This SC city is one of most affordable fall travel spots in US, ranking shows. Why it’s great
Summer may be the top season for Myrtle Beach tourism, but with calmer crowds and a cooler climate there’s lots to enjoy about Grand Strand in the fall. This year, Myrtle Beach was also named one of the best fall destinations in the United States for travelers looking to get away on a budget.
Looking at “shoulder season” travel — trips planned for the autumnal stretch between summer vacation and winter holidays — booking and travel website Kayak analyzed destinations around the United States with the most affordable airfare. Through users’ flight searches for departures between Sept. 15 and Nov. 15, Kayak identified the 10 most affordable domestic destinations by average airfare.
With flights around $227, Myrtle Beach came in at number five. The report also compared airline prices in 2024 and 2025, finding that flights to Myrtle Beach have dropped 17% since this time last year.
Outside South Carolina, two of its neighbors made the list: North Carolina and Georgia. The only state to earn multiple spots was Florida, which took three spots, including the top honor.
10 most affordable US fall travel spots
1. Tampa, Florida
Average shoulder season airfare: $210
Airfare drop from summer: 14%
2. Atlanta, Georgia
Average shoulder season airfare: $216
Airfare drop from summer: 14%
3. Orlando, Florida
Average shoulder season airfare: $219
Airfare drop from summer: 22%
4. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Average shoulder season airfare: $224
Airfare drop from summer: 20%
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Average shoulder season airfare: $227
Airfare drop from summer: 17%
6 and 7. Denver, Colorado
Average shoulder season airfare: $235
Airfare drop from summer: 20%
6 and 7. Raleigh, North Carolina
Average shoulder season airfare: $235
Airfare drop from summer: 17%
8. Detroit, Michigan
Average shoulder season airfare: $236
Airfare drop from summer: 23%
9. Dallas, Texas
Average shoulder season airfare: $239
Airfare drop from summer: 22%
10. Chicago, Illinois
Average shoulder season airfare: $241
Airfare drop from summer: 22%
Myrtle Beach in the fall
For travelers considering shoulder season vacations in the Grand Strand, there’s plenty to do.
Two of the region’s most famous events return in September as the Society of Stranders’ 10-day Fall Migration brings locals and visitors together for shag dancing and the Myrtle Beach fall bike roars into town.
There are also plenty of seasonal events like Brookgreen Gardens’s Harvest Home Weekend and Aynor’s Harvest Hoe-Down Festival that perfect for getting in the fall spirit.
Fall is also a prime time for outdoor favorites like fishing and birding. Some fish prefer the cooler weather, making autumn the perfect time to angle for catches like redfish, tarpon and speckled sea trout. And for dedicated birders and casual nature lovers alike, Huntington Beach State Park offers some of the best views of migrating fall birds in the state.