<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Fall is a great time to travel after peak summer tourism. AndTheyTravel/Shutterstock</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I travel all year, but fall is one of the best times to check out <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-hidden-gem-destinations-travel-expert-samantha-brown-2024-6">destinations with smaller crowds</a>.</li><li>Sonoma, California, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-visiting-banff-summer-off-season-2023-7">Alberta, Canada</a>, are great North American destinations. </li></ul><p>As a freelance travel writer, I know how annoying it can be to plan a dream trip only to realize hundreds (or thousands) of other people had the exact same idea as you. </p><p>I've been hunting for the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-trips-to-book-for-2024-underrated-destinations-travel-planner">best ways to avoid crowds</a>, and fall has proven to be an opportune window. It's sometimes referred to as <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/5-reasons-why-shoulder-season-is-the-best-time-to-travel">the "shoulder" season</a> between peak summer travel and offseason winter trips, and it can be a more affordable and largely quiet time to travel. </p><p>Whether you're looking for off-the-beaten-path outdoorsy locales, chilled-out spots to see fall foliage, or sun-dappled destinations without hordes of tourists, here are my top picks.</p>