Colleen Cabili•Dec 10, 2025Back to ArticlesColleen Cabili•Dec 10, 2025
The 12 Best Places to Visit in the US in September
Colleen Cabili•Dec 10, 2025September is one of the most rewarding months for travel in the US. Summer’s intensity begins to fade, but warm weather lingers across much of the country. Coastal towns breathe easier after peak season, mountain trails open into crisp mornings, and cities feel energized without summer crowds. For anyone choosing the best places to visit in the US in September, this is a rare moment when shoulder season feels better than peak season.
The following destinations strike a balance between early-fall color, late-summer warmth, harvest season, and wide-open landscapes – plus a selection of Wander’s luxury vacation rentals that make the most of each setting.
1. Colorado
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Colorado begins its fall transformation earlier than most states. By mid-September, aspen groves around Crested Butte and Telluride start shifting from green to bright gold, and mountain mornings take on a refreshing crispness. Trails are at their absolute best: snow-free, shaded, and scented with pine.
For travelers choosing the best US vacation spots in September for foliage and alpine hikes, Colorado is a top contender.
Things to do
Drive Kebler Pass as the aspens start turning
Mountain-bike in Crested Butte’s high-alpine meadows
Explore Telluride’s waterfalls and gondola views
Enjoy late-summer festivals and farmers markets
Where to stay
Travel tips
Early September is summer-like; late September brings color
Evenings cool quickly — bring layers
2. California
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
California in September is golden in every sense: warm days, cool evenings, and a coastline that often clears of fog. Wine country enters harvest season, Big Sur opens into crisp, blue afternoons, and desert nights begin to soften. It’s also one of the best months for ocean swimming from Malibu to Laguna Beach.
For travelers wondering where to travel in the US in September for variety, California is unmatched.
Things to do
Explore Healdsburg during harvest
Hike Big Sur under clear late-summer skies
Visit Malibu for warm, calm surf
Enjoy early-fall sunsets in Palm Springs
Where to stay
Travel tips
Coastal temps vary widely between morning fog and sunny afternoons
Harvest season weekends book up fast
3. Vermont
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Vermont begins easing into fall earlier than most of the East Coast. While October is peak foliage, September offers cooler mornings, early color at higher elevations, and quieter trails. Farmers markets brim with late-summer produce, and lake towns like Burlington feel warm and lively.
For travelers seeking the best US vacation spots in September with small-town charm and outdoor access, Vermont is idyllic.
Things to do
Hike early-turning trails near Stowe
Paddle on Lake Champlain
Explore farm roads and cider mills
Visit craft breweries and fall markets
Where to stay
Travel tips
Expect cool evenings
Early September remains summery; late month hints at fall
4. Oregon
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Oregon settles into its most reliable weather of the year in September. The coast brightens, the Willamette Valley enters grape harvest, and mountain trails around Mount Hood become prime for hiking without midsummer crowds. It’s a month of warm days, crisp mornings, and long golden hours.
For travelers choosing the best places to visit in the US in September for landscape diversity, Oregon delivers.
Things to do
Explore Samuel H. Boardman’s coastal overlooks
Taste newly harvested wines in the Willamette Valley
Hike waterfall trails around Mount Hood
Visit Portland’s food carts and neighborhood markets
Where to stay
Travel tips
Coastal fog lifts earlier than in midsummer
Harvest weekends in wine country fill quickly
5. Washington
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
September is the Pacific Northwest at its best: low humidity, clear skies, warm afternoons, and trails that remain accessible in the Cascades. The San Juan Islands stay calm and sunlit, with ideal whale-watching conditions and mild temperatures that hold through the end of the month.
For travelers seeking where to travel in the US in September for both culture and nature, Washington straddles both beautifully.
Things to do
Kayak or sail the waters around Orcas Island
Visit Pike Place in its quieter fall rhythm
Hike around Leavenworth’s alpine lakes
Explore Olympic National Park before rains return
Where to stay
Travel tips
September is one of the driest months in the region
Island ferries are easier than in midsummer
6. North Carolina
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
The Blue Ridge Mountains begin transitioning into fall, but temperatures remain warm enough for long hikes, waterfalls, and scenic drives. Asheville and its surrounding small towns feel lively with early-fall events, harvest beers, and wide-open mountain views.
For travelers choosing the best places to visit in the US in September for early color and cooler air, North Carolina is a strong match.
Things to do
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway before peak leaf season
Explore the Craggy Gardens ridge trails
Visit Asheville’s breweries and arts scene
Swim or paddle at Lake James or Fontana Lake
Where to stay
Travel tips
Higher elevations cool quickly
Crowds grow toward the end of the month
7. Tennessee
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
The Smoky Mountains stay lush, warm, and accessible in September. Waterfalls run strong, wildlife is active, and morning mist drifts across the valleys. It’s also one of the best times for live music, food festivals, and early-fall hikes around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
For travelers seeking the best US vacation spots in September with both nature and culture, Tennessee checks every box.
Things to do
Explore Cades Cove in soft morning light
Visit the Great Smoky Mountains trails before the fall crowds
Enjoy Nashville or Knoxville’s late-summer festivals
Take scenic drives through rolling foothills
Where to stay
Travel tips
Warm afternoons contrast with cool mornings
Weekdays offer the quietest park experience
8. South Carolina
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Coastal South Carolina is still warm enough for swimming in September, yet much quieter than midsummer. Hilton Head, Charleston, and other Lowcountry destinations ease into slower rhythms with pleasant breezes and long evenings. September is also prime for seafood and local markets.
For travelers deciding where to travel in the US in September for warm water and relaxed beaches, South Carolina is an excellent choice.
Things to do
Paddle salt marshes near Hilton Head
Walk Charleston’s shaded, historic streets
Enjoy late-season beach days with fewer crowds
Bike island trails under live oaks
Where to stay
Travel tips
Afternoons stay humid, but sea breezes help
Evenings feel warm and relaxed well into fall
9. Florida
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Florida remains hot in September, but the beaches and cities quiet considerably after Labor Day. Warm water, open space, and early fall deals make it a great shoulder-season escape for those who prefer sunshine to sweater weather. Late September also brings lighter breezes and clearer snorkeling conditions in the Keys.
For travelers seeking warm-weather alternatives among the best places to visit in the US in September, Florida leads the list.
Things to do
Snorkel or swim in Islamorada’s bright water
Explore West Palm Beach’s waterfront
Take early-morning Everglades tours
Enjoy oceanfront dining before winter crowds return
Where to stay
Travel tips
Plan outdoor time for mornings and late afternoons
Storms move quickly; sunsets often glow afterward
10. Wisconsin
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
Wisconsin transitions into fall gently. Door County brings cooler breezes, farm stands shift into apple season, and lakefront towns feel relaxed and bright. Colors begin appearing at the very end of the month in the Northwoods, creating a soft early-fall palette.
For travelers looking for the best US vacation spots in September for cozy waterfront escapes, Wisconsin offers calm, scenic days.
Things to do
Visit orchards and cider mills
Kayak along limestone bluffs in Door County
Hike in Peninsula State Park
Explore quaint lakefront villages
Where to stay
Travel tips
Early September stays warm; late September cools rapidly
Lakeside mornings can feel crisp even on sunny days
11. Massachusetts
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
September may be the best month of the year in Massachusetts. Boston warms gently under late-summer light, and Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Berkshires become dramatically quieter after Labor Day. Temperatures stay ideal for hiking, biking, and coastal walks, and early fall events begin rolling in.
For travelers deciding where to travel in the US in September for a mix of culture and scenery, Massachusetts delivers beautifully.
Things to do
Walk Boston’s waterfront and historic districts
Enjoy calm beaches and bike paths on the Cape
Hike the Berkshires under early fall color
Visit museums and fall markets in small towns
Where to stay
Travel tips
Ferry schedules shift after Labor Day
Evenings cool down quickly inland
12. New York City (a special September standout)
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in September
New York City feels at its brightest in September. Humidity drops, skies clear, and neighborhoods feel energized after summer. Outdoor dining continues well into fall, and festivals, concerts, and cultural events fill nearly every weekend.
For urban travelers seeking the best places to visit in the US in September without extreme heat or winter chill, NYC is ideal.
Things to do
Visit Central Park as leaves begin to turn
Explore seasonal markets and street fairs
Visit museums in quieter early-fall windows
Walk the High Line under long, warm evenings
Where to stay
Escape from the bustle of the city with these Wanders in Upstate New York:
Travel tips
September is busy with events — book dining ahead
Weather can swing — pack a light layer
Plan Your September Escape With Wander
September opens the US into one of its most generous travel seasons – warm days, crisp mornings, harvest weekends, and coastlines finally exhaling after summer. Whether you’re leaning toward mountain color, wine-country calm, lakefront stillness, or lingering beach weather, Wander’s luxury vacation rentals across the US provide the kind of grounded, spacious base that lets each moment unfold naturally.
Choose the state that matches your September mood, then start planning the trip that brings the season to life.
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