer.
Where to stay: Vahine Island
- Book now: Vahine Island
This nine-bungalow resort sits on its own island. Book one of the beachfront, rather than overwater, rooms for maximum privacy.
Insider tip: The charming and indefatigable Tracey Thomas of Unique Tahiti tours recommends detouring to Tahiti Iti, the smaller, eastern half of the main island. “Teahupoo is the site of the 2024 surf Olympics, and it’s a wonderful day out,” she says, of the wave-catching draw there. Add on a trip to the northern edge of that region to see the village of Tautira. “The scenery is drop-down-dead gorgeous, and it’s rarely visited by tourists.”
Festivals and fair weather favor San Fransisco in fall.
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San Francisco, California
Sssshh—whisper it. There’s a secret window when SF’s notoriously fickle weather behaves better than expected, and it isn’t the summertime. Ask any local, and they’ll admit that the fall is when this city is at its loveliest, staying warm and dry rather than its usual cycling through the four seasons in a day. Unsurprisingly, then, it’s also when many of the best events take place, from the LGBTQ-fest Castro Street Fair (this year, on October 5) to fetish fiesta Folsom Street Fair (September 28) or the Haight Ashbury Street Fair in the still patchouli-soaked hippie hub of the famed neighborhood’s streets (September 7).
Where to stay: Beacon Grand
- Book now: Beacon Grand
Formerly (and long) known as the Sir Francis Drake, this Union Square fixture reopened three years ago after a smart renovation that still preserved some of its 1920s-era grandeur, not to mention the superb view from its top floor lounge, Starlite.
Insider tip: Leif Abram, concierge at the Beacon Grand, raves about the local pottery-maker Heath Ceramics. “It was founded in Sausalito in 1948, and they still have the factory there. And they still have a foundry South of Market in the Heath Building.” Visit both or just browse their stall at the gourmet marketplace and mall that’s been carved out of the onetime water terminus, the Ferry Building.
From the Cotswolds to Somerset, England’s best fall exists just outside of London.
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British countryside
Hop across the pond to enjoy fall foliage among the rolling countryside of southern England, from the Cotswolds to the south coast. Look for rowan trees, also known as mountain ash, a native species that shimmers a glorious yellow with red berries during this season, and beech, those huge anchors of so many British forests with russet-brown leaves all autumn. Make sure to spend some time in Sussex, home to the glorious South Downs, as well as a raft of new vineyards producing sparkling wine that’s jostling for attention alongside champagne, like Rathfinny and Nyetimber. October, of course, is when the harvest will take place, and expect lively activities at all the wineries.
Where to stay: The Newt
- Book now: The Newt
South African power couple Koos Bekker and Karen Roos took the hotel and farm stay concept they finessed at their other property, Babylonstoren near Cape Town (think organic food, chic design, and endless activities), and deployed it artfully here in Somerset, in a vast estate in the British countryside.
Insider tip: Arthur Cole, head of programs at the Newt, says there are two can’t-miss English institutions together in one site at nearby Cadbury Castle. “It’s an Iron Age hill fort widely believed to be the site of the legendary Camelot” of Arthurian legend, he says, before adding that there’s also a pub at the fort’s base named after that mythical place. “It’s a very local pub, which tends to have the local farmers propping up the bar and discussing butter,” he laughs, of the plethora of dairy herds nearby.
Greek islands are crowded and over-touristed—except in the fall.
Photo by Leonid Sorokin/Shutterstock
Chios, Greece
If you haven’t yet squeezed in a trip to Chios, the fifth largest Greek island and one we recommended visiting this year, it’s not too late (and after the fires of this summer, your tourist dollar will be even more welcome). In fact, the fall is an excellent time to witness the harvest of mastic or mastiha, a resin tapped from an evergreen shrub here, which has been renowned since the time of Hippocrates, who used it for digestive issues and as a breath freshener. Cutting the trees begins in late summer, and the harvest of resin continues through early October. The best way to try the final product: in the namesake liqueur, which has a sweet, pungently aromatic flavor.
Where to stay: Pearl Island Chios Hotel & Spa
- Book now: Pearl Island Chios Hotel & Spa
The brand-new, top-tier spot is the island’s first true luxury option, with 48 suites and spectacular pool.
Insider tip: Don’t think the island’s sole focus is mastic, says Ileana von Hirsch founder of villa rental company Five Star Greece, who points out that the citrus history here is remarkable too. Walk around Kambos village, which she calls “the most picturesque part of Chios with old mansions, orchards, and unique architectural sgraffito decorations on the house walls” before ducking into the museum that tells the story of citrus cultivation here since the 1740s.
Pair some October monster festivals with warm water and beaches in Key West.
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Key West, Florida
Key West, at the tip of the Florida Keys, has always been determinedly different, relishing its renegade reputation from its wealth-procuring shipwreck raiding years in the 1800s till the 20th century as it became a safe refuge for LGBTQ+ folks. The queer community’s influence remains evident via events like Fantasy Fest, a 10-day extravaganza that started in 1979 and commandeers the Conch Republic for an adult-focused carnival. (Come with an open mind and a skimpy costume.) Each year has a theme, and in 2025, it’s “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters"—check the full roster of events, which starts on October 17.
Where to stay: The Perry Hotel & Marina
- Book now: The Perry Hotel & Marina
Take a break from the hubbub by hiding out at this luxury resort, which has many rooms with balconies overlooking the palm trees and ships in the marina. The hotel is perched on the southern edge of Stock Island, the key immediately to the east of Key West proper.
Insider tip: Perry concierge Johnny Vance says it’s best to ditch the large group catamaran tours that ferry you out to explore the reef. “Check out the Happy Captain [boat charters], who offers private snorkeling charters in a glass-bottom boat, which is an excellent, intimate alternative,” says Vance. “It’s a hidden gem that makes reef exploration feel truly personal.”
Egypt’s water is warmest and clearest in shoulder season.
Photo by Aleksandar Todorovic/Shutterstock
Hurghada, Egypt
The Red Sea’s dive sites are at their best in the shoulder seasons, whether March through May or fall, with warm, clear waters (usually in the low 70s) and a much denser concentration of larger marine life—expect manta rays and hammerhead sharks above all, as well as oceanic whitetip sharks. Take your pick from an assortment of impressive sites: The Daedalus Reef is a hot spot for hammerheads, while Elphinstone Reef is where the whitetips will patrol. Don’t miss the SS Thistlegorm, either: The warship was sunk by German bombers in 1941 and has been avidly colonized by sea life in the eight decades since.
Where to stay: The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh
- Book now: The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh
At this elegant resort property with an infinity pool overlooking the Red Sea, you can sidestep the hectic, tourist-clogged village of Sharm El Sheikh while still enjoying the region’s beloved water activities—the Oberoi runs private boat tours, scuba trips, and even a desert safari trip.
Insider tip: Mawlid an-Nabi, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, on September 4 is a particularly thrilling time to visit, per Oberoi general manager Ahmed Nagy. “The city comes alive with colorful lights, joyful gatherings, and spiritual music,” he says, adding that sweet-toothed types should enjoy the brittle-like halawet el-moulid, “traditional sweets that are only available during this time—they’re a festive treat.”
Branson, Missouri
Yes, you can enjoy trees changing color beyond the congested roads of a classic trip to New England—and we’d recommend the Midwest’s resort town of Branson as a perfect swap. Sure, it’s famed as a Vegas-style hub for man-made fun, but it’s also in the shadow of the Ozark Mountains, where you can explore the rugged landscape as it shimmers with reds, golds, and russets this season, especially on the 22-mile loop on Highway 165. Essential reading for the journey is undoubtedly the 1907, folklore-inspired novel Shepherd of the Hills. Local author Harold Bell Wright wrote it here, drawing on memories of visiting the countryside as a child; it’s an evocative glimpse of the area in simpler times.
Where to stay: The Ozarker
- Book now: The Ozarker
This two-year-old boutique hotel offers a quirky respite from the workaday motels that are the mainstay of most accommodation here; try one of the six-bed bunk rooms if you’re traveling in a group.
Insider tip: Pick up some local apple butter, a classic souvenir, from the Silver Dollar City theme park, says the Ozarker’s general manager Chris Patrick. And make sure not to leave without sipping a flaming margarita or two, which he says will “add a little drama and unforgettable flair” to a night out. Order one at either of the two namesake restaurants here.
October is prime time for starry skies in Jasper National Park.
Photo by Fokke Baarssen/Shutterstock
Jasper, Canada
Fall brings the ultimate after-dark adventure in Canada’s rural wilderness: From October 17 through 26, Alberta’s Jasper National Park hosts its Dark Sky Festival, a celebration of its 2011 designation as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society in Canada, thanks to a dearth of man-made light pollution. There are countless opportunities to stargaze and learn about the universe as a whole this weekend, thanks to events like starwatching sessions with experts from the Jasper Planetarium, nighttime photography tours, hikes to learn about nocturnal animals, and a live symphony under the stars. Check the full 2025 program for any updates.
Where to stay: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
- Book now: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The timeless grandeur of this hotel is largely thanks to its history, when it was built as a European-style palace property during the railway expansion across to the west, right on the shore of Lac Beauvert.
Insider tip: Garrett Turta, the hotel’s general manager, calls the Maligne Range “one of my favorite local restaurants,” mostly due to its small batch whiskeys, and recommends picking up “legendary” cinnamon rolls from Bear’s Paw Bakery, too.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
At the beginning of October, travel to New Mexico’s capital and you’ll see a colorful array of hot air balloons dotting the sky. It’s all part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest balloon event in the world. The fiesta started in 1972 with the launch of 13 hot air balloons—nowadays, that number totals more than 500. The most whimsical of the events, the Special Shape Rodeo, sends balloons that resemble animals, cartoon characters, and other wacky designs above Balloon Fiesta Park.
Temperatures also get considerably milder during the fall. Throughout the season, temperatures drop from the 80s to 50s, making road trips to some of the more arid parts of the state much more accessible, including the 275 square miles of desert found in White Sands National Park, which is about a 3.5-hour drive south of Albuquerque.
Where to stay: Hotel Chaco
- Book now: Hotel Chaco
The 118-room Hotel Chaco, located in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town, brings in Southwest-inspired design in its rugs, stone walls, and exposed wooden beams. Afar director of podcasts Aislyn Greene recommends heading up to its Level 5 rooftop restaurant at sunset for a panoramic view of the city.
This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on August 21, 2025, with current information.
