Thanks to its desert climate, there’s never really a bad time to visit Las Vegas. The September weather is still close to the summer highs, with pretty much no rainfall and relatively mild humidity, so pool parties or a dip in Lake Mead are still very much possible.

Of course, this being Vegas, you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time indoors, so where’s the advantage of travelling in September? Well, booking outside of the popular peak seasons means savings on your hotel. You’ll also find it a lot easier and cheaper to book the best seats at the city’s many iconic shows, tickets for the best tours or tables at the best restaurants. If you’ve always wanted a romantic visit to the Grand Canyon without huge crowds spoiling the view, this is a good time to give it a go.

September in London offers a fantastic combination of good, warm weather and smaller crowds, as it’s the start of the new school year. That means less competition for tickets to top attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and the Tower of London. You’ll also be able to get better prices on tickets to West End shows.

Many of the most iconic sights in London are free, but September’s smaller crowds means you can enjoy them more peacefully. If you like the idea of wandering idly around the National Gallery, Natural History Museum, British Museum and all the rest at your own pace and without having to wait for a good view, off-season travel is for you.

If solo sightseeing in the Big Apple has been on your bucket list for a while, the off-season is a great time to tick it off your list. You can expect easier access to top attractions and reduced costs on accommodation and tickets to popular venues and events. You can get that iconic selfie from Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge or the top of the Empire State Building without having to wait in line.

Central Park in September is a beautiful sight to behold. The leaves are starting to take on stunning shades, from firetruck red to golden yellow, while the crowds start to dwindle as the summer break comes to an end. The climate is on your side too—not the scorching highs of summer, but not yet the freezing depths of winter.

Paris is rarely more romantic than in fall. Famous leafy avenues and parks burst into beautiful autumnal colours, the evening temperatures are still mild and dusk lingers late into the evening. It’s a great time to enjoy peaceful strolls along the Seine, but you won’t have to share the experience with large crowds.

You won’t have to strain for a good view of the Mona Lisa or from the top of the Eiffel Tower, among other famous attractions. It also means finding budget-friendly accommodation close by is a lot easier. Foodie couples rejoice—this is culinary season in Paris, so expect plenty of delicacies at food markets throughout the city.

While the Sakura season in spring is a big draw for Tokyo, the parks, gardens and tree-lined waterways around the city are even more vibrant in fall. Instead of delicate pink blossoms on the cherry trees, you’ll find fiery red and orange leaves. Make sure that Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Ueno Park are on your itinerary and that you bring your camera.

September sees a very abrupt increase in rainfall in Tokyo, even after the already damp August. Humidity is also generally quite high at this time of year. Fortunately, many popular indoor Tokyo attractions are climate controlled, making this a great time to explore the city’s many weird and wonderful malls and museums.

There isn’t really a bad time to visit Los Angeles. The weather is famously fantastic throughout the year, and September is no exception. The surf in Southern California is at its best at this time of year, with warmer, cleaner seas and excellent swells. And, with families now back at school, there’s more beach for you to enjoy.

There’s more to LA than just the beach, of course. Don’t forget the movie studios, theme parks, museums, and many famous sights and locations dotted around the city, all of which will be a lot quieter than they were in mid-summer.

The party never stops in Miami but, with students returning to their studies, it does get a little quieter in September. The weather in Florida is consistent throughout the year—nice and sunny, for the most part, if a little humid—and September is no exception. The surf is up at this time of year, too, making it a great time to enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Further inland, September is a great time to visit the Everglades. Just like you and me, migratory birds love the area and flock here to enjoy the great winter weather, and this is their peak month for arrivals. Unlike you and me, the birds don’t get to enjoy reduced accommodation rates.

Summer in Dubai is scorching hot, making September to April a generally more comfortable time to visit, especially if you mean to enjoy the beaches, the Dubai Miracle Garden or other outdoor attractions. Dune bashing and desert camping are also more enjoyable as the temperatures gradually start to descend.

Of course, many of Dubai’s top attractions are indoors and air-conditioned—The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and, if you want to take the climate control a step further, Ski Dubai. But with students returning to school and their parents to work, you’ll find the lines for the top attractions are significantly shorter.

Bangkok gets especially wet and humid in September as the rainy season hits its peak. However, travelling out of season comes with its benefits, most notably a significant drop in hotel rates. As a city destination, the majority of the interesting things to see and do are in air-conditioned cool, so an occasional downpour shouldn’t dampen your spirits. Instead, you can try spending the money you saved on your accommodation in the city’s top-class shopping malls and exquisite dining rooms.

Naturally, you’re not going to be literally swimming from one attraction to the next. Monsoon rains are typically heavy but brief, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore some of the outdoor attractions like the famous Grand Palace and rooftop bars. A day trip or two into the lush countryside of Thailand is also well worth the time.

Amsterdam famously combines a fascinating historical setting with a laid-back atmosphere that makes it a popular city break destination. This combination can make the Dutch capital feel crowded, especially during the peak season, making a September visit a great option. At the very least, you’ll find much shorter queues for the family-friendly and educational attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum, NEMO Science Museum, Anne Frank House and ARTIS Zoo.

The beautiful canals that the city is so famous for are also worth exploring, and September is a good time to do so. Temperatures are pleasant and the number of rainy days is not significantly higher. You’ll also find it easier and possibly even cheaper to get tickets for tours, including canal cruises.

September is a great time to visit Vancouver as you dodge the heat and crowds of the summer but also avoid the extreme cold of a Canadian winter. It’s that perfect sweet spot right in the middle that’s great for exploring the great outdoors around the city, including Grouse Mountain. It’s also within the peak whale-watching season.

In the city itself, this is a great time to visit the city’s beautiful green spaces, including Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. You can also enjoy the pleasant evening temperatures with visits to Richmond Night Market, Granville Island, and the trendy Gastown.

Fall in enigmatic Istanbul is a pleasant time to visit, with comfortable temperatures and barely any rain showers. Unlike the frantic summer months, September sees fewer visitors. This means you can visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, among dozens of other famous sights, in comparative peace.

Istanbul has been a major cultural crossroads for much of its very long history and is packed with iconic highlights. If you’re interested in beautiful architecture, it should certainly be on your bucket list, as should attractions like the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Topkapi Palace Museum, Galata Tower and Sultanahmet Square.