Americans are expected to travel more and spend more on their trips in 2025. Several trends seem to dominate 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 the new year. National parks dominated the lists of popular destinations.
“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.
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 also 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.
For cost-conscious travelers, the publication 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.
Over 60% of people surveyed by Booking.com said they will consider visiting destinations with limited light pollution.
The Hilton Trends Report 2025 noticed that millions of Americans hit the roads in April 2024 to view the Total Solar Eclipse.
Expedia.com’s Unpack ’25 Report revealed 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 volcanoes, geysers and hot springs.
Adventure and rest
Vacationers seem to want both adventure and rest on their trips. Hilton reports that many travelers will trek toward thrilling adventures this year with 69% of travelers enjoying being active during their vacations.
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.
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.
Personalized 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 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.
