Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, has shared early insights from its forthcoming 2026 Summer Travel Index, highlighting the most popular and emerging destinations for U.S. travelers.
The findings show a strong preference for East Coast beach locations, with Myrtle Beach topping domestic search trends. These easy-to-reach seaside spots appeal to families, offering a wide range of activities—from water parks and beach развлечения to cultural attractions and local entertainment suited to all age groups. On the international front, Mexico and Caribbean destinations remain highly favored, with Cancun holding its position as the leading summer destination for the third consecutive year. Its appeal includes exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, along with access to renowned cultural landmarks.
Travel choices also vary across major U.S. holiday weekends. For Memorial Day, travelers are opting for short getaways to places like Anaheim, California, and Orange Beach, Alabama. Meanwhile, Independence Day plans lean toward popular beach destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida.
Summer Travel Index 2026: Top Destinations
Search data reflects a mix of classic beach retreats and well-known urban hubs. Myrtle Beach leads the list, joined by several Florida coastal destinations. At the same time, iconic cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas remain highly sought after. Internationally, Cancun ranks first among U.S. travelers, followed by Paris and London, underscoring continued interest in Europe’s cultural centers.
Top Domestic Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
New York, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ocean City, Maryland
Key West, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Clearwater, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Top International Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Cancun, Mexico
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Barcelona, Spain
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Vancouver, Canada
Oranjestad, Aruba
Fastest-Growing Destinations (Year-over-Year)
Comparative data indicates rising interest in Florida beach towns and Caribbean islands, alongside increased exploration of destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Trending Domestic Locations:
Orlando, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Charlotte, North Carolina
Trending International Locations:
Green Island, Jamaica
The Bight Settlement, Turks and Caicos
Kyushu, Japan
Bilbao, Spain
Tropea, Italy
Memorial Day Travel Trends
Search patterns for Memorial Day highlight growing interest in destinations like St. Pete Beach and Orange Beach, as well as culturally rich cities such as Rome and Toronto. Anaheim is also gaining attention as a top choice for extended weekend trips, thanks to attractions like Disneyland Park.
Top Trending Domestic (Memorial Day):
Anaheim, California
Orange Beach, Alabama
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Reno, Nevada
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Top Trending International (Memorial Day):
Rome, Italy
Toronto, Canada
Porto, Portugal
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
4th of July Travel Trends
For Independence Day, travelers are gravitating toward coastal destinations like Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach, as well as entertainment-driven locations such as Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, home to Dollywood Theme Park.
Top Trending Domestic (4th of July):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Clearwater, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Panama City Beach, Florida
Top Trending International (4th of July):
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba
Summer Experiences and Activities
Travelers this summer are focusing on thoughtfully curated experiences. Cultural and heritage tours are the most popular, followed by outdoor and adventure activities that offer immersive ways to explore destinations.
Popular Experiences Include:
Cultural tours such as walking tours through New York’s SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown, Las Vegas TV-themed tours, and early-morning visits to Chichen Itza with cenote swims and tequila tastings Historical and heritage experiences like underground city tours, guided pub tours in London, and visits to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona Adventure activities including high-speed boat rides on the Thames, cenote exploration tours, and clear kayak excursions in Florida The findings show a strong preference for East Coast beach locations, with Myrtle Beach topping domestic search trends. These easy-to-reach seaside spots appeal to families, offering a wide range of activities—from water parks and beach развлечения to cultural attractions and local entertainment suited to all age groups. On the international front, Mexico and Caribbean destinations remain highly favored, with Cancun holding its position as the leading summer destination for the third consecutive year. Its appeal includes exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, along with access to renowned cultural landmarks.
Travel choices also vary across major U.S. holiday weekends. For Memorial Day, travelers are opting for short getaways to places like Anaheim, California, and Orange Beach, Alabama. Meanwhile, Independence Day plans lean toward popular beach destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida.
Summer Travel Index 2026: Top Destinations
Search data reflects a mix of classic beach retreats and well-known urban hubs. Myrtle Beach leads the list, joined by several Florida coastal destinations. At the same time, iconic cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas remain highly sought after. Internationally, Cancun ranks first among U.S. travelers, followed by Paris and London, underscoring continued interest in Europe’s cultural centers.
Top Domestic Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
New York, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ocean City, Maryland
Key West, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Clearwater, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Top International Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Cancun, Mexico
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Barcelona, Spain
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Vancouver, Canada
Oranjestad, Aruba
Fastest-Growing Destinations (Year-over-Year)
Comparative data indicates rising interest in Florida beach towns and Caribbean islands, alongside increased exploration of destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Trending Domestic Locations:
Orlando, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Charlotte, North Carolina
Trending International Locations:
Green Island, Jamaica
The Bight Settlement, Turks and Caicos
Kyushu, Japan
Bilbao, Spain
Tropea, Italy
Memorial Day Travel Trends
Search patterns for Memorial Day highlight growing interest in destinations like St. Pete Beach and Orange Beach, as well as culturally rich cities such as Rome and Toronto. Anaheim is also gaining attention as a top choice for extended weekend trips, thanks to attractions like Disneyland Park.
Top Trending Domestic (Memorial Day):
Anaheim, California
Orange Beach, Alabama
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Reno, Nevada
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Top Trending International (Memorial Day):
Rome, Italy
Toronto, Canada
Porto, Portugal
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
4th of July Travel Trends
For Independence Day, travelers are gravitating toward coastal destinations like Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach, as well as entertainment-driven locations such as Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, home to Dollywood Theme Park.
Top Trending Domestic (4th of July):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Clearwater, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Panama City Beach, Florida
Top Trending International (4th of July):
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba
Summer Experiences and Activities
Travelers this summer are focusing on thoughtfully curated experiences. Cultural and heritage tours are the most popular, followed by outdoor and adventure activities that offer immersive ways to explore destinations.
Popular Experiences Include:
Methodology
These insights are based on Tripadvisor’s first-party behavioral data, analyzing searches conducted by travelers in the U.S. and U.K. between February 1 and April 10, 2026, for trips scheduled between June 1 and August 31, 2026.
These insights are based on Tripadvisor’s first-party behavioral data, analyzing searches conducted by travelers in the U.S. and U.K. between February 1 and April 10, 2026, for trips scheduled between June 1 and August 31, 2026.