Active Aging
There are countless perks to retirement and the flexibility that comes with senior living, not the least of which is the opportunity to prioritize travel.
Without school schedules or the demands of a full-time job, empty nesters and retirees have the chance to take advantage of off-season and shoulder season travel. The shoulder season — the time between peak summer travel and the winter season — is now quite popular, but while destinations may be more crowded than they used to be, it’s still a great time to catch some deals and avoid massive crowds.
Here are some perfect destinations for this September, when school is back in session and shoulder season is in full swing.
Cape Cod
This classic New England summer destination also happens to shine in September, when air and water temperatures stay comfortably warm and keep the beaches swimmable. Plus, many of the Cape’s beaches are fee-free after Labor Day, making mid- to late-September the perfect time for a Massachusetts beach vacation. Cape Cod is also home to lots of beautiful trails (for walking and biking alike) and drives that will show off local autumn tree colors (trees should start to turn by mid-September and into October).
Hilton Head
This South Carolina island can get pretty packed during the peak months of June and July, but the September and October shoulder season offers a slightly quieter and cheaper time to visit. By September, Hilton Head’s weather is still in the 80s, so you won’t be missing out on summer warmth. The island features gorgeous beaches and water activities, top-tier golfing, biking, and so much more. Hilton Head is only about an hour from Savannah, Georgia, opening up more possibilities for exploration.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado can get warm and crowded during the summer months, when families from across the region flock to the Centennial State. September marks the start of better weather and smaller crowds, a combination that makes it the perfect time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The stunning park — just an hour and a half from Denver — would be an ideal addition to your bucket list during any time of year, but September also happens to be prime leaf-peeping season. You’ll want to keep an eye on conditions this year, but by mid-September, the park’s vibrant aspens are usually showing off their autumn colors in a major way. While fall is less busy than summer, you’ll still want to make a reservation for a park visit during peak hours.
Olympic National Park
This remarkable Washington park is full of wildlife, beaches, rainforests, mountain views, and old growth forests, making a visit to Olympic National Park more like multiple vacations in one (though a trip to Olympic can always be combined with the next recommendation on this list). Park staff actually recommends visiting in September, when there will still be other visitors around, but fewer lines and wait times for activities. Olympic is one of the top 10 most-visited national parks, so any chance to avoid peak crowds is valuable.
Seattle and Vancouver
Seattle tops multiple lists for prime shoulder season destinations, and it’s easy to see why. While September in Seattle is getting close to the city’s annual rainy season, visitors will get to experience incredible temperatures and far less crowds than summer months bring. Plus, September is still within the Pacific Northwest’s annual whale watching season, which means you can still go on a whale-spotting expedition. If you have a car and a passport, it’s worth the three-hour trip between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, where you’ll also experience lighter crowds and pleasant weather while you hit tourist attractions.
