MONEY SAVER
Reasons to Go Off-Season
Thinking about a destination vacation? Consider these hot spots, where you can save big when crowds are small
Kennebunkport, Maine
PEAK SEASON: June through October
INSTEAD GO: November through May
WHAT YOU GAIN: Easy access to the best hotels and restaurants, along with discounts in a charming village. You can walk on quiet beaches and hike on miles of trails. Also, there’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh riding after it snows.
WHAT YOU GIVE UP: Blissful temperatures in the 70s, good for going barefoot and dining outdoors. Some stores and restaurants may be shuttered from January to March.
Kennebunkport Inn:
66% LESS
July: $467
Nov: $159
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
PEAK SEASON: December through mid-April
INSTEAD GO: June through November
WHAT YOU GAIN: A slower pace and less competition for restaurants, shops, boat tours, snorkeling equipment and other amenities. You’ll also enjoy a temperate climate: While much of the U.S. mainland bakes during the summer, Caribbean temperatures average in the 80s.
WHAT YOU GIVE UP: The near certainty of sunny skies. The chance of rain increases in May and grows further during peak hurricane season in September and October—which is a good reason to consider buying travel insurance.
The Pink Palm Hotel:
51% LESS
Jan: $489
Oct: $239
Washington, D.C.
PEAK SEASONS: March through June and September/October
INSTEAD GO: January/February or August
WHAT YOU GAIN: Quicker access to museums and restaurants around the National Mall. You’ll have more elbow room and an easier time getting on tours at the Smithsonian Institution’s many free museums, such as the National Museum of American History.
WHAT YOU GIVE UP: Comfortable weather and springtime cherry blossoms. The nation’s capital can be cold and gray in winter and hot and humid in summer.
Washington Hilton:
37% LESS
April: $264
Aug: $167
Sonoma Valley, California
PEAK SEASON: June through October
INSTEAD GO: November through April
WHAT YOU GAIN: Fewer crowds at vineyards and restaurants, and cooler temperatures for bike tours and walks. Through the cooler months, festivals and special events continue, such as Sonoma County Restaurant Week in February and the Sonoma International Film Festival in March.
WHAT YOU GIVE UP: Brilliant fall colors. You’ll also miss festivals and special events surrounding the grape harvest, including the chance to stomp some grapes yourself.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa:
40% LESS
Sept: $846
Jan: $510
Note: Prices represent the low end of published rates for king beds per night and were collected in September and October.