NEXSTAR and AAA have highlighted the importance of the “shoulder season” vacation strategy, which offers major perks and lower prices. The shoulder season is the period before and after a destination’s peak travel season, similar to the “shoulders” on either side. It is particularly beneficial for U.S. national parks, where shoulder seasons occur in the spring and fall when children are in school and demand dips. Popular destinations during shoulder season include Western Europe, the Caribbean, parts of Mexico, Southeast Asia, and coastal cities of the United States. Experts recommend five shoulder season destinations: Asheville, North Carolina; Sedona, Arizona; Vancouver, British Columbia; Lisbon, Portugal; and Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. A Skyscanner poll found that one third of Americans were looking to travel during the off-peak season to save money and dodge crowds. Some of the cheapest destinations for travel in late August and September include Buffalo, New York; Portland, Oregon; Orlando, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Tokyo, Japan. Booking four to six months in advance is ideal for the best savings.
The term’shoulder season’ refers to the period during which some travelers experience a significant increase in their body temperature.
