Top 11 U.S. Cities to Visit in 2025 According to Booking Trends

Booking platforms like Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and Airbnb have released real data showing where travelers are reserving flights, hotels, and vacation rentals most in the U.S. – and the patterns are clear.

Smaller cities are outperforming big metros in year-over-year booking increases, nature-focused travel is dominating urban tourism, and events like the NFL Draft and Mardi Gras are transforming regional cities into national hotspots.

For example, West Palm Beach, FL leads Tripadvisor’s list as the #1 trending U.S. destination, driven by a +18% surge in Q2 bookings, while Santa Barbara and Charleston are pulling in high-income travelers with food, wine, and off-peak season charm.

Meanwhile, cities like Cleveland, Memphis, and Green Bay are seeing measurable spikes in reservations thanks to cultural comebacks and sports tourism.

Notably, Maui, HI is witnessing a +30% increase in travel intent among eco-conscious tourists and those seeking regenerative travel after its wildfire recovery.

1. West Palm Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach has emerged as a surprising frontrunner in U.S. travel bookings for 2025. Tripadvisor ranked it the #1 trending U.S. destination, which marks a major shift from previous years dominated by larger metro areas.

What’s driving this surge? A mix of waterfront development, art institutions like the Norton Museum of Art, and a highly walkable downtown filled with cafés, boutiques, and year-round events like SunFest. Unlike Miami, it offers a calmer pace but still delivers on upscale dining and nightlife.

Booking data shows a spike in spring and early summer reservations – especially for waterfront hotels and boutique resorts.

2. Santa Barbara, California

Known for its blend of beach life and luxury, Santa Barbara continues to grow as a top-tier destination, particularly for eco-conscious and high-spending travelers.

Ranked #2 by Tripadvisor, the city appeals to those seeking relaxing escapes, wine tours in the Santa Ynez Valley, and boutique stays with ocean views. It’s become a favorite among millennials and Gen X travelers looking for a slower, quieter California experience compared to L.A. or San Diego.

According to local tourism boards, midweek bookings have increased sharply – suggesting more remote workers are blending vacation with productivity.

3. Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is enjoying a major tourism comeback fueled by domestic travelers interested in culture-rich destinations. It’s not just the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drawing visitors – Tripadvisor’s #3 city is also seeing increased interest in its sports teams, waterfront parks, and food scene.

Q1 and Q2 bookings are up thanks to new hotel openings downtown and an aggressive event calendar featuring concerts, festivals, and Cavaliers games. The city’s affordability compared to coastal metros is also a major draw.

4. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is reclaiming its place on the American travel map. The city’s reputation for music, food, and Black history is attracting record numbers of travelers, and Tripadvisor placed it at #5 in 2025’s trending destinations.

With major attractions like Graceland and the National Civil Rights Museum, bookings have surged especially among first-time visitors and educational travelers. There’s also a boom in boutique hotel openings and concert tourism, particularly around Beale Street.

Booking platforms note that Memorial Day weekend and July Fourth are already near capacity for centrally located hotels.

5. Denver, Colorado

Outdoor enthusiasts continue to flock to Denver, which has successfully positioned itself as a launchpad for national parks and year-round adventures.

Tripadvisor gave it the #8 spot, and 2025 data from Booking.com shows strong summer booking momentum. Thanks to direct flight access and walkable neighborhoods like RiNo and LoDo, it’s becoming a go-to for urban adventurers.

Most booked experiences include brewery tours, Red Rocks concerts, and guided mountain day trips. The city’s clean public transport and bike infrastructure are helping to win over eco-conscious travelers too.

6. Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn is officially out of Manhattan’s shadow. Tripadvisor ranked it #9, and it now represents one of the most rapidly growing urban booking zones in the country.

Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Park Slope, and DUMBO are filled with boutique hotels, gourmet food halls, and cultural events. Airbnb bookings show a shift toward Brooklyn among repeat NYC travelers seeking local, authentic experiences.

Rooftop bars, warehouse art spaces, and vintage shopping round out the experience. It’s especially popular with younger travelers, solo travelers, and remote workers.

7. Houston, Texas

Houston continues to surprise as a global travel contender. Not only did it make Booking.com’s global top 10 list, but it also topped Airbnb’s wishlist data in the U.S.

Its appeal lies in diversity – world-class museums, international food, NASA attractions, and an ever-growing events scene. The Texas Medical Center has also boosted medical tourism. Popular dates for bookings include major conventions, the Houston Rodeo, and Astros games.

Travelers are especially choosing neighborhoods like Montrose and Midtown for walkability and nightlife.

8. Maui, Hawaii

After recovering from devastating wildfires in 2023, Maui has rebounded as a powerful symbol of regenerative travel. Booking.com reports strong travel intent in 2025, particularly among visitors seeking wellness, cultural immersion, and eco-conscious tourism.

Wellness retreats, surf schools, and native-run tours are thriving again, especially in West Maui and along the coastlines of Hana. Visitors are increasingly choosing Hana and Upcountry Maui for a slower, community-first experience – away from the most congested resort areas.

One standout trend is the rise in sustainable van vacation rentals, especially those with locally owned management and off-grid features. For travelers looking to stay close to nature while supporting the island’s recovery, options like Mauka Hualalai Rentals offer a great base on the slopes of Hualalai, with easy access to both beaches and volcano trails.

These kinds of rentals embody the new Maui – calm, intentional, and in harmony with the land.

There’s also a visible uptick in voluntourism bookings, where people are traveling not just to relax, but to give back to local communities and help restore the land.

This is especially true among repeat Hawaii travelers who want to deepen their connection to the island in a meaningful way.

9. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston keeps charming travelers with its pastel facades, cobblestone streets, and unmatched Southern food. According to Tripadvisor, it’s #2 in food destinations for 2025.

Airbnb shows rising demand among couples, history buffs, and honeymooners. The city has invested in preserving its historic district while also expanding its culinary footprint with new oyster bars, fine dining spots, and chef-led tours.

Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) are now seeing peak occupancy, thanks to mild weather and fewer crowds.

10. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Thanks to hosting the 2025 NFL Draft, Green Bay is experiencing a travel spike like never before. Airbnb recorded one of its fastest-growing search volumes for the April event.

Hotel rooms for Draft Weekend are nearing full occupancy, and surrounding towns are seeing overflow demand. Beyond football, Lambeau Field tours, new breweries, and revitalized waterfront areas are gaining attention. It’s now a strong seasonal destination with clear sports tourism appeal.

11. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge is breaking out of New Orleans’ shadow in 2025, thanks to family-focused Mardi Gras celebrations and a growing food and festival calendar.

Airbnb named it the #2 most searched destination for a 2025 event (Mardi Gras). With its mix of French Creole culture, historic landmarks, and walkable downtown, it’s especially popular with Southern road trippers.

Travelers are booking earlier for February festivities and choosing Baton Rouge for a more relaxed Carnival experience.

Conclusion

The 2025 booking data paints a clear picture – U.S. travelers are shifting their priorities. Instead of defaulting to mega-cities or overhyped beaches, they’re gravitating toward destinations that offer cultural depth, nature access, and local experiences.

Cities like West Palm Beach and Santa Barbara are thriving because they combine coastal relaxation with walkability and upscale lifestyle.

Cleveland and Memphis are proving that revitalized downtowns, live music, and sports can outperform traditional vacation spots when marketed with authenticity and event programming.

Booking.com’s inclusion of Houston on its top 11 global travel list and Airbnb’s data showing a massive search volume spike for Green Bay around the NFL Draft highlight just how important event-driven travel and local identity have become.

Charleston and Baton Rouge, meanwhile, are benefiting from seasonal, heritage-focused tourism that appeals to multi-generational travelers and domestic road-trippers alike.

And then there’s Maui, where post-wildfire recovery efforts have turned into a blueprint for regenerative travel – a rising theme in 2025.

With a +30% jump in travel intent tied to wellness and sustainability, destinations like Maui are showing that tourists want their trips to matter.