Where to go in

September

Where to go in

September

Indian summer, anyone? Whether you catch the end of the summer or the beginning of Autumn, there’s something special about the transitional feeling of the ninth month of the year. September has a lot going for it - temperatures are warm but not stifling, the high season crowds have gone and kids are firmly back in school, which might be a plus point for some travellers. We also love the distinct ‘new term’ vibe of September – it feels like the right time to embark on a new adventure, kickstart a fresh hobby and explore new places. From wine tasting in Dijon to fashion week in New York City and Oktoberfest all across Germany, discover our must-visit destinations for September.

Dijon

What’s going on in Dijon? Wine is what’s going on. Dijon is the capital city of Burgundy, one of France’s principal wine-making areas. And in September, it’s harvest season, making it a particularly fertile time to sign up for a vineyard tour and wine tastings. To complement the wine, Dijon is a big foodie spot with five Michelin-starred restaurants, a buzzing indoor market in the city centre and an international food fair (Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin”) that extols the magnificence of French cuisine. Dijon is also a really pretty city for wandering on foot thanks to the historical centre being completely vehicle-free. In September, al fresco life is still very much in full swing so this compact city has a social, cosmopolitan vibe with street terraces brimming with people. If history’s your thing, you’ll love the half-timbered houses, the Romanesque and Gothic churches and the Medieval streets of the former capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. The distinguished 1787 Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the vast Palace of the Dukes, holds an amazing collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities from big hitters like Monet and Delacroix.

Cincinnati

Where Midwest hospitality meets southern charm, it’s all happening in ‘Cincy’ (as the locals call it) in September. Start the month with a bang with Labour Day fireworks at Western & Southern Riverfest on the 1st. Head downtown to Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove for the dazzling display high above the Ohio River with music from WEBN radio. If music’s your thing, Outlaw Music Festival on 11 September has legendary headliners Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson playing at Riverbend Music Center. Or, on the 9th, the September Summer Music Festival at Ault Park is a Cincy tradition and features local musicians, The Cincinnati Circus Company and craft beer – it’s a free event. German beer fans will love Covington Oktoberfest (9-10 September) at Goebel Park in Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, going strong since 1979. Another cultural soiree to round off the month is the Cincinnati Moon Festival on the 30th that celebrates the region’s Chinese community. Head to Fountain Square for delicious food, K Pop and a free tea tasting party. As for where to stay, art afficionados will love the location of our 21C Museum Hotel, right next to the Zaha Hadid-designed Contemporary Art Center and across the street from the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

The Mediterranean

Enjoy summer’s final fling with a trip to the Med bathing in much more manageable temperatures and less manic crowds. In September, the sun’s still shining and you can explore The Riviera unencumbered – the coastline from Nice to Cannes takes on an even more romantic glow during the Indian summer making it the perfect time to take in the pastel-perfect cliff top towns and hidden coves. Nice is still buzzing with music festivals from classical to jazz, and the town still retains that upbeat summer vibe. Looking for a mates’ trip idea? Crossover Festival, from 4-8 September, is at the stunning outdoor Théâtre de Verdure with a stellar line-up of urban and electro music. Top tip - the brand new Mama Shelter in Nice is running at 50% off until 12 September so makes ideal festival digs. Keeping the electro theme, September is the time those in the know prefer to go to Ibiza. The peak August madness has passed and there’s more space to enjoy the beauty of island, plus it’s closing party season so some of the best club nights of the year happen this month. Ready to detox after all that? Join a beachside yoga session at one of the still open, but now far quieter, beach club venues.

St. Louis

Meet us in St. Louis? In the state of Missouri, located on the Mississippi River, St. Louis is known as the ‘Gateway of the West’ thanks to its central location. Standing tall to commemorate this is the giant steel Gateway Arch, the world's tallest man-made monument, which gleams proudly on the downtown riverfront – and you can take a pretty cool tram ride to the top, too. September is the best time to visit St. Louis because those sticky summer temperatures have cooled whilst the social scene is just starting to heat up. The Art Fair, from Friday 6 September to Sunday 8, is a huge pull with emerging and established artists exhibiting their work in booths around the fair, and there’s also a programme of bands, musicians and performing arts. On the same weekend, it’s Q In The Lou at Gateway Arch Park for barbeque, bands and beer with legendary pitmasters from St. Louis serving up the gyro, pulled pork and smokehouse ribs. For something completely different, see the blue skies in full colour as hot air balloons take flight for The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, from 15 to 16 September.

New York

New York City in September is in a time of joyful transition. It's still technically summer until around the 21st, but the city takes on an Autumn state of mind after Labour Day (falling this year on Monday 2 September). Most New Yorkers are home from vacation and ready to embrace a new season. The weather is still pleasant, autumn colours give a warm glow to Central Park and a distinct excitement is in the air as everyone looks forward to fall and the cultural events in the city. September marks the start of international fashion month. With New York Fashion Week kicking things off from the 6-11, experience Manhattan in full-on fashion mode. The same weekend, The Armory Show at the Javits Center brings the world’s leading international contemporary and modern art galleries under one roof. Dance fans can pirouette into New York City Ballet’s season, starting 17 September while the biannual NYC Off-Broadway Week offers 2-for-1 tickets to compelling Off-Broadway productions. If sport’s more your thing, you can catch the climax of tennis’s US Open up until the 8th. Outside of the events, don’t miss the chance to explore the five boroughs and their distinct personalities. Make Brooklyn your base and stay at The Hoxton in Williamsburg where you’ve got the Manhattan skyline out of your window.

Germany

You’ll have heard of Oktoberfest but have you experienced it in a German city? If not, then now’s the time to tick it off the list. The festival is a celebration of the best of German culture (hello beer and bratwurst) kicking off around the country from 21 September right through into mid-October. What’s not to love about a two-week-long party? Munich is the original and biggest celebration but each city hosts its own celebration with their own spin. In Munich, the folkloric festivities begin with the Parade of the Oktoberfest landlords and breweries when the Oktoberfest tent owners take the beer to the Theresienwiese on festively decorated wagons and brewery carriages. There’s also traditional music events, lots of Bavarian costumes and even a gun salute. But you’ll likely stay for the beer. Oktoberfest in Frankfurt and Cologne have all the authentic aspects of the beer fest in Munich - traditional games, music and beer – on a more compact scale. Whichever destination you choose, September’s the time to do Germany.