The start of a new school year means different things to different people.
For kids, it means homework. For parents, it means frantic early mornings and afternoons. For teachers, it means stacks of papers and projects.
But for travelers, it means one of the year’s best travel windows has arrived.
It’s when the summer crowds dissipate and travelers can enjoy their vacation for less than they would have one month earlier.
So if you’re looking for smaller crowds, lower fares or both, here are a few trips worth considering once school is back in session.
Homeport Cruising: By sailing out of Boston or New York, you can visit destinations like Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean without having to buy airfare. You can also enjoy shoulder season rates by sailing in the fall, and you’re less likely to see children onboard in September and October. Visit AAA.com/Cruise to start planning your next cruise vacation!
National Parks: U.S. national parks are experiencing a popularity boon. Last year the parks hosted an unprecedented 330 million visits. Summer is the most popular time to see national parks, but fall has its advantages. The crowds drop off a bit and, heading into October, gorgeous foliage and cooler temperatures take over. Visit AAA.com/Vacations to find and book a national park trip with AAA.
Orlando, Fla: September and October are some of the best months to visit Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. It’s still plenty warm, but the oppressive humidity has started to drop off. Smaller crowds can translate into shorter wait times for attractions and lower ticket and hotel prices. October is also a good time for special events, like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney. Save on theme park tickets!