Shoulder season is a perennially popular time to travel for retirees and those who have flexible work schedules. If you’ve got kids, it may seem impossible to travel once school has started, but in my experience it’s both doable and entirely worth the effort. I spent years as a teacher while raising my own children and we usually managed to sneak in a shoulder season getaway during the school year. It was a challenge that often paid off big time.
Shoulder season is the time of year when weather conditions are favorable and crowds are slimmer, an appealing window to visit destinations that are packed and hot during summer. Fall and spring are generally considered shoulder season. Interested? Here are six of my favorite shoulder season destinations to consider for your next getaway, both at home and abroad.
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1. Austin, Texas
When cooler temperatures kick in, Austin morphs into a fine shoulder season getaway. Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is packed like a sardine tin in summer, but this three-acre spring-fed pool is just right for a shoulder-season dip, especially with a year-round water temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sticking with the aquatic theme, you can ride in an amphibious vehicle and sightsee on dry land before plunging into Lake Austin on Austin Duck Adventures. The food truck scene is robust, too: The Picnic offers a wide variety of eats and clean restrooms, while for dessert, Big Top Candy Shop on South Congress Avenue will satisfy your sweet tooth with a huge selection of confections and an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Where to stay: The whimsical vibe at Hotel Zaza Austin is in tune with the city’s unofficial slogan, “Keep Austin Weird.” Book one of the Concept or Magnificent Seven Suites and you’ll enjoy thematic rooms with eye-candy décor.
2. The Adirondacks, New York
The Adirondack Park’s more than six-million acres of pristine forest and mountains are a tonic for urban life. Autumn is particularly stunning, with deciduous trees ablaze in a rainbow of color. While it’s a leaf-peeping destination, it’s less saturated than its popular New England neighbors to the east.
Thousands of lakes and ponds are excellent for kayaking and canoeing, with the colored leaves reflected on the water’s surface painting a dreamy picture. If you’re more into pedaling than paddling, the Adirondack Rail Trail beckons for a bike ride. Hikers are in for a treat, with walks to suit everyone from serious athletes to energetic toddlers.
Where to stay: When I close my eyes and imagine the Adirondacks, I picture the Lodge at Schroon Lake, a rambling resort nestled on beautifully landscaped grounds. Head to the private dock and rent a pontoon boat or take a guided tour on a Chris-Craft. Swim in the indoor pool, toast marshmallows over the fire, and enjoy wholesome dining options.
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3. Los Angeles, California
With weather a year-round calling card, Los Angeles is a shoulder season winner. The nearby theme parks and miles of beaches could keep a family busy for weeks, but there’s a rich cultural scene to explore across dozens of neighborhoods as well. My key to vacation happiness is to focus on a specific slice of town and avoid wasting precious time in the intense traffic.
Miracle Mile is home to numerous museums, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with vintage screenings and exhibits that dive into film history, with free admission for guests under 18. Another Miracle Mile must-see is the Petersen Automotive Museum. Hundreds of cars are displayed like rolling sculptures, from the Batmobile to race cars driven by Formula One drivers.
In the nearby Fairfax District, you can get crafty with a custom nail polish experience at Orly Color Labs. It’s not a manicure; the mixologist helps you create the perfect shade of Barbie pink, lipstick red, or pansy purple to take home.
Where to stay: The Kimpton La Peer is a boutique property in walkable West Hollywood near Miracle Mile. Amenities such as rooftop pickleball and an outdoor pool join onsite restaurant Ladyhawk, serving the city’s finest Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.
4. The Hamptons, New York
In high season, the ritzy Hamptons is as well known for its traffic jams as its beautiful beaches. Wait for shoulder to season, though, and you’ll enjoy a crowd-free vacation that doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For beachcombers, there are dozens of ocean and bay beaches that don’t require a parking permit once summer is in the rearview mirror. In Hampton Bays, you can watch the surfers and piping plovers at Ponquogue Beach.
Beyond the beach, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a maze of ponds, rare Dwarf Pines, and wildlife tumbling over seven miles of walking trails, free of charge. Southampton Golf Range has an 18-hole mini-golf course featuring local landmarks.
Where to stay: In Hampton Bays, Canoe Place Inn & Cottages has lovely rooms and spacious cottages, some with fireplaces and clawfoot bathtubs. The convivial Good Ground Tavern serves fresh seafood.
5. The Danish Riviera, Denmark
Even seasoned travelers might not be familiar with the Danish Riviera, a coastal stretch that looks lifted from a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Sandy dunes, heather-covered hills, and small fishing villages paint a Scandinavian symphony of garden and sea just one hour by train from cosmopolitan Copenhagen. A popular summertime getaway, the area is tranquil in spring and fall.
The 800-year-old market town Elsinore is a gateway and home to the UNESCO World Heritage List Kronborg Castle, the impressive setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The perch of a bicycle is an excellent way to get around, thanks to a fairly flat, car-free path. In late spring, enjoy a carpet of wildflowers; in autumn, falling leaves are punctuated with patches of green moss as plush as velvet.
Where to stay: In Hornbaek, Hotel Hornbakhus has loaner bikes and uncluttered rooms decorated with simple wooden furniture and patterned wallpaper, exemplifying Danish country living at its most authentic. Dining is a communal proposition, with a candlelight evening meal served family-style at 7:00 p.m.
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6. Palma de Mallorca, Spain
The largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands and popular as a summer destination with Europeans, Mallorca shines in the less-touristy shoulder season. United’s seasonal nonstop flight from Newark to Palma runs from spring until late fall, facilitating a smoother journey from the East Coast.
Heavenly beaches with blue water stay warm into November. Inland, vineyards and almond groves are plentiful. In the capital city of Palma, don’t miss the Gothic cathedral and Royal Palace of La Almudaina next door. Families will enjoy the Palma Aquarium. A stroll in the old Moorish quarter rewards with views of tiled courtyards and lush gardens. Celebrate local gastronomy with a tapas crawl.
Where to stay: Family-owned Zafiro Palace Palmanova combines gorgeous guest rooms with exceptional dining, a spa, multiple infinity pools, and family-friendly programming minutes from Palma and the island’s best beaches.
