Shoulder season deals at 4 popular travel hotspots

Save big on a "shoulder season" trip to Colorado for perfect fall hiking. Credit: AlphaTangoBravo/Adam Baker.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

It’s no secret that fall can be one of the best travel seasons for the budget-minded.  It’s known as a ‘shoulder season’, named so to describe the window of time after the  crowds of summer vacationers have dwindled, but before the cold winter temps and hiked holiday prices.  An ideal time to find deals in some of summer’s more popular hotspots, here are four destinations where you’ll find some of the biggest savings this fall:

• Colorado: With hotel rates in the Mile High city averaging just $93 a night, it’s the perfect time take in the beautiful mountain scenery of the Rockies.  It’s also a great time of year for hiking among the changing aspens and soaking up the quaint atmosphere of the small mountain towns before ski season officially arrives.

• Orlando: If you’re thinking theme-parks, there’s no better time to visit the likes of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios than the present.  You’ll find the kids in school and not in line to ride the latest attraction.  What more incentive do you need?  How abouthotel rates averaging just $90 a night and the Epcot Food & Wine Festival which runs through mid-November.

• Las Vegas: Who can resist a weekend of living large in Las Vegas with downright cheap hotel rates, not to mention hot new hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and shows?  It’s hard to say no to a long weekend away when hotel rates average just $92 a night.

• Miami: Don’t let the words “hurricane season” scare you away from south Florida’s amazing tropical retreats.  Hotel rates are down 26% from fall 2009, with rates this season averaging $119 a night.  And chances are you’ll experience nothing more than sunshine and pure bliss on the beach.

Related resources

• Indulge in the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Top 3 not-to-miss. cheap Las Vegas eats
• Denver hotels
• Miami hotels
• Orlando hotels
• Las Vegas hotels

Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice and savvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

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