Why The Off Season Should Be Your Season

You ever talk to locals that live in a touristy area, and they tell you their favorite time of year is the off season? I’m sure you think the number one reason is all the loud and drunk tourists are gone, and you’re right, but there is usually a far bigger reason. There are a few places I target to travel during the height of their season and usually that’s because what I’m looking to see is only available then. I’ve recently moved to a small touristy city just minutes from many very busy beach towns, and I can’t help but think how much I wish I had visited here more often in the late fall. I’m going to highlight a few places that should be on your radar when they’re not on others. First let’s look at a few bullets as to why it makes sense in general.

• Cheaper – This one may seem obvious but if you dig in a little, the savings add up!
  • Flights – Getting there is often less
  • Hotels/Airbnb are much less
  • Restaurants and bars have specials they don’t run when they’re full
  • Parking is often free
  • Uber and Lyft demand is low and cheaper

• More options – When demand is high, availability isn’t. Not only are things cheaper but they’re attainable. Everything you see above in the “cheaper” section is cheaper because it’s widely available.
  
• Relaxing – This one is simple, it’s cheaper because it’s available, and because it’s available, it’s all yours.
  
• Culture – This one is my favorite. When you’re visiting a place at its tourist peak, a lot of that local culture gets lost in the chaos. You’re just as likely to run into someone from where you live as where you’re visiting. The area is set up for crowds and designed to move people around quickly. When that’s gone, you’re left with its true self and a much better climate to take it all in.

Okay, let’s explore a few places:

Alaska – I visited Anchorage, Alaska and the surrounding area in January. Alaska.org says, “The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer between May 10 and September 15.” Now, there are plenty of winter activities to see and do in January, but not for the majority. I can’t compare because I haven’t been to Alaska any other time, but I do know I would go back in the winter again. It was exactly as you’d imagine Alaska to be: cold, dark, and wonderful. Anchorage is a large city with a lot to offer. I just got to do it for far less money with far fewer people. Looking on Google Flights, from NYC to Anchorage in January 2026, there are many options for around $400 round trip. LAX to Anchorage comes in direct for $300.

North Carolina Beaches – I have family here and have visited many different times of year before moving here, and October and November are when it shines. It truly reflects everything I mentioned above regarding why it makes sense, but on top of that, the weather has a strong possibility of being even better. It’s not uncommon to see temperatures in the upper 70s in late October, and the beaches are yours.

Provincetown/Cape Cod, MA – Provincetown, MA sits on the very tip of Cape Cod and offers a great beach town vibe with amazing food. This is a fantastic example of an on- and off-seasonal town. The summer months are packed with people and hotels and Airbnbs are incredibly expensive, if you can get one. Once Labor Day hits, it turns off. There are a few holidays like Halloween that bring it back to life, but after that, it’s over. Some places shut down for the season, but several stay open all year, and it’s a great time to explore the culture and the town for a fraction of the cost. The same is true for all of Cape Cod, but for me, P-Town, as they call it, is the real gem.

Here’s the bottom line: take a look at places you’ve been during peak season and consider going back during the off-season. You’ll sacrifice some things like weather, but the tradeoff is usually worth it in many ways.