Americans are expected to travel more and spend more on their trips in 2025. Several trends are expected to dominate domestic travel this year, including things such as “noctourism,” nostalgia and wellness.
In December 2024, U.S. News & World Report released rankings on trending vacation destinations for 2025. National parks dominated the list of popular destinations in the U.S., with Glacier National Park ranking on its Best Places to Visit in the USA list, with Yellowstone National Park ranking as No. 2.
“As the travel industry continues its robust recovery, travelers are increasingly attracted to one-of-a-kind landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery, favoring destinations like Machu Picchu, Tanzania and Mount Fuji,” says Elizabeth Von Tersch, senior travel editor at U.S. News. “From tranquil beaches to awe-inspiring views, the 2025 Best Vacations rankings offer a variety of destinations, both approachable and far-flung, to cater to every traveler’s tastes.”
U.S. News & World Report lists Glacier National Park; Yellowstone National Park; Maui, Hawaii; Grand Canyon National Park; and Yosemite National Park as top places to visit in the U.S. For people wanting to visit lesser-known destinations, the publication ranked Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S., including Bar Harbor, Maine; Telluride, Colorado; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Sedona, Arizona.
The publication also ranked its Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S., which listed Grand Teton National Park; Moab, Utah; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Grand Canyon National Park; and Cannon Beach, Oregon, at the top.
Looking to the skies
Regardless of where people choose to vacation, travelers are increasingly interested in what the hospitality industry has dubbed “noctourism” or “astro-tourism.” According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel Predictions report, noctourism refers to traveling to experience the night sky in all its glory – travelers seeking dark-sky zones “with unprecedented enthusiasm to marvel at the solar system and engage in things such as stargazing.”
Over 60% of people surveyed by Booking.com said they will consider visiting destinations with limited light pollution as a way to “inch closer to the cosmos.”
The Hilton Trends Report 2025 also noticed travelers’ fascination with the skies, noting that millions of Americans broke travel records in April 2024 to view the Total Solar Eclipse in cities in the path of totality, such as Little Rock, Arkansas, and Indianapolis. It also notes that travelers interested in learning more about the cosmos may want to check out the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia.
Expedia.com’s Unpack ’25 Report reveals that travelers want to experience natural phenomena of all types these days. The company’s survey found that the top natural phenomena travelers want to experience is seeing the Northern Lights (61%), followed by geological phenomena (30%) such as volcanos, geysers and hot springs. Some other popular phenomena travelers love include synchronous firefly season at the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; high tides in Bay of Fundy in Canada; bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida; and International Dark Sky Park in Utah’s Arches National Park.
“Whether it’s looking toward dark skies to stargaze or see the Northern Lights or heading to the beach to watch sea turtles hatch, travelers want a front-row seat to breathtaking natural wonders,” the report states.
Mix of adventure and rest
Vacationers seem to want both adventure and good rest on their trips. Hilton reports that many travelers will trek toward thrilling, unique adventures this year with 69% of global travelers enjoying being active during their vacations. To respond to that demand, Hilton says it formed a partnership with AutoCamp, boutique outdoor lodgings, that are now bookable through Hilton.com. The company says these glamping spots have been trending in locations such as Cape Cod, Yosemite, Zion and Joshua Tree.
But tourists also want to prioritize wellness and sleep this year. Hilton reports that there’s a rising interest in what’s called “hurkle-durkling,” a Scottish phrase for intentionally lounging all day in bed while on vacation. Hilton reports that about 25% of travelers also book a spa or wellness treatment specifically to enhance their sleep on vacation, and many travelers are relying on technology to aid in tracking and adapting their sleep cycles while vacationing.
MeMoons, the hospitality’s fancy term for solo travel, are also trending, according to Hilton. About 55% of Gen Z and 51% of millennials are more likely to travel on their own than with others. To relax and unwind, some of these solo travelers bring pets along (25%), and many of these solo travelers (64%) love finding good books to serve as their travel companion.
Booking.com reports that more people want to take longevity retreats, with travelers planning health-focused trips around experiences designed to extend their lifespan. The company says these trips will feature cutting-edge experiences such as red-light therapy, cryotherapy and stem cell treatments to bring both long-term health benefits and in-the-moment relaxation.
Personal and nostalgic finds
Souvenirs are still important to today’s travelers, but people are fascinated with finding merchandise that speaks specifically to the destination they visited. People love finding domestically made souvenirs to take home, such as a local delicacy or snack that’s enjoyed in that city.
Expedia reports that travelers are searching for “treasures they can’t get at home and can’t go home without,” such as popular skincare products from Korea or trendy chocolate bars from Dubai. The company says 44% of travelers shop to buy local goods they can’t get at home.
Nostalgia is also big with today’s travelers. According to Hilton, “recreating memories” was the third most-cited reason for leisure travel in the U.S., and 58% of global travelers revisit favorite childhood destinations.
Some vacationers also want to buy their entire wardrobe at their travel destination, so apparel is a big seller. According to Booking.com, over half of travelers are interested in buying their vacation wardrobe at their destination, with this figure rising to 63% for Gen Z.
Increasing interest in U.S. destinations
U.S. travel spending is expected to rise this year and in the coming years, as well. According to the U.S. Travel Winter 2025 Forecast from the U.S. Travel Association, total U.S. travel spending is projected to grow 3.9% to $1.35 trillion this year, with additional growth to $1.46 trillion (inflation-adjusted) by 2028.
Some big events might help spur international travel to U.S. destinations in the coming years. The FIFA 2026 World Cup in Atlanta, America’s 250 Anniversary as well as the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will all attract tourists to the country. U.S. Travel Association predicts international spending on travel in the U.S. will reach $200 billion this year.
