Planning trips to nearby spots is a growing trend that lets you uncover a whole new world within a day’s drive. Check out five of the hottest travel trends to see which matches your vacay vibes this summer.
As summer kicks off, you might find yourself wanting to “fill in the blanks” on your calendar with just-right travel that’s not too big and not too small in terms of cost and duration. These five trends are sure to help you scratch that itch, whether you’re looking for kid-friendly or adults-only destinations, or something in between. Each category earns a rating on cost, kid-friendliness and spontaneity to help you narrow down your choices.
There are two sides to this trend: nearby and whirlwind international. The latter is fueled by spell-binding photo montages on TikTok with titles like “48 hours in Rome.” On the more accessible flipside are daytrips or long weekends to destinations within easy driving distance. If a quick driving getaway is on your roadmap this summer, you’re in good company. Nearly 90% of U.S. travelers plan to drive instead of fly this year1. Where you go depends on your homebase. But wherever you are, one of the main benefits of the short jaunt is exploring a handful of places and booking spontaneously as time opens up, rather than planning for a big, long stay way in advance.
This trend plays well with all the other trending destinations on our list—so mix and match to find what works best for you! If you choose to drive, the cost is generally way cheaper than if you buy an airline ticket.
Expense is a wild card here, depending wholly on the destination and if you fly or drive.
Whether or not littles will like it is completely up to you! Almost every destination offers unique experiences for kids, so it’s dealer’s choice on what you add to your itinerary.
This type of traveling lends itself to flexibility.
Especially if you live in the middle of the country, there are plenty of “second cities” with tons to offer that you may have never visited, or at least not with a vacationer’s mindset.
Think of places like Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, Michigan; Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Do a little research on any of these destinations, and you will be surprised at how many unique attractions pop up. Here’s a lightning-round highlighting just a few:
Truly, the Midwest is studded with unexpected gems. To choose your first stop, look at a map and decide your destination based on the distance you want to drive, or if you need something more tailored to kids or adult fun.
Versus flying to the beach or a more expensive urban destination (NYC, Chicago or LA), a Midwestern second city is sure to be more economical by comparison.
The beauty here is that you can mix-and-match your activities to suit your travel group.
Unless you happen to pick a date with a big event or convention, these lesser-known destinations don’t generally book up in advance.
National parks are unquestionably spectacular, and there’s increased interest in visiting them this year as our country celebrates its 250th birthday. Alternatively, you can also check out our amazing state parks, with a few likely nearly in your own backyard. Visits to these wild spaces are ticking up, along with a social media trend to #touchgrass and literally unplug from technology, work and our ever-present devices. According to a Priceline survey, 59% of travelers are intentionally choosing more rugged destinations that make unplugging mandatory (because… spotty Wifi)2. It’s all about recharging yourself instead of laptops and smartphones.
Other advantages of state parks? They’re likely less expensive and less crowded than their national counterparts. If you’ve lived in your town a long time, you probably already know the local favorite spots, although chances are you may have never visited or not in quite some time. If you’re newer to the area, ask around for recommendations from the natives. From a cost standpoint, you can keep it economical by tent or car camping. Or spring for a rental cabin, available on a spectrum from rustic to chic.
Camping keeps costs down, while booking a cabin will be more expensive (but… bathrooms).
Most outdoor destinations are super kid-friendly, but there are some places that may have more dangerous features like cliffs and steep trails suitable for teens versus toddlers.
A little research really pays off here, as some favorite spots can book up far in advance while others have vacancies even at the last minute.
Are you a die-hard college sports fan? If yes, you’re part of a growing trend of athletic supporters flocking to watch their favorite college athletes play on campus before they go pro. From football to gymnastics, fans are heading to destinations like The Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, University of Texas, Indiana University, University of Southern California and University of North Carolina. And the game is just part of the appeal of sports-based travel. Many of these college towns boast vibrant nightlife with a delicious culinary scene and unique indie businesses.
This is a trend you can enjoy at many different levels. Consider starting by going to games at the universities and colleges in your area. Then venture a little further afield by car, or fly to far-off destinations to follow your team’s success wherever it may take them.
College games can be pricey, although it depends on the details.
Junior sports fans may cheer for these experiences, while others boo and beg to leave at half-time.
If you want your trip to include a game, you’ll definitely have to plan ahead.
Hitting the road as a party of one is experiencing a renaissance, fueled by online conversations that encourage self-discovery over relationship status. You don’t need a plus one when you have your own thoughts to keep you company, right? What might stop your scroll on social are far-flung, picture-perfect destinations like Idyllwild, California; La Altagracia, Dominican Republic and Tromso, Norway; which are seeing triple-digit growth.
But soulful reflection can happen equally impactfully much closer to home (and with a much lower pricetag). Grab your journal and head to a city (or a greenspace) a few hours’ drive away to see if you like it or not. Some hotel brands offer “postcard cabins” in natural spots. Or try renting a tiny home or treehouse perfectly sized for a singleton. A word of advice: dining alone can feel awkward for the uninitiated. Bringing a book helps.
This is destination dependent, but it probably won’t be super cheap since travel is mostly optimized for pairs.
This is an adults-only proposition.
It’s just you, so do as you will at your whim.
The appealing thing about all these trends is their accessibility and variety. You don’t have to pick just one, you can sample several without blowing the budget. The hardest part might just be picking where to head first. Bon voyage!
1 According to HometoGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals and the leading European vacation rental group. These stats are from its 2026 Travel Trends Forecast. https://www.hometogo.com/travel-trends-2026/
2 According to Priceline’s 2026 Trend Report
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