Canva Are you fantasizing about lounging on a quiet beach or taking your chances with Lady Luck in a gambling-friendly destination on your next vacation? With spring break and summer vacation right around the corner, the season of peak travel times is approaching fast. Not to mention, travel and tourism in the U.S. has jumped nearly 65% in recent years, based on figures released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It’s the largest bump in that sector since BEA started measuring the data in 1998. To help narrow your selections with a list of the hottest travel destinations, Stacker ranked the top 25 most popular U.S. cities using 2022 fourth-quarter data from research and analytics firm YouGov. To rank cities, Stacker used YouGov’s overall positive opinion score, or the percentage of positive responses in the survey, with scores also broken down by generation. From busy metropolises on both coasts to more quaint getaways to relax and recharge, you’ll find both predictable tourist destinations along with some pleasant surprises making the top 10–notably two Colorado cities in the mix. Whether you are looking to take in the country’s most-revered historical architecture, venture along a bustling waterfront, or satisfy your taste buds with a culinary tour at a happening foodie city, you’ll find a plethora of options here. Will Chicago, New Orleans, Nashville, Denver, Portland, or Vegas be next on your travel itinerary? Read on to learn which cities scored highest with millennials, Gen Xers, and boomers as you set your plans in motion. You may also like: 25 iconic historic sites keeping American history alive #25. Jacksonville, Florida Canva – Positive opinion score: 51% — Popularity among boomers: 40% — Popularity among Gen X: 50% — Popularity among millennials: 62% Marvel at its famous skyscrapers, catch the latest exhibits at the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, indulge in slices of deep-dish pizza (or find a tavern-style slice, the favorite pizza of Chicago natives), and see the city by boat for a memorable tour on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Day or night, the city dazzles, but don’t leave without snapping the requisite photo in front of the Buckingham Fountain or the Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately called “The Bean,” or venturing into one of the city’s many cultural neighborhoods. Many notable cultural landmarks dot the city, especially for African Americans (who make up almost a third of the population). These include the Johnson Publishing Company Building (where Jet and Ebony magazines were first published), the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the Historic Pullman District, home to the country’s first Black labor history museum, the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. #23. Portland, Oregon Canva – Positive opinion score: 51% — Popularity among boomers: 44% — Popularity among Gen X: 48% — Popularity among millennials: 61% The city has so many outdoor attractions that are a must: from the McCall Waterfront and Washington Park to the waterfalls at Latourell and Multnomah, and the International Rose Test Garden. You’ll want to have your most comfortable walking shoes for your trip. Stops at the Portland Saturday Market and the beloved Powell’s Bookstore also offer hours of shopping pleasure. An LGBTQ+-friendly town, Portland has been hosting the two-day Portland Pride Waterfront Festival, one of the largest Pride festivals on the West Coast, since 1976. #22. Philadelphia Canva – Positive opinion score: 52% — Popularity among boomers: 43% — Popularity among Gen X: 51% — Popularity among millennials: 59% Important historical sites beckon in one of the oldest cities in the union and our country’s first capital. It is home to 67 National Historic Landmarks, including Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Liberty Bell. There are fun pop culture destinations, too: the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art steps featured in the “Rocky” films and the famous skateboarding destination LOVE Park, plus lively neighborhoods to explore, like Washington Square West for its shopping districts and Old City for museums. #21. Dallas Canva – Positive opinion score: 52% — Popularity among boomers: 44% — Popularity among Gen X: 52% — Popularity among millennials: 59% See the city in all its glory with a 360-degree view from nearly 500 feet up at the Reunion Tower’s GeO-Deck; its nighttime skyline is especially spectacular. Walk along paved pathways to take in the natural splendor at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and locals recommend the city’s happening Bishop Arts District just south of downtown for an array of galleries, restaurants (remember to get some barbecue!), boutiques, and live entertainment. Or catch a performance in the original Arts District at the renowned Dallas Black Dance Theatre company, the oldest dance company in the city, within walking distance from the Nasher Sculpture Center and Dallas Museum of Art. You may also like: Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state #20. Virginia Beach, Virginia Canva – Positive opinion score: 52% — Popularity among boomers: 52% — Popularity among Gen X: 48% — Popularity among millennials: 55.% Its endless miles of coastline are no doubt the main draw and its vibrant 3-mile boardwalk scene that stretches from 2nd to 40th streets. Start from Grommet Island Park, a 15,000-square-foot park with a fantastic playground right in front of the beach, and make your way past Neptune’s Park, which hosts a nightly summer concert series, to the Navy SEAL monument, a life-size granite statue standing watch over the coastline. Not far are the aquatic wonders of Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Military history buffs will want to head south to see the large collection of World War I and II aircraft up close at the Military Aviation Museum. #19. Atlanta Canva – Positive opinion score: 53% — Popularity among boomers: 44% — Popularity among Gen X: 51% — Popularity among millennials: 61% Delve into the city’s rich history at the Atlanta History Center. Follow the journeys of its iconic leaders John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., and other activists at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Midtown Atlanta serves up arts and culture events all year–at venues like the Woodruff Arts Center, Fox Theatre, and Alliance Theatre. A visit to Piedmont Park, which hosts the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Atlanta Pride, is a must for a shot of the city skyline reflecting off the lake. #18. Memphis, Tennessee Canva – Positive opinion score: 53% — Popularity among boomers: 50% — Popularity among Gen X: 54% — Popularity among millennials: 56.% A trip to the Home of the Blues wouldn’t be complete without soul food; longtime favorites include The Four Way in South Memphis–where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Rev. Al Sharpton have all dined–and Alcenia’s downtown. For live music, the neon sign-lined Beale Street mesmerizes by night, with crowds packing the sidewalk and its many clubs and bars, such as Rum Boogie Café and B.B. King’s Blues Club–both offering nightly entertainment and, yes, mouthwatering barbecue. History buffs have many options, including the National Civil Rights Museum and the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. #17. Tucson, Arizona Canva – Positive opinion score: 53% — Popularity among boomers: 53% — Popularity among Gen X: 54% — Popularity among millennials: 55.% Tucson is a draw, says local author and journalist Todd Miller. “I would say the Sonoran Desert is a huge reason–one of the world’s most biodiverse deserts–with, of course, the famous iconic saguaro cactus.” (Bring your binoculars to also look out for its more than 500 bird species!) If exploring Native American archaeological sites interests you, consider a tour by the Old Pueblo Archaeology Center to see the Hopi and Zuñi Pueblo areas, ancient petroglyphs, and the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Tucson is also the first among the states to receive UNESCO’s distinction as a city of gastronomy, which guarantees an adventurous culinary experience: from BOCA Tacos y Tequila to Ghini’s French Caffe and Bistro to Mama Louisa’s Italian restaurant. #16. Austin, Texas
Which 25 US cities are most popular to visit now?
