From cutting-edge contemporary art in Miami to epically awesome Kenyan resorts, this season's hottest destinations exceed expectations.
Go beyond the biergartens in Munich, check out the other Portland, escape hurricane season in Mexico City, and discover a culinary hotspot in the heart of the American Midwest.
Here are the 14 places to keep on your radar this fall, from closest to furthest afield.
Miami, Florida
Why Go Now: Just in time for Art Basel Miami Beach (December 5-8), the city's new $250 million, 200,000-square-foot Perez Art Museum will open with an exhibition by China's renowned Ai Weiwei. The Biscayne Bay behemoth will be home to a dining outpost from restaurateur Stephen Starr (Morimoto, Buddakan, etc.) and direct connection to the new Miami Science Museum.
Where to Stay: The Setai and The Standard are art world staples, but look out for a few new arrivals like the Aloft Miami-Brickell, which opened in August.
Insider Tip: Want a stylish place to stow your ride? Zaha Hadid is designing a $13 million parking structure at Collins Park in Miami Beach, scheduled to debut just in time for the fair.
Portland, Oregon
Why Go Now: A fall trip to Portland will feed your body and your mind. After culinary luminaries like Michelin-starred chef April Bloomfield and Chris Cosentino descend on the city for annual food fest Feast (September 19-22), the Elm City's science museum unveils the world premier of the International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes (October 10, 2013-January 5, 2014).
Where to Stay: The chic Kimpton Hotel Monaco has 221 recently renovated guestrooms in the heart of the city. Or embrace your inner hipster at the Ace Hotel, which has free bike rentals and Stumptown coffee in the lobby.
Insider Tip: Salt & Straw, a local favorite ice cream shop, has an unusual partnership with Feast. During the festival, it will serve specialty scoops created by five local and national chefs. Think Michael Voltaggio's Loaded Baked Potato with bacon and chocolate crumbs, and Thai Chili Brittle by The Nines' chef Greg Gourdet.
Portland, Maine
Why Go Now: The other Portland is on our radar, too, with affordable fall foliage tours—check out the Press-Herald's regularly updated Maine Forecast for the leafy latest—plus incredible restaurant, coffee, and microbrewery scenes. Celebrate all of the above at Harvest on the Harbour (October 23-26), a culinary festival held on downtown Portland's glittering waterfront.
Where to Stay: The city is in hotel boom mode, with 500 new rooms scheduled to open in the next two years. In the meantime, check out the 8-room Pomegranate Inn's quirky-cool digs in Old Port, or escape the city at the oceanfront Quahog Bay Inn, less than an hour from downtown Portland.
Insider Tip: Mead is the word at Maine Mead Works, where the ancient Norse bevvie gets an artisanal update with locally harvested honey and cutting-edge technique (continuous fermentation, anyone?). The brewery offers free tastings and tours from 11 am - 6 pm, Monday through Saturday.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider