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There are two months of the year that are always hailed as some of the best times to travel. One of those months being May, though with school graduations and the ever present threat of surprise rain, that leaves the another month. September, with summer crowds waning and temperatures beginning to drop but keeping clear skies, is the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway within the continental USA.
Whether you’re planning for next year, or looking for a nearby location for a last minute road trip, these are the nine best destinations around the US to visit in September.
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Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina is a gem all on its own, but September is a particularly lovely time to visit. The Queen City is known for its great food and even better social scene. It’s one of the southern states that begins to cool off a little earlier than the rest, and can be a welcome repreive from anyone wanting to escape their usual muggy summers, but not looking to go too far. Charlotte was designed for the young, and young at heart, with walkable neighborhoods and cute boutiques to pop into. If you have one meal in Charlotte, make sure it’s Leah & Louise, with its menu that pays homage to the Mississippi river valley foodways through new takes on Southern classics. Then pick up a nice cocktail (or two) in the South End neighborhood.
>>Full Charlotte Travel Guide
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San Diego, California
The true gem of California, San Diego is perfect to visit any time of the year, but September is particularly special as it hosts San Diego’s famed restaurant week. But even for non-foodies, San Diego has something for everyone. If you are a nature lover, you’ll find inspiration (and refuge!) from the summer heat with beautiful hikes like Potato Chip Rock or taking to the water to kayak with sea lions. Culture lovers can explore San Diego’s colonial past with an educational trip to Mission San Diego de Alcalá, or heading to the city’s old town. Or, if you need to squeeze in an extra destination into your weekend, you can easily cross the Mexican border on food to visit Tijuana on a day trip for the absolute best tacos you will ever eat in your life.
>>Full San Diego Travel Guide
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Knoxville, Tennessee
If Knoxville isn’t already on your radar, it should be! Voted one of the best cities in the country for new families and recent college graduates, Knoxville is a very safe and peaceful destination compared to Tennessee’s more boisterous (though still fun!) vacation destinations. You can certainly have a quiet staycation in Knoxville, but to really take advantage of what the city has to offer, there are two huge attractions. The first is Dollywood, a theme park based around Dolly Parton’s life and legacy. Great for kids and adults of all ages, you can even spend multiple days exploring everything Dollywood has to offer. On the other end of the spectrum, Knoxville is also the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with hundreds of trails ranging from relaxing to strolls to strenuous climbs through the region’s picturesque blue mountains.
>>Full Knoxville Travel Guide
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Like many great cities in the American Midwest, Milwaukee is overlooked by both international and domestic travelers. Yet, Milwaukee is one of the best cities to visit in September. Summer is filled with events, but for September specifically, visitors can enjoy a variety of diverse festivals such as the Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival, the China Lights Lantern Festival, and Petfest – so you can bring your furry family members. However if you visit outside of an event, you can still pack your weekend with fun activities like visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum or shopping the unique boutiques at the Sherman Phoenix. Milwaukee is also known for it’s rich German heritage, so you can take a German Heritage Walking tour through the Old Ward and learn some of the most notable German businesses and residents of Milwaukee. Or, for those short on time, stop in for a bite at Mader’s Restaurant!
>>Full Milwaukee Travel Guide
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Boise, Idaho
There’s a lot more to Idaho than potatoes, starting with the blossoming city of Idaho. There are ALSO potatoes though, so be sure to stop by Boise Fry Company to try all the various varieties of Idaho potatos. The unassuming city has a growing art scene that visitors can enjoy around town and at Freak Alley Gallery, an alleyway filled with rotating murals, graffiti, and street art by local artists. September is the perfect time to stroll Boise’s Greenbelt, a long nature corridor that runs along the river. It passes by the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial which pays tribute and remembrance to the lives and communities shattered by global genocide, including the Bosnian genocide and the current ongoing Palestinian genocide.
>>Full Boise Travel Guide
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Baltimore, Maryland
When travelers think of visiting one of the founding cities of the country, their minds flit to Boston, Philadelphia, and Jamestown. However, Baltimore holds a considerable amount of American history as well, and September is a perfect time to visit. For example, stop by the Fort McHenry National Monument to walk among the site where “America the Beautiful” was written. You can also explore Fells Point, a historic Baltimore neighborhood whose most famous residents was the abolitionist, author, and statesman Frederick Douglass. One of the best things to do in Baltimore if you’re short on time is to take The Inner Harbor Cruise, a popular scenic boat tour that allows visitors to explore Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and its surrounding waterways.
>>Full Baltimore Travel Guide
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Detroit, Michigan
A long weekend in September is the perfect time to visit Detroit, especially if you plan it in line with the annual Jazz Festival which completely transforms downtown and the waterfront into a lively family-friendly pedestrian corridor. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll want to book your stay at The Cochrane House, a beautiful bed and breakfast that is both comfortable and extremely conveniently located. If you like to cover a lot of ground on your travels, book a Detroit bike tour with RiDetroit to learn more about the city from a local resident. Don’t forget to check out why Detroit is nicknamed Motown by swinging by the Motown Museum and learn about legends like The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye who all got their start in Detroit.
>>Full Detroit Travel Guide
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Portland, Oregon
If you haven’t been to Portland yet, summer is always the most recommended season, however visiting in September will allow you to enjoy Portland’s beautiful summer weather with less crowds. The thing to do in Portland, first and foremost, is to eat, so be sure to book reservations at some of the best restaurants in Portland like Mermosa, De Noche, and Magna Kusina. You’ll also want to enjoy the fresh air, but you don’t have to go far for the many urban hikes throughout the city such as Hoyt Arboretum. However, regardless of the weather, you can always pick up a book at Powell’s, the largest use bookstore in the world, and settle in at one of the many quirky cafes. Yanno, like the locals do.
>>Full Portland Travel Guide
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Hudson Valley, New York
The Hudson Valley region of New York is ripe with wineries and distilleries, though the fall time is one of the best times to visit to pair a nice glass with a hike to enjoy the early fall foliage. If you visit in later September, you will come across numerious farms offering apple cider donuts, spiked apple cider, and often live music without the accompanying leaf peeper crowds that come with visiting in October. Stay at Mohonk Mountain House to get the best combination of bed and breakfast, world class spa, and fun festivals throughout the year to make your vacation the ultimate affordable luxury.
>>Full Hudson Valley Travel Guide
Kay Kingsman is a writer and full-time silly goose. Along with being the first person to crip walk in Antarctica, Kay’s writing has been featured in Forbes, Insider, Fodor’s, Viator, and more.
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Publish date : 2024-09-06 18:12:00
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