Where to travel in September around the world

Updated July 29, 2024

September is a transitional period—in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is over, school is back in session—but it also brings with it plenty of reasons to celebrate: grape harvests, animal migrations, and the kickoff of vibrant foliage displays. And more importantly, in many parts of the world, September also means the start of shoulder season for travelers, as crowds thin, prices drop, and temperatures hit that Goldilocks range.

Whether you’re celebrating Chilean independence or Chicano culture, checking out Niagara Falls or Monet’s gardens, this is an ideal month for great discoveries—and even greater deals.

Average temp: 67ºF high, 41ºF low

September marks the beginning of spring in Santiago, Chile’s capital city, which means more affordable hotels, smaller crowds, and blooming wildflowers. It’s also a time for celebration, as the two-day Fiestas Patrias kicks off mid-September, commemorating the Chilean Independence movement. In the countryside, it’s celebrated with rodeos, and in the city, you'll see people dancing the pie de cueca, a folk dance that is meant to emulate a rooster courting a hen. If you’re looking for a good place to start, head to the Parque O’Higgins, which hosts the city’s largest fonda, or outdoor carnival.

The holiday also comes with its own specific drinks and dishes. Empanadas de pino—made with ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, onions, olives, and raisins—are on the menu at spots like Emporio Zunino, Tomas Moro, and El Rapido all year. And you’ll want to keep an eye out for the terremoto, or "earthquake," a deceptively aggressive cocktail made with white wine, pineapple ice cream, grenadine, and sometimes fernet. Two restaurants claim to have invented it, and you’ll want to stop into both to judge who makes it better: La Piojera and El Hoyo, a hole in the wall where Anthony Bourdain once dined that dates back to 1912.

If you indulge in too many terremotos, take a brisk hike up Cerro San Cristóbal or a more leisurely stroll through the street-art-filled Barrio Yungay.

Average temp: 77ºF high, 66ºF low

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 in the U.S., and one of the best places to experience it is San Diego—specifically Barrio Logan, a hub of Mexican-American culture in the shadow of the Coronado Bridge. Here, you can take in murals at Chicano Park, order homestyle tacos and tamales at Las Cuatro Milpas, or shop for souvenirs at its many Mexican-owned boutiques. This being San Diego, craft beer is king, and even the brews have Latin inspiration: At Border X Brewing, the Mexican-American owners infuse theirs with hibiscus, agave, chocolate, and cinnamon.

For a deeper dive into the region’s Latin heritage, head a few miles north to Balboa Park, where you’ll find the Centro Cultural de la Raza, a hub of Mexican, Chicano, Latino, and Indigenous art and culture. Then pop over to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which includes buildings built just before and after San Diego became a part of the U.S. Kids will love interacting with docents in period garb, and at Threads of the Past, they can learn about handicrafts like weaving, quilting, and basketry. But they might love Barrio Donas, which sells horchata and Mexican donuts, even more.

Tip: Some historical buildings and museums in Old Town San Diego are only open on certain days of the week, so you’ll want to go between Thursday and Sunday for the most options.

Average temp: 71ºF high, 53ºF low

If you’ve never been to Niagara Falls—or if it’s just been a while since your last visit—make this September the time to go. For one, the crowds thin out this month, so you won’t be elbowing as many other travelers for a good look at the falls. Plus, the free Discover Niagara Shuttle runs on weekends throughout September and into early October, which makes getting around easy; it stops at places like Niagara Falls State Park, Whirlpool State Park, and Niagara Arts and Cultural Center.

If you want to see the falls at their finest, consider a Maid of the Mist boat tour, which has been giving sightseers an up-close view of the rushing water for more than 150 years. Or stop by the Cave of the Winds, where you can feel the power of the 181-foot-tall Bridal Veil Falls from a viewing platform built practically beneath the rushing water.

Tip: Be sure to pack your passport for a quick trip across the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side—the walk takes less than 15 minutes and affords stellar views—to check out the 2,000-foot-long tunnel beneath the falls at the Niagara Parks Power Station.

Average temp: 69ºF high, 50ºF low

Hop on an hour-long train to Vernon-Giverny station from Paris (Saint-Lazare and Gare du Nord both offer service) to reach this tiny, charming town. But don’t let Giverny’s size fool you: it packs a big punch for art lovers. Impressionist master Claude Monet lived here for almost 50 years, and his home and gardens are now run as a museum, the Fondation Claude Monet. The gardens, which are open to visitors from April 1 to November 1, are abloom with various flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors at different times of year—in September, expect to see bright red and yellow nasturtiums, as well as vibrant purple dahlias.

After wandering the gardens and Monet’s pink house, head across the lane to Les Nymphéas for a cup of coffee and an apple tart made with calvados, the region’s famed apple brandy. Before you leave town, visit Restaurant Baudy—which was one of Monet’s favorite hangouts—as well as his gravesite next to the town’s tiny Romanesque church.

Tip: After you arrive at the Vernon-Giverny station, you can either hail a cab for the 20-minute ride or opt for the museum shuttle, which is 5€ each way and can be picked up at the station. If you’d rather let someone else take care of the details, consider joining a half-day trip from Paris with Blue Fox Travel, which will handle transport to and from the artist’s estate.

Average temp: 78ºF high, 58ºF low

Can’t make a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest this year? Head to Cincinnati instead, host to one of the biggest celebrations in the U.S. Slated for September 19–22, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati includes all the Bavarian-inspired activities you could imagine, from stein-hoisting competitions to a “running of the wieners” costumed dog race. Of course, you’ll find plenty of beer and food, too, including potato pancakes, bratwurst, and strudel.

If you can’t make the festival itself, you can still get a taste of German cuisine and beer by visiting Cincy area restaurants like the Mecklenburg Gardens Restaurant and The Lübecker, known for its schnitzel and currywurst.

The city also has a thriving craft brewery scene. Start on the patio at MadTree Brewing’s Oakley taproom, a massive, dog-friendly spot, then head to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood’s Rhinegeist Brewery for a relaxing afternoon filled with beer, corn hole, and ping pong in a historic warehouse. For something a little different, head to Urban Artifact, which operates out of a former church and is known for its Midwest fruit tart ales and quirky brews like a briny pickle-flavored beer.

Average temp: 89ºF high, 74ºF low

As back-to-school season rolls around the U.S., crowds mellow to more comfortable numbers, making it a great time to eat your way around Walt Disney World’s parks. From late August to late November, Epcot hosts its International Food & Wine Festival, which is a mix between a world’s fair and an upscale food court. You’ll find feijoada from Brazil, crispy duck bao from China, fisherman’s seafood pie from Ireland, and samosas from India, among a feast’s-worth of dishes. Take a break from all that snacking to check out the free Eat to the Beat Concert Series; performers last year included Boyz II Men, 98º, Hanson, and Sheila E.

Another reason to visit? Disney World’s newest attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which brings characters from The Princess and the Frog into the old Splash Mountain space. Naturally, the attraction includes a gift shop with hot sauce, seasonings, oven mitts, and cookbooks.

Tip: Earlier this year, Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa became the first theme-park restaurant to earn a coveted Michelin star. There’s only one seating a day but vying for a res is worth the effort for a tasting menu that might include New Zealand langoustine tartelettes, venison sandwiches, and a jamón ibérico eclair. Set a calendar alert as the books open 60 days out and tables go impossibly fast.

Average temp: 84ºF high, 55ºF low

Travelers from all over the world flock to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, located some 250 miles from Johannesburg, for an opportunity to see both “The Big Five”—elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, and African buffalos—and “The Little Five”—buffalo weavers, leopard tortoises, antlions, rhino beetles, and elephant shrews. And, thanks to the weather conditions, September is an ideal time to see them all: Since it’s toward the end of the region’s dry season, there’s less grass to block your view of the animals, and you won’t have to worry about getting drenched.

Though you could rent a car and drive yourself through the park’s 7,500-plus square miles of terrain, many prefer a guided experience, like the private full-day safari offered by Safaria or a five-day trek with Viva Safari that includes airport transfers, lodging, meals, and more. Since early mornings and evenings offer the best chances of spotting wildlife, the park itself offers game drives at those times, as well as night drives for glimpsing nocturnal creatures and stargazing.

Of course, the best way to immerse yourself in the park is to stay overnight. Among the coolest options is Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge, which sits atop an 1893 railway bridge that stretches over the Sabie River, or the twin luxe camps of Singita Lebombo Lodge and Singita Sweni Lodge.

Average temp: 97ºF high, 68ºF low

An underrated hub for birdwatching, Tucson’s mountains are known as “sky islands.” Because they rise so dramatically from the desert floor surrounding them, the peaks essentially function as oases, offering a cool refuge for various species. September is a particularly good month for spotting birds like willow flycatchers, lazuli buntings, and ruby-crowned kinglets among the mountains and beyond as it’s peak migration season. For the most accessible of these sky islands, check out the 27-mile Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, which starts just outside the city. As the road climbs to the 9,157-foot summit, you might see roadrunners, Gila woodpeckers, peregrine falcons, and much more.

Farther afield, you can take day trips to regional birding hot spots, like Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and Madera Canyon. Commemorate your birdwatching adventure with a visit to the MSA Annex, an outdoor shopping district with indie boutiques housed in shipping containers. At Why I Love Where I Live, pick up hummingbird earrings, roadrunner socks, and quail ceramic mugs—or a simple Birds of Arizona Field Guide.

Tip: If you prefer your birds tiny and colorful, drive down to the Tucson Audubon’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds, about an hour south of the city. It's home to abundant feathered flutterers this time of year.

Average temp: 76ºF high, 57ºF low

While Melburnians and Sydneysiders used to dismiss Brisbane as something of a backwater, its cultural ascendancy has become undeniable. That’s especially apparent during the Brisbane Festival, which runs from August 30 to September 21 and takes over venues around the city, including The Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and the City Botanic Gardens. The stacked lineup includes shows like Fashion Freak Show, a musical revue and fashion show based on the life of Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as operas, chamber concerts, cabaret shows, circus acts, and works by First Nations artists.

Consider making your homebase on the posh James Street in Fortitude Valley. When it opened in 2018, The Calile Hotel helped reshape the city with its attention-grabbing mix of brutalism, Miami modernism, and nods to mid-century Aussie motels. It has since become the go-to hub from which to explore the surrounding neighborhood, including the innovative Essa Restaurant & Wine Bar, where the seasonal menu might include crab crumpets and beef tartare wrapped in betel leaf.

Average temp: 65ºF high, 49ºF low

Named a European Capital of Culture this year, Bad Ischl is a historic spa town located about an hour’s drive east of Salzburg. In the early 1800s, Europe’s elite, from archdukes to emperors, began to come here to “take the waters,” and in 1854, Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth (or Sisi) made the Kaiser-Villa—now a museum—their summer residence. Come September, temperatures begin to drop, making it a perfect time to enjoy a soak at the Eurothermen Resort Spa, which offers brine baths and inhalation therapies to promote relaxation, better circulation, and more. The facility is family-friendly, too, and there are discounts for kids under 16.

While you’re in town, be sure to check out the calendar of special Capital of Culture programming on offer at the Museum der Stadt Bad Ischl and the Kurpark, a flower-filled park in the center of town. One of the most anticipated exhibits will be held at the Marmorschlössl (Sisi’s cottage) and feature works by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei alongside artifacts from the ancient Hallstatt civilization, who lived in the surrounding area from about 800 to 450 BC.

Tip: Bad Ischl is the gateway to a region called Salzkammergut, or “the salt domain,” where salt has been mined for 7,000 years. If you’re looking for a souvenir, keep an eye out for Salzwelten shops to pick up locally mined rock salt.