Something we’ve done at Sybarite Travel is to travel during the “shoulder season”. Shoulder season is the travel period between peak and off-peak season. Put another way, shoulder season is the time of the year in between the low and high seasons for a particular destination. As a rule of thumb, shoulder seasons are Spring and Fall. This year, Americans can expect a degree of normalcy in the late Summer or early Fall, but health experts stress that this timeline could change for better or worse, and they implore Americans to be flexible and patient. Travel during the shoulder seasons for thinner crowds and tempting prices. If you don't want to contend with peak-season crowds – and prices – traveling to popular destinations in the Fall and Spring offers a short window to snap up enticing deals and take advantage of fewer tourists and still-pleasant temperatures. Here are Sybarite Travel’s top 10 off-season destinations in the US for Fall. Charleston, South Carolina With its antebellum architecture, innovative low country cuisine and Spanish moss-blanketed trees, Charleston lures foodies, history buffs and the like. Plan a trip from September to November to enjoy perfect temperatures in the high 70s (and beat summer's uncomfortable humidity), and catch a variety of seasonal events. In September, the Greater Charleston Lowcountry Jazz Festival is not to be missed. And thanks to pleasant weather conditions, autumn is an excellent time to check out the city's beautiful gardens, like the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, or tag along organized walking tours. If securing reduced rates is a top priority, visit in winter, when temperatures dip into the 40s and 60s, and there are fewer tourists crowding into top hotels. Chicago, Illinois
Autumn in the Windy City brings sunny days, with daily highs hitting the 60s and 70s in September and October – a perfect window between the crowds of summer and the frigid temperatures of winter. Plus, Fall is an ideal time to observe Chicago’s diverse outdoor festivals and cultural and architectural treasures at The Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Aside from admiring the area's world-recognized skyscrapers, museums and shops along the Magnificent Mile, you can also attend a variety of seasonal events, including Oktoberfest Chicago and the Chicago Jazz Festival in September. Best of all, hotel room rates tend to drop at this time of year. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona The Grand Canyon's grandeur and scale is awe-inspiring at any time of year, but I suggest visiting in September, as the temperatures start to dip and the park is easier to get around. In Fall and Winter, you can also take advantage of shorter days, translating to more opportunities to catch the sunrise and sunset during your visit. Plus, with the kids back in school, you can enjoy scenic lookouts and trails without heavy tourist crowds at your side. The only downside: Some business operators shut their doors in the off-season. The North Rim, for example, closes from mid-October to mid-May because of road closures and inclement weather, so check advisories prior to your trip. Nantucket, Massachusetts If you didn't plan a summer getaway to this coastal retreat – just 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod – you can still check out charming cobblestone streets, striking dunes and superlative sea views during the sweet shoulder season from September to October. During this brief window following the height of the peak summer tourism season, crowds and hotel prices dwindle, but the island's top attractions and restaurants remain open. The island also hosts a variety of festive seasonal events at this time of year, including the Nantucket Arts Festival and Cranberry Festival in October. Just remember to pack a jacket, as temperatures can dip into the 40s by the end of October. Napa Valley, California As harvest season ends in California wine country in late October, you can take advantage of dispersed crowds, discounted pricing at high-end accommodations and spectacular fall foliage with exciting seasonal events across Napa and Sonoma. Pick up a set of wheels and explore Napa's foliage-covered vineyards and wineries from behind two handlebars on the Napa Valley Vine Trail. In early November, you can even catch the Napa Valley Film Festival, which includes screenings for more than 100 independent films coupled with wine tastings and other experiences. And while the weather drops to the chilly 30s and 50s in November, you can warm up with an indulgent spa treatment and memorable meals at award-winning restaurants. New Orleans, Louisiana As harvest season ends in California wine country in late October, you can take advantage of dispersed crowds, discounted pricing at high-end accommodations and spectacular fall foliage with exciting seasonal events across Napa and Sonoma. Pick up a set of wheels and explore Napa's foliage-covered vineyards and wineries from behind two handlebars on the Napa Valley Vine Trail. In early November, you can even catch the Napa Valley Film Festival, which includes screenings for more than 100 independent films coupled with wine tastings and other experiences. And while the weather drops to the chilly 30s and 50s in November, you can warm up with an indulgent spa treatment and memorable meals at award-winning restaurants. Richmond, Virginia Virginia's historic capital city has been upping the cool factor in recent years with a burgeoning craft beer and culinary scene and forward-leaning art galleries. And Fall marks an appealing time to visit if you love catching the changing leaves. Plan a road trip to take in postcard-perfect vistas on the nearby Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, where you can admire a mosaic of gold, amber and crimson shades dappling sassafras trees and sumacs. Back in Richmond, you can delight in seasonal events like the Richmond Folk Festival in October, before admiring the city's wealth of Civil War sites, grabbing a beer at Hardywood Park brewery or relaxing at the design-centric Quirk Hotel. San Francisco, California Autumn is a prime time to visit the City by the Bay, when the weather is consistently warm and temperatures hover in the low 70s. While you'll want to pack a few extra layers to arm yourself against chilly breezes along the water, you can catch a variety of exciting outdoor festivals and seasonal events, including the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival at Ghirardelli Square in September and the Castro Street Fair in October. Even better, you'll be battling fewer tourists at can't-miss attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Ferry Building Marketplace. For the best rates, visit from December to April, when you can enjoy reduced temperatures and hotel prices. Santa Fe, New Mexico Picture avant-garde art, vibrant street markets, Gothic cathedrals and graceful adobe buildings. These are just a few of Santa Fe's charms. In autumn, you can enjoy a break from blazing summer temperatures, with daily highs in the 60s and 70s through October. Plus, there are a variety of festivals jockeying for your attention, from the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta at the tail end of September to the nearby Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October. And no trip to Santa Fe is complete without strolling into the eclectic galleries along legendary Canyon Road or perusing the stands at the vibrant Santa Fe Farmers Market. Savannah, Georgia While spring lures visitors to Savannah with its arts and music festivals and colorful azaleas across its Historic District, Fall is a best-kept secret. From September to November, temperatures settle into the comfortable low 70s and mid-80s, the summer crowds have dwindled and hotel pricing dips. Plus, there are a variety of festivals worth checking out, including the Savannah Jazz Fest in September, the Savannah Film Festival at the end of October and the Savannah Food & Wine Festival in November. For a memorable experience, time your visit around Halloween, when you can delight in spine-tingling frights and delights such as ghost tours and moss-covered strolls through Bonaventure Cemetery. Share the knowledge
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Patti MaxwellSybarite Scoop, a weekly travel blog with travel insight, inspiration and more Archives
September 2023
|