This Secret Season Is Actually the Best Time to Travel. Here’s Why (and Where to Go)

While many travelers flock to sunny skies and white sand beaches during the cold winter months, there’s an undeniable allure to the rainy season that often goes unnoticed. It’s a time when destinations reveal their quieter, more introspective side, offering experiences you won’t find in peak travel months. Not to mention, crowds have thinned and there are sweet shoulder season deals to be had. In fact, rainy season may just be the best time to travel.

Whether it’s the rhythmic patter of raindrops on the roof of your Airbnb or the invigorating zip of a misty morning run, traveling in the rain has its own magic. Here are five reasons why the rainy season might just be the best time to plan your next getaway.

Thomas J. Story

1. Shoulder Season Discounts

Rainy season in destinations like Portland, Oregon, transforms the “City of Roses” into a lush urban escape. Between November and March, hotel rates plummet, and you can dine at top-notch farm-to-table restaurants like Pacific Standard or Phuket Cafe without the usual waitlists. The iconic book store Powell’s becomes a cozy refuge, perfect for an afternoon spent browsing shelves while rain taps on the windows. And the city’s iconic breweries, museums, and coffeehouses feel even more inviting when crowds thin. Plus, Willamette Valley wine country, just a quick hop out of the city, is a perfect place to post up when the weather is grey.

Alila Ventana Big Sur

2. The Romantic, Moody Vibe

Even if you’re single, there’s just something about getting snuggly when it’s raining that’s peak romance. (Everyone should romanticize their life, right?) And few places evoke romance in the rain like California’s Big Sur. The dramatic cliffs shrouded in mist and rugged shores are the perfect place to retreat for peace and quiet. And there are several world-class spas and resorts like Alila Ventana Big Sur and Post Ranch Inn. A drive along Highway 1 always feels cinematic, but with stormy skies casting a romantic glow over the Pacific, it’s even more special. Rain brings a moody magic to Big Sur, perfect for hiking through the redwoods or basking in the world-class Japanese-style spas at Alila Ventana.

Getty Images

3. Reaching Peak Hygge

There’s no better time of the year to cozy up with a book or tuck in with some cocoa than when the rain is falling. And the West does it best. Nestled in the Cascades, Leavenworth’s Bavarian-style charm becomes even cozier during the winter season. Stroll through the village streets under twinkling lights during Christmas season while snow and while raindrops glisten on cobblestones. Many cabins and lodges in the area feature wood-burning fireplaces, making them ideal for curling up with a blanket and a mug of cider. The surrounding forests, veiled in fog, invite peaceful hikes or a quiet moment of reflection perfect to start out a new year, too.

Jordan Siemens/Getty Images

4. Lush Greenery and Unspoiled Nature

Rain is a lifeblood for the lush rainforests that have become the symbol of Olympic National Park. The rainy season showcases the park’s verdant splendor at its most epic, from moss-draped trees in the Hoh Rainforest to roaring waterfalls like Sol Duc Falls. Even the beaches take on a wild, untamed beauty as waves crash against driftwood-strewn shores. Plus, visiting during the rain allows you to see this UNESCO World Heritage site in its fullest, most vibrant form without all the tourists.

Courtesy Visit Lake Tahoe

5. Unique Seasonal Festivities

Winter festivals are all over the West, and they’re not just limited to the Christmas holidays. Check out some of the winter carnival festivities in areas like Steamboat Springs and Whitefish, or head to music festivals like the Lake Tahoe Winter Reggae Festival or the Midwinter Bluegrass Festival in Denver. There’s no reason that Coachella should get all the love.