Unpack ’26 Summer travel trends report reveals how domestic beach towns and the great outdoors are dominating summer 2026 travel demand.

Travelers are staying closer to home this summer. According to the new 2026 Destinations of the Summer from Expedia®, domestic destinations within driving distance or a short flight are the most popular places to travel this summer.

Instead of long-haul travel this summer, travelers are increasingly looking for beach towns, mountain trails, lakes, and national park getaways within the U.S. Social buzz for domestic trips has doubled in the U.S. and 63% of travelers are already planning a domestic getaway this summer.

The Destinations of the Summer list, featured in the Unpack ’26 Summer: The Trends in Travel report, is made up of vacation spots including Florida and California beaches, where searches are up 50% this summer, and local outdoor hotspots like lakes, mountains and national parks where interest has spiked 65% year-over-year.

“We’re seeing travelers choosing destinations closer to home this summer as they react to economic pressures and global uncertainty,” said Melanie Fish, Vice President, Global Public Relations, Expedia Group. “Ease of travel is a major driver – the most appealing trips may be the ones that don’t require going too far.”

Several of the Destinations of the Summer also meet the criteria for Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check. First introduced in 2025, this framework from Expedia was inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and evaluates destinations against key principles for sustainable tourism management. Destinations that meet these standards are noted with a checkmark.

What are Expedia’s top Destinations of the Summer for 2026?

Expedia’s Destinations of the Summer highlight U.S. getaways gaining momentum for Summer 2026, especially beach towns, outdoor hubs and smaller cities that are easier to reach.

Expedia’s Destinations of the Summer – The “Stay-Here Summer”

• St. George, Utah (+125%) – red-rock hiking.
• Tacoma, Washington (+120%) ✔️ – Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks.
• Asheville, North Carolina (+80%) – breweries and Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Bradenton, Florida (+75%) – gateway to Anna Maria Island.
• Santa Cruz, California (+65%) ✔️- surf and boardwalk appeal.
• Siesta Key, Florida (+50%) – powder-white beaches.
• Truckee, California (+40%) ✔️ – Lake Tahoe basecamp.
• Bozeman, Montana (+30%) – Yellowstone access and fishing.
• Prescott, Arizona (+30%) – lakes, pines and granite dells.
• Providence, Rhode Island (+25%) ✔️ – riverwalk and arts institutions.

For additional inspiration for domestic trips this summer, see more about the Destinations of the Summer.

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Notes to Editor

Methodology

• The Destinations of the Summer list is based on increases in accommodation searches on Expedia for travel between May 22, 2026 and August 31, 2026 versus May 23, 2025 and August 31, 2025.
• Online mentions of domestic destinations based on global social media mentions about summer domestic vacations between February 1 – April 29, 2026 vs. February 1 – April 29, 2025.
• Third-party research was conducted by market research partner OnePoll in accordance with the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. The Study was conducted online among 11,000 adult respondents across nine countries who travel and have stayed in a hotel.

What is Unpack ’26 Summer?

Unpack ’26 Summer is a seasonal update to Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel™ that highlights summer travel trends. The report draws on first-party data from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, as well as social listening, and builds on first-party and traveler insight data from Unpack ’26 to forecast traveler behavior this summer.

What makes Unpack ’26 Summer a credible source for travel trends?

Unpack ’26 Summer combines real-time platform data, social listening and third-party research. The report combines data from millions of users and builds on third-party research conducted by OnePoll, following the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct, first shared in the Unpack ’26 report. Findings are backed by behavioral insights, booking patterns and cultural signals, making it a trusted resource for media, industry leaders and travelers alike.

What is the Destinations of the Summer list?

Destinations of the Summer is Expedia’s annual spotlight on trending summer destinations, with this year’s list focused on domestic and closer-to-home getaways. The list helps answer a common summer planning question: where can travelers go for a high-interest trip that is easier to reach this season? For Summer 2026, the signal is clear: cost, convenience and experience are helping drive travel decisions toward shorter-haul escapes.

What are the top Destinations of the Summer for 2026?

Expedia’s 2026 Destinations of the Summer, ranked by search growth on Expedia, include a mix of beaches, outdoor gateways and smaller cities. They are:

• St. George, Utah (+125%) – red-rock hiking.
• Tacoma, Washington (+120%) – Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks.
• Asheville, North Carolina (+80%) – breweries and Blue Ridge mountains.
• Bradenton, Florida (+75%) – gateway to Anna Maria Island.
• Santa Cruz, California (+65%) – surf and boardwalk appeal.
• Siesta Key, Florida (+50%) – powder-white beaches.
• Truckee, California (+40%) – Lake Tahoe basecamp.
• Bozeman, Montana (+30%) – Yellowstone access and fishing.
• Prescott, Arizona (+30%) – lakes, pines and granite dells.
• Providence, Rhode Island (+25%) – riverwalk and arts institutions.

The mix shows how travelers are spreading interest beyond traditional summer hotspots while still prioritizing seasonal appeal and ease of access.

Which destinations meet Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check criteria?

Four of Expedia’s Destinations of the Summer meet Smart Travel Health Check criteria. They are:

• Tacoma, Washington
• Santa Cruz, California
• Truckee, California
• Providence, Rhode Island

The Smart Travel Health Check is intended to help identify destinations that are better equipped to manage tourism sustainably, protect local environments and support communities.

What is the Smart Travel Health Check?

Smart Travel Health Check is Expedia’s framework for evaluating destinations against key principles of sustainable tourism management. Introduced in 2025 and inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the framework evaluates destinations against principles that include stewardship, community alignment, data-informed planning, monitoring, reinvestment and resident empowerment.

Destinations not marked with the Smart Travel Health Check may not yet meet, or may not yet have measurable data for, all criteria. Their inclusion on the list still reflects strong traveler interest and summer appeal.

Why does this trend matter for summer 2026 travelers?

This year’s Destinations of the Summer show how travelers are balancing cost, convenience and experience by choosing destinations closer to home. The trend is especially relevant for travelers looking for a summer trip built around beaches, outdoor access or smaller-city culture rather than a long-haul itinerary.

In practical terms, it helps answer a simple travel-planning question: where can travelers go this summer for a destination that is timely, appealing and easier to reach?