The 10 best places to travel in September

September is an ideal month to travel if you have some flexibility in your schedule.

Summer vacations have wrapped up and kids are back in school, making airports and destinations noticeably less crowded.

The theater and arts season launches with fresh shows and exhibitions. Plus, the weather is still warm and sunny, but most of the heat and humidity of high summer has dissipated. Everything has that newly sharpened No. 2 pencil and clean notebook feeling that makes you want to book a trip and discover a new destination.

Head north, and you’ll find autumn foliage dotting the trees. In wine regions, the harvest is starting. Or, if you venture to the Southern Hemisphere, you can experience spring weather, too.

Here are 10 great options for a September getaway.

Related: Shoulder season goes mainstream

London

London is one of my favorite cities to celebrate the start of fall. As the leaves begin to take on an autumnal tint in Hyde Park, the Totally Thames festival rows through the entire month of September on the banks of the River Thames with arts festivals, community events, live music and boat races. One to plan around is the Great River Race Sept. 12, when more than 300 crew teams navigate a 21-mile course across the river.

Design fans will want to come later in the month for the London Design Festival, Sept. 12 to 20. And of course, the theater season is off to a grand start as West End shows debut in September. New productions sure to draw crowds include the world premiere of Thelma & Louise, with songs by indie darling Neko Case and Golden Boy, a drama starring Josh O’Conner.

TPG tip: The big news in the land of Big Ben is the slew of new hotels that have recently opened or are getting ready for their big debut. A few of our favorites to book include the new Six Senses London located in Bayswater that launched this past spring with 109 rooms and suites in the former Whiteley’s department store and a full-range of wellness offerings. For September, the hot opening is the boutique St. Clement, created by the former CEO of SoHo House, in a swank space overlooking the Thames,

And the Waldorf Astoria London – Admirality Arch, set to open its doors in early 2027, is now taking reservations. The show stopping hotel is in a landmark building from the early 20th century that’s been in the works for a decade. Stay tuned for updates

Related: The 25 best hotels in London

Minnesota

Do you love food on a stick? How about butter? Have a hankering for something batter dipped and deep fried? If you answer yes to any of these questions, do I have the September getaway for you!

The first week of the month is when the Minnesota State Fair is in full swing. Even if you’ve never visited the region previously, I’m going to guess you’ve seen pictures of the giant butter sculptures of Princess Kay and the Milky Way. There is also an all-you-can-drink milk bar that celebrates the state’s robust dairy culture. But wait, that’s not all! Pickle dip pie, handle bar mustache-shaped pretzels, sliders on a stick, ice cream sundaes layered on top of fried pastry and SO much more awaits, including midway rides and plenty of live entertainment.

Of course Minnesota in the early autumn isn’t just about the fair (although it’s certainly a solid starting point). There’s spectacular fall foliage along the 145-mile All American Road scenic byway where you’ll have unparalleled views of waterfalls, hillsides and the dramatic shoreline of Lake Superior stretching all the way from Duluth to Grand Marais.

TPG tip: The state fair grounds are about six miles from Minneapolis making it an easy destination to base yourself. The Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is connected to the Minneapolis Skyway System, a collection of enclosed pedestrian bridges that connect several downtown restaurants, hotels and shops and the 136 guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of downtown. (It’s also not far from one of our favorite roadside attractions, the world’s largest ball of twine, naturally.) Rates start around $237 or 49,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Burgundy and the Eastern France wine regions

When the seasons change from summer to fall in the heart of France, it can only mean one thing: It’s time to toast to all things wine as the grape harvest gets underway.

France has developed a new wine and food trail that provides a great itinerary for exploring the vineyards of Eastern France. Called Vallee de la Gastronomie, the entire route flows from Dijon in the north to Marseilles in the south. In the early fall, the section from Burgundy to Lyon is ideal to explore, when the grape vines are tinged with autumnal colors and the grape harvest begins.

Wine lovers have a wealth of tasting options, including in nearby Sancerre, Chablis and Beaujolais (which essentially sounds like all my favorite parts of the local wine store). Sip at Chateau de Meursault and Chateau de Pommard, both stunning estates with extensive wine tasting options. Or opt for one of my personal favorites, the boutique, family owned Domaine de la Roche tucked into the vine-covered hills of Beaujolais. For a one-and-done vinophile experience, I’m a fan of Beaujolais Insiders tour, which go deep into the vineyards of the Burgundy region in a classic LandRover making stops along the way for tastings at local shops. Stop for lunch in the heart of Burgundy at Michelin-starred L’Ecume Gourmande, which focuses on local dishes matched with the area’s wines or even cooked with them.

TPG tip: Como Le Montrachet comprises an entire lemon-yellow French village from the 19th century and sits in the heart of Burgundy wine country in Puligny-Montrachet. It has chic etoile-print wallpapered rooms, lushly landscaped grounds and excellent service. The restaurant here is worth a special trip alone to sip local wines while you enjoy an eight-course French farm-to-table tasting menu. From the hotel, Beaune is just 20 minutes away, and you can easily explore the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits on guided wine tours.

Rooms start at $461 per night and can be booked through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and the Mr & Mrs Smith luxury hotel collection.

For a central city stay, the stunningly restored Intercontinental Lyon — Hotel Dieu by IHG occupies a palatial 18th-century building right on the Rhone River within walking distance of the old town. The property has 144 rooms and suites, so if the smaller boutique properties around the region are full, there’s a good chance you can still book an elegant, modern room here. The on-property restaurant, Epona, has multicourse regional tasting menus; keep an eye out for the Comte warm cheese tart, a specialty.

Rooms start at $293 or 56,000 IHG One Reward points per night in September.

Prince Edward Island

When September rolls around, it seems like fall foliage should be making its debut. But, it’s usually a little too warm in the lower 48 states for trees to start changing. The answer for eager leaf peepers? Head north to Canada.

Although many of Canada’s provinces and territories offer early autumnal leaves, we are especially fond of PEI (as Prince Edward Island is commonly known). In late September, the summer crowds thin, the island takes on a more relaxed pace and the leaves begin to change to warm shades of red, orange and gold. The foliage is especially scenic juxtaposed with the area’s coastal blues and grays and red-sand beaches.

Seafood also abounds in PEI, and the PEI International Shellfish Festival takes place in September. Held in Charlottetown from Sept. 18 to 21, you’ll find copious amounts of oysters, mussels and lobster served up alongside live music.

TPG tip: Delta Hotels Prince Edward, a Marriott property, has a prime waterside location in Charlottetown. This means you can walk to the festival or just hit a waterside restaurant for plates full of local seafood, before heading off to explore all the leafy glory of PEI. Extra bonus: The property is dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup on a fall adventure, too.

Rates in September start at $317 or 39,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Related: Hyatt and Air Canada announce partnership and member benefits across Aeroplan and World of Hyatt

Munich

It may be called Oktoberfest (October Festival), but Munich’s brew-forward folk fest kicks off in September. This year’s stein-raising festivities take over the tents of Theresienwiese, where the event has been held since 1810. Celebrations start Sept. 19 and continue for two weeks. If you’ve never been before, it’s good to start off by knowing there are nearly three dozen beer tents, each with its own unique vibe. They all offer classic German dishes (think: knockwurst and giant pretzels). Plus, there’s another separate area that offers carnival rides.

Since there’s always a high volume of visitors (more than seven million at last count), it is often hard to snag a seat, but you can make reservations for many of the most popular options. Heinz Wurst and HuhnerBraterei and Wirtshaus im Schichtl are both on OpenTable.

If you need a break from beer, head to the Kunstareal, Munich’s famed art district. FLUX, the colorful art installation, recently opened there, and it’s an admission-free, indoor-outdoor lounge space at the Pinakothek art museum complex. It’s also a good spot to get a bit of quiet time.

TPG tip: The Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor has a two-floor spa and pool complex, which TPG principal spokesperson Clint Henderson said is among the best in Germany. The property also offers several great restaurant options. (Note that it is a bit out of downtown, so you’ll need to take the nearby train to access Oktoberfest.)

Rates start at $699 or 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night during Oktoberfest.

The Rosewood Munich is a luxury hotel that has revitalized the Palais Neuhaus-Preysing (which originally dates to the early 1700s) and the late-19th-century Bavarian State Bank headquarters. “The hotel’s excellent location, elegant decor and engaging dining and drinking venues mean that it pulls a mix of visitors and locals alike that give it a certain cosmopolitan flavor,” TPG’s editorial director Eric Rosen said when he visited. “If your budget stretches to it, make this your home base for your next Bavarian getaway.”

Rooms start at $2,2,74 per night during Oktoberfest and are bookable through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Namibia

September is an excellent time to visit Namibia, according to the travel experts at Audley Travel, who helped me plan my trip to the southern African nation famed for its epic red sand dunes and rugged Skeleton Coast. They noted that the weather is “warm but not scorching or humid, dry and with clear skies ideal for stargazing among the desert dunes.”

And 2026 is a great time to visit Namibia, thanks to a recent ruling that made it safer for LGBTQI+ visitors to see the country’s unique wildlife and wide-open spaces.

Namibia is home to exceptional lodges, such as Natural Selection’s fabulously romantic Shipwreck Lodge on the windswept Skeleton Coast. There’s also Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp in the northwestern Damaraland region, which is known for its highly safeguarded (in large part thanks to Wilderness and Save the Rhino Trust Namibia) population of critically endangered black rhinos.

TPG tip: In Windhoek, the Namibian capital where most travelers arrive, the Hilton Garden Inn Windhoek is now open and bookable starting at $113 or 20,000 Hilton Honors points per night in September. Additionally, Zannier Sonop, the sumptuous tented camp set among boulders in the southern Namib Desert, has been added to World of Hyatt via its Mr & Mrs Smith partnership; so, it’s now possible to book starting at $1,156 or 98,750 World of Hyatt points per night in September.

The Athens Riviera

If “The Odyssey” is giving you visions of a glorious Greek vacay (without, you know, the nonstop fighting), then set your sights on the Athens Riviera, which hugs the coast of Greece, stretching 40 miles from Piraeus, just outside of Athens, to Cape Sounion at the southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula. It was one of TPG’s picks for the best places to go in 2025 for its boom in luxury beach resorts and easy access to Athens, just 10 miles away. Best of all, September is still warm enough to enjoy the beach and swim in the azure sea.

Plus, you’ll also skip the crowds and high prices of island darlings like Santorini and Mykonos. But don’t worry, the destinations along the Athens Riviera (like Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza) all have beach clubs, shopping and excellent dining options. All this without the need to book a ferry, helicopter or flight to enjoy the sand between your toes and a big platter of fresh-from-the-ocean seafood.

Consider renting a car to make it easier to get in and out of Athens and to visit sites like the Temple of Poseidon, an ancient Greek temple in Sounion.

TPG tip: Start your trip at the newly reopened (and very spruced up) Conrad Athens The Ilisian, one of our favorite new hotel openings. Some of the most notable hotels in the Athens Riviera include the Four Seasons Astir Palace and the retro-glam One&Only Aesthesis, both of which are bookable via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. There’s also the upscale glamping concept from boutique brand Domes called 91 Athens Riviera, the new Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Glyfada with ’70s coastal vibes, and the recently reopened Cape Sounio from Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, which overlooks the Temple of Poseidon.

Malaysia’s western coast

Although it can still be very hot in Southeast Asia in September, Malaysia’s western coast — where you’ll find the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the foodie-favorite destination, Penang — typically sees less rainfall in September compared to other months. Plus, the weather is more temperate, making it a good time to visit.

The country celebrates Malaysia Day, Sept. 16, which is the annual holiday celebrating the nation’s establishment. In Kuala Lumpur, the holiday includes fireworks at the iconic Petronas Towers as well as a grand parade with traditional dancers and colorful floats.

The country is also celebrating the addition of its popular national breakfast to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. So be sure to start your day at least once with a full array of nasi lemak, roti canai and teh tarik while you’re there.

TPG tip: Kuala Lumpur is a hot destination for new hotel development. The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, which opened last year, is a Hyatt award category 5 hotel. It offers epic views from the top floors of Merdeka 118 — the tallest skyscraper in Asia Pacific. Rates start at $320 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night in September.

The Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, celebrated its grand opening earlier this year offering 466 rooms in the lively Tun Razak Exchange. Rates start at $132 a night or 25,000 IHG One Rewards points.

Peruvian Amazon

One of TPG’s top choices for Where to Go in 2026, we can almost guarantee that nature lovers will be in awe during a visit to the Peruvian Amazon, a swath of rainforest and cloud forest that covers roughly 60% of the country and teems with biodiversity. And September is the perfect time to visit for great weather and excellent wildlife sightings.

River cruises are the best way to be immersed in this remote landscape, and in the last year a number of new floating itineraries have come onto the scene. Abercrombie & Kent’s first Amazon riverboat, Pure Amazon, launched in 2025, and andBeyond’s Amazon Explorer yacht debut’s this month. Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions is expanding its offerings with the recently chartered Delfin III, which will more than double the line’s occupancy in the region starting in February.

You can expect adventurous shore excursions like fishing for piranhas, swimming with pink Amazon river dolphins and visiting a local shaman. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot animals found nowhere else in the world, like jaguars, black caimans and Amazonian manatees.

TPG tip: It’s easier to reach Lima, Peru, where many cruise passengers start or end their journeys, than ever before. In the past year, Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) finished a major renovation, Delta Air Lines launched nonstop flights from Salt Lake City and IHG also opened three new hotels the InterContinental Real Lima Miraflores; Hotel Indigo Lima Miraflores; and Souma Lima, Vignette Collection .

Tahiti

Not ready to give up on a tropical beach vacation in September? Keep heading south to reach the ideal, sand-in-your-toes island destination of Tahiti, surrounded by French Polynesia’s vitrine blue waters. Although it’s considered shoulder season, the weather — 80 degrees during the day, mid-60s at night — is ideal in September. Plus, there’s no rain at this time of year, so every day is a beach day. You’ll have fewer crowds and lower prices by visiting in this quieter month.

Off the beach, the island offers myriad ways to immerse yourself in the local culture. Visit Papeete Market for food and crafts, or plan a Jeep tour via Ia Ora Na Tahiti Expeditions; it takes adventure seekers to the East Coast of Tahiti and through Papenoo, the largest valley of Tahiti.

TPG tip: There’s a lot to like about the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, including the largest pool on the island, scenic views of neighboring Moorea and the deep-tissue massages at the Moearii Wellness Center. TPG is also a fan of the dining options here, which include copious sushi platters and even excellent pizza. An extra bonus: It’s just a 10-minute drive from Faa’a International Airport (PPT), so you can start your vacation almost as soon as you step off the plane.

Rates start from $546 or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night in September.