With the economy being what it is, many Americans are turning to travel destinations close to home for much-needed vacations and weekend getaways. Twice a year, discount hotel website Hotels.com® releases its Hotel Price Index™, which takes a look at hotel prices around the world. Based on this information, the experts at Hotels.com have compiled a list of the top U.S. travel destinations.
Some of the cities on this list are not surprising—California does well with three of its cities in the top ten, for example—but this list also includes some that one would not expect.
“Sin City” has long been one of Americans’ favorite destinations, and it has something for everyone. World-class casinos, shows, fine dining and luxurious spas are just some of the things that this southern Nevada city has to offer.
Visitors come from all around the country to enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas, and because it is so close to so many Americans, traveling there does not break the bank, which means that travelers have more funds to spend on entertainment and food.
Other cities showing up on the list of Americans’ beloved destinations include New York City (#2), Orlando (#3), and Washington, DC (#8). These cities consistently rank among the most-visited locations in the U.S., thanks to their broad appeal and inviting attractions.
Three cities in California also make an appearance on the list. San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco are ranked at numbers five, six, and seven, respectively. The golden coast is a perennially popular destination for Americans as these cities offer plenty of sun, surf and sights.
Two cities in the South, Houston and New Orleans, come in at numbers nine and ten to finish out the list of the top ten destinations. While some people may be surprised at the inclusion of these two cities on the list of popular domestic tourism sites, when one considers what these cities have to offer, it becomes more apparent why Americans choose to vacation there.
Between the two cities there are plenty of museums, history, family fun, and space travel (at Houston’s Space Center). The hotels in Houston and New Orleans are very nice as well. Add this to the fact that Houston and New Orleans are so close to a large part of the population of the United States, and it makes sense that people would choose to go there.
As more Americans budget for domestic travel this year, it is likely that these top destinations will continue to increase in popularity. Travelers looking for discount hotels and airfares would do well to make plans as soon as possible.
