5 Shoulder Season Getaways for Lower Prices and Thinner Crowds

Savvy travelers are always looking for the best deal—scrolling for hours to find the best rental car prices, tracking flight fares, comparing rental sites with hotels—all in the name of saving money on their next adventure.

If popular summer destinations are on your go-to travel list, consider this budget-friendly solution: Visit them in the shoulder season. A little flexibility in your travel plans can save you a lot of money.

Shoulder season is the period between a destination’s peak season and offseason. It varies by destination, but it typically occurs in spring and fall. Shoulder season can last at least a few weeks, but in some locations, you’ll have a couple of months to take advantage of thinner crowds, pleasant weather, and travel deals.

We’ve rounded up some of the best destinations in the US for shoulder season travel. While typically crowded and expensive during the summer or winter, these destinations still shine in autumn and spring.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is one of the best-known summer spots in the Northeast. And for good reason: It’s got an entire peninsula’s worth of coastal towns (quaint or lively, take your pick), plus beaches to rival the best in the world. In summer, however, the population of Cape Cod nearly doubles. This contributes to traffic, scarce and expensive parking, and higher home rental prices.

In September, head to the eastern tip of Massachusetts—or even take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket—for Cape Cod shoulder season, when you’ll find all the charm without the crowds. Temperatures are still pleasant, hovering in the upper 60s to mid-70s, but bring some rain gear just in case. It is New England, after all.

Ogunquit, Maine

Like Cape Cod, Ogunquit has long been popular with New Englanders. But in the last decade, word has gotten out: This small town in southeastern Maine has experienced a surge in visitors from further afield. The summer population of Ogunquit swells from 75,000 to 80,000 people per day—in a town with a permanent population of roughly 1,600.

Forgo peak summer travel, and visit in June or September instead. Temperatures may be a bit cooler, but it’s well worth it when relaxing on Ogunquit’s 3.5 miles of sandy beach, dining at locally owned seafood spots such as Rose Cove, and strolling the charming village of Perkins Cove, which is home to shops, galleries, and sailing and fishing adventures.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Lake of the Ozarks is a premier lake destination in the Midwest, boasting more than 1,000 miles of shoreline and ample opportunities for quintessential summer fun. Most activities center on its 54,000-acre lake, which features a thriving boating and fishing culture, along with water sports such as parasailing, wakeboarding, tubing, jet skiing, and canoeing. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, swimming and lounging on the public beaches are also popular activities. Plus, water taxis can transport you around the lake.

Visit Lake of the Ozarks in May or September to avoid being overwhelmed by crowds and still experience warm weather. The best shoulder season months to visit, however, are in April and October, as this is when temperature highs typically remain in the low 70s and you can score the best travel deals.

Maui, Hawai’i

Hawai’i is generally the busiest and most expensive to visit during the winter months. But the amazing thing about these Pacific islands is that any time of the year is a good time to visit. Plan your next trip to Maui for spring or fall for a tropical experience without peak winter crowds and high prices. Plus, ever since the Maui wildfires devastated this island in 2023, it’s welcomed tourists—and their dollars—to help with recovery.

At the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, situated on 23 acres along Kāʻanapali Beach, where the legendary Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock) meets the Pacific, guests are encouraged to buy local, participate in volunteer opportunities, and donate to those impacted. It’s a meaningful way to pair your Hawaiian getaway with giving back.

San Diego, California

Like Hawai’i, it’s hard to find a bad time to visit sunny San Diego. But in the summer months, there’s an influx of visitors, and flights can be more expensive. Instead, plan travel for April to May or September to October. San Diego in the fall can be especially delightful. Catch a late-season baseball game at Petco Park, and enjoy a round of golf or a spa day at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Another perk to San Diego in fall: its array of annual food and wine festivals, such as the Del Mar Wine and Food Festival (October) and the San Diego Food + Wine Festival (November).

For something a little more adventurous, head to Belmont Park for a ride on one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters: The Giant Dipper. Built in 1925, it’s survived several earthquakes and a fire—now, the question is: Can you survive the Dipper?