Fall can be an ideal time to travel, whether you’re retired, planning a trip around fall break or simply prefer to vacation after the summer crowds have thinned out. With fewer families visiting popular destinations and peak summer demand winding down, you may find lower airfare and hotel rates, better availability and a more relaxed experience.
This time of year is often called the shoulder season, or the period between a destination’s busiest and quietest travel seasons. Depending on where you’re headed, you could enjoy pleasant weather, fewer crowds and potentially lower prices without sacrificing the experiences that make a destination worth visiting.
If you’re flexible about when you travel, comparing several dates can help you find the best combination of value, weather and things to do. Here are seven destinations worth considering for a shoulder-season getaway this fall.
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1. Denver, Colorado
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
There’s a sweet spot in Denver between the height of summer tourism and the start of Colorado’s ski season. Visit in September or October and you can enjoy crisp temperatures, hiking and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.
Fall color is a major draw. Aspen leaves begin turning gold at higher elevations around mid-September, while lower elevations can continue displaying fall color into October and November, according to Visit Denver. That gives travelers a relatively wide window for planning scenic drives and day trips into the foothills.
Retirees who prefer a slower pace can spend a few days exploring Denver’s museums, restaurants and neighborhoods, then add a scenic drive or manageable hike without building the entire vacation around strenuous outdoor activities.
For a stay with a little history, The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton occupies the former Emily Griffith Opportunity School in downtown Denver, offering a convenient base for exploring the city. Travelers looking to unwind outside downtown can consider The Inverness Denver, a Hilton Golf & Spa Resort, which pairs accommodations with a golf course and full-service spa.
2. Portland, Oregon
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Portland’s cooler fall temperatures make it easier to spend a day alternating between gardens, restaurants, coffee shops and outdoor attractions. The city’s food scene also provides plenty to explore even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
For foliage, you don’t necessarily have to leave town. Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum and other parks put autumn color within easy reach. You can also take a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge, where fall brings changing leaves to an area already known for waterfalls and scenic views.
There may be another advantage to waiting until later in the season: fewer visitors at some outdoor attractions.
For travelers who want to stay in the heart of the city, Hilton Portland Downtown can provide a convenient base for sightseeing.
3. San Francisco, California
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While many destinations begin cooling down in September, September and October are actually among San Francisco’s warmest months.
That can make fall an appealing time to walk along the waterfront, explore Golden Gate Park, ride a cable car or wander through neighborhoods such as North Beach and Chinatown. You can also balance outdoor sightseeing with museums, restaurants and other indoor attractions.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fall evenings tend to be among the city’s clearest and warmest, too. The key to saving money here is checking the calendar before booking. San Francisco’s fall lineup includes major events such as Fleet Week and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and those dates can bring more visitors into the city. Flexible travelers may find better value by traveling between large events or comparing several weekday stays.
Hilton San Francisco Union Square can place you close to restaurants, shopping and public transportation, potentially reducing the need for a rental car. Nearby, The Barnes San Francisco, Tapestry Collection by Hilton offers another option near Union Square, with a boutique-style stay on Powell Street that puts many of the city’s attractions within easy reach.
4. Park City, Utah
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Few destinations illustrate the potential benefits of shoulder-season travel better than Park City. Summer brings hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, while winter draws skiers from around the world. Fall creates a quieter window before ski season gets underway. If seeing the foliage is more important, aim earlier.
Fall colors generally peak between mid-September and early October, depending on the weather. Visitors can hike among golden aspens, take scenic drives or simply enjoy Park City’s restaurants and mountain-town atmosphere, and enjoy comfortable accommodations at hotels like Waldorf Astoria Park City.
For budget-conscious travelers, it’s worth comparing fall lodging rates with winter prices. You’re visiting the same mountain destination without competing with peak ski-season demand.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If summer heat has kept New Orleans off your travel list, fall may be your opportunity. As temperatures and humidity begin to ease, it’s more comfortable to walk through the French Quarter, ride the streetcar, tour historic homes or spend an afternoon listening to live music.
It’s also a good destination for those who don’t want an activity-packed itinerary. A leisurely day can revolve around a museum, long lunch, architecture tour and live jazz in the evening.
For a convenient downtown base, Hilton New Orleans Riverside puts travelers near the Mississippi River and within reach of many of the city’s major attractions. If staying close to the airport is a priority, Hilton New Orleans Airport offers a convenient alternative, particularly for travelers with an early flight or a shorter stay.
There’s an important catch to the shoulder-season savings strategy in New Orleans: fall is packed with festivals and events. Check the city’s event calendar alongside hotel prices before finalizing your dates. A weekend that looks like shoulder season on the calendar can still come with higher rates when thousands of visitors are in town.
6. Chicago, Illinois
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Chicago can be packed during summer, when visitors crowd the lakefront, festivals and downtown attractions. Early fall gives travelers another opportunity to experience the city while temperatures can still be comfortable enough for outdoor sightseeing.
Take an architecture cruise on the Chicago River, walk the lakefront, explore neighborhoods or devote a day to the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum or Museum of Science and Industry. Many boat tours continue operating well into fall, including options with indoor or climate-controlled areas.
Fall is also a particularly active time for architecture and cultural events. That variety makes Chicago a good choice for retirees who want the freedom to adjust their itinerary depending on the weather. Travel later in fall, and you may have more opportunities to find lower rates, but you’ll also face less predictable weather.
For travelers who want their hotel to be part of the sightseeing experience, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel offers a stay steeped in Chicago history, with an ornate lobby featuring chandeliers, artwork and a ceiling fresco by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. For a location closer to Michigan Avenue and the lakefront, Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites offers another central option.
7. Toronto, Ontario
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Want to go abroad without taking a long-haul flight? Toronto can add an international trip to your fall travel calendar while remaining relatively easy to reach from many U.S. cities.
Earlier in fall, comfortable temperatures make it possible to spend plenty of time outside exploring neighborhoods such as Yorkville and the Distillery District. As the season progresses, changing leaves add another reason to get outdoors. High Park, the Don Valley and Rouge National Urban Park are among the area’s fall-color options.
When the weather turns chilly, head inside to the Royal Ontario Museum or Art Gallery of Ontario, or build your trip around the city’s diverse restaurant scene. Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville can serve as an excellent base for exploring the city. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the airport consider DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Airport, particularly for an early flight or shorter stay.
When calculating what the trip will actually cost, don’t forget that prices will be in Canadian dollars. Check the current exchange rate before leaving, and see whether your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. Even a seemingly small fee can add up when you’re charging meals, admission tickets and transportation throughout a multiday trip.
How to save even more on a shoulder-season trip
Picking a shoulder-season destination is only the first step. Your travel dates can make just as much difference. Instead of automatically planning a Friday-to-Sunday getaway, compare Sunday-through-Thursday stays or experiment with different arrival and departure dates.
Always check the local event calendar, too. A major festival, football game, convention or peak foliage weekend can quickly change hotel availability and prices.
Loyalty programs can provide another way to stretch your travel budget. Hilton Honors members who book eligible stays directly with Hilton can earn Points toward future stays and access member benefits.
Booking directly through Hilton or the Hilton Honors app can also provide access to features including Digital Check-in, room selection and Digital Key where available.
Finally, compare prices even after you’ve booked. Under Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee, if you book directly with Hilton and find a lower qualifying rate elsewhere for the same accommodations and booking terms, Hilton says it will match that qualifying lower rate and provide an additional 25% off the room rate for the stay. Claims and rates must meet Hilton’s eligibility requirements, and additional terms apply.
Shoulder-season travel won’t guarantee a bargain. But if you have the freedom to avoid peak dates, compare several travel windows and adjust your plans around major events, fall can offer something even better than simply spending less: getting more out of your vacation budget without sacrificing the experience.