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With summer just a hop, skip, and a jump away, travel planning is officially in full swing.
Over 43.8 million people will be going somewhere 50+ miles away from home this Memorial Day weekend, a 4% jump from the same time last year.
However, this is still just a warm-up before the summer holidays take the travel world by storm.
But where are Americans planning to spend the last days of spring, and more importantly, should you, too, add one of the insanely trendy cities to your travel bucket list?
5. Anaheim / Los Angeles, California
Name a more iconic duo than Summer and California – I bet you can’t.
And while places like Anaheim and LA are consistently among the most visited cities in the nation, the warm weather gives travelers that extra push they need to finally book those tickets and experience that iconic Californian summer firsthand.
Families and Disney lovers have their choice already made for them – Anaheim’s Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are as magical as ever, and it just so happens that late spring is the perfect time to visit.
The days are balmy but not scorching hot, and you’ll be hitting that sweet spot crowd-wise – the spring breakers are long gone and summer trippers have yet to come to town, so if a Disney retreat is on the books this year, you have to move fast.
Los Angeles is another one of those cities whose timeless allure speaks for itself.
Between the intoxicating energy of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Venice, the scenic views of the Pacific Coast Highway (perfect for a road trip!), and the incredible array of world-famous restaurants and iconic attractions, the city is nothing short of a warm-weathered paradise.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’re planning a particularly high-energy getaway that’ll help you leave all the stresses of day-to-day life behind, you can’t go wrong with Vegas.
Just the lineup of performers coming to the city this time of year should be enough to have you booking those plane tickets ASAP.
These upcoming weeks Santana, Carrie Underwood, Adele, Shania Twain, Maroon 5, Ringo Starr, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavinge, and Bruno Mars are all scheduled for performances across the Strip, so head over here to see exactly when and where your faves are performing.
3. New York, New York
While not your typical summery hub, New York is and always will be one of the most impossible-to-resist cities in North America year-round.
Be it the genuine excitement to see iconic attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, or Central Park, the impeccable weather the city enjoys in late spring, or the jam-packed Broadway calendar, there’s just something about New York that people just can’t seem to get enough of, especially this time of year.
And I’m not even going to get into the world-class museums or legendary food scene – otherwise, you might start packing before you even finish reading the article.
2. Seattle, Washington
Not only is Seattle one of the most attraction-filled cities you can visit right now (the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains the Chihuly Garden – do I need to go on?) but the sheer number of events taking place this time of year will give your summer the most energetic kickstart you could ask for.
The Seattle International Film Festival, HONK! Fest West, Sabertooth 2024, Seattle Pride in the Park 2024, and Northwest Folklife Festival are all taking place around this time, so make sure to leave plenty of room in your itinerary for a fun day out.
1. Orlando, Florida
After breaking all-time tourism records just a couple of weeks ago, Orlando’s still at the top of the travel game, taking the crown as the most visited destination in the entire country.
And, frankly, it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re a family taking that long-awaited trip to Disney World, Legoland, or Universal, a city tripper looking to explore the area’s fantastic shopping and dining scene, or just someone eager to revel in that warm Floridian sunshine ahead of summer, Orlando offers everything you could want and more.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.