With only 50 states in the US, it can be difficult to narrow down where to visit for just a week or two. Even a month gives you enough time to do something. So when you go, you want to make sure you make the most of your time.
There are plenty of things to do in the US in September, especially if you go around Labor Day. To help you choose the right one for you, here are the 15 best places to visit in September in the US.
1. Moab, Utah
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If you love outdoor activities, Moab is a great place to visit. It is not too hot to visit in September and the place is not crowded with tourists.
Some of the most popular things to do in Moab are to visit some of the national and state parks. There is Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Corona Arch and Deadhorse Point State Park.
There are even petroglyphs in the area if you want a bit of history with an outdoor adventure, namely Sego Canyon, Gut Man and Bartlett Pictographs. There are also dinosaur tracks near Potash Road.
2. Oahu, Hawaii
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April and September are generally considered the best months to visit Oahu, especially Honolulu. At this time, the rains do not fall very often and most of the tourist seasons are outside, so the crowd is not nearly as full.
Most things are a little cheaper at this time, which means you can go and visit most places. For example, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located in Honolulu. But there are also plenty of places to walk.
In addition, September is the time for the week-long Mokihana Festival. It is a place where the Hawaiian people celebrate their culture through music, food and education.
3. Glacier National Park, Montana
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Montana is nice and cool in September before it gets cold. Glacier National Park. There is an airport near the entrance called Glacier International Airport, so you won’t have to go far.
There are lakes to swim in, places to camp under the stars, and trails to hike and see wildlife.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
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If you want to see more city sights and less trees, Las Vegas is worth a visit. Not only is it a place to try your hand at gambling, but the Strip is full of amazing restaurants and plenty of magic and live entertainment.
There are even many museums to visit and learn about the history. It includes the Las Vegas Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, historic casinos, organized crime museums, and more. You could easily spend your entire vacation without ever leaving Las Vegas and never be bored.
If you want to branch out and see the natural sights, there are plenty of places to visit within an hour’s drive or less. For example, Red Rock Canyon is a popular destination.
5. Bar Harbor, Maine
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Bar Harbor in Maine will begin to receive the chill of fall and winter in September. It’s a small town, but it’s full of interesting things. Nearby is Acadia National Park, teeming with wildlife.
There’s also Mount Cadillac, which you can climb to the top or drive up if you want to see the views without work.
Although the town itself is small, it is home to a large lobster fishery. If you enjoy eating seafood, especially lobster, several restaurants in the area are worth checking out.
Additionally, September is when most deciduous trees in the United States begin to change color. If you’re up for it, drive through some wooded areas to see the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of all the leaves.
If you go near the end of September, Bar Harbor also has a festival called the Acadia Night Sky Festival. During this event, people gaze at the stars, listen to music, participate in workshops and have many fun experiences.
6. Adirondack Region, New York
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The Adirondack region is a great place to be if you want to see a deciduous forest. The area is free to visit and you can take a car, so you can see thousands of trees in a relatively short time.
Many people who go to see the leaves tend to choose more touristy places like Tennessee and North Carolina. However, the Adirondack Region is a hidden gem with sights to see.
If you want something else to do while you stop to enjoy the leaves, there are plenty of wineries and breweries you can hop around while you take in the sights. There is even a gondola for an aerial view of the grounds and trees.
There are also several lakes in the area for swimming or boating.
7. Sanibel Island, Florida
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Fall and winter are perfect times to visit Florida. The weather is cool, so you won’t feel like you’re melting in the summer heat.
Sanibel Island in particular is one place you won’t want to miss. In September, the island is usually quiet and places are often cheaper.
Of course, since you’re on an island, there are plenty of beaches to swim in. The beaches are beautiful, full of sea shells and sand dollars. You can also take a boat trip to other nearby islands such as Cabbage Key and Ding Darling Wildlife Sanctuary.
If you get bored on Sanibel Island, Florida, there are plenty of other islands and places to visit, all less than an hour away. For example, Fort Myers is only thirty minutes away and is filled with many different historical sites.
8. Big Sur, California
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California, like most places, stops getting many tourists at the end of August. However, pleasant and mild temperatures remain well into September.
Big Sur is a great area to go whale watching. You can see all kinds of whales, including orcas, humpbacks and blue whales. If you like wildlife, there are plenty of other animals and plants to see. Wildflowers bloom magically all year round and there are plenty of sea otters roaming around.
There are also places to go camping, lodges for a more relaxed camping style, restaurants, gift shops and art galleries so you never have to leave the area. If you’re into architecture, there are even bridges to walk across and admire.
9. Burlington, Vermont
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Vermont is another area for those who love the outdoors and want to see lots of fall colors. Lake Champlain has beautiful views of the Adirondack Mountains. There are also cruises that will take you along the coast and show you all the colors of autumn.
You won’t get bored with several hiking trails and then you can return to the city at the end to visit the markets. With so many farms nearby, you can truly experience the farm-to-table lifestyle for a while.
Many brewers also make Burlington their home, so you’ll find unique fall beers and ciders to try throughout the area.
10. Grand Canyon, Arizona
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The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and should never be overlooked. In the summer season, it is full of tourists who want to see the scenery. For this reason, September is one of the best times to visit.
In early fall, you can hike the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Even if you’re the driver, don’t worry, there are plenty of places to pull over and take in the view.
The drive alone can easily take four hours or more, so you could spend days exploring the Grand Canyon. There are also rides and the chance to ride a mule. If heights don’t scare you, helicopter rides are also an option.
With the size of the Grand Canyon, there are several great cities to visit along the way, including Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada.
11. Seattle, Washington
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Seattle has many cloudy days. On average, 226 of the 365 days of the year are overcast and cloudy. However, September often tends to have less rain and more sun than many other months, making it an ideal time to go.
Around Labor Day weekend, Seattle hosts a festival known as Bumbershoot. Bumbershoot is considered one of the best international music and arts festivals in the country.
If you miss Bumbershoot, there’s also the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival. It’s in late September and offers free boat tours, historic boats and anything nautical.
Oktoberfest is also a very popular attraction that takes place in September. It’s time for a big beer festival for all the craft breweries to celebrate their skills.
There are also non-seasonal jobs. You can always go and look at the ocean because it is just a short distance away. The Space Needle is another fun place to visit, as well as the Skyview Observatory, Pike Place Market, and even the ferry.
12. Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Colorado Springs and the surrounding area is a great place to be in September. About an hour away, Cripple Creek is full of casinos and mountain views. During the walk, you can join the “leaves” to see the maple trees begin to change colors.
Colorado Springs is often cited as one of the best places to be in America in September. It is also a convenient place to live. While Cripple Creek is about an hour west, Denver is only an hour and a half north of Colorado Springs.
Temperatures in September are usually quite pleasant, staying in the fifties or sixties. This makes it a good time to take advantage of all the hiking trails in and around the city. Popular spots include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak Trail, and Barr Trail.
13. Flagstaff, Arizona
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Flagstaff, Arizona is another place full of fall colors. There are unique shops and antique shops nearby, as well as many small towns that can easily be visited in a day full of markets.
You can also drive to Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort, although they may not be open until early September.
There are also many beautiful rock features and hiking trails, such as Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument.
14. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
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Martha’s Vineyard is a small island south of Cape Cod. It is about 70 miles from Boston. You can go to the island by ferry.
Most tourists leave after Labor Day, which means it’s more open to the public. It’s a lovely island full of fun and unique places to visit. For example, there is a museum specifically to learn about the island.
Another fun place to visit is the Gingerbread Cottages in nearby Oak Bluffs. It is considered a historical monument. There are 34 acres and over 300 different cottages, all designed with unique themes, patterns and colors.
There are also lighthouses built in 1799 on the island.
15. North Cascades National Park, Washington
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North Cascades National Park in Washington has a little bit of everything. North American Alps, mountains, snowfields, glaciers, waterfalls, meadows, etc.
The park stretches from Washington to Canada. It heads south to Lake Chelan and is home to bats, elk, deer, squirrels, pikas, marmots, and more. full of wildlife including
Although you can visit this park year-round, tourism tends to taper off after September, and you can also experience fall colors and sunnier days in September than the rest of the year.