8 Places to Say Goodbye to Summer 2016

A mountain escape that stays temperate in fall, Cashiers in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains holds onto its above-seventy degree weather until October. This mountain escape offers peak-filled views, waterfall hikes, relaxing spas, and bustling farmer's markets.

For value, try the historic High Hampton Inn during shoulder season in Cashiers (before November 1). The 1400-acre resort offers packages that include spa credits, low golf rates, and a free fourth night's stay when you book three. The remote getaway also hosts its very own Oktoberfest—delivering all the food, beer, and entertainment of a Bavarian Oktoberfest right here in the States.

Fall in Mexico still feels like summer, with Playa del Carmen's average temperature remaining a steady 82 degrees from May thru October. And the colorful parties that mark Mexico's Independence Day on September 16 will bring outdoor parades, food, festivals, and endless chants of "Viva Mexico!"

Splurge on a stay at the Thompson Playa Del Carmen for an infinity pool and breezy cabanas, or head to an authentic Independence Day Feast at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen. The latter offers fall deals on travel starting September 1 that include 20 percent off breakfast rates and 15 percent off spa treatments.

For a picturesque southern getaway with unwavering early-fall warmth, Jekyll Island of Georgia's Golden Isles, has both character and adventure. The beach beckons well into October, when the average temperature is 77 degrees.

For a stay that embodies this island's historical flair, look to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, an elegant reclaimed recreational club with seasonal getaway packages—including 20 percent off two nights and 30 percent off of three between August 1 and October 1. Take advantage of the Club Hotel's outdoor activities—golf, paddle boarding, fishing, biking, and croquet.

Summer at Lake Tahoe might be topped only by fall at Lake Tahoe—when this part of the Sierra Nevadas is still a balmy 76 degrees on average and crowds are sparse. See salmon swim upstream to spawn at Taylor Creek, wander historic homes nestled at Sugar Pine Point and Tallac, and take advantage of the waning sun for perfect-temperature hiking.

Stay mountainside at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. A bustling ski resort come winter, it's perfect for shoulder-season adventure during early fall. Squaw Valley is rife with events and activities including Oktoberfest, a ropes course, a beer and wine festival, a dog-friendly hiking festival, and even a tequila and mezcal weekend to warm up after sunset in mid-October.

Or, opt for lakeside relaxation at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. Enjoy the hotel fire pits for s'mores, an over-water bar at the private pier, and spa packages that include breakfast credits. This fall, booking a three-night stay could get you a fourth night free.

Ancient ruins, monkeys, and lagoon boat rides in Guatemala's northern Peten region make for a splurge-worthy extension of summer in Flores—and this fall, it's on sale. Known best as a gateway to some of the world's most famous—and least known—Mayan ruins, Flores is a vacation destination in its own right.

The island community of Flores enjoys average autumn temperatures above 80 degrees, and Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel offers 30 percent off its Luxury Escape package ($150 a night per person, when you book two nights for two people) from September through October. Las Lagunas' deal includes a tour of nearby Monkey Island, bike and kayak rentals, daily breakfast, and airport transfers, making it a luxurious option for much less.

For an even hotter locale well into fall, consider Scottsdale. Luxurious hotels in Arizona's Sonoran Desert region mingle poolside relaxation and shoulder-season deals. Scottsdale offers golf courses, romantic horseback rides, mountain hikes, museums, and fine dining.

This fall the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale offers $100 credits for every two nights booked, or complimentary fourth nights for three-night stays throughout September. Lounge at the hotel pool and enjoy amenities like al fresco dining, desert-inspired spa treatments, and nearby hikes without the high summer heat slowing you down.

Austin's travel scene heats up once the stifling summer temperatures cool down around September. And so do discounted rates—Expedia reports that Austin's Labor Day-weekend hotel rates dropped by about 30 percent in recent weeks. Booking on short notice could mean finding a deal.

Escape reddening fall foliage with mouth-watering barbecue, live music, food trucks, and swimming at famed Barton Springs up until Halloween. The Westin Austin Downtown offers special rates on barbecue tours, dining credits, and spa packages, updated regularly here.

America's capital is another metropolis with milder fall weather, where the average monthly temperatures for September and October sit at a comfortable 78 and 67 degrees, respectively. Enjoy the free outdoor monuments, bike around the sunny Tidal Basin, taste local cheeses and confections at Union Station, or take a walking tour of the city's many historic sites—all without a worry of getting caught in cold weather.