Grand Canyon
#1 in Best Places to Visit in September
Visiting Arizona’s Grand Canyon during its peak travel season can be dangerous (high daytime desert temperatures and steep hikes don’t mix well). September not only offers a cooler climate but fewer crowds to contend with now that the kids will be back in school. The park’s South Rim, which is usually bustling with tourists in summer, sees fewer visitors come September, making it a great time for hiking traveler-approved paths like the Rim Trail. What’s more, the highly underrated North Rim is still open throughout the month.
Big Sur
#2 in Best Places to Visit in September
Occupying about 90 miles of the California coast, Big Sur draws travelers with its dramatic cliffs and picturesque beaches. Visit in September to take advantage of the warm, dry weather lingering from summer without dealing with the peak season’s crowds. Must-do activities here include hiking through state parks like Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Andrew Molera, snapping pics of Pfieffer Beach’s impressive rock formations and surfing at Sand Dollar Beach. September is also an ideal time for whale watching, so keep an eye out for migrating blue whales, humpback whales and orcas.
