The 7 best places in the U.S. to visit in September

September forces us to face the music: Summer is ending, fall is near and for many people, the schedule feels way too busy from now until the end of the year. But September also marks the start of harvest season, and fall festivities are hard to hate. If you can squeeze in time for a getaway (even a short one), September is actually one of the most fun times to travel, thanks to the magic of the season.

Think apple picking in New England, wine tasting in western vineyards, and leaf-peeping from Maine to Colorado. Early fall travel is all about food and foliage. If you have a few days off this Labor Day weekend or some lingering PTO you haven't used yet this summer, now's your chance to make the most of this fleeting season.

Gorgeous scenery aside, September also marks the beginning of shoulder season in many destinations, when crowds clear out and hotel rates drop. Some of the spots on this list can feel prohibitively expensive during peak seasons (looking at you, Aspen), but September and early fall help level the travel playing field.

Go for: Early fall foliage, coastal drives and small-town nostalgia

No matter how you slice it, New England finishes high on the list of late-summer travel destinations. Throughout September, the forests of Maine approach their colorful peak, and Acadia National Park is the best place to witness the glory.

If you've never experienced early autumn in New England, prepare to have your expectations exceeded. Technically, Maine's fall color doesn't reach its peak until early October, but the hues will build throughout September. For a full look at foliage color peaks and progress across the U.S., check out this 2026 fall foliage map .

Resplendent forests aside, coastal Maine in general is a worthy shout this time of year. "A drive through midcoast Maine in September is one of the best things the East Coast has to offer," says Kyle Thomas, Yahoo Travel's principal product designer. "Driving Route 1 across the midcoast islands, stopping at berry farms, mom-and-pop restaurants and local fisheries provides some serious 1950s American nostalgia."

If you're sticking to the national park, you'll have plenty to do, like driving Park Loop Road, hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain (the tallest peak on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.) or wandering through the Wild Gardens of Acadia . When you've had your fill of adventure, head just outside the park to Bar Harbor for a lobster dinner on the water — or a customary blueberry pancake breakfast in the morning.

Go for: Lakefront living reminiscent of East Coast resort towns, plus treats made from local cherry orchards

Thanks to its location, the Upper Midwest can still feel like a well-kept secret, though it's one of the most idyllic vacation spots in the country. Door County is tucked at the far northern tip of the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin, bordered by Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It's often referred to as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," on account of its extensive coastline, boating culture, farm-to-table restaurants and more than a few postcard-worthy lighthouses.

Door County is also famous for its ample cherry orchards, though cherry season will be over by September. You can still find plenty of preserved cherry delicacies at the shops, markets and restaurants across the peninsula, though. Lautenbach's Orchard Country Market & Winery in Fish Creek is a top choice, featuring an on-site bakery with cherry pie and other treats, plus cherry wine and cider tastings seven days a week.

The sheer stone ledges at Cave Point County Park in Sturgeon Bay are a must-see, and the early days of September will likely still be warm enough for swimming, kayaking and ledge-jumping. Other spots to add to your list: Peninsula State Park, Whitefish Sand Dunes State Park and Newport State Park (a designated International Dark Sky Place with excellent stargazing). Football fans will be pleased to know that Door County is just an hour northeast of the city of Green Bay, where football season will be in full swing by September.

Go for: Mountains blanketed with yellow aspen trees and shoulder-season deals in a high-end resort town

If you're chasing the tail end of summer, you should probably head to a beach town instead of the mountains. But if fall vibes are what you're after this September, look no further than Aspen. This historic mountain town and ski resort is best known as a winter destination, but during its fall shoulder season, the often-high prices drop and the mountain slopes erupt with color.

The lantern-like glow of Colorado's aspen trees reaches its peak in September, lighting up the hillsides with gold. Aspens grow throughout Colorado's Rocky Mountain range, but fittingly, Aspen is one of the best places to see them. The Rocky Mountains are among the few places in the U.S. that reach their full peak of fall color in September. Some popular hiking areas around Aspen include Maroon Lake Scenic Trail, the Rio Grande Trail and Crater Lake. The Maroon Lake Scenic Trail will take you to the classic viewing point of the Maroon Bells, surrounded by bright aspens.

Don't just go for the trees, though. Aspen is an excellent spot for food, film and even an annual hot air balloon festival. The Snowmass Balloon Festival fills the skies with more than 30 whimsical hot air balloons every September (Sept. 25 to 27 this year) over the village of Snowmass, a ski resort east of downtown Aspen. The Aspen Saturday Market runs all month, and the Aspen Filmfest will kick off on Sept. 29.

Go for: A laidback arts and music town surrounded by high-country desert canyons and ponderosa pine forests

Much of the southwest is enviable in early fall, when the oppressive summer temps finally subside and the region comes alive with art fairs , food festivals and more. But while the competition is stiff, Flagstaff stands out for its best-of-both-worlds status — you'll have access to live music, art festivals and a fine-tuned local food scene, all within about 15 minutes of some of northern Arizona's most beautiful nature spots. Flagstaff is also a lower-cost alternative to popular tourist areas like Sedona.

Good news for outdoor enthusiasts: Flagstaff is surrounded by significant natural and cultural sites, like Walnut Canyon National Monument , Picture Canyon Natural & Cultural Preserve , the Elden Pueblo Heritage Site and The Arboretum at Flagstaff . Arizona also has its own aspen population, and you can admire the fall color by walking the Aspen Nature Loop north of town. Fascinated by the cosmos? Check out the Lowell Observatory , one of the oldest in the U.S. and the place where Pluto was discovered.

Flagstaff's own Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass Festival will happen from Sept. 18-20 this year, and tickets are still available. There's also Flagstaff Music Festival in Heritage Square on Sept. 12, dedicated to local music and free to attend. On Friday nights, you can catch the First Friday Art Walk , also in Heritage Square. For a bird's-eye view of everything, hop on the Arizona Gondola up to the Snowbowl summit. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon.

Go for: World-class wine tasting, vineyard tours and quaint towns in a fertile green farming valley

Come September, Oregon's wine country settles into its main event of the year. Vineyards across the Willamette Valley are heavy with ripening grapes, wineries begin the first stages of the harvest and tasting rooms fill up with patrons from Portland to Eugene.

The region is best known for its world-class pinot noir, but you'll also find standout white and sparkling wines across dozens of family-owned vineyards. If you're a wine enthusiast who enjoys a lush green landscape, the Willamette Valley is where you should plan to be this fall.

Unlike some of the more sprawling wine regions, many of the towns in this area sit just minutes apart, making it easy to spend a day hopping between vineyards. McMinnville, Dundee and Newberg are popular bases, where you'll find lodging, dining and tasting rooms, plus plenty of outdoor patios for sipping. Oregon, like the rest of the Pacific Northwest, has a rich local food culture and plenty of farmland, making this area a dream for foodies too. If you take a drive through the valley, you'll pass family-owned farm stands overflowing with hazelnuts, pears, apples and late-summer produce.

Silver Falls State Park , east of Salem, is considered the "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system, boasting 10 waterfalls along a seven-mile loop trail. One of the falls is 177 feet tall, and you can even walk behind the curtain of water. As you explore the Willamette Valley, you'll also be just an hour's drive from the Oregon Coast, where you can watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

Go for: Apple picking in idyllic orchards and charming riverfront towns

As autumn nears, the Hudson Valley trades its summer greens for the first hints of gold and crimson, while orchards across the region open their gates for one of New York's favorite seasonal traditions — apple picking.

Many Hudson Valley orchards pair u-pick apples with cider doughnuts, fresh-pressed cider, corn mazes and harvest markets. Fishkill Farms and Rose Hill Farm are popular stops, where you can also pick pears and peaches into September. Some farms even have their own harvest festivals, but the famous Warwick Applefest doesn't happen until the first weekend of October.

Once you've stocked up on fresh fruit, explore some of the Hudson Valley's charming towns like Cold Spring, Kingston and Hudson itself. "What I love most about the Hudson Valley is that you can stay in a different town each time and have a completely different experience," says Tiffany Yannetta, Yahoo Travel's content director. "It's a region that really rewards repeat visits."

If you're looking for even more color, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is an excellent hiking area west of the river.

Go for: Epic wildlife viewing, early fall color and a peak experience of an iconic national park

Yellowstone is one of the most beloved national parks in the U.S., and September is arguably the best time to experience it. Western Wyoming's fall color peaks at this time of year, as the stands of quaking aspens and cottonwoods turn yellow and orange. Yellowstone's often-overwhelming summer crowds start to thin out in September, and cooler temperatures make for more comfortable hiking and exploring.

Year-round, people flock to Yellowstone to witness its prolific geothermal activity. Legendary geysers like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring roil in September, as cooler air creates even more dramatic steam clouds. Just remember to stay on designated trails and use extreme caution when admiring these very hot marvels. Finish the day with a scenic drive through the Lamar Valley, where you'll catch glowing fall foliage and maybe even spot some bison.

Wildlife is the real headline at Yellowstone this time of year. Elk enter their annual rut, filling the park with unmistakable, ethereal bugling calls. Bison are highly active, and bears will be busy feeding before winter. You may even spot some gray wolves, though they're most active during cool mornings and evenings. Bring binoculars, make intentional plans for wildlife viewing (like a guided wildlife tour ) and always keep a safe distance.