14 Travel Trends Shaping the Way We Explore in 2025

Travel in 2025 is all about embracing new experiences that bring joy, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

According to Tripadvisor’s Trendcast 2025, fourteen key trends are shaping the way we explore. Let’s take a quick look at each:​

Waterculturalism

Travelers are seeking relaxation and social connection through communal water experiences, such as modern bathhouses and group water-therapy sessions.

Examples: Cold plunges, thermal spas, hot springs, underwater museums

• Warm Springs, GA – Roosevelt Warm Springs still offers hydrotherapy, plus a little history
• Hot Springs, NC – Natural mineral springs + riverside tubs with a view
• ​Serenity in the Mountains (Blue Ridge, GA) – Himalayan salt cave offering halotherapy sessions in a tranquil environment.
• Weeki Wachee Springs, FL – Vintage kitsch, mermaid shows, and underwater viewing

Play it Forward

Adults are rediscovering play by engaging in activities like multisensory playgrounds and interactive dining experiences that offer joy and stress relief.

Examples: Adult sleepaway camps, escape games, dude ranches, chef for a day, space camp

• Adult Space Camp (Huntsville, AL) – Live out your childhood astronaut dreams
• Barnsley Resort (Adairsville, GA) – Axe throwing, clay shooting, and scavenger hunts
• Escape Experience (Chattanooga, TN) – High-end escape rooms with regional storylines
• Immersive Gamebox (Atlanta, GA) – Group digital adventures inside glowing cube rooms

Written in the Stars

Astro-tourism is on the rise, with travelers seeking spiritual and cosmic experiences, including astrology retreats and celestial events.

Examples: Shamanic cleansing rituals, zodiac retreats, full moon meditations, tarot readings, dark sky locations

• Stephen C. Foster State Park (GA) – Certified Dark Sky Park inside Okefenokee Swamp
• Alena Hennessy (Asheville, NC) – Mystical retreats
• Stargazing at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park (TN) – Best Milky Way views in the region
• Crystal Blue Healing Studio (Savannah, GA) – Tarot, reiki, and moon meditations

New ‘Moons

Celebrating personal milestones, such as honeymoons or solo achievements, is becoming a travel motivator, leading to trips centered around these special occasions.

Examples: Post-divorce detox, retirement reset, bestie weekend, sobriety celebration

• Bestie Weekend in Charleston, SC – Cooking class, wine cruise, and spa day
• Amicalola Falls Lodge (GA) – Quiet reflection for a retirement reset with hiking
• Garnet Gal’s Getaway (Helen, GA) – Wineries, cabins, and no boys allowed

Dynamically Sensorial

Immersive, multisensory experiences are gaining popularity, offering travelers engaging activities that stimulate multiple senses simultaneously.​

Examples: Forest-bathing, perfume or candle making, sound baths, blindfolded dinners

• Forest bathing near Highlands, NC – Guided nature therapy in lush mountain woods
• Candlefish (Charleston, SC) – Make your own custom candle based on scent profiles
• Healing Vibes by Tonya (Gwinnett County) – Singing bowls + breathwork
• Mug Of The Month Supper Club (Atlanta) – An immersive ceramics demo in the form of a bespoke 5-course meal

Global Gaming

The rise of gaming culture has led to travel experiences centered around gaming conventions, esports events, and interactive gaming attractions.​

Example: Fortnite championship in Ft Worth, video game cafes, eat-drink-play meeting spots

• CONTender Esports (Cary, NC) – Local competitive gaming lounge with food
• Southeast Game Exchange (Greenville, SC) – Retro games, cosplay, and trading
• Game Terminal (Nashville, TN) – Barcade with vintage and new games plus beer
• eSports at Full Sail University (Orlando, FL) – Big tournaments in a pro arena

Investigative Eating

Food enthusiasts are delving into the origins of their meals, seeking farm-to-table experiences and sustainable dining options.​

Examples: Farm to table dining, mushroom foraging, tea farms, indigenous food experiences

• UGA’s Mushroom Foraging Workshops (Athens, GA) – Learn and harvest in the forest
• Spade & Clover Gardens (Charleston, SC) – Community farm tours and tastings
• The Southern Traditions Dinner Tour (Savannah, GA) – Black and Indigenous food storytelling
• Tea Blending Class with Just Add Honey (Atlanta) – Craft  your own custom tea blends

Family Vacays 2.0

Multigenerational travel is on the rise, with families planning trips that cater to all age groups, emphasizing shared experiences and bonding.​

Example: Kinder-hotels, classes with kiddos, junior scientist/artist/chef experiences

• Frost Science Museum (Miami) – Science exhibits that grown-ups actually enjoy
• Gulf Shores, AL – Condo vacations with dolphin cruises + family cooking nights
• Savannah Bananas baseball games (GA) – The most fun you’ll ever have at a game
• Make-and-take pottery or cooking classes in Asheville, NC – Everyone gets messy

Nano Neighborhoods

Travelers are exploring specific neighborhoods in depth, immersing themselves in local culture and discovering hidden gems off the typical tourist path.​

Examples: Undertourism destinations, hidden gem tours, eat like a local experiences

• Cabbagetown (Atlanta, GA) – Murals, indie coffee, and converted textile mills
• Northshore (Chattanooga, TN) – Boutiques, the riverwalk, and mom-and-pop eats
• Bywater (New Orleans, LA) – Quirky galleries, vintage shops, and late-night cafés
• Five Points (Columbia, SC) – Artsy bars, record stores, and walking tours

Solo-Social

Solo travel is evolving to include social components, with individuals seeking connections and shared experiences with others during their journeys.​

Example: Studio cabin cruises, solo-friendly menus, safe destinations

• Getaway House tiny cabins (North GA & SC) – Solo stays with built-in community perks
• The Hostel in the Forest (Brunswick, GA) – Treehouses + communal dinners
• The Pearl Hotel (30A, FL) – Elegant solo-friendly vibes with rooftop social hours
• Bike tours in St. Augustine, FL – Ride with strangers who don’t stay strangers

Beauty Voyagers

Travelers are embarking on trips to experience unique beauty treatments and wellness rituals not available in their home countries.

Examples: Head spas, red light therapy, mud baths

• The Now Massage (Atlanta & Charlotte) – Travel-inspired massage rituals
• Botanical Mud Bath at Brasstown Valley (Young Harris) – Body brush application and a soak
• Red Light Therapy (Brentwood, TN) – Affordable light therapy + chill-out zones

Sports Trek

Sports enthusiasts are traveling to participate in or spectate sporting events, combining their passion for sports with the adventure of travel.​

Examples: World Cup, SuperBowl, Masters

• The Masters (Augusta, GA) – Bucket-list golf weekend even without tickets
• SEC Football Games (Various) – Tailgate culture is half the experience
• NASCAR Hall of Fame + track days (Charlotte, NC) – Drive or just spectate
• College Baseball World Series (Greenville, SC) – Low-key fan trip

Time Tripping

With flexible work arrangements, travelers are extending their trips to blend work and leisure, maximizing their time in new destinations.

Examples: Open late or 24-hour locations, night tours

• River Street in Savannah (GA) – 24-hour diners and ghost tours until midnight
• Late-night kayaking in Pensacola (FL) – Glowing bioluminescence in the bay
• Asheville Pinball Museum (NC) – Midnight access during events
• Waffle House at 3am (everywhere) – Truly a Southern rite of passage

Slow Going

A shift towards slow travel emphasizes taking time to fully experience a destination, focusing on quality over quantity and fostering deeper connections.​

Examples: Train travel, fishing villages

• Fishing trips along the Forgotten Coast (FL) – Think Apalachicola and St. George
• Train ride from Bryson City (NC) – Old-school slow rail through mountain towns
• Cumberland Island (GA) – No cars, no crowds, wild horses
• Bayou tours in Jean Lafitte (LA) – Drift through swamp and story