NEEDHAM, Massachusetts—Tripadvisor released the initial findings from its upcoming Summer Travel Index, which highlighted the top and trending summer destinations for U.S. travelers in 2026.
The data showed a preference for East Coast beach destinations, with Myrtle Beach leading domestic travel searches. These accessible coastal destinations offer family-friendly appeal and activities that cater to travelers of all ages, from water parks and beach activities to cultural attractions and local entertainment. Internationally, Mexico and the Caribbean continue to dominate, with Cancun as the top summer travel destination for the third year in a row, offering world-class diving and snorkeling experiences as well as proximity to iconic cultural heritage sites.
Destination preferences shift across holiday weekends in the U.S., with the data showing that travelers are choosing long-weekend trips to destinations like Anaheim, California, and Orange Beach, Alabama, for Memorial Day, and to beach hotspots like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida, for the 4th of July.
Summer Travel Index: 2026 Top Summer Destinations
Summer travel searches reveal a balanced mix of beloved beach getaways and iconic urban destinations.
While the well-loved Myrtle Beach takes the lead this year along with three top Florida beach destinations, city icons also top the list, with top cities including New York, Chicago and Vegas all included. Internationally, Cancun takes the lead with U.S. travelers, with Paris and London rounding out the top three, reflecting strong demand for European cultural hubs throughout the top 10.
Top 10 Domestic Destinations for U.S. Travelers
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- New York City, New York
- Chicago, Illinois
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Key West, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Seattle, Washington
- Clearwater, Florida
- Nashville, Tennessee
Top 10 International Destinations for 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
Memorial Day Weekend Travel Trends
Memorial Day weekend trending destinations showcase new favorites gaining traction with summer travelers. Coastal destinations like St. Pete Beach and Orange Beach, and cultural destinations like Rome and Toronto are seeing increased search activity, while Anaheim, California, looks set to be a popular choice for extended weekend getaways.
Top 5 Trending Domestic Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend
- Anaheim, California
- Orange Beach, Alabama
- St. Pete Beach, Florida
- Reno, Nevada
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
Top 5 Trending International Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend
- Rome, Italy
- Toronto, Canada
- Porto, Portugal
- Bavaro, Dominican Republic
- Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
4th of July Weekend Travel Trends
Trending destinations for the 4th of July holiday show traveler preferences shifting toward beach destinations like Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach, and entertainment-focused cities like Pigeon Forge.
Top 5 Domestic Trending Destinations for 4th of July Weekend
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Clearwater, Florida
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Panama City Beach, Florida
Top 5 International Trending Destinations for 4th of July Weekend
- Rome, Italy
- Bavaro, Dominican Republic
- Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
- Palm—Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Oranjestad, Aruba
