While you’ll find lots of happy cyclists free games even in the dead of winter, most residents consider the fall to be the last hurrah for biking and running around the lakes. Plan to attend one of the many fall celebrations in the Twin Cities, such as the Twin Cities Book Festival, the Twin Cities Film Festival, or the Minneapolis Monarch Festival. Go to a U.S. Bank Stadium Vikings game to show that you can hold your own with the locals.

Even if you aren’t enrolled in American Literature this autumn, there is a definite feeling of “back to school” in the air in Boston. Popular shops like the Brattle Book Shop and Trident Booksellers & Cafe both have sections dedicated to new releases. Apple cider doughnuts from Red Apple Farm at the Boston Public Market are especially delicious at this time of year. The Harvest Party is held in October and features a buffet supper and live music. And if you want to see Boston’s greatest autumn foliage, take a stroll through the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, one of the many parks that make up the Emerald Necklace.

If you want to visit Orlando with your preschoolers, or if you simply want to ride Space Mountain over and over again without any kids, the beginning of the school year is a nice time to come since crowds at the theme parks tend to be lower. But there’s more to the city than simply Disney and Universal. Downtown Orlando has a thriving restaurant industry, with trendy spots like Domu for Japanese food and Enzo’s on the Lake for Italian food and a view of the lake.

When it comes to Chicago weather, early fall is peak time since the crisp air makes everyone want to go out on the dance floor. Starting on September 15 at Douglass Park with the punk-fueled Riot Fest is the citywide World Music Festival, followed by the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Headliners at the North Coast Music Festival have included The Chemical Brothers, Kid Cudi, and Fatboy Slim, demonstrating the festival’s commitment to presenting a wide range of musical styles.

Now is the time for a “summer vacation” in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fall is often bright and sunny, in contrast to the cool and cloudy summer months. That’s great news for anybody planning on attending any of the city’s many festivals, such as the Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown or the enticing Ghiradelli Chocolate Festival. The only conceivable negative aspect of fall? Since this is the busiest time of year for conferences, prices (particularly at business hotels) may be higher than usual.