The Trending, Fastest-Growing Summer Destinations Will Surprise You
By Kara Peeler, Sunset
(Terry Dunlap/Getty Images)
As May draws to a close, summer vacation is within our reach. It’s the season of exhilarating adventures, luxurious relaxation, beach paradises, and nature getaways. Now is the time to start planning your dream escape—the options seem endless.
Tripadvisor released its 2024 Summer Travel Index, and these trends might help make your decision easier and provide much-needed inspo for your next big trip. The study examined U.S. summer travel trends to determine the top destinations. The verdict is in: Las Vegas, Nevada, is the place to be this summer. Of course, other Western favorites like Honolulu and San Diego made the cut, too. You can view the rest of the rankings here:
Most Popular Domestic Destinations:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Orlando, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
New York City, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Key West, Florida
Ocean City, Maryland
San Diego, California
Boston, Massachusetts
Based on year-over-year growth, TripAdvisor also analyzed which U.S. locations are on the rise. Two Western national parks are getting lots of love this upcoming travel season, with California’s Yosemite National Park taking the top slot, as well as Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
A scenic bike path overlook on the iconic Mackinaw Island. (Getty Images)
Fastest-Growing Domestic Destinations:
Yosemite National Park, California
College Station, Texas
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania
Waimea, Hawaii
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Tavernier, Florida
Sandusky, Ohio
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Even amid economic changes, Tripadvisor says 95 percent of Americans aren’t cutting back on their summer travel —and 44 percent are even upping their spending. Plus, 92 percent say they’re at least matching last summer’s spending, with a majority expecting increases.
“As travel continues to defy expectations, we’re seeing an uptick in travel intent, with consumers channeling discretionary spending toward vacations and experiences, despite increasingly squeezed household budgets for many,” Alice Jong, Tripadvisor’s senior research analyst, says in the study. “Travel consumers want to see new places and engage in new experiences, exemplified by the one-third of travelers planning to explore a destination for the first time.”
Notably, almost half of Americans are willing to make the trek and travel over seven hours to their desired destination. But what’s on the summer itinerary? For 85 percent of Americans when planning, tours and experiences take the bulk of the budget, such as museums, art galleries, food and wine tours, and amusement or water parks.
Wherever you’re headed this summer, this year looks like it will be one to remember. Whether it’s Las Vegas’ lively spirit, the serenity of a national park, or an action-packed adventure, there’s something for everyone. Happy travels!
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