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What’s worse than landing in a tourist trap during peak season? Few things in life, really.
Picture this. You’ve just dropped hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for a perfect vacation either during the summer or winter. The next thing you know you’re surrounded by crowds of people, screaming children, never-ending queues, all while having to deal with price surges. Thanks but no thanks!
In order to avoid all of that unnecessary drama we recommend you start going on vacation during the off-season. You’ll soon find out that certain vacation destinations retain their charm long after the season ends.
Actually, a lot of destinations across the U.S. are just as charming during off-season. So why do so many Americans insist on visiting them ‘on time’? There are plenty of reasons, of course!
You may have gotten used to a certain pattern when it comes to working and vacations and it might be difficult to break out of it, making it more difficult for you to come to terms with an early or late vacation.
Another big part of it is advertisement. You’ll see a lot of ads in preparation for summer or winter vacations, but very few of them will remind you of wonderful destinations you should travel to outside of regular visiting times.
But it’s time to forget all of that! We’ve picked out the 9 best places to go on vacation during the off-season. You’ll not only avoid stressful crowds but also save a ton of money in the process. It’s a win-win!
Click through to read more about our favorite picks!
We’ve picked out the 9 best places to go on vacation during the off-season. You’ll not only avoid stressful crowds but also save a ton of money in the process. It’s a win-win!
Click through to read more about our favorite picks!
If you like interacting with the locals during your vacation trips, both of the animal and human variety, then we recommend taking a trip to Matagorda, Texas. This natural heaven is perfect for families and individuals that can’t make their minds up. Do you want to go fishing? Snorkeling? Do you prefer long walks on the beach or exploring swampy terrain?
Matagorda has it all- it’s just a shame that it’s so crowded by tourists during peak season!
Apart from the activities we’ve just listed, you will also have the possibility of spotting wildlife with or without binoculars. Bobcats, river otters, gators, Texas horned lizards, not to mention migrating birds, are all par for the course here.
All in all, it’s a lovely little region where everyone is laid back, welcoming, and sweet.
This one is for city folks who want to escape the hustle and bustle of their respective concrete jungles. Blue Hill, Maine, is like something out of a fairytale, especially when it’s not crowded and when the prices go back to normal.
Some might find it a little eerie, what with how isolated the landscapes around might look. If you’re originally from a very crowded metropole then this might be the perfect way to start detoxing.
Blue Hill is also a great place to let your creative juices flowing. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, writer, or photographer, there’s something here for you that can help kickstart your new project or give you the break or serenity you need for the next one.
Between sweeping vistas of the sea, blueberry barrens, and sprawling meadows, you’re sure to find a heavenly place to relax either by yourself or with your loved ones. Summers are particularly crowded, which is why we recommend taking Blue Hill in during the winter months or early spring.
Where to even begin with Weeki Wachee? Apart from its adorable name, this destination is unique in several ways. First off, only 12 people live (yep, we double checked) here but that doesn’t stop the city from becoming a popular tourist trap during the summer. Secondly, the Buccaneer Park hosts a regular mermaid show.
Is that not enough to pique your interest? What about the fact that it has the deepest natural spring in the US and a winding river that frequently attracts grazing sea cows.
Weeki Wachee is such a surprising place that we can’t recommend visiting it enough. It’ll surely be a vacation to remember even if you don’t visit during the idyllic summer months.
How does a visit among beautiful snow-capped mountains, dense greenery, and island-studded waters sound like? Pure bliss? Then you should book your trip to Sitka, Alaska, right now! Spending a few days or even weeks in the company of Grizzly bears and delicious salmon could be just what you need, especially if you visit during the off-season.
It’s also a city rich in history as it was a part of Russia until 1867. Whether you like long, calm trails through nature or if you’re a bit of a thrill-seeker, this city has it all: hiking, skiing, snowmobile tours, and even whale watching!
It’ll be darker than usual during your visit, also a lot colder, but your chances of seeing the majestic and mesmerizing Northern Lights will skyrocket. Who could resist that photo-op?
Just make sure you pack appropriate clothes and nice, comfy, woolly socks!
If Crystal River doesn’t sound like a place ripped straight from heaven, we don’t know that does! Thousands of Americans have fallen in love with this city and we can clearly see why!
This funky town takes what Florida does best, then drizzles fresh crab on top. Honestly, it’s a particularly great vacation spot for food lovers. Just get ready to hit the gym once you get back! Charlie’s Fish House Restaurant is well-loved by locals and tourists alike, so make sure you drop by for a meal without waiting in massive queues.
Naturally, because it’s Florida, it’ll be packed as a summer retreat. But visiting during the colder months will give you the same opportunities, just without the crowds. In fact, you’ll swap the army of tourists with adorable manatees!
Kayaking up and down the Chassahowitzka River, known among locals as the Chazz, is a particularly popular activity that we can’t recommend enough.
We’d be ashamed of ourselves if we didn’t add a Hawaiian destination on the list! After a ton of research, we eventually landed on Heleiwa- a bustling city in the summer months that is equally as charming and exciting after all the tourists have departed.
The small town in Oahu is known for its surfing competitions which is no small wonder. As such, you’ll be transported into a bohemian paradise that has flourished with the help of both the surfer and artistic residents.
You may be wondering what else is there to do in Haleiwa? If you’re not a surf enthusiast then we recommend you visit the Wyland Galleries with their tsunami glass sculptures and murals or the Waimea Valley. Here you’ll find botanical gardens and waterfalls unlike any you’ve ever seen on the mainland.
Trust us, the long flight over the ocean is well worth it!
We can’t offer you a time machine but we could tell you to visit a time capsule of a town. We’re talking about Dodge City, Kansas- cowboy country!
This city has managed to preserve the country’s Old west History so it’s no wonder it’s bustling with tourists during the warm and inviting summer months. Though you won’t find any cowboys nowadays (no matter how hard you try, sadly), you can still visit all the places that Doc Holliday, Clay Allison, and Wyatt Earp frequented as this used to be their home.
The Boot Hill Museum is a great place for firearm lovers as it boasts a collection of over 200 cowboy guns. Fort Dodge is a historic site loved by many as it used to house Kansas soldiers, but there’s more than just buildings to see and snap pictures of!
Longhorn Park is a favorite among tourists, especially families with younger children, where they can take a peek at longhorn cattle!
How does a vacation to America’s Happiest Seaside Town sound like? Southport, North Carolina won the title back in 2015, but even today it’s a great destination for people from all walks of life.
Sure, you can’t go for a swim during the wintertime offseason, but you can still enjoy long, peaceful walks down the shore, undisturbed by hordes of tourists. Kayaking and exploring are available year-round!
Most visitors can’t stop raving about Southport’s salt marshes and waterways, but if you’re feeling particularly adventurous or brave you could paddle out to Bald Head Island. This pristine bit of land two miles offshore is a perfect place for a secluded, romantic picnic.
Finally, here’s a destination that you’ll have to visit during the warmer months of the year in order to avoid the crowds. Veil is known for its slopes so its fans are mainly skiing or snowboarding but even without the snow you can still visit countless, breathtaking trails.
This will also be a great opportunity to zip across zip lines without several layers of clothes on and without the air freezing your whiskers!
Once you’re done exploring the mountains by foot we also recommend giving whitewater rafting a go but beware this isn’t for the faint of heart. Thanks to the snowmelt, enthusiasts can enjoy world-class rapids!
And if you’ve had your fill of mountain biking you could even take a yoga class caught on paddleboards! Yes, you read that right. No, we’re not pulling your leg.
We hoped we’ve managed to convince you that only traveling during peak season may be unbeneficial to you. All of these destinations are drop-dead gorgeous all year round!
And, hey, if you need a break from work or are going through stressful events in your life, it’s great to just travel and take your mind off things. Trust us, it’s not always worth it to wait a couple of months for you to visit popular U.S. spots!
Which one of these stunning U.S. destinations will you visit next? What’s the one thing you’re trying to avoid most when traveling off-season?
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Dodge City sounds interesting. I think I would enjoy the history, there. Although Ft. Worth is not what it once was, the stockyards, rodeo and Billy Bobs are all still here for those who seek it. Some cowboys can still be found around, but many have moved on to the Stephenville or Weatherford areas, although I still have a neighbor or two outside the city that have some longhorns. They are neat!