The 10 Best Cities for Summer Travelers
Albuquerque remains a top destination for baby boomers, but now it’s making a concerted effort to attract younger travelers who are more interested in an active, adventure vacation. That means playing up existing attractions like rafting in the Grand Canyon or hiking the Sandia Mountains, as well as planning new ones, like a 50-mile bike loop around the city.
Flickr/Ken Lund
The City of Angels appears high on WalletHub’s list, thanks to high scores on weather conditions and the number of attractions. The city drew more than 44 million visitors last year, up nearly 5 percent from 2013.
Flickr/Kevin Stanchfield
In recent years, the city has bolstered its tourism destinations with the opening of the new George W. Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University and Klyde Warren Park, a 5.2-acre space built over the freeway in downtown Dallas. Its Arts District comprises an impressive 20 square blocks.
Flickr/Ron Doke
The cost of staying and eating in Oklahoma City is the second lowest on WalletHub’s list (after Knoxville). The state capital plays up its Western heritage with horse shows, but it also has more high-brow culture in its galleries and museums.
Flickr/Matthew Rutledge
With lots of cheap flights in and out of the city, WalletHub ranked Austin fifth in the nation based on the ease and price of visiting. The “Live Music Capital of the World” is also relatively inexpensive for travelers on a budget.
Flickr/Knowsphotos
Looking for a vacation full of nature and outdoor recreation? This is the place. Visitors can hike and bike in the nearby Wasatch-Cache National Forest or in the canyons located just minutes from downtown. But you don’t have to rough it when it comes to food: Wine Enthusiast recently named the city one of the top 5 New Foodie Destinations.
Flickr/CountyLemonade
It’s long been a leading destination for golfers and retirees, but Phoenix is also making a concerted effort to reach out to those traveling with kids. Families will find plenty to do, including multiple water parks and hands-on museums.
Flickr/Barandur
Must-see attractions in the ATL include the world-class Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta (one of only four U.S. zoos to house giant pandas) and Stone Mountain Park, the most visited attraction in Georgia. With an average daily travel cost of just $138 per person, according to BudgetYourTrip.com, Atlanta is a great option for budget travelers.
Flickr/Valerie
It’s not just Mecca for Mickey Mouse fans anymore. The Central Florida city now has more than a dozen theme parks, including the newly opened Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando and New Fantasyland at Disneyworld.
Flickr/Brian Moran
With the most attractions of any city on the list, Sin City came out as the top destination for this summer. The city drew more than 14 million visitors last summer, and its Convention and Visitors Authority hopes to top that this year.
Flickr/James M Phelps Jr