Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Guides
    • Flight Deals
    • Travel Deals
    • Ways to Save
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Festivals + Events
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Buses + Trains
    • Ground Transportation
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Travel Tips
  3. 25 Destinations Where You Can Save Big by Traveling After the Summer Crowds Leave

25 Destinations Where You Can Save Big by Traveling After the Summer Crowds Leave

By Jess McHugh
August 11, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean it's too late to plan your dream vacation.

Late September through early November is considered “shoulder season” in many travelers' favorite destinations, as it sits after the peak of the summer but before holiday tourists arrive.

Travelers can look forward to shorter lines at the Louvre in Paris, and less crowded beaches in Fiji or Tahiti. Fewer visitors also means it's often find easier to find great deals on flights, hotels, and more.

And U.S. residents don’t need to travel far to score an awesome vacation at a tempting price. Whether you prefer beaches or museums, city or country, here are several ideas for taking advantage of shoulder season.
Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Paris, France

Credit: Richard Boll/Getty Images

October and early November tend to be slow for the City of Light, making it the perfect time to visit the Louvre or snag a spot at your favorite restaurant.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vancouver Island, Canada

Credit: Getty Images/Cultura RF

Quaint fishing villages and vast opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking make this island the perfect getaway from daily life.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bali, Indonesia

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bali is known as the “island of the Gods,” and it’s not hard to see why.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Montreal, Canada

Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Open

Sampling poutine and enjoying this French Canadian city are great in late September and early October — after the summer rush but before the cold sets in.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Botswana

Credit: Peter Johnson/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

National parks and safaris are two of the top reasons that tourists travel to Botswana.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fiji

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

With the nation made up of some 332 islands, visitors should make sure to visit more than just one.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Credit: Frank Fell/Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

This cosmopolitan city has everything from glitzy skyscrapers to sprawling shopping malls and man-made islands.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Credit: Dennis K. Johnson/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Visit the old city of San Juan to see gems such as the Cristo chapel.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Rome, Italy

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

With the high season in Europe spiking over the summer, early fall is a great moment to visit the Italian capital.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Barcelona, Spain

Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Creative

Enjoy Park Güell without the crowds.

10 of 25

11 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crete

Credit: Getty Images

This Mediterranean island is famous for more than just its beautiful beaches. Amateur historians can enjoy archeological museums and ruins from the Roman, Greek, and Minoan civilizations.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Montana, U.S.

Credit: Russell Young/Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Enjoy a cowboy-style adventure in the Western U.S.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Hawaii, U.S.

Credit: Getty Images

Head to the islands in the fall when the weather is still warm but the crowds have mostly dispersed.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ibiza, Spain

Credit: Getty Images

While the high season might peak over the summer, Ibiza parties well into the fall.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Greece

Credit: Lizzie Shepherd/Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

From fishing villages, to ancient ruins, to beaches, Greece has just about everything a traveler could want.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cape Cod, U.S.

Credit: Kenneth Wiedemann/Getty Images

This New England peninsula (the arm of Massachusetts) is a favorite summer getaway for Bostonians. Come check it out in late September or early October to enjoy the seafood shacks and beaches without the crowds.

16 of 25

17 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vermont, U.S.

Credit: Getty Images

By visiting Vermont before the leaves turn, travelers can avoid the throng of foliage fans while still enjoying the rugged nature and craft breweries that the state has to offer.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tahiti, French Polynesia

Credit: Neil Rabinowitz/Getty Images

Escape to your own island paradise where famed artist Paul Gauguin once found inspiration.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caribbean Islands

Credit: Gerardo Borbolla/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Planning a Caribbean getaway during hurricane season (June through November) can often lead to great deals on flights and hotels. If you plan the right way — as one Travel + Leisure contributor did — you can still stay safe.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

New Zealand

Credit: Peter Walton/Getty Images

Explore the country's diverse landscape or follow in the footsteps of characters from "Lord of the Rings" trilogy movies.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Arizona, U.S.

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

See one of the most recognizable natural U.S. landmarks when you visit the Grand Canyon.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Morocco

Credit: Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive

This North African country has a variety of activities for all kinds of travelers: surfing, shopping at local markets, or visiting a traditional hammam.

22 of 25

23 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Kenya

Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kenya is one of the best places to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitats.

23 of 25

24 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

South Africa

Credit: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Check out Johannesburg, or head to South Africa’s rich wine country.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Alaska, U.S.

Credit: Getty Images/Gallo Images

Explore some of this state's rich natural landscape and quaint fishing towns.

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jess McHugh

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 25 Paris, France
2 of 25 Vancouver Island, Canada
3 of 25 Bali, Indonesia
4 of 25 Montreal, Canada
5 of 25 Botswana
6 of 25 Fiji
7 of 25 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
8 of 25 San Juan, Puerto Rico
9 of 25 Rome, Italy
10 of 25 Barcelona, Spain
11 of 25 Crete
12 of 25 Montana, U.S.
13 of 25 Hawaii, U.S.
14 of 25 Ibiza, Spain
15 of 25 Greece
16 of 25 Cape Cod, U.S.
17 of 25 Vermont, U.S.
18 of 25 Tahiti, French Polynesia
19 of 25 Caribbean Islands
20 of 25 New Zealand
21 of 25 Arizona, U.S.
22 of 25 Morocco
23 of 25 Kenya
24 of 25 South Africa
25 of 25 Alaska, U.S.

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

25 Destinations Where You Can Save Big by Traveling After the Summer Crowds Leave
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.