New Report Shows Top Summer Travel Destinations (Guess Who Is #1)

Nearly 82% of Americans are planning to take a trip this summer, but with a still-shaky economy cost is a major contributor to the decision process.

To help travelers plan the perfect summer getaway, WalletHub compared 100 metro areas across 41 key indicators of an affordable and fun vacation. The data set ranges from the cost of the cheapest flight to the number of attractions to the average price of a two-person meal.

When asked about predictions for the 2024 summer travel season, Dr. Bridget Niland, dean of the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management at Niagara University, said that research and reports on upcoming travel trends forecast that the summer of 2024 will be another strong season for domestic travel.

“Travelers saw some relief from higher transportation prices in the first quarter of this year, but April brought a nearly 25 percent increase in flight costs,” she said.

“Those of us traveling to U.S. beaches and coastal destinations should expect lots of company in the United States beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing strong through July.”

Atlanta as the #1 travel destination

The Atlanta metro area is the best summer travel destination, in part because the cheapest flights from major cities don’t require any connections and can cost as little as $278.

While flight costs are not a consideration for us locals, you’d be interested to know that another of the leading indicators of Atlanta’s #1 position is the diversity of attractions here.

The city also ranks very well when it comes to the prevalence of amusement parks, shopping centers, ice cream shops and swimming pools, so there are plenty of places to have fun and cool off.

For those who enjoy drinking during their vacations, Atlanta also has one of the latest “last call” times in the country, at 4:00 a.m.

Maybe that’s the fuel you need to encourage friends and family to come here for holiday… to make the city a staycation experience for you and your family?

Ready to leave Atlanta?

If you want to get away, then check out the #2 and #3 locations in the study, both on the East Coast.

Washington, D.C.

The Washington, D.C., metro area is the second-best summer travel destination. The cheapest flights from other major cities tend to have zero connections, though you’ll have to pay out at least $331 to fly in.

One reason why D.C. is a great destination is that it’s really easy to find affordable restaurants that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp.

D.C. is known for having many museums, such as the Smithsonian, but it also has a very high number of swimming pools, parks, basketball hoops and tennis courts, so it’s great for people interested in history and physical activity alike. It’s also a safe place to travel, with one of the lowest crime rates in the U.S.

Orlando, FL

Orlando, FL is the third-best metro area for summer travel, known for attractions like its huge theme parks. The cheapest flights to Orlando from other major cities have zero connections and cost as little as $308.

Surprisingly, the lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room in Orlando is only $55, which is very reasonable. The metro area has plenty of affordable, high-quality restaurants to choose from, too.

Orlando also ranks highly when it comes to the prevalence of water parks, boat tours, ice cream shops, coffee shops, shopping centers and spas, providing venues to both get thrills and relax.

More tips on budget travel

“As the dean of a college of hospitality, sport, and tourism, we love to prepare students to manage every facet of the traveler experience, but there are elements you can rein in to keep costs affordable.

“Your food and beverage are always major expenses, which can quickly escalate. Finding inclusive accommodations can alleviate non-stop credit charges while away from home, but be careful to read the fine print to make sure you have enough options to make the trip feel like a treat and not a chore.

“Food and beverage costs are a key factor in the popularity of short-term rental locations. Travelers should nonetheless be careful before booking these alternative hotel accommodations because cities and towns across the globe are adding taxes and other fees to these rental arrangements.

“Buying and preparing your own food while on vacation will cut your costs, but again, be sure to weigh the idea of cooking and cleaning with your desire or need for some true relaxation time,” says Dr. Niland.