The Most Popular Places to Celebrate Memorial Day in 2022
More and more travelers are venturing out more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic as AAA Travel projects that more than 39 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, which is defined as May 26-30. From sun-drenched seaside locales to major cities, holiday travelers have their sights set on a variety of places, from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii and even Alaska, but most clearly have one thing in mind and that’s having plenty of fun in the sun. AAA booking data recently revealed the most popular U.S. hotspots to ring in the summer of 2022 and the results may surprise you.
10. Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii ended its Safe Travels program two months ago, making it easier for Americans to reach the islands and its top destinations like Honolulu. The Hawaiian capital offers visitors some of the best experiences in the Aloha State, from the glorious Waikiki Beach to the historically significant Pearl Harbor National Monument.
9. Boston, Massachusetts
As the weather warms up across the Northeast, many are planning a start-of-summer getaway to Boston to explore the city’s top sites, such as the 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail and iconic Fenway Park, home of the beloved Boston Red Sox, which will be in town for a five-game series Memorial Day Weekend.
8. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is certainly one of the more surprising cities in the domestic top 10 this year but it’s hard to argue with its unique blend of city and nature offering great bars and restaurants and fascinating museums one minute and breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters like whale watching the next.
7. Denver, Colorado
Landlocked destinations are getting plenty of love this Memorial Day as well. Denver is a place many want to be and not just on vacation. An abundance of sunshine and elite attractions such as Elitch Gardens and Larimer Square as well as easy access to spectacular nature make it a no-brainer for a late-May getaway.
6. New York, New York
Big cities continue to rebound in terms of tourist interest more than two years into the pandemic and New York City is an excellent example. The Big Apple boasts iconic sites, attractions and experiences in bunches that Memorial Day Weekend visitors can visit and participate in amid warmer temperatures.
5. Anaheim, California
Visitors to Anaheim in Southern California can look forward to plenty of family-friendly fun in the sun this Memorial Day, from iconic Disneyland Resort to Major League Baseball action as the hometown Los Angeles Angels will be in town to play the Toronto Blue Jays over the holiday weekend.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
The Entertainment Capital of the World is bouncing back in a big way post-pandemic, drawing huge crowds to the bustling Las Vegas Strip as marquee shows and performers return along with brand new sports teams and exciting attractions like FlyOver Las Vegas to further enhance Sin City’s unparalleled round-the-clock buzz.
3. Miami
Sunny South Florida is unsurprisingly high on many travelers’ lists this Memorial Day. Simply put, Miami has everything one need’s to enjoy a long weekend to kick off summer, including stellar beaches and calm waters, vibrant nightlife and museums and attractions to suit all ages and interests.
2. Seattle, Washington
The Pacific Northwest definitely isn’t flying under the radar right now as Seattle checks in at number two in AAA’s Memorial Day rankings. Famous landmarks and attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market are just a small sample of what the Emerald City has to offer. Visitors can even look forward to a day trip to North Cascades National Park, also known as the American Alps.
1. Orlando, Florida
The Theme Park Capital of the World is the number one domestic destination for Memorial Day Weekend 2022, based on AAA booking data. In addition to its warm weather, Orlando boasts a slew of world-class family-friendly attractions in the form of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld that are guaranteed to be jumping during the unofficial start of summer.