It doesn’t get much better than autumn on the East Coast. Streets and parks are lined with a starburst of red, yellow and orange leaves. A saltwater breeze blows in on quiet beaches. And quaint New England towns become hotspots for apple cider and pumpkin beers. If you’re in need of a getaway before winter rolls in, you’ll be pumped to know that this “shoulder season” in September and October is a prime time to travel on a budget, especially on the East Coast. TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals checked out the prices of over 1,000 destinations for autumn travel and found that vacationers can save hundreds by booking accommodations during fall.

“Early fall is a great time for a vacation — travelers can avoid the humidity and crowds of the peak summer travel period, but still enjoy beautiful warm weather, while saving substantially on the cost of their vacation rental,” says TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals’ spokesperson, Laurel Greatrix. “Rates drop across most of the US, particularly in beach destinations, and budget-conscious travelers can easily save themselves one-quarter to half of what they’d pay in July or August.”

So pack your favorite scarf and hit the road for these East Coast spots. We also rounded up some creative activities to try in each destination, from pottery classes to seafood festivals.

Bethany Beach, DE

Grab some friends and rent a house in sandy Bethany Beach, where travelers can enjoy free concerts, movies at the shore and strolls on the boardwalk. Nature lovers will look forward to visiting Bethany Beach Nature Center, which features miles of forest and wetlands. (Photo via allisonmseward12/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Edgartown, MA

Jaws fans will flock to Edgartown, Massachusetts to visit the site of the movie’s classic scenes through the “Amity” Tour of Jaws. In classic fall style, the city is also home to the Morning Glory Farm Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 17. (Photo via Win McNamee/Getty)

Surfside Beach, SC

For a super affordable option, plan a trip to Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Dubbed “The Family Beach,” this destination is child friendly and features a water park, mini golf and, for creative types, the Beach Beads and Glass Studio. Attend beading, macramé and wire-wrapping classes and come home with a stylish souvenir. (Photo via Timothy Balogh/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Destin, FL

Haven’t gotten your beach fix this summer? Visit the sugary shores of Destin, located on Florida’s Emerald Coast. In early October, foodies and music lovers can check out the Destin Seafood Festival for restaurant deals and performances. (Photo via Vitor Baptista/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Pawleys Island, SC

Located between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, Pawleys Island is one of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast. Visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, golfing and pottery classes at All Fired Up Studio. (Photo via Forsaken Fotos/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Are you planning a trip this fall? Tell us about it in the comments!

Corie Hengst
Corie is a freelance writer, editor and self-proclaimed grammar nerd. Over the years, she has written and edited a variety of articles ranging from travel to finance to beauty. When she’s not writing, you can find her surfing travel websites, cooking and teaching at Gotham Writers’ Workshop in New York City.