NEEDHAM, Mass.—More Americans are planning to travel this summer, according to TripAdvisor’s 2018 Summer Vacation Value Report. Of 3,300 U.S. travelers surveyed, 87 percent are planning a summer vacation, up 6 percent from last year. Of those planning a trip, 91 percent will travel domestically and the most popular region is expected to be the Northeast (27 percent). Almost half of Americans will plan a beach or ocean getaway (47 percent), while 38 percent are planning city trips.
As part of these findings, the report highlights the top domestic destinations for U.S. travelers. The top 10 list is based on the greatest increase in seasonal hotel booking interest from spring to summer, including the average one-week vacation costs for hotels and airfare.
The 10 Hottest U.S. Destinations for Summer 2018
1. Mackinac Island, Michigan
This island is a throwback to old-timey seaside leisure with the candy-colored facades of downtown shops. Mackinac is famous for its homemade fudge and limestone bluffs of Mackinac Island State Park. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $347, and travelers spend an average of $2,905 per week per person.
2. Bar Harbor, Maine
Mansions and majestic hotels serve as reminders of Bar Harbor’s past as a 19th-century hotspot for high society. Today, travelers enjoy active vacations kayaking, bird- and whale-watching, and enjoying the salty sea air and sandy beaches. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $264 in Bar Harbor, and travelers spend an average of $2,321 per week per person.
3. Block Island, Rhode Island
Just 12-miles south of mainland Rhode Island, travelers can take a ferry to the seashore, wild dunes, and antique lighthouses of this island. Summer “on the block” is old-school New England charm. Average nightly hotel rates are $355 and the average summer week expense per person is $2,857.
4. Lake George, New York
This 32-mile-long “Queen of American Lakes” is a family-friendly destination with myriad outdoor and recreational activities. Among the cleanest and clearest of major U.S. lakes, Thomas Jefferson described Lake George as “the most beautiful water I ever saw.” The average summer nightly hotel rate is $225 and the average summer week expense per person is $1,958.
5. West Yellowstone, Montana
Since the early 1900s, West Yellowstone has provided a tourist-friendly gateway to the geysers of Yellowstone National Park and its resident bison, bears, and elk. This Rocky Mountain enclave in southwestern Montana has summer parades and rodeos. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $331 and the average summer week expense per person is $2,736.
6. Ocean City, Maryland
The beach and three-mile Boardwalk is the main attraction at Maryland’s iconic beach destination. The seafront is full of salt-water taffy, special concerts, beach bonfires, and kids’ activities. Once a tiny fishing village, it’s now known as the White Marlin Capital of the World. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $281, and travelers spend an average of $2,269 per week per person.
7. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
This tiny island south of Cape Cod remains one of the most popular and picturesque destinations in New England. Travelers love stately Greek revival houses, seaside villages, “beach town” feel, and true retreats. Visitors can explore the island on a bicycle, scooter, or public bus. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $473 and travelers spend, on average, $3,535 a week per person.
8. Anchorage, Alaska
Set amid the coastal Chugach Mountains, Anchorage averages 65 degrees in summer, making conditions ideal for sightseeing or taking on uniquely Alaskan opportunities like arctic biking or touring the fjords of Prince William Sound. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $331 and travelers spend about $2,917 per person a week.
9. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There’s plenty of opportunity for whitewater rafting, golfing, horseback riding, kayaking, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, and stagecoach rides in Jackson Hole. Climbers, hikers, and nature lovers can enjoy the nearby Grand Teton National Park. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $481 and travelers spend about $3,900 per person per week.
10. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Windswept beaches, sand dunes, blinking lighthouses, and a charming pace of life await on this 50-square mile island. The world’s former top whaling port is now designated a National Historic District. Seaside cottages, old whaling captains’ mansions, and historic harbors contain quaint inns, boutique stores, chowder shacks, and upscale dining. The average summer nightly hotel rate is $664 and travelers spend about $4,872 per person a week.
