The Maney & LauRen Morning Show

Americans’ Top 2024 Travel Destinations

Author Nicole Weaver

August 16th, 2023 7:30 AM

Have you already come up with your travel bucket list for the coming year? A lot of people have, according to new research that finds Americans are planning to visit four different destinations in 2024, on average.

The poll of 2-thousand U.S. adults finds their goals for traveling next year include becoming:

Experienced travelers – 37%
Relaxed travelers- 29%
Adventure seekers – 17%
Culinary enthusiasts- 5%
Wellness enthusiasts- 4%
Nostalgic travelers- 3%
Eco-conscious travelers- 3%

The survey also finds:

Half (51%) want relaxed vacations, 43% prioritize cultural exploration and 38% hope to visit historical sites.
A quarter of respondents want to explore new and unfamiliar places, while 23% prefer going to places they’re already familiar with.
The most important factors to travelers when choosing a new destination include natural beauty and landscape (58%) and historical attractions (50%).
The top historical sites people want to see include Ancient Egypt and American Revolution locations (46%), the Golden Age of Greece (40%), the Viking Age (38%), Renaissance Italy (30%) and World War II Europe (28%)
Nearly half (44%) of those polled say TV shows influence their travel plans, with “Emily in Paris” and “The White Lotus” playing a role in their decision-making for trips.

Americans’ Top Travel Destinations for 2024

Mexico – 42%
Canada – 42%
France – 42%
Spain – 40%
Italy – 32%
Greece – 21%
Iceland – 14%
Ireland – 12%
United Kingdom – 12%
Portugal – 9%
Croatia – 6%
China – 7%

These North Carolina cities are some of America's 'Best Cheap Travel Destinations'

It seems like all of our Google searches are “best cheap travel destinations” and if you’re in North Carolina then you don’t have to travel too far from home to find it!

U.S. News & World Report ranked the best cheap vacations around the country. According to the website, “Whether you’re seeking a fun national park adventure, a beach escape or a small-town getaway, you’ll discover plenty of budget-friendly vacation options on this list.”

Two North Carolina cities made the list.
Asheville came in at #7 on the list.
“Located in western North Carolina, Asheville appeals to nature lovers and adventure travelers. Take a drive along scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, hike to breathtaking waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest or learn about Southern Appalachian plant species at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Save money on lodging by opting for a hostel or vacation rental downtown or test your wilderness skills on a camping trip. You’ll also want to time your visit for summer when the town holds several free music festivals.”
Nags Head came in at #15 on the list.
“Spending time in the sun is the main reason to make the trip to Nags Head, part of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. The beach town’s sky-high sand dunes in Jockey’s Ridge State Park and great fishing spots in the surrounding Gulf Stream waters attract travelers with varying interests. When visitors are not lounging on the sand, they can explore Nags Head lighthouses or look for birds, sea turtles and more at nearby Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Fall and spring are the best seasons to visit thanks to fewer crowds and lower prices for accommodations.”
Full List of Best Cheap Vacations in the United States
1. Grand Canyon National Park
2. Glacier National Park
3. Grand Teton National Park
4. Moab
5. Bar Harbor
6. Cannon Beach

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7. Asheville, NC
8. Sequoia National Park
9. Olympic National Park
10. Destin, FL
11. Santa Fe
River walk along the James River in Historic York town, Virginia. Yorktown is a major tourist destination for history and leisure purposes
12. St. Augustine, FL
13. Gatlinburg, TN
14. Colorado Springs
15. Nags Head
16. San Antonio
17. Williamsburg
18. Gettysburg
19. Athens, GA
20. Portland, OR