The leaves are changing. Temperatures are dropping. And airfare prices? They’re cooling off from summer highs, too. It’s the time quintessentially known as shoulder season, when there are fewer people traveling—and thus, more availability.
But this year, some of these seasonal characteristics could be harder to find—at least when it comes to avoiding crowds. According to new TripIt data, 85% of Americans are planning to travel this fall. Nearly two-thirds (64%) plan to fly domestically; 42% are planning a road trip; and 32% are planning to fly internationally.
One hypothesis as to why: Many are hoping the chaos of summer will cool off, too.
Read more: So Long, Shoulder Season? New Survey Shows 85% of Americans Planning to Travel This Fall
Unsure as to what’s so alluring about shoulder season? Thinking about planning a fall trip, but not sure where to go? I’ve addressed both of these questions, and more, below.
What is shoulder season?
Shoulder season is the time between the peak and off seasons of travel. As such, it varies based on where you’re located around the globe. In the U.S., for example, shoulder season occurs between the busy summer travel season and the lull of winter travel—i.e., during the fall and spring.
Why do people like to travel during shoulder season? There are a few perks: Prices are typically lower than during peak summer travel. The weather is also typically better than in the off season. Combined, this creates a sweet spot for those travelers who have the flexibility to travel during this time.
Keep in mind that many people travel during the summer because kids aren’t in school; there are more long weekends to take advantage of (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day); and of course, the weather is often chef’s kiss for a vacation. But with all of these perks comes higher prices—and as many people experienced this past summer, travel chaos.
So it comes as little surprise that many Americans are planning to travel this fall. And if you’re one of them, read on for tips on how to make the most of shoulder season travel.
Where to go in the fall
Fall trip calling your name? Here are five ways to make the most of it.
1. Go where the crowds aren’t
According to TripIt data, these are the top destinations for American travelers this fall (i.e., September 1 through November 15):
- Las Vegas
- Orlando
- Chicago
- New York
- Denver
- San…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at TripIt Blog…