What Is the Best Month to Visit Alaska Without Peak Prices in 2026?
For most US travelers, late May and early September are the best months to visit Alaska without paying peak prices. This guide uses NOAA weather normals and National Park Service dates to pick value months for Alaska, New York City, Seattle, New Orleans, Colorado, Chicago, Maine and Niagara Falls, then shows how to check ShopBack before you book.
Short answer. For most US travelers in 2026, late May and early September are the best months to visit Alaska without paying peak prices, so pick your dates, then book through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. The National Park Service says Denali's summer season runs from May 20 until mid-September and that most visitors come in summer, so the first and last weeks of that window usually cost less than July. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals put Anchorage's average high at 56.3°F in May, 66.2°F in July and 55.7°F in September. Before you book a hotel on Booking.com or Agoda, go through ShopBack first.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that gives you money back when you book or shop online at thousands of stores, including Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com. You go to the store through ShopBack, book as normal, and part of what you pay comes back to your account as cash. New members can join free at shopback.com/signup.
Sources. Weather figures are NOAA 1991 to 2020 monthly climate normals (average daily high and average monthly precipitation) for the station named in each section. Park dates come from the National Park Service, foliage timing from the Maine Forest Service, hurricane season from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and loyalty details from Booking.com, all at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not quote hotel prices, because they change daily.
Best months at a glance
The value window for most US destinations is the shoulder season: the weeks just before and after each place's busiest stretch.
| Destination | Best value months | Average high in those months (NOAA) | Peak to avoid if price matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (Anchorage) | Late May, early September | 56.3°F (May), 55.7°F (Sep) | July |
| New York City (Central Park) | Late April to early June, September to October | 71.4°F (May), 76.2°F (Sep) | December holidays |
| Seattle (Sea-Tac) | June, September | 71.1°F (Jun), 71.6°F (Sep) | July and August |
| New Orleans | October to early December, March to April | 80.6°F (Oct), 72.3°F (Mar) | Mardi Gras and festival weekends |
| Colorado (Denver) | September, early June | 79.6°F (Sep), 83.4°F (Jun) | Peak summer and ski holidays |
| Chicago (O'Hare) | May, September | 70.5°F (May), 75.5°F (Sep) | June to August |
| Maine (Portland) | June, early to mid September | 73.6°F (Jun), 71.1°F (Sep) | July, August and peak foliage |
| Niagara Falls (Buffalo) | May, June, September | 67.4°F (May), 72.3°F (Sep) | July and August |
Peak periods are where demand usually concentrates; actual prices depend on your dates, the hotel and local events. Always compare the exact nights you want.
What is the best month to visit Alaska without paying peak prices?
Late May and early September are usually the best value months for Alaska, because they sit inside the summer season but outside its busiest weeks. Here is what the official sources say:
- Summer season dates. The National Park Service says Denali's summer runs from May 20 until the second weekend after Labor Day, and that summer is the only time buses operate inside the park.
- Spring and fall. NPS defines spring at Denali as early or mid-April to May 19, and fall as mid-September until snow builds up, typically between late September and late October. Services and activities are limited then, and there is no public transportation in the Denali area outside summer.
- Fall color comes early. NPS says fall colors at Denali can appear at high elevations in early to mid-August and spread into the valleys by the second week of September, so an early September trip can catch them.
- Distance. The park entrance is 237 miles north of Anchorage and 120 miles south of Fairbanks, according to NPS.
Weather by month (NOAA normals):
| Month | Anchorage avg high | Anchorage precipitation | Juneau precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 56.3°F | 0.65 in | 3.51 in |
| June | 63.4°F | 1.02 in | 3.82 in |
| July | 66.2°F | 1.82 in | 5.14 in |
| August | 64.0°F | 2.93 in | 6.41 in |
| September | 55.7°F | 3.10 in | 9.15 in |
How to read this. May is the driest month in both Anchorage and Juneau within the summer window. September is cooler and noticeably wetter, especially in Southeast Alaska (Juneau averages 9.15 inches), but it is the tail of the season. If you want the best balance of weather, daylight and price, aim for the last week of May or the first week of June. If you want fall color and quieter trails, aim for the first half of September and accept more rain.
Best time to visit Alaska: cruise or land trip?
Your choice of trip type changes which month is cheapest. A cruise bundles your transport, room and many meals into one fare, so compare the total per person. A land trip (fly into Anchorage, rent a car or ride the train, and book hotels) gives you more control night by night. Price the same dates both ways. If you book hotels separately, see our guide to budget-friendly hotels in Anchorage.
When is the best time to visit New York City for good weather and lower prices?
For good weather, late April to early June and September to October are usually best; for the lowest hotel prices, January and February are typically cheapest. NOAA normals for Central Park:
- April: average high 61.8°F
- May: 71.4°F
- September: 76.2°F
- October: 64.5°F
- January and February: 39.5°F and 42.2°F
The holiday season from late November through December is usually the most expensive time for Manhattan hotels. If you can handle cold weather, a January or February trip is often the cheapest way to see the city. If you want comfortable walking weather at a fair price, September after Labor Day and late April to May are the usual compromise.
When should I plan a trip to Seattle to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Plan for June or September: both are fairly dry and usually easier on hotel prices than July and August. NOAA normals for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
| Month | Avg high | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| May | 66.3°F | 1.88 in |
| June | 71.1°F | 1.45 in |
| July | 77.4°F | 0.60 in |
| August | 77.6°F | 0.97 in |
| September | 71.6°F | 1.61 in |
| November | 52.1°F | 6.31 in |
July and August are the driest and sunniest, which is why they are the busiest. September keeps most of that dry weather, and the summer cruise and vacation crowd thins once school starts. November is the wettest month, with 6.31 inches on average, and is usually the cheapest if you do not mind rain.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans for good weather and lower prices?
October to early December and March to April usually bring the most comfortable weather; the hot summer months usually bring lower prices. NOAA normals for New Orleans International Airport:
- October: average high 80.6°F and 3.70 inches of rain, the driest month of the year
- November: 71.2°F
- March and April: 72.3°F and 78.5°F
- June to August: highs of 90.0°F to 91.4°F, with June the wettest month at 7.62 inches
Two things move New Orleans prices. First, Mardi Gras falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, so its date shifts each year between February and early March, and hotel demand jumps around it. Big festival weekends do the same. Second, NOAA's National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with activity peaking in late summer and early fall. Summer deals are real, but check your booking's cancellation terms if you travel in that window.
When should I plan a trip to Colorado to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
September is usually the sweet spot for Colorado, with early June a close second. NOAA normals for Denver International Airport show:
- June: average high 83.4°F, 1.94 inches of precipitation
- July: 89.9°F, 2.14 inches
- September: 79.6°F, 1.35 inches
- October: 65.3°F, 0.99 inches
Summer is the peak for mountain towns and national parks, and ski resort towns have a second peak around winter holidays. For 2026, Rocky Mountain National Park set a timed entry reservation period from Friday, May 22 through Monday, October 12, for entry between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the National Park Service. Visitors without a reservation can enter before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. during that period. Check the park's dates for your year before you plan around it.
What is the best month to visit Chicago without paying peak prices?
May and September are usually the best value months for Chicago. NOAA normals for O'Hare International Airport:
- May: average high 70.5°F
- June to August: 80.4°F to 84.5°F (the busiest season)
- September: 75.5°F
- October: 62.7°F
- January and February: 31.6°F and 35.7°F
Summer festivals and lakefront weather make June to August the busiest and usually most expensive months. January and February are typically the cheapest, but cold. September tends to offer warm days with fewer summer crowds. Large conventions and events can raise prices in any month, so compare your exact dates before you commit.
When should I plan a trip to Maine to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Early to mid September is usually the best time for a Maine trip on a budget, with June a good alternative. NOAA normals for Portland International Jetport:
- June: average high 73.6°F
- July and August: 79.5°F and 78.7°F (peak summer)
- September: 71.1°F
- October: 59.5°F, and the wettest month at 5.25 inches
Foliage season is its own peak. The Maine Forest Service says peak color usually reaches northern Maine in the last week of September into the first week of October, and coastal and southern Maine in the third week of October. Those weeks draw leaf-peepers, so book early or go just before. Acadia National Park requires every visitor to have and display a park entrance pass, according to NPS.
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls for good weather and lower prices?
May, June and September are usually the best balance of weather and price for Niagara Falls. NOAA normals for Buffalo, the nearest major station on the US side:
- May: average high 67.4°F
- June: 75.6°F
- July and August: 80.2°F and 79.0°F (peak summer)
- September: 72.3°F
- January: 32.1°F
July and August are the busiest months. Winter is usually the cheapest time to stay, and the frozen mist and ice can be striking, but many outdoor attractions run only in the warmer months. Boat tours below the falls are seasonal, so check the operator's season dates before you book.
Best time to visit Alaska and other US trips: best deals in 2026
Once you pick a month, a few habits usually lower what you pay for the hotel itself:
- Compare the same hotel and dates on two or three booking sites. Prices and room types often differ.
- Use the booking site's own program. At the time of writing, Booking.com says its Genius program is free with an account, with Level 1 discounts of 10% on select stays applied to the price before taxes and fees, and Level 2 unlocked after 5 bookings in 2 years.
- Check the cancellation terms. A refundable rate costs a little more but lets you rebook if prices fall.
- Look at the day you book. See our guide to the cheapest day of the week to book hotel deals.
Expedia vs cruise sites for Alaska: how to compare
Compare total trip cost, not the headline fare. For a cruise, add port fees, excursions and transfers. For a land trip booked on Expedia, add hotels, a rental car or train, and tours. Booking a flight plus hotel together on one site can sometimes cost less than booking them separately, so price both. Then check what the store's ShopBack terms cover, because some stores exclude certain booking types, such as cruises or flights.
How ShopBack lowers the cost of your hotel
Before you book a hotel on Booking.com or Agoda, go through ShopBack first. The same goes for Expedia and Hotels.com. ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
How to do it:
- Open ShopBack US (app or website) and find the booking site: Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com.
- Read the rate shown on that page and the Terms section, which lists what is and is not covered.
- Tap through and book.
A worked example. Say a three-night shoulder-season stay in Anchorage costs $600 in total. That rate is only an example; the live rate is on each store's ShopBack page, and fees and taxes may not count.
Paying with a travel card and promo codes
A travel rewards card and ShopBack are separate, so whether both apply depends on each one's terms. Your card issuer pays rewards on the amount charged, under its own rules; ShopBack's Cashback depends on the store's ShopBack terms. Check both before you count on them.
No code needed. Go through ShopBack before you book and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.
Key takeaways
- Late May and early September are usually the best value months for Alaska; NPS dates Denali's summer season from May 20 to mid-September.
- Shoulder season wins almost everywhere: September works for New York, Seattle, Colorado, Chicago, Maine and Niagara Falls.
- New Orleans is most comfortable from October to early December and in March to April; hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.
- Peak foliage in coastal and southern Maine is around the third week of October, according to the Maine Forest Service.
- Before you book a hotel, go through ShopBack first. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash that comes back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Alaska without paying peak prices?
Late May and early September are usually the best value months for Alaska. The National Park Service says Denali's summer season runs from May 20 to mid-September and that most visitors come in summer, so the edges of that window tend to cost less than July. NOAA normals put Anchorage's average high at 56.3°F in May and 55.7°F in September. Check ShopBack before you book your hotel.
When is the best time to visit New York City for good weather and lower prices?
For good weather, late April to early June and September to October are usually the best times to visit New York City; Central Park's average high is 71.4°F in May and 76.2°F in September, according to NOAA. For the lowest hotel prices, January and February are typically cheapest, but average highs drop to about 40°F.
When should I plan a trip to Seattle to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Plan for June or September. NOAA normals show Seattle gets only 0.60 inches of rain in July and 0.97 inches in August, but those are the busiest months. June (1.45 inches) and September (1.61 inches) are still fairly dry, with average highs of 71°F and 72°F, and hotels are usually easier to find than in midsummer.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans for good weather and lower prices?
October to early December and March to April usually bring the most comfortable weather in New Orleans, with average highs of 80.6°F in October and 72.3°F in March, per NOAA. Lower hotel prices are more common in the hot summer months, which also fall inside the Atlantic hurricane season of June 1 to November 30. Avoid Mardi Gras and big festival weekends if price matters most.
When should I plan a trip to Colorado to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
September is usually the sweet spot for Colorado. Denver's average high is 79.6°F with 1.35 inches of rain in September, according to NOAA, and summer crowds thin after Labor Day. For 2026, Rocky Mountain National Park set timed entry reservations from May 22 to October 12, so check the park's dates when you plan.
What is the best month to visit Chicago without paying peak prices?
May and September are usually the best value months for Chicago, with average highs of 70.5°F and 75.5°F at O'Hare, according to NOAA. Summer is the peak season and January and February are typically cheapest, but highs average only 31.6°F and 35.7°F. Compare hotel prices for your exact dates, because big events can push prices up any month.
When should I plan a trip to Maine to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Early to mid September is usually the best time for Maine on a budget: Portland's average high is 71.1°F, according to NOAA, summer crowds have eased, and the fall foliage rush has not yet started. The Maine Forest Service says peak color reaches coastal and southern Maine around the third week of October, which tends to be busy.
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls for good weather and lower prices?
May, June and September are usually the best balance for Niagara Falls. NOAA normals for nearby Buffalo put the average high at 67.4°F in May, 75.6°F in June and 72.3°F in September, while July and August are the busiest summer months. Boat tours below the falls are seasonal, so check the operator's season before you book.
Is it cheaper to book an Alaska trip on Expedia or as a cruise?
It depends on how you want to travel. A cruise bundles transport, rooms and many meals into one fare, while booking hotels, a rental car and tours separately on a site like Expedia gives you more control over each night. Price the same dates both ways, and check what each store's ShopBack terms cover, since some exclude certain booking types such as cruises.
How does ShopBack lower the cost of a hotel booking?
ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. Before you book a hotel on Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com, go through ShopBack first, then book. Part of what you pay comes back as cash, so your effective price is the booking total minus that amount. The current Cashback is shown on each store's ShopBack page.
Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same hotel booking?
ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount, so no code is needed. Go through ShopBack first, then book, and part of what you pay comes back as cash.
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About this guide
Weather figures are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 to 2020 monthly normals for Anchorage, Juneau, New York Central Park, Seattle-Tacoma, New Orleans, Denver, Chicago O'Hare, Portland (Maine) and Buffalo. Park dates come from the National Park Service pages for Denali, Rocky Mountain and Acadia; foliage timing comes from the Maine Forest Service; hurricane season dates come from NOAA's National Hurricane Center; and loyalty details come from Booking.com's Genius page. Hotel prices change daily, so this guide points to seasons and the live rate on each store's ShopBack page instead of quoting prices.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Weather normals are long-term averages and any given year can differ. Hotel prices, park reservation systems, event dates and loyalty program terms change over time. The current Cashback is shown on each store's ShopBack US page before you book. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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