The USA’s visitor hotspots tend to be busy for good reasons: they offer something special in terms of culture, natural beauty, atmosphere or all three. Often, though, it is possible to visit without the crowds. We’ve picked the best off-season destinations around the US and territories where visitors can find sunshine outside of the summer months or rediscover a favourite place in a new light.
Temperatures up to 21°C (70°F) in January and 28°C (82°F) in October are enough to recommend Sanibel Island for an off-season trip. The relative lack of crowds packing out the pale sandy beaches is another. Then, of course, there’s the beauty, which remains striking all year round. Sanibel and neighbouring Captiva are hugely popular in summer, when people come to soak up the sunshine while collecting pretty shells from the sand. Once they leave, prices drop – and the sun continues to shine.
Wine tasting tends to be a lovely experience at any time of year, though especially so when the sun is shining. In German-settled Fredericksburg, that can happen even in the depths of winter. With seasonal highs of 15-21°C (59-70°F), the winter sun creates a striking contrast against the festive lights strung outside downtown boutiques and the wineries along Highway 290, just outside town.
Known as Savannah’s Beach (it’s just 18 miles/29km from the city), the barrier island of Tybee basks in average January highs of around 15°C (59°F). It might not be sunbathing weather but it is the perfect temperature for walks along the golden, driftwood-strewn beaches, watching the water for resident dolphins and gazing at the famously beautiful sunsets. Tybee is also home to Georgia’s oldest lighthouse, a black-and-white beauty dating from 1736.
Any of the three US Virgin Islands – St Thomas, St Croix and St John (pictured) – are idyllic destinations for an off-season escape. The islands have average highs ranging between 29°C (84°F) in January and 32°C (90°F) at the height of summer, so visitors are unlikely to ever feel cold. It’s best to avoid hurricane season (July-October) and visit in spring or November, when there tends to be better deals on flights and hotels and the islands are quieter.
Temperatures in the delightfully sunny San Luis Obispo or SLO, perfectly positioned halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, remain pretty stable throughout the year. Average temperature highs range from around 16°C (61°F) in January up to 25°C (77°F) in summer. The walkable, fun downtown, home to independent boutiques, breweries and wine bars, makes a lovely base for exploring the surrounding mountain trails and nearby beaches and wineries.
The wine region, named for its spindly, finger-shaped lakes, is a hugely popular summer destination for New Yorkers. It tends to be a little quieter either side though, while still often basking in the sunshine (and with the additional beauty of autumn colours in autumn). And winter is a surprisingly lovely time to visit. The vines are dusted (and occasionally buried) in snow and there are opportunities to ski down mountainsides, go snowshoeing through forest trails or skate on frozen lakes and ponds. Pictured is Taughannock Falls near Cayuga Lake.
The tropical island of Guam, a US territory in the western Pacific, has incredibly consistent temperatures with average highs hovering around 30-31°C (86-88°F) all year. While it can be rainy as it lies in the path of typhoons, the best time to visit is usually February-April when it’s relatively dry and calm. The scenery and atmosphere add to the glow, from the flavoursome and often fiery Chamorro cuisine to the rock formations and shortbread-hued sands of Tanguisson Beach (pictured).
The Golden State’s best-known wine region is bottlenecked in summer and around harvest season (August to October). But go in winter and you’ll discover why the locals tend to prefer the off-season. The crowds drift away, the days cool (though it’s rarely chilly) and restaurants, hotels and tasting rooms have some great offers. Dubbed Cabernet Season, it’s the perfect excuse to sip bold, complex red wines.
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Snowbirds flock to this island paradise for winter and sun-seekers cover the beaches in summer. But Maui’s weather doesn’t vary dramatically so it’s still balmy during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn – yet significantly less crowded and often cheaper. The burnished gold beaches, volcanic peaks, waterfalls and rainforests are even more beautiful with fewer people obscuring the views.
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Camping spots and hiking trails fill quickly at this beautifully bizarre national park during peak summer months, despite the often uncomfortably hot temperatures. Visit Joshua Tree – named for the spindly, spiky trees dotted throughout the landscape – in winter or spring instead. It’ll still be mild enough to sleep under canvas and gaze at the inky, star-filled night skies, while the desert trails and boulders should be far less crowded.
Summer in Nashville is usually both crowded and sweltering. Winter, on the other hand, can be prohibitively cold – but spring is a different story. The average March high is 16°C (61°F), which is a pleasant temperature for shopping, pottering around the city’s hip neighbourhoods and dancing to country music. Visitors should head there as the weather starts to warm up and before the summer crowds descend, for the best time hitting the honky tonks and dining in Southern restaurants.
Discover more of what Nashville has to offer with our full city guide
There are many compelling reasons for visiting Fairbanks, one of Alaska’s largest cities, in summer. There's its arty downtown, forested riverside and – from mid-May to late July – the chance to see the midnight sun, with 24 hours of sunlight. Visit from autumn to early spring, though, and you can skate on frozen lakes, ski through forests and see the Northern Lights, which swirl the skies with green, purple and yellow.
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The Florida Keys are at their busiest in winter, when people flock to the archipelago from chillier climes. From March onwards, visitor numbers – and prices – tend to drop. Temperatures are warmer too, making it an ideal time to get out on the water in Key Largo, the largest of the chain and the closest to Miami. A highlight here is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where visitors can kayak, snorkel or scuba dive to see reefs and mangroves.
Between snowbirds who flock here for winter sun and families on their summer holidays, the theme park capital of the world breathes a sigh of relief in spring. With the exception of Easter, the roads, resorts and rides tend to be far less crowded. It’s never exactly quiet, but you can bag better deals on travel and accommodation – and get on those roller coasters a little faster.
It’s rarely, if ever, chilly on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, which boasts a sweep of alabaster sand and sunshine pretty much all year round (average March highs are 19°C/66°F). So it makes sense to avoid the busiest summer and winter seasons if possible and instead head there in spring or autumn to feast on tiny, sweet Royal Red shrimp, dance at quirky bars that spill onto the sand and kayak through wetlands until winter becomes a distant, damp memory.
Spring means warmer weather and the tail end of the ski season at Park City’s resorts. While there may be a little less powder on the slopes, March and April often still have ideal skiing conditions. These months also have sunnier afternoons and longer evenings for indulging in après ski – in other words, it’s pretty much the perfect time to visit.
There’s never exactly a quiet time to visit New York (it really never does sleep) but the streets are definitely more crowded around Christmas and in the summer holidays. January and February are often the cheapest months to visit, though it can be brutally cold. Better still are spring or autumn, when the weather is mild and it should be possible to explore Times Square and wander around the top of the Empire State Building without a sea of people.
Even the world’s most beautiful places can have quiet periods. Take Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake. Its ski resorts fill in winter and its trails and campsites are packed in summer. But spring, when the snow is slowly melting to reveal wildflowers and paths covered in pine needles, is quiet and filled with possibilities. Autumn also tends to be quieter, with mild conditions ideal for kayaking and hiking through forests cloaked in fall colours.
It’s rare that the loveliest time to visit a destination is also among the quietest, yet that’s the miracle of autumn in San Francisco. The days are often sunnier than in summer, when fog rolls in pretty much daily, though it feels like everyone else has left. The seafood restaurants and shops around Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are pretty much always busy but there are fewer walkers and cyclists crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, shorter queues for the trams and less chance of Alcatraz tickets selling out.
There’s plenty to keep visitors occupied indoors in stylish Chicago, which endures frigid winters and sweltering summers. Eating at one of its many Michelin-starred restaurants, wandering around art galleries or enjoying some late-night blues, for example. But it’s such a pretty city, that would be shame. Spring and autumn offer the best of all worlds: days wandering its sculpture-filled parks and gazing up at Art Deco skyscrapers – and nights feasting on deep-dish pizza.
A winter trip to upscale ski resort Aspen can be pretty pricey and crowded. But there’s a narrow window of opportunity for bargains from March until crowds begin to return for the resort’s summer festivals. There’s still plenty to do, from mountain biking down sun-thawed trails to fly fishing in rivers and exploring quiet hiking routes.
The Gulf Coast city is best known for Busch Gardens and its proximity to Orlando’s theme parks, though it has a lot to offer in its own right. Hotels tend to fill up in winter and summer but the in-between months, from April until July, area often blissfully crowd-free. With sunny (but not sweltering) weather, it’s a lovely time to wander along the pedestrianised Riverwalk, explore the city’s museums and dining scene – and perhaps visit the theme parks before the hordes descend.
New Orleans has several ‘on’ seasons. There’s Mardi Gras, usually in February or March, when the streets are crammed with crowds watching the flamboyant floats pass by. Then there’s spring, when the Jazz Fest and promise of milder weather draws visitors. Those who can stand the heat could save money by visiting in summer but we reckon autumn – usually quieter and a little cooler – is the nicest season, when you can wander the colourful, cobbled streets in comfort and indulge in hearty food like gumbo.
Summer in New Mexico’s state capital is sizzling in every sense. The average July high is 30°C (86°F), which can feel almost unbearable for visitors exploring the city’s chapels and historic plazas. This is also when the city is at its most crowded, so travellers should consider swerving the expense and stress by booking a spring trip. Average April temperatures are around 18°C (65°F) – far more pleasant conditions for exploring Pueblo-Revival architecture and contemporary art galleries.
Summer in Scottsdale stretches all the way from May until mid-September. Temperatures during these months can soar to a sweltering 41°C (106°F), so the city is generally best avoided at these times. Book a shoulder-season trip to the Sonoran Desert city though, and it’s pretty perfect. The mercury still tends to hit 20°C (68°F) and above, which makes shopping, dining in the Old Town and hiking on mountain trails much more enjoyable.
March usually brings the SXSW Music Festival, when this hip city becomes even more so and cool crowds descend to hear the best regional and international acts. It’s a fab time to experience the city’s nightlife but, to get to know Austin at its quirkiest best, it’s best to visit later in spring. Then visitors can shop for hand-crafted cowboy boots in peace and queue for (slightly) less time to try some of the best barbecue around.
This alpine town is best known for its ski resort and, as the powder begins to thin, so do the crowds. The spring snowmelt signals a slower, more serene pace of life that residents enjoy and off-peak visitors love to discover. People can get decent deals on hotels and, most years, just enough snow to enjoy winter sports from skiing to snow-shoeing. Main Street, whose boldly coloured buildings house galleries and restaurants, is a treat all year round.
Bobbing boats, creaky wooden piers, lobster shacks serving sandwiches stuffed with the day’s catch and slathered in melted butter... Ogunquit is a dream of a coastal town. It is, unsurprisingly, packed in the summer yet relatively, wonderfully, quiet in spring and autumn. People can watch the lobstermen at Perkins Cove Harbor, join a boat trip around the harbour and wander around the sculpture garden at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art (open 1 May-31 October). Pictured is the harbour trimmed by autumn colours.
Swerve sweltering summer weather by heading to the charming, culturally fascinating city of Jackson in spring, when the mercury regularly reaches 20°C (68°F). It’s still patio weather yet not too hot for wandering the tree-shaded streets and weaving in and out of blues clubs. Must-visits include the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, whose arresting displays include plinths representing lynching victims.
Yosemite is vast but certain pockets still get crowded in the busiest summer months. What some people know (and keep to themselves) is that the park’s beauty is amplified when it’s dusted with snow and touched by frost. The landscapes are also astoundingly quiet. People can view Yosemite Falls, frozen in mid-flow, and go snow-shoeing on the trails around Half Dome and Upper Pines. Some roads are closed and tyre chains may be required, but it’s worth the effort.
Puerto Rico’s peak season is winter, when visitors flock here for a relatively affordable sunny break. Yet the Caribbean island and US territory is consistently warm throughout the year and has average summer temperatures of 24-31°C (76-88°F). The best deals are typically for travel between May and November, when visitors explore the capital’s hilly, colourful streets, 16th-century forts and sandy beaches in relative quiet.
Visiting Phoenix at the height of summer is fine for those who love sweltering heat or are happy to stay indoors with the air conditioning on full blast as temperatures can top 40°C (104°F) in July. Spring, on the other hand, attracts baseball fans here to watch Major League teams go through their pre-season training. For warm, sunny days with thinner crowds, we recommend the blissfully quiet autumn or winter seasons. The botanical gardens are in full bloom and, if it does get hot, Salt River is the place to cool off.
Summer is Yellowstone’s busiest season, though winter – when wolves, foxes and coyotes stalk in snowy meadows – is spectacular. In spring, the frost begins to thaw and seasonal roads begin to reopen, yet crowds are still thin until around May and June. Visitors who don’t fancy trekking through icy landscapes should visit in March or April, when wildflowers begin to carpet the ground and bison calves, grizzly cubs and bighorn lambs can sometimes be spotted (from a safe distance).
Southern charmer Savannah is far easier to admire outside of the summer months. Even January temperatures reach 15°C (59°F), while the mercury often hits 25°C (77°F) in April. So visitors are unlikely to catch a chill, except perhaps while strolling around atmospheric cemeteries whose sculptures and grand mausoleums are shadowed by moss-draped oak trees.
Proving that the busiest times aren’t necessarily the best, dramatically gorgeous Kauai – known as the Garden Island – draws the most visitors and has the highest prices during its rainy season (December-March). With average annual temperatures pretty stable between 21-29°C (70-84°F), it makes sense to wait until drier spring. It’s relatively quiet, so off-peak visitors can enjoy the gilded beaches in relative solitude and admire the results of all that rain – lush rainforest and waterfalls surrounded by greenery.
These are the best affordable warm-weather destinations in the USA
Provincetown – or P-Town as locals call it – heaves with visitors in peak summer months but becomes a very different place when the crowds move out. A place where it’s possible to stroll on the beaches and along the marina without bumping into anyone and to easily get a seat in food hot spots serving lobster… everything, from buttery rolls to mac ’n’ cheese. Spring and autumn are perfect for whale watching too.
The ‘secret’ of Oregon’s spectacular coastline is out. Outside the summer months, visitors could still be all alone, or one of very few, skipping along its honey-hued beaches and following trails that trace the edges of ocean bluffs and plunge into thick forest. Laid-back surf town Seaside provides an ideal base, packed with seafood restaurants and a short distance from ruggedly beautiful Ecola State Park, pictured.
Now discover the best affordable warm-weather destinations in the USA