25 affordable fall getaways for off-season travel

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As the summer rush winds down, anyone lucky enough to have leftover vacation days can score some cheap travel deals. In many places, fall means cooler weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices for everything from accommodations to tours to plane tickets.How much can travelers save? That varies by destination, but traveling to the Caribbean in late fall, for instance, can yield savings up to 60 percent on hotels, according to Caribbean Travel & Life. MouseSavers.com says a room at one of Disney World's least-expensive hotels, the All-Star Music Resort, costs about 25 percent less during fall weekdays compared with summer weekdays. And fall plane fares to far-off destinations can drop as much as 29 percent compared with summer fares, according to a study by Hipmunk.Whether you want a quick, close-to-home getaway or a trip abroad that otherwise may be out of reach, here are 25 enticing destinations that cost less in the fall.

New Orleans

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New Orleans offers a cultural mashup unlike any other. Creole architecture, Cajun food, and the nation's best jazz are just some of the draws in this tourist mecca. It's a wise idea to keep an eye on the weather -- tropical storms and hurricanes are a risk in the Big Easy during the fall -- but hotel rates remain low through the beginning of winter. Wait until October or November for the most comfortable temperatures, with highs in the 70s, but be sure to visit before tourists come storming back for Mardi Gras and other spring festivals.

The Bahamas

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A classic family-friendly Caribbean getaway, the Bahamas are much cheaper in autumn because most visitors hold off until colder weather hits on the U.S. mainland. Of course, fall is also hurricane season. For travelers willing to roll the dice (travel insurance might come in handy), resort prices can plummet by half or more during the off-season. Warm temperatures remain -- average highs don't dip below 80 until December -- but September can be a bit rainy. Hold off until late October or November for more sunny days and a lower risk of hurricanes.

Cape Cod

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Long days at the beach may be out of the question, but Cape Cod is a much less pricey destination in the fall. When the weather is too chilly for a dip in the sea, the towns are just as quaint and the seafood just as delicious. Highs around 70 in September and in the 60s during October make autumn prime time for other outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Fall foliage is also a draw, but it doesn't peak on the Cape until late October or early November.

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