These Popular U.S. Vacation Spots Are Much Cheaper in September
School is back in session and pumpkin spice lattes are officially being sold, but that doesn’t mean you have to pack up your bags and head home until next summer. In fact, a vacation during the shoulder season is not only a great time to visit many of your favorite spots for mild weather and fewer crowds, but it’s actually a less expensive time to do it too.
Vacationers heading to beach or lake destinations across the U.S. could save up to 29 percent off a home rental in September compared to August, according to a report by home sharing site Vrbo.
“Shoulder season refers to off-peak travel times, and while there are no official dates for the start and end of shoulder season, owners of Vrbo vacation homes tend to set their nightly rental rates to drop right after Labor Day,” Melanie Fish, a Vrbo travel expert, told Travel + Leisure in an email. “Shoulder season offers so many benefits – reduced vacation rental home prices, more selection available, less crowded beaches, the list goes on. We looked at the data so vacationers can take full advantage.”
The report compared the full-month average nightly rates from August 2018 to September 2018 and ranked them by demand from travelers, giving vacationers an idea of what the trend is for this year.
While it may not be sun tanning season, there’s plenty to do in the shoulder season: Hop on an ostrich and ride the classic 1920s carousel at Trimper’s Rides in Ocean City, Md. or bundle up and watch the leaves start to change colors in Bar Harbor, Maine. Savor all four seasons in Whitefish, Montana, or set out on a dolphin-watching cruise off of South Padre Island in Texas.
These are the top 10 U.S. destinations for savings during the shoulder season and the average nightly price in September last year, according to Vrbo.
Ocean City, N.J. – average nightly price: $296
Sunriver, Ore. – average nightly price: $285
Ocean City, Md. – average nightly price: $254
Cape Cod, Mass. – average nightly price: $304
Lincoln City, Ore. – average nightly price: $263
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – average nightly price: $193
South Padre Island, Texas – average nightly price: $235
Whitefish, Mont. – average nightly price: $250
Bar Harbor, Maine – average nightly price: $261
Hilton Head Island, S.C. – average nightly price: $227
