NEED TO KNOW
- WalletHub’s Best Summer Travel Destinations survey studied 100 U.S. metro areas, ranking them on based on factors such as flight costs, weather and dining affordability
- The top city had diverse attractions and a low travel cost
- The survey said 72% of Americans plan to vacation this summer
Summer is always a peak time for traveling, and a new survey has gathered the best vacation destinations for that time of year, providing something for everyone whether it’s relaxation or thrills.
Around 72% of Americans plan to head on a vacation this summer, according to WalletHub, which recently released their list of the 2026 Best Summer Travel Destinations. The survey analyzed 100 of metro areas across 41 factors such as the cost of the cheapest flight, the number of city attractions, the average meal cost for two people, the weather and more.
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Atlanta took the survey’s top spot, as they noted that “the shortest flights from major cities don’t require any connections” and the city has a diverse set of attractions, whether you’re checking out a spa or staying out until their “last call” time.
Here are the top cities on the 2026 Best Summer Travel Destinations survey:
- Atlanta
- Orlando, Fla.
- Austin, Texas
- Washington, D.C.
- Honolulu,
- Tampa, Fla.
- Philadelphia
- Salt Lake City
- Cincinnati
- Richmond, Va.
- San Antonio
- St. Louis
- Oklahoma City
- Pittsburgh
- Tulsa, Okla.
- New York City
- Omaha, Neb.
- Raleigh, N.C.
- San Diego
- Houston
Orlando landed at No. 2 for similarly easy and cheap flights and low hotel room costs, with the “lowest nightly rate for a three-star hotel room” being $49.
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“Orlando also ranks highly when it comes to the prevalence of water parks, boat tours, ice cream shops, coffee shops, shopping centers and spas, providing venues to both get thrills and relax,” the survey added.
Austin rounded out the top three for being “really easy to find affordable restaurants” that also had high Yelp ratings.
They explained that Austin “offers a mix of culture and outdoor fun, boasting a high number of attractions including the Bullock Texas State History Museum as well as shopping centers, music venues, food festivals and hiking trails.”
“With a cost of living lower than many other major U.S. cities, it’s a destination that’s both exciting to explore and easy on the wallet,” WalletHub added.
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Meanwhile, Honolulu ranked No. 1 for the best weather and the lowest travel costs and hassles.
Oklahoma City was the best for local costs, and the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area was No. 1 for attractions for 2026.
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On the opposite end, the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro area in California placed the lowest out of the 100 areas observed.
“When picking a summer travel destination, it’s easy to focus just on the types of activities you want to do or certain cities you’ve always wanted to see. However, choosing a destination that’s not only entertaining but also affordable is important when travel, dining and activity costs have surged so much in recent years. It can also allow you to have a longer, more relaxing trip,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub’s analyst, on the survey’s website.
