Unearth The Voyage
Wondering where Americans chose to explore in 2025? From bustling city streets to sunny coastlines, travelers voted with their feet and their five-star reviews. We gathered data from Tripadvisor rankings, YouGov surveys, and Google Trends to reveal which destinations captured hearts this year. Get ready to discover the cities that topped every must-visit list!
1. New York City, New York
Holding the crown once again, New York City claimed the top spot on Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice list. With landmarks like the Statue of Liberty greeting visitors and the Metropolitan Museum of Art housing world-class collections, there’s truly something for everyone. Stroll through Central Park, catch a Broadway show, or grab a slice of authentic New York pizza.
Each of the five boroughs brings its own flavor to the table. Brooklyn offers trendy neighborhoods and waterfront views, while Queens serves up incredible international cuisine. The Bronx is home to Yankee Stadium and the renowned zoo.
Manhattan’s Times Square dazzles with neon lights day and night. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned explorer, NYC never stops surprising you with new experiences around every corner.
2. Honolulu (Oʻahu), Hawaiʻi
Oʻahu secured the runner-up position on Tripadvisor’s 2025 rankings, and it’s easy to see why. Waikīkī Beach welcomes millions with its golden sands and gentle waves perfect for beginner surfers. Diamond Head offers a rewarding hike with panoramic views that make every step worth it.
History buffs flock to Pearl Harbor to pay respects at the USS Arizona Memorial. The island balances relaxation with adventure beautifully. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay reveals colorful fish and coral reefs just offshore.
Local food trucks serve up plate lunches mixing Hawaiian, Japanese, and Filipino flavors. Sunset strolls along the beach become daily rituals for visitors. Oʻahu blends natural beauty with rich cultural heritage, creating memories that last long after you leave paradise behind.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City landed in the top three on Tripadvisor’s 2025 list while also dominating holiday booking data. Sure, the casinos draw millions, but Vegas offers so much more than slot machines and poker tables. Immersive shows like Cirque du Soleil performances leave audiences speechless with acrobatic artistry.
Museums dedicated to neon signs and mob history tell the city’s colorful story. Fremont Street dazzles with its LED canopy light shows and street performers. World-class restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs serve everything from steakhouse classics to innovative fusion cuisine.
Day trips to Red Rock Canyon or Hoover Dam provide nature escapes. The city reinvents itself constantly, adding new attractions and experiences. Whether you’re twenty-one or seventy-one, Vegas knows how to entertain.
4. Key West, Florida (Florida Keys)
The Florida Keys claimed a spot in Tripadvisor’s top five, with Key West leading the charge. Mallory Square’s nightly sunset celebration turns into a festival with fire jugglers, musicians, and local artists displaying their work. Applause erupts the moment the sun dips below the horizon.
Snorkeling trips to Dry Tortugas National Park reveal pristine coral reefs and historic Fort Jefferson. Hemingway’s former home welcomes visitors curious about the famous writer’s island life. Six-toed cats descended from his pets still roam the property today.
Duval Street pulses with bars, shops, and restaurants serving fresh seafood. The laid-back island vibe encourages flip-flops and relaxation. Key West’s quirky charm and tropical beauty make it impossible not to fall in love.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
Music spills from every doorway in the French Quarter, making New Orleans a 2025 favorite among reviewers. Jazz clubs, brass bands, and street performers create a constant soundtrack to your visit. The architecture tells stories of Spanish and French colonial influences with ornate ironwork balconies.
Festivals happen year-round, from Mardi Gras madness to Jazz Fest celebrations. Beignets dusted with powdered sugar at Cafe du Monde become a necessary morning ritual. Gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys showcase Creole and Cajun cooking traditions passed down through generations.
Historic cemeteries feature above-ground tombs that look like miniature cities. Streetcars rattle down St. Charles Avenue past grand mansions. NOLA’s unique blend of culture, food, and music creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in America.
6. Nashville, Tennessee
Country music capital energy radiates through every neighborhood, earning Nashville a spot in Tripadvisor’s 2025 top ten. Broadway’s honky-tonks offer live music from noon until the early morning hours, with no cover charge required. YouGov research shows older travelers particularly love Music City’s welcoming vibe.
The Grand Ole Opry continues its decades-long tradition of showcasing legendary and up-and-coming artists. Museums dedicated to Johnny Cash and the Country Music Hall of Fame preserve the genre’s history. Hot chicken has become Nashville’s signature dish, with spice levels ranging from mild to face-melting.
Murals decorate walls throughout the Gulch and East Nashville neighborhoods. The Parthenon replica in Centennial Park surprises first-time visitors. Nashville successfully blends Southern hospitality with modern urban energy, appealing to multiple generations of travelers.
7. San Francisco, California
Golden Gate views never get old, which is why San Francisco maintained its position in Tripadvisor’s 2025 top ten. Walking or biking across the iconic orange bridge offers perspectives you simply can’t get from a car. The Presidio provides hiking trails with bay vistas and historical military buildings.
Alcatraz Island tours book up weeks in advance as visitors explore the infamous former prison. Cable cars climb steep hills while passengers hang off the sides, gripping the poles tightly. Fisherman’s Wharf buzzes with seafood restaurants and playful sea lions sunbathing on the docks.
Diverse neighborhoods like Chinatown, the Mission, and Haight-Ashbury each tell different stories. Sourdough bread bowls filled with clam chowder warm you up on foggy afternoons. San Francisco’s unique geography and progressive culture make it endlessly fascinating.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Architecture boat cruises along the Chicago River remain peak-season magnets in 2025 rankings. Knowledgeable guides point out buildings designed by famous architects while explaining the city’s rebuilding after the Great Fire. The Riverwalk invites leisurely strolls past restaurants and public art installations.
Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate sculpture (locals call it The Bean) reflects the skyline in its mirror-like surface. Navy Pier offers carnival rides, fireworks, and lakefront views. Deep-dish pizza sparked endless debates about whether it counts as real pizza, but visitors devour it anyway.
World-class museums like the Art Institute and Field Museum could fill multiple days. Summer festivals celebrate everything from blues music to ethnic cuisines. Chicago’s Midwestern friendliness combined with big-city amenities creates a winning combination for travelers.
9. Charleston, South Carolina
A slower pace defines this coastal charmer that earned spots on both Tripadvisor’s 2025 list and Google’s trending weekend getaways. Rainbow Row’s pastel-painted houses create the most photographed block in the city. Horse-drawn carriage tours clip-clop through narrow streets while guides share stories of pirates and plantations.
Historic markets overflow with sweetgrass baskets woven using techniques passed down from West African ancestors. Antebellum architecture showcases Greek Revival and Georgian styles beautifully preserved. Waterfront parks offer swings overlooking the harbor where Fort Sumter stands in the distance.
Lowcountry cuisine features shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fresh oysters. Southern hospitality isn’t just a saying here; locals genuinely welcome visitors warmly. Charleston’s combination of history, food, and coastal beauty makes it perfect for relaxing getaways.
10. Washington, D.C.
Free admission to Smithsonian museums keeps Washington, D.C. firmly in the national top ten for 2025. The National Air and Space Museum displays actual spacecraft and historic aircraft that made aviation history. Natural History Museum’s dinosaur skeletons and Hope Diamond never fail to impress kids and adults alike.
Monuments honor presidents and veterans along the National Mall’s expansive green space. Cherry blossoms transform the Tidal Basin into a pink wonderland each spring. Capitol tours let visitors walk through the building where laws are made.
Food halls and international restaurants reflect the city’s diverse population. Neighborhoods like Georgetown offer cobblestone streets and waterfront views. D.C. combines education with inspiration, making it ideal for families seeking both fun and learning opportunities during their travels.
11. Los Angeles, California
YouGov’s 2025 survey found L.A. among the most-considered destinations, driven by beaches, culture, and entertainment options. Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park amusement rides and arcade games overlook the ocean. Venice Beach boardwalk showcases street performers, muscle beach bodybuilders, and colorful murals.
Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame lets visitors hunt for their favorite celebrities’ stars. Griffith Observatory provides stunning city views and planetarium shows about our universe. Studio tours at Warner Bros or Universal reveal movie-making magic behind the scenes.
Food trucks serve everything from Korean tacos to gourmet grilled cheese. Getty Center’s architecture and art collections are both worth the visit. L.A.’s sprawling geography means you’ll need a car, but the diversity of experiences makes the traffic worthwhile for most travelers.
12. San Diego, California
Coastline, parks, and family-friendly attractions landed San Diego high on YouGov’s 2025 list of places people are considering visiting. La Jolla Cove attracts snorkelers eager to swim alongside sea lions and colorful fish. Balboa Park houses multiple museums, gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo in one massive complex.
Perfect weather year-round means beach days happen in December just as easily as July. Coronado Island’s Victorian hotel and pristine beaches feel like stepping back in time. Seaport Village offers waterfront dining and quirky shops selling everything from kites to handmade jewelry.
Fish tacos were practically invented here, with countless spots claiming to serve the best version. Sunset Cliffs provide dramatic ocean views perfect for evening strolls. San Diego’s laid-back California vibe makes it easy to relax and enjoy simple pleasures.
13. Seattle, Washington
Mountains meeting water create scenery that helped Seattle land among YouGov’s most-considered domestic picks for 2025. The Space Needle remains the city’s most recognizable landmark, offering 360-degree views from its observation deck. Pike Place Market bustles with fishmongers throwing salmon and vendors selling fresh flowers.
Coffee culture runs deep here, with independent cafes on nearly every corner. Mount Rainier looms in the distance on clear days, reminding visitors that wilderness sits just outside city limits. Ferries transport passengers across Puget Sound to islands perfect for day trips.
Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases stunning blown-glass artwork in vibrant colors. The original Starbucks location draws tourists despite being just another coffee shop inside. Seattle’s combination of urban sophistication and outdoor access appeals to travelers seeking both cultural experiences and nature adventures.
14. Portland, Oregon
Trending high in 2025 Google searches for family activities, Portland has become a hot pick for parents planning vacations. Powell’s City of Books occupies an entire city block, creating a literary wonderland where kids and adults can get lost for hours. Food cart pods serve international cuisines at affordable prices throughout the city.
Washington Park contains multiple attractions including a Japanese garden, rose garden, and children’s museum. Columbia River Gorge offers waterfall hikes just thirty minutes from downtown. The quirky slogan Keep Portland Weird encourages local businesses and unusual public art.
Voodoo Doughnut’s creative flavors and pink boxes have become Instagram famous. Biking infrastructure makes pedaling around the city safe and enjoyable. Portland’s emphasis on local, sustainable, and creative living gives it a distinct personality that families find refreshingly different from typical tourist destinations.
15. Asheville, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains surround this artsy city that’s trending in Google’s 2025 searches for kid-friendly activities. Biltmore Estate stands as America’s largest home, with 250 rooms filled with art and antiques. Kids especially love exploring the basement with its bowling alley and indoor pool.
Blue Ridge Parkway provides scenic drives with overlooks perfect for family photos and picnics. Downtown’s indie galleries, street musicians, and craft breweries (many with family-friendly outdoor spaces) create a creative atmosphere. River Arts District features working studios where visitors watch artists create pottery, paintings, and jewelry.
Hiking trails range from easy nature walks to challenging mountain climbs. Local restaurants emphasize farm-to-table ingredients and Southern comfort food with modern twists. Asheville’s blend of natural beauty, historic attractions, and artistic culture offers something engaging for every family member regardless of age.
