If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Shoulder season is a prime time to travel for great deals and fewer crowds.

Here’s how to maximize your trip.

The Rocky Mountains are coated in a thick layer of late spring snow as viewed from 34,000 feet

Credit:George Rose/Getty Images

In fact, now is our favorite time to hit the road: shoulder season.

Both periods come with their own perks, like gorgeous spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage.

Its also a time replete with festivals, including theConnecticut Garlic & Harvest Festivaland theFreeport Fall Festival.

A beach in the late afternoon, straw umbrellas and empty beach beds

Getty Images

Looking for a far-flung getaway?

Head to Europe, which, for the most part, experiences similar shoulder seasons.

Getty Images

Beyond seeing fewer fellow tourists in typically high-demand areas, what else makes shoulder season so attractive?

Silhouette of the woman of the traveler walking with baggage by the airport along windows overlooking a runway

Igor Tsarev/Getty Images