Stretch Your Dollar in These Shoulder Season Destinations

Whether you missed out on a proper summer vacation or just can't wait to experience someplace new, there's arguably no better time to leave home than shoulder season when crowds thin and prices drop. Here are 20 places where you'll get more bang for your buck this season.

While the leaves are beginning to change in America the plants are just starting to bloom in places like Cape Town, where tourism doesn't peak until summer starts in December. Shoulder season is also an excellent time to save on a memorable South African safari.

Consider an October escape to Greece. You'll benefit from reduced hotel prices without having to sacrifice on the country's beautiful beaches or any of its excellent sightseeing opportunities. Greece's largest island of Crete is an ideal place to start.

September and October in Switzerland are absolutely gorgeous and you can take it all in with stellar wine, which is also at its best during this grape harvest time. Shoulder season visitors will also be rewarded with more affordable travel costs and fewer tourists to contend with.

While the Alaska State Fair in Palmer wraps up Labor Day weekend, there's still plenty to look forward to in places like Anchorage once summer's high season comes to a close. The Anchorage Museum is the largest in the entire state and The City of Lights and Flowers is also one of the nation's most underrated for craft beer.

Atlantic hurricane season continues through the end of November so this time of year can often scare travelers away from the Caribbean. However, the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao lie just north of South America outside of the hurricane belt so you can vacation worry-free. There are still some awesome deals to be had in September before tourists arrive for winter vacation.

Morocco's fall shoulder season brings more pleasant weather conditions and reduced crowds. It's also one of the best times to go hiking through the Atlas Mountains. Visitors to Marrakech will enjoy discounted hotel stays as well as the return of the Oasis music festival in mid-September.

Paris will be a hot Labor Day destination but those summer crowds will be long gone come shoulder season. September and October are the best months to explore the City of Lights as comfortable temperatures make walking around a breeze. Paris Fashion Week also returns September 23-October 1.

There are plenty of deals to be had on travel to Hawaii between September and the holidays and you can cut down on costs even more by booking a mid-week flight. The crowds dwindle down this time of year and weather conditions are still excellent, allowing for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and much more.

While marquee sporting events, food festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations draw plenty of tourists to Boston during the fall, getting to Boston is more affordable than ever, especially during Southwest Airlines' latest fall flight sale featuring one-way flights for as low as $49. I was able to book not one but two roundtrip nonstop flights from Baltimore to Boston the first weekend in October for just $235 total.

Avoid the cold, crowds and, most importantly, peak hotel rates and airfare by visiting Auckland during the spring months (September-November). Plus, New Zealand's largest on-water boat show returns in early October and is followed by the Taste of Auckland food festival at Queens Wharf.

Tokyo will be buzzing in 2020 as it gets set to become the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics twice. Therefore, you'll want to beat the rush by planning a shoulder season visit. You'll be rewarded with fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures. What's more, the Tokyo International Film Festival is scheduled to return October 28-November 5.

Budget-conscious travelers seeking to get away this October can't go wrong in Quebec City, which entices this time of year with dramatically reduced room rates and beautiful fall foliage. Keep in mind that you'll want to wear layers when touring Old Quebec and the city's other attractions as temperatures can dip in autumn.

Iceland is certainly no longer a hidden gem as it's made its way onto plenty of travelers' bucket lists. Nonetheless, visiting in September or October instead of the in-demand summertime ensures you'll benefit from cheaper room rates in places like Reykjavik in addition to fewer tourists. You'll even have a shot at catching the northern lights if the weather cooperates.

California's coveted Yosemite National Park is at it's busiest during the summer months so travelers who wait until after Labor Day will be rewarded for their patience with far fewer crowds, pleasant weather conditions and a better chance at finding an excellent deal on accommodations.

As long as skiing isn't at the top of your priority list, a shoulder season getaway to Breckenridge is perfect for saving your hard-earned dollars and still having a great time. The Colorado town is known for its stellar events and two of the most popular-Breckenridge Oktoberfest and the Breckenridge Wine Classic-return this September.

Traveling to Puerto Rico in October and November has its perks, none better than the affordable airfare and hotel rates visitors will capitalize on. Plus, by this time you might already be looking to escape the cold like many Americans.

Shoulder season in Bora Bora doesn't really begin until November when travelers will have a better chance at getting lucky and landing a discounted stay. While this coveted destination isn't cheap your best bet to find a bargain will be to visit when the weather becomes more unpredictable in December.

Fall is a fantastic time to check out Sin City as the city waves goodbye to some of the huge crowds and scorching temperatures that come with summer. There's still time to catch one of the city's awesome residencies. Plus, shoulder season ushers in a handful of exciting festivals celebrating food, music, art and so much more.

Travel to the Windy City peaks during the summer months but September marks shoulder season in Chicago when tourists head home and are replaced by pleasant temperatures. Other perks of visiting in early fall include a bundle of exciting events such as Oktoberfest Chicago and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival taking place the final weekend in September.

If you've got your passport handy, you'll want to think about heading north to Charlottetown. Prince Edward Island's capital city is oozing with Canadian charm. Visitors can tour an array of historic sites, soak in the local culture at the Confederation Centre of the Arts and shop and dine at Victoria Row.