Summer’s almost over, which means the high time for tourism and travel is winding down. However, that doesn’t mean that you can't have a great vacation in autumn! As fall comes in to replace summer, there are still plenty of places to travel in the United States in September. Don’t believe us? Check out these top 5 vacation destinations for September 2022 to satisfy your autumnal wanderlust.
Discover HomeExchangeColorado Springs, Colorado
Grab a taste of the great outdoors out in Colorado Springs! With autumn, this destination experiences pleasant weather as well as mild temperatures. Visitors at this time of year will also be lucky enough to miss the summer crowds, allowing for more one-on-one time with nature.
As for what to do in Colorado Springs in September on a budget, you’re in luck! After Labor Day, prices drop as the city’s peak season ends. Take a trip up “America’s Mountain,” Pikes Peak, hike through the Garden of the Gods, visit the Cave of the Winds, or spend a day at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
What better time to visit a desert than when temperatures are starting to drop? September signifies the beginning of cooler weather and even cooler events. On top of avoiding much of the vacation high season, visitors Santa Fe offers some festivals and events that you won’t want to miss!
Shed your worries on 9/2 at the 98th annual Burning of Zozobra, a Santa Fe cultural festivity where a 50 foot marionette filled with the “glooms” of townspeople and tourists alike is burned. If this isn’t your scene, then laugh until your stomach hurts at the Cloudtop Comedy Festival, happening from 9/15 - 9/17. Catch a set with a diverse group of comics, including newcomers to the stand-up scene, Indigenous comedians, and LGBT+ entertainers.
Search Santa Fe homesSan Francisco, California
San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, and if you want to beat the crowds, the best time to go is September and October! Like the other cities on our list, visiting after summertime is the best time to go in terms of weather (which is usually very balmy this time of year) and the population of tourists.
Take in the theater of San Fran and purchase tickets to see the hit musical, Moulin Rouge! on the stage. If musicals aren’t your thing, but you’re still in the mood to listen to music, you can grab a seat for a show at the San Francisco Symphony. If you want to earn your sea legs (Or would bay legs be more appropriate?), then climb aboard a boat for many of the city’s cruises around the San Francisco Bay.
Salem, Massachusetts
Halloween’s still a month away, but if you’re in the mood for some early scares, a trip to Salem is a great way to get those thrills while beating out the October tourists. Home of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, which lasted from 1692 through May 1693, historians and occult enthusiasts have flocked to this city to get a look into its storied past.
If you’re a history buff or a bookworm, head on over to the House of the Seven Gables, a museum dedicated to the history of Salem as well as the works of author Nathaniel Hawthorne (no scarlet A required). To learn more about the Salem Witch Trials, then the Salem Witch Museum is your best bet for an afternoon of learning about the origin and history of witches and what caused the mass hysteria that set off these trials. If you’re looking for an eerie experience, try taking a Bewitched After Dark tour to make the most of your trip to Salem.
Lake Placid, New York
Take in the beauty of nature and witness summer turn into fall with a trip to Lake Placid. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a city slicker, you’ll find yourself taken away by the serene lake or the scenic Adirondack Mountains.
To make the most of your vacation in Lake Placid, it’s best to spend as much time outdoors as possible. For that, we recommend taking a horseback ride through the forest to take in the gorgeous Adirondack woodlands or plan a day to picnic by the lake and stock up on local food at the Lake Placid Farmers Market. Of course, the best way to enjoy Lake Placid is from the water, so make sure to put aside plenty of time to go boating or kayaking and get the perfect view from the lake.
Plan your September getawayThe end of summer doesn’t have to signify the end of rest and relaxation, even in the midst of the back-to-school season. Autumn is a great time to go out and explore without having to worry about all of the summer crowds. So, where will you go this September?
