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 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. It was a close-run thing, but we've ended up picking this breathtaking spot as America's finest off-season option.

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Escape the crowds at these off-season US destinations